Unnecessary Save...
(Any names besides my own have been changed due to privacy reasons)
“Lindsay, I have something to ask you…” Christine began. My eyes flooded with anxiety and darted over to my friend. Something about Christine’s voice made my insides tighten. The words that escaped her lips next made me stop in my tracks. “Would you help me steal a dog?”
The bus rumbled in the distance and cars noisily sped by my driveway. The world seemed silent to me as a war broke out in my head. You know that angel and devil that sit on your shoulders when a choice is to be made? Well, I saw those little guys now.
Don’t do it! That will cause major trouble for you girl! The angel insisted. The angel’s eyes then fogged with curiosity. Ask her why. She ordered.
Don’t ask why! Just do it! The devil spat in disgust. My eyes darted from angel to devil. The choice was easy for me.
“Why would I help you do that?” I questioned, starting to walk up my driveway once more. Christine matched me step for step.
“Because if you don’t, the dog is going to get shot.” Christine whispered. I don’t know why she whispered, no one could hear her on this noisy road. I kept silent until we got to the top of my driveway.
Going to get shot!? Save the mutt! Do not hesitate! Do all you can to save an animal, remember? The devil reminded me of my promise I had made so many years ago. My mouth opened as I was about to agree with stealing the dog.
Definitely save the dog but I know a safer way. The angel offered. My mouth snapped shut as I listened intently to what the angel had to say. Call ASPCA and have them deal with it. You will still keep all your pride at being the animal rescuer but no trouble will be brought your way.
What if the ASPCA finds no sign of abuse? Then the dog will get shot as soon as they leave! The devil disagreed. A smirk crossed my face as I lifted my finger up and flicked the angel off my shoulder.
“I will help you. Whose dog is it?” I questioned. My work here is done. The devil said with an accomplished smile. In a puff of red smoke, the little guy was gone.
“It is mine. My step-dad says he is going to shoot it because it has mental problems.” Christine explained. My eyes widened in shock but then narrowed in relief.
“If the dog is your own, it won’t necessarily be considered stealing, right?” I cooed slyly. A grin crossed Christine’s face.
“There’s the Lindsay I know.” she yipped. A small yellow speck crossed the horizon. “Here’s our ride. After school, walk to summit and get ourselves a leash?” Christine asked.
“I’m with ya on that!” I yelped. The bus came to a screeching stop and Christine and I boarded, both of us shooting a glare at each other to make sure we kept our mouths closed.
I got off the bus at the blinking lights after school. Christine stood beside me. “Let’s go.” She said softly. The hairs on my neck bristled in nervousness and I could hear the anxious tone in Christine’s voice.
The two of us nervously made our way into Summit General and to the pet section. Christine’s hand lashed out and she grabbed the first leash it came in contact with.
I rubbed my own hand along the fabric of the leash. “This is made with a good, sturdy fabric. I don’t think Raven can break this.” I concluded.
“Oh yes he can.” Christine disagreed. “This leash will only be temporary until we can get that dog run thing your gram owns.” I shook my head in agreement. We paid for the leash and ran out the door.
“Raven! Calm down!” I yelped as we lead the twilight black shepherd behind the elementary.
“We need to rename him.” Christine giggled as I attempted to calm the hyper young shepherd.
“How about Twilight? His coat is a twilight color…” I suggested. Christine shook her head in disagreement.
“Too easy for my parents to figure out. I have always liked the name Pharaoh. Instead of saying Pharaoh though we can say O.P for Operation Pharaoh! No one would know what we were talking about.” Christine said as she tied the red leash around a tree. My semi-muscular arms were just barely strong enough to hold the mutt still while Christine hooked the leash to the tree.
“That is a nice name.” I agreed. Once Raven, Pharaoh, was tied up we dumped a bucket of cat food on the ground and placed a bowl of water beside the dog.
“See you tomorrow Pharaoh, first thing in the morning!” I cooed softly. Christine and I made our way back to my house where we would both spend the night.
I woke with a start the next morning and watched as Christine was opening her eyes. “It’s time.” I whispered. Christine shook her head in understanding. We both jumped up and threw on a pair of clothes.
“Christine and I are going for a walk!” I hollered to my mother as we sped out the door. The fifteen minute walk to the elementary felt like an eternity. Anxiety filled my body from head to toe. I hope Pharaoh is okay…was all I could think.
As we entered the path behind the elementary we both sighed in relief. We could both see the black shape of Pharaoh still attached to the fiery red leash. The dog jumped to his feet as he saw the two of us approaching. His tail went a mile a minute. We grabbed his leash and led him up to my woods in my backyard.
Pharaoh survived his first day during the unnecessary save.
A month went by and no problems occurred. A few friends had joined Christine’s and my operation. They gave food and support and that’s all I could have hoped for.
Pharaoh had a nice living space. His long blue and white run let him wander around while still being securely attached to a tree. Christine and I had gathered a bag of dog food and two bowls. A plank of wood stood against a tree to protect Pharaoh from wind and rain. He seemed content with his new home and he seemed to love how much attention he received now.
Before Pharaoh lived in my backyard, the attention he received was negative name calling. Now he got walks and lots of love. No matter how happy he seemed though, my conscience gnawed away at me. The angel and devil returned to my shoulders one day when I was walking the hyper dog through the forest.
You are going to be sorry for this. The angel sighed in disgust.
No she won’t! She is a hero! The devil spat back.
The poor dog is living in the forest! Coyotes roam free and diseases are everywhere! Not to mention the fact that one plank of wood will not give a good shelter during a cold or rainy day! The angel shook in disgust now. I began to shake in disgust.
“What have I done?” I cried softly as tears rolled down my face.
No turning back now you coward. The devil growled and vanished. The angel wiped away my tears.
Do what you think is right. Was all the angel said before vanishing into the spring sky.
“I think I know what to do.” I mumbled as I lead Pharaoh back to his “home”.
“Mum, Dad, I have something to tell you.” The night air was chilly outside but the warm air coming from the vents in the car kept me comfortable. “Christine and I have been hiding a dog in our backyard.” I said all in one breath.
My father continued to drive and my mum stared forward, out the front window. The fury in the air built up so thickly I could feel it. I readied myself for one, or both, of my parents to burst.
“You what!?” my mum was the first to break the silence. I knew there were certain times when a parent expects you to answer them. I kept my mouth shut, knowing this was not one of those times.
“We will settle this later.” My father said softly. Some people would say he had a calm voice but I knew better. When my father’s voice gets all calm and quiet, I knew I was in for it. The rest of the ride home was silent.
The next day my insides were frozen. My parents had screamed at me all night and today was the day the secret of O.P was about to be brought forward to Christine’s parents as well. Christine is going to kill me! I grumbled in my head.
The angel appeared on my shoulder and the devil was no where to be found. I am so proud! You did what was best for Raven even though it affects you negatively. You truly are an animal lover and hero. The angel congratulated. No matter how upset I was, I could not hide the pride in my eyes. The angel vanished as I slid in the car and my parents and I made the way to Christine’s house.
Pharaoh is now known as Raven once more. He has a wonderful home with an elderly lady. He now gets the love he deserves without having to deal with the troubles of the wild. It turns out that Christine’s step-dad had no desire to shoot Raven after all! The whole O.P was unnecessary. Some people may regret telling their parents in my position but I don’t. I regret ever taking the poor dog in the first place. The poor thing went through a horrible month because of my stupidity. Through out my whole life I will always regret this action of mine. Next time I will get the professionals because I still regret this whole thing and it still kills me inside to know what I did to poor Raven.