Unbelievable. Great news is that my beloved Shasta is back home, safe, tonight. She is in good shape and here at my feet, stuffed with treats and sleeping if a little uneasy.
The sad and tragic news is that she was found Saturday morning, 24 hours after disappearing from my front yard while I was at work, in the desert, miles from the paved road, way out at the base of the little San Bernardino Mountains, tied to a pole in the middle of nowhere, without shade, and daytime temps nearing 110 degrees. She survived, and I wish she could speak to tell me who abducted her, took the time to buy a new collar, and leave her there without water or shelter to spend Friday night and part of Saturday, tied up to a pole with a bungee cord.
I can only convey that a very good hearted cardiologist, who was out with friends to go shooting that morning, by a fluke discovered Shasta on a side road, already dehydrated and digging frantically in the soil to stay cool. I can't imagine what went through her mind on Friday night, alone out there, with coyotes and wild dogs lurking. My heart breaks for her, and I can only say that the goodhearted doctor saved her life and a piece of my spirit with that.
I can't imagine who would abduct my dog, or why: sweet, lovable-faced Shasta, who is full of god-spirit and sweetness, and leave her to die like that in the dismal heat, alone, and suffering. That a good person found her, rescued her, took her home, took her for a checkup at the vet - as it turns out, the same vet center I always take Shasta and Brindle to see - and had her groomed. He and his wife also generously put a "found dog" ad on the Coachella Valley lost and found page. I'd also put an ad listing her as lost.
This afternoon, I drove to the exquisite gated community of Lake La Quinta towards dusk, when I finally was able to connect with Ann and her husband Dr. Murphy. Into their beautiful home I was whisked, and Shasta emerged from a side room, flanked by their two equally sweet and child-like dogs. Clean, beautiful, and happy, with many kisses for me. I spoke at length with her rescuers, who said they'd planned to give her to a friend who had already fallen in love with her and had recently lost his own beloved golden retriever, were her owner not found.
Shasta came to us as a puppy just about exactly 7 years ago, in September of 2001. She beat a dismal fate before, when she escaped from the arms of a neighbor of hers who was taking her to the pound; Tarah had called me on a vacation I was on and begged and begged to take this special dog - I'd already said no so many times before, to other dogs, but she swore this one was special. And she was right. Shasta was a pup and she was so quiet at first. Tarah had just turned 13. And so Shasta became a member of the family, hiking and traveling with us everywhere. She's been a good companion and best friend to us in times good and bad. She "raised" and "schooled" Brindle in all facets of behavior and hiking from the time we adopted him when he was an adorable, clumsy, big-pawed three months old, and stayed firm with him even as he came to tower over her. In fact, she even has a spiritual name, given by my friend Swami Ramananda, who was touched to tears and the love she showed him (and everyone): Shanti, which means peace.
She's home tonight, very quiet and still in a little bit of shock. She has a cough, although cleared of kennel cough by the vet, no doubt from the tight collar whoever abducted her put around her neck. I hope she knows how loved she is. That I didn't abandon her, that she wasn't nor will she ever be exiled from our family. Brindle is happy, and a little surprised, too. He didn't leave my bed for most of the time she was gone - either on top of underneath. An anguished 72 hours.
Tears in my eyes, and heart-weepyfor the cruelty this world seems to spring at us so randomly sometimes. This is beyond my wildest imaginings. Shasta is one lucky dog, and maybe she'll be able to forget. I extend a big heart-hug to the good heart doctor and his wife for taking such good care of my "little girl" so lovingly, and helping me bring her home.
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