Being a Hero

When I was a kid I wanted not to be worthless (unaware that it was my own mistaken decision that labelled me thus.)

I loved comic books as an adolescent. The heroes were wonderful, worthwhile, most were even modest. Spiderman was a favorite...

About six years ago I began exercising daily. Having turned 50, I read how I could either exercise daily, or deteriorate. But it was hard, until I began doing it for others. I did it to be healthy for my family, to be around longer for my kids, and to set an example for others.

Last night I stayed up too late and this morning I slept late. I exercised only for 30 minutes and then went out for my jog/sprint/walk/run with my dog. I took a short-cut a bit early, after a little more than a mile, to get to work on time.

As I began the home stretch, I saw two little dogs playing in the street. As I got closer, I saw they were puppies, maybe 2 or 3 months old, without collars. I ran close to them, then stopped. Two women were standing nearby- I asked them if they knew where the dogs belonged. They didn't know. One of the dogs perked up when he saw my dog, Jupiter (a miniature poodle.) It took a few minutes for me to get close enough to pet him, then grab him by the scruff of the neck. One of the women took the dog from me. And then a man, some kind of fence builder, appeared.

I had to get back home or I'd be late for work. But the other dog wouldn't get too close. Then he ran off, down the street. I followed after him at a slow trot, but he kept running. I crossed the street to not chase him, but he kept running, heading to a busy street. He passed by a parked car, so we I sprinted toward it, hidden from his view.

He began sniffing around at the corner. We ran to the other side of the street again and then slowly approached from the street, which was thankfully free of cars for the moment. And then he bolted, running back down the way he had come. We trotted after him. The man walked toward the dog. I yelled to him to sit down, but he didn't hear or understand. The dog veered and ran to the left, down the next street. I began running faster.

The dog ran down a short block then turned left, toward the busy street again. I picked up the pace. By the time I got to the intersection, he was halfway down the long block. I was getting too winded to follow, and realized I needed help. I jogged the 3 blocks to home, to get a car and to get the kids to help. I'd be very late to work.

Josh was still sleeping, but Benjy was there. He's had some dental work done and was in pain. Usually when he's in pain, he's very out of sorts, but he's a good kid and was willing to help. I grabbed my Jupiter's favorite treats and we headed for the car.

After just a block, we passed some women in front of a house. I stopped and turned around- the same women! I parked and we got out. The women were on the street, and the dog was near a house, under a pickup truck. Still sweating and shirtless, I approached slowly. The dog started to tense. I sat on the driveway, next to the truck. He relaxed a bit.

I cooed to him, but he wouldn't come. I put my arm out and he tensed. I called to Benjy to give me a treat and sit at the other side of the truck. He gave me the treat, but my ordering him around was stressing him out too much. He had to go home.

I managed to touch his paw a tiny bit- he pulled it back. I reached again, the dirt from the driveway sticking to the sweat on my side and shoulder and arm. I touched his foot and again he pulled away.

The fence worker arrived and started to approach. I waved him to stop and told him to go to the other corner, but keep low. He sat down, too, and put his legs out, as a barrier. The dog was under the middle of the car, just behind the wheels. There was enough room to move- the pickup was jacked up an extra 8-10 inches. But the dog could easily bolt and start running.

The worker moved a bit, and said maybe he could reach over the axle. As he moved, the dog moved back a little. I slid down, past the tire, slightly behind the dog. I reached again and got my hand over him and brought it down and petted him firmly. He flinched, but didn't try to bolt. I grabbed the scruff of his neck and pulled him toward me. It was over.

It turned out he belonged in the house. The worker had been mending the fence between this house and the one behind it. A woman came to the door, thanked us and took the dog.

I went home. I had twenty minutes to get to my morning meeting at 11. It took a full 10 minutes to get the dirt plus seed particles off my back and shoulder. I attended the meeting via skype...

I guess this is the life I always wanted.