“Can We Find Her?”

This is the tale of kind strangers whom I will never, ever forget. Writing a grateful, heartfelt letter to them will be my cherished pleasure. But first, the backstory:

Our dear friends asked us to babysit their dog, Binky, (name changed) a docile mixed breed, medium-sized sweetie pie. We would have her for a week. We were overjoyed. Our family loved dogs, but we were never home, so we could never have our own. Keeping that cuddly, calm soul for a week–what a treat it would be…until it wasn’t, on the last day.

Our eleven-year-old youngest daughter had taken Binky around the neighborhood. About a half hour later, we looked out our kitchen window to see our tween standing on the driveway, holding Binky’s empty-collared leash and sobbing. What?! Oh Lordy. Uh-Oh. YIKES! We came running out to ask which direction Binky had gone, and immediately loaded into the car. My husband began to drive before we even closed the doors.

This November day was chilly. I remember parking the car and wandering around woodsy areas, praying. The wind was bone-chilling, and my hands were freezing. I had even enlisted my mom and sister, who lived down the street, to look in their adjacent woods, and they gladly helped, armed with doggie treats and toys, just in case we would get so lucky.

Obviously, the stakes were high. My husband and I wondered if our long-term friendship could withstand us losing their beloved dog! It was catastrophic to think about. To add to this devastating event, their son struggled with bi-polar, and Binky was his constant solace during the awful patches of his mental illness.

We drove every street within a five mile radius. We also called for her, on foot. A dad and his daughter came upon us and learned of our plight. I remember being particularly touched that our problem became important to them, and they quickly went to a nearby grocery store for dog food to carry around, in hopes of luring Binky out of her hiding place. These strangers must’ve helped us for over two hours. I never even learned their names.

Here we were in the car, hoping for a miracle. Our daughter had red-rimmed eyes. I said to my husband, “How on Earth can we ever fix this?” I envisioned how it would feel to lose this decades-long friendship. I knew it would be a scar for life. Cruising along the main drag in that town, hollering, “Binky!” out the windows, I remember gazing at the other people walking along. I wanted to be someone, anyone else. I wanted my soul to sneak out of my body and enter one of theirs, so I would not have this devastating problem.

It was getting late, and our friends were to return from their vacation in an hour or so. I begged God to fix this. Our youngster and I held hands in the back seat, “Lord, PLEASE HELP! Now!”

My better half suggested, grabbing his cellphone at a red light, “Why don’t we call the local police non-emergency number, and maybe a cop driving along his beat could also be looking for Binky, if he is having a slow day?” Excellent idea, indeed.

A half hour later, we got the call. That sweet, blond/brown doggie was out in a yard, two miles away, playing with some kids. It just so happened that she was right out front where the policeman could see her!

This lovely man brought our precious, borrowed furball to the station where we could pick her up. She was exhausted and quite hungry from her adventure, collapsing on the floor of the car and snoozing. In all of my life, I have never been so relieved. Twenty minutes later Binky’s parents came to get her. Saved by the bell. Lord, have mercy. We greeted them at the door, so relieved we were almost comatose.

Today Binky is healthy, and the relationship is intact. Praise God.

Dear Dad, Daughter and Policeman,

Thirteen years later, after one of the most traumatic episodes in my life, I am beyond grateful to all of you. You three could give packed seminars on “How to Be the Best Stranger”!

Dad and Daughter, you probably had no idea that your relaxing Saturday stroll would end up becoming a frantic search and rescue operation! You did not even know us, but you spent your rare time off assisting us to find our friends’ lost dog. You generously took on our problem as your own. You two remain VIPs in our lives, and you don’t even know it. How far-reaching was your service that day. We continue to enjoy a non-strained friendship with two special people who placed their trust in us, to carefully watch over their pet.

You two have inspired me for life. We are committed to paying it forward. We will always drop everything to help anyone who loses their special canine family member.

Policeman, my chocolate chip cookies for you could never thank you adequately for what you did for us that fateful day. To take your time during a busy shift watching over our town, and thoroughly search for an escaped fur-baby, is a colossal gift. You embody “Protect and Serve”, and are a role model to all Police Academy hopefuls who come behind you. Your character and caring are true blue.

To all of you, I will forever carry your kindness and generosity of spirit with me. God Bless You.
With Tremendous Gratitude,
Theresa Siller