Ulysses

I just returned home last evening from my annual sister's weekend away.  We visited Galena, Illinios and had a wonderful time (despite the apparent presence of ghosts which haunted me more in my head than in reality! :) ).  Our last stop yesterday afternoon was a tour of the home of Ulysses Grant.  The home sits on top of a hill.  After our tour we were walking the grounds and saw a little dog running around near the bottom of the hill.  There were many houses near but no one out with him.  We were curious but assumed he had a family nearby who would call for him soon.  We walked a ways around the grounds and a little while later were greeted by the little guy who ran right up to us.  Beckie, my sister scooped him up.  He snuggled right in, happy to be warm.  He was very sweet, friendly and smelled like he had just had a bath.  No collar and no family around.  We had planned to leave, needed to get home and weren't sure what to do.  We went back to the Grant house and waited outside the door to talk to the tour guide and see if perhaps they recognized him.  While we waited, another family arrived for a tour and hearing about the dog quickly stepped in to help.  Also tourists, none of us knew who to call.  The gentleman quickly got out his phone to search for area shelters and veterinarians.  All were closed on Sunday.  The family offered to help in any way.  A few minutes later the tour guide arrived and we asked if they knew the dog.  No, they did not but he had been hanging around a while.  She called out another employee who was very concerned and being local had some thoughts on who to call.  After some consideration she called the local police who sent an officer over right away.  He was kind and said he would take him to their holding facility for the night and take him in the morning to see if he was microchipped and hope his family would call.  Except the holding facility is outdoors.  This little guy was shivering already and would not be able to tolerate a night out in the cold.  He had no other option.  A few minutes later a second officer arrived who also had no other suggestions.  By this time we had a crowd of concerned and wonderful people on the porch all considering what to do for the little dog.  

Earlier in the day we had visited a pet supply store in town and had a great chat with the woman working there.  Beckie suggested I call her.  We looked up her number and I called.  I got voicemail and started leaving a message telling her who I was and our situation.  She quickly answered and told me she would call her boss who was the owner of the shop and would be able to help us.  Within five minutes, Gail (the shop owner) was on the phone with me arranging a space at her rescue for the little guy.  All the while, the employee, police and other concerned humans waiting patiently with us as we worked through how we could best help him be safe and hopefully find his family. Being a visitor to town I was unfamiliar with the location of her rescue so the police officer offered to lead the way.  So it was with a police escort that little Ulysses (what we have been calling him) made his way into gentle arms and warm place to await his family.  We are hopeful they will be reunited but if not, Beckie has fallen in love and will happily take him into her home.

It was such a heartwarming reminder of human goodness and the power of community and wonderful people coming together to care for one little dog.

I wonder... what would have happened if it was a pig?  I truly believe it would have happened the same way.  When met as an individual, connections can be made and compassion can flourish.