Have you ever noticed people love looking at cute puppies, big dogs, small dogs, and dogs! Somehow dogs have the ability to bring a grin to our face. Owning dogs can be a lot of fun, a life-changing experience. Especially for children, dogs teach children, unconditional love, caring for each other, building social and nurturing skills.
Many people think caring for a dog is as easy as ABC. Well, the truth is far from it! You only need to Google ‘dog’, the topics are endless. Caring for a pet dog is like raising a child, regardless of the potential challenges, headaches, cost and growing up episodes. We know, the joy, love and special bond outweigh all the above. Just one look into their innocent face, you know all is forgiven.
Well, here is the story from Jessie- brought home the wrong dog from the groomer, causing a Facebook messenger crash for at least 2 hours.
My nan has a 4 years old great Dane called Zeus, an outstanding looking dane, gentle and affectionate. Zeus always has her special grooming visit before Christmas. So she will look great for when the family comes to visit nan on Christmas day, especially the grandkids, they adore Zeus.
Normally it is my dad’s honor to take Zeus to the family groomer, in Texas City. The groomer business recently changed management, things were somewhat chaotic in the groomer shop. Nonetheless, dad managed to drop Zeus off, a pat and a kiss to say goodbye. Dad had lunch with grandpa on that afternoon, so they both drove to pick up Zeus after lunch. Nan was happy and looking forward to Zeus coming home with her toenail polished, ear cleaned, bathed and a pretty complimentary pink bow around her neck which is Zeus’s signature color.
So, it should be business as usual right? Oh, the drama just started. Christmas season, traffic was heavy. Dad was driving around a few times just to look for parking, yet no luck. So grandpa, blessed his soul, asked dad to wait in the car and he should go in to fetch Zeus.
Guess what, so happened on that day, there were two great dane waiting to be picked up at the groomer. They were both great. You see, grandpa is color blind and a bit deaf, but he has a special touch with dogs. He picked up one of the dane and hurried back to the car. So they drove off and headed home.
When they arrived home, nan hurried out to welcome Zeus. Grandpa opened the back door. When the dog jumped out of the car. Nan immediately noticed the ribbon around the neck was red, not pink. She shouted, “this is not Zeus!” OMG, “where is my Zeus?” She worked herself into a frenzy of rage! Dad jumped out of his car, have a good looked at the dog, he was shocked its not Zeus.
Immediately dad called the groomer, the manager has left for the day, the young staff answered the phone told him there was no great dane left in the shop. To add to the fuel, the young staff said he has turned off the computer, closing the shop, ready to go home for the day.
Dad with his genius mind, wasted not one second. He took a picture of the dane and immediately posted on Facebook. And called the number on the Dane’s collar, but it was switched off.
The Facebook post went viral within seconds. As mum, my uncles, my cousins, my aunties, their friends, their friends’ friends were all frantically ‘messaging everyone,’ trying to find Zeus. The phones were ringing off the hook, everyone was looking for Zeus, and worried about nan. And poor grandpa, the guilt on his face was unbearable to watch.
Finally, the ring that we were all waiting for, dad received a call back from the other Dane’s owner, who has our Zeus. A big sigh on the phone, a chuckle but a worried look. He picked up Zeus without knowing was the wrong dane, and started his journey to the Franklin Mountains. Dad said he must turn around and bring Zeus back today, so dad agreed to meet him halfway to make sure the delay of getting Zeus back was minimum.
Here we go, a convoy of 3 cars, ready to go get Zeus. Our whole family, almost everyone dropped everything to accompany dad. Especially nan, she jumped straight to the front seat with Zeus favorite toy and treats in her hand, eager and stressed.
Have to say, the other dane was such a good soul. She just so relaxed, looking at all these strangers running, shouting, pointing and scratching their heads. She just so calm and staring at us as if she can feel our anxiousness, yet she kept her cool and show no sign of distress. What a great dane, so noble and hold her stature.
Finally, the greatest moment has come after the long four hours turning the world upside down. Our car parked next to a white Chevrolet Silverado. We can see Zeus at the back of the car, she locked eyes with nan, OMG, that was an electrifying scene to capture. The 2 great danes jump out of their cars, they meet and greet in the most graceful dane manner.
Zeus ran straight to nan. Nan smiled, cried and cuddled Zeus. Zeus lifted up her head while sitting between nan legs trying to give her kisses (licks), Zeus’s way of showing her love. Boom, this is going to be forever in my heart kind of scene!!
Our whole family all jumping up and down with joy, cuddle, kissing and patted Zeus to welcome her back, and for being such a loving and loyal family member.
Grandpa was standing next to the car feeling sorry and guilty. Beautiful Zeus noticed him, ran to him and gave him that big eyes look, as if to say, “it’s okay, I forgave you, shit happens.”. Grandpa kissed Zeus, nan came over and hug grandpa and Zeus, they both shared a tear or two. Ahh, all sweet and forgiven.
On the drive home, I told grandpa that happened to others too, brought home the wrong dog! People can totally understand how it could happen. At least grandpa can feel better knowing it’s happened to other people too. My joker uncle shouted from the backseat, “imagine brought home the wrong kid?”! We all burst out laughing. Nan gave grandpa the ‘love look and a gentle knot in her head’. They both laugh and tears all over their faces.
Oh, the joy Zeus brought to our family, with so much love in the air, nothing can go wrong. Love conquers all!!
