Two Old Women and a Dog Fight

I take my old dog, Highlin’ for his regular morning walk down Darley Drive, a block or two just past the house where two women live with their young son, middle school age. Lately, pink and purple petunias framing each side of the sidewalk are spreading out, glorious. 

They usually give their son a ride to school. I see him walk out the side door towards the car. His dog, Red, wags his tail beside him as they run to the car. 

I  have seen him walk his dog many times. Today, when Red sees Highlin’ he runs over to sniff. I’m standing still, being gracious. I have no fear. I am not afraid of dogs.

Next thing I see is that dog attacking my dog. While Highln’ is taller and older, Red is wider and thicker. I attempt to pull Highlin’ back hollering Highlin’, Highlin’, as the woman in the house comes running out to reign her dog in to no avail.

I pull harder and Highlin’s collar slips over his head.  I have lost all control.

I keep yelling and the woman is now on top of her dog attempting to pull him off. 

Nothing stops these dogs as Red begins to dig his jaw into that fleshy area around Highlin’s thigh. The woman is still on top of her dog trying to pull him off with Highlin’s front thigh in Red’s jaw, his head shaking and shaking from left to right. 

That dog is going to kill my dog, I say to myself. 

I take the leash, get behind Highlin’, slip it under his belly and pull him away.  Red runs into the house. I comfort Highlin’ and begin to walk him, slowly, home. 

Ever the optimist, I say to the woman, He’ll be OK.

No, she says, it’s serious. We will pay for the visit and mets us at the office. 

Stitches and pain pills, $900.

After surgery the Vet hands me her card and says, If you have any questions or concerns, call me.

I take her at her word. I fix a bed for Highlin’ on the floor beside my bed. I can reach out and gently pat his head, comforting him and me.  Around 3 AM I hear him whimpering. Not sure if I can give him another pain pill and not being able to stand hearing my dog suffer, I turn on the nightlight and search for her card. She kindly tells me another pain pill is fine.  

Now, Highlin’ and I  take slower walks and never pass that house.  After two years old age settled in on him bringing a new kind of suffering. 

It’s time, the Vet and I agreed. As Highlin’ peacefully laid on her silver table, taking one last breath, we both cried.