A Four Legged Angel by beachzz
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
A Four Legged Angel
It was the beginning of my usual walk along the river. Just my dog and me, out for our daily stroll. I let him walk unleashed, but always check to see if there are other dogs around. I looked ahead and did indeed see an elderly man walking his yellow Lab. To be safe, I turned to call Barger and grabbed his leash. Once I had it fastened, we started back up the path. The man was still walking towards us, but I didn’t see his dog. “How strange”, I thought, “I know I saw that dog”. The thought left my mind almost as soon as it came and I forgot about it.
As the man neared me, he stopped and asked about Barger, what kind of dog he was (pit bull), how old he was (10), all the things dog people always ask other dog people. He then went on to tell me he’d just lost his dog, his yellow Lab, only 3 weeks earlier. As he told me the story, he teared up a bit, and I knew he’d lost his very close companion. I reached over and touched him arm and said, “Someday another dog will come to you, when you’re ready”. He said his kids had wanted to go out and get him another dog right away and he’d told them exactly the same thing. He also told me that just the night before, he’d heard his dog barking, and felt his bed shift as the dog moved in its sleep. I know how that is; after I lost my old Lab, I heard her for weeks afterwards. I got up in the night more than once to let her in; finding only an empty space at the door. I shared that with him and he just nodded. We talked for a few more minutes, and then went on our separate ways.
As I started back up the path, it hit me. I HAD seen a dog, I had seen his yellow Lab, walking at his side. And I had seen that dog as surely as I was looking at Barger, sniffing his way up the path. I knew then his dog WAS still with him, at his side, and would be for a while longer. Angels come in many ways and this angel had four legs and a very kind man who loved her. I know another will find him when he is ready.
7/31/09
This is a true story. It happened day before yesterday.

Comments (17)
Oooooh, you gave me goose bumps. What a story. And to tell you the truth, I believe every word of it. Things like this have happened to me too. I am sure his little angel is watching over him. Aloha
I lost my precious cocker spaniel BJ on my birthday this year. It is one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with, besides losing my parents. He was my buddy and I have really been missing him lately. I feel him on the bed sometimes and sometimes I smell his fur, but he's not there. Your story was written for me because it has been very comforting to me. Thank you.
That's a great story, and well written. Very nicely done!
Oh Marilyn, this is inspiring and yet so sad! I hope that good man finds another four legged friend soon!!! What I miss most about my dogs is their ability to sense when I was not at a good place and their wonderful love and constant companionship. Make you think ....
Dogs our constant companion, very heartfelt!
original writing and creative
What an astonishing event. Your narrative had me on the edge of my seat, excellent!
I'm a dog person. This is one of those unexplainable mysteries. So well done. Makes you wonder doesn't it...
... good layout nice even flow thanks, stay on it .
What a great bit of writing!!
beautiful work warm hugs, Linda
goosebumps! what a touching little story, I am astonished
You almost made me cry, this is a wonderful story and you put it into words so well.
Brough back memories of my Border Collie... I loved that dog and really miss her :(
Wonderful story. The kind of thing I guess we all hope for. Nicely done, very well written:-)
yes, a beautiful vision of a tale, and I know the experience. Angels do appear...You wrote this very simply & very emotionally, and it has all the more impact because of it. And maybe dogs appear more readily than humans because their love is so unconditional. And isn't it amazing that, though they're dogs, they'd appear to a human rather than to a dog? Beautiful memoir and beautifully told...and the right photo for the story too...
A wonderful, touching, and even life-affirming story and picture! Thank you for sharing this.