This summer in mid August, I took a trip thru the Midwest. Wanting to add more city skylines and state capitals to my picture files, I flew into Wichita Kansas. A first class seat from Seattle was only $204, far cheaper than a flight to Kansas City. A friend of mine had just moved to Wichita and I wanted to see him too. As well as my Mom and some old high school friends in Kansas City. I do these trips often and create a game plan, a loop of visits ending where I began. The Midwest loop looked like this. Starting in Wichita, I then headed north for Topeka Kansas, the capital city. Then to Atchison, Leavenworth and Falls City Nebraska. My Mother and Father had met in Falls City and there is a picturesque town square. As well as a quaint little drive-in called Mutt and Jeff’s. They make an amazing loose meat sandwich, I was dying to have one. After Falls City I made my way thru Big Lake and spent a few hours in Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. The next stop was Des Moines, a powerful storm had pummeled the city the night before, power was out over half the town. I did not stick around long and planned to visit the many bridges of Madison County Iowa. Yet, I did take time to fly the UAV and make some images. Heading south towards Winterset, the birthplace of The Duke, John Wayne, I looked for the covered bridge locations. After being inspired to photograph in town, I meandered southwest on two lane county roads. My schedule is always packed in tight with another location waiting for my attention. The next planned city stop was St. Joseph Missouri, but I was thirsty and needed a break and a snack. I pulled off the road to access the back of the van for needed hydration. That’s when I heard it, a rustling in the tall corn. As a wildlife photographer, my ears are always listening for an approaching animal. My life was getting ready to change drastically. It had been nearly a decade since my last canine love affair ended. An Irish Wolfhound had come to me as a surprise as well, 10 years before. We had a great time, he lived a long life. Then finally in his 12th year he got Pulmonary Edema, his heart got too weak for pumping blood to his body. Muscles broke down, in the end he could not get up but, was still full of love. Work travel was happening more frequently then, I decided it was not a good time for another dog, not yet. Then 2020 roared in! You all know the story, Corona Virus, Covid 19 materialized and changed the world as we know it. Work dried up, suddenly I was home all the time. Maybe the time had come for a dog. Thinking about my experience and what I wanted, I came up with a top 5 breeds list. I wanted a large dog, loyal and short haired with a tendency not to shed much. I checked around to the local humane societies finding out that I was apparently the last one to want a dog. There was no inventory left, just a Pit Bull or two. Having just watched Call of the Wild with Harrison Ford, I was in love immediately with the dog in the film. The Tacoma Humane society had one dog available, his name was Bosworth. He looked just like the dog in the movie. It felt like an omen, meant to be, I was excited. I sent the adoption coordinator an email message and waited. After several weeks she finally replied via email and asked me a few questions while telling me about Bosworth. She said he was aggressive and very mouthy, he liked to bite. I explained this did not alarm me as dogs don’t have hands, they use their mouth like we use our hands. She also said he could never be around other dogs and wanted to know if I would expect him to. I wondered what kind of life it would be if I was never able to be around any other humans. To make a long story short, she did not like my answers and said I was a poor fit for Bosworth, Huh? I fought it for a bit, but finally let go and moved on. Being a boarder of dogs, I have had the opportunity to work with many breeds. This has informed me about traits and characteristics, some desirable and others not so much. A few breeds I had been impressed with were the Austrian Shepherd and Blue Healer. Suddenly, there was a message from a dog lover I knew about an Australian Shepherd that needed rescuing. The owner’s Mom had told me this Aussie had a problem with aggression. As she spoke I could not help but think of my experience with dogs. I’ve never met one I could not interact with successfully, though some do take longer than others. My thought was that she was inexperienced and exaggerating, only one of those turned out to be true. I asked for her to bring him outside upon my arrival, more neutral territory, or so I thought. Before they came out I noticed there was no fenced yard. They lived in a duplex and 4 or 5 kids were playing next door in the driveway. Then, out they came, the boyfriend handling Oscar the Aussie. The dog came immediately frothing at the mouth moving right at me, the man could barely hold the animal. Feeling surprised I watched as he then tried to go after the kids playing next door. None of the treats I had in my pocket interested the little monster. We tried to go inside and he kept lunging at me fiercely, so they put him in a wire crate with no cushion where he spends most of his time in the living room. The rest of his day and night is spent locked in the garage. The only time he gets to go out is for potty breaks and who knows how long it is between those. The more we talked the more his mental condition made sense. The story went as she explained they quit having people over and ever taking him out for walks because he wanted to kill everyone. While they talked I searched for an off leash dog park in the area. Turns out there was one about a mile away they knew nothing about. They immediately objected saying “Oh there will be other people there” I simply replied, “That’s OK, I’ll tell them our situation, they will let us have it to ourselves” Which is indeed what happened, Oscar seemed confused when we got in and let him off the lead. He stopped lunging at me and I thought there was some hope to save him. He wondered around acting like he had never seen a tree before. I felt very sorry for him and for them as well, but not as much. Then, when we decided to leave I asked them all to go outside the gate leaving me to interact with Oscar on my own, which they did. He followed them to the gate then turned and looked at me. I knelt down offering him a treat in my hand while speaking to him calmly. He began to walk towards me with his head held low. Hope was filling me up inside, could this be my dog soon? Then as he got within sniffing distance of the treat, he quickly bit me hard in the middle finger. We all were done at that point and I was bleeding. I remember thinking, Caesar the Dog Whisperer was right, he does not help people with dog problems, he helps dogs with people problems. He bit so hard his teeth went all the way thru my finger, I ended up losing the nail. It’s been 6 months and it is still not back to normal. Still not ready to give up I offered to take him to a specialist who may be able to help. She has 10 acres of wooded area boarding and training dogs there. A week later we arrived, he tried to kill her too, I gave up and decided the universe was trying to tell me something. Oh yeah, fast forward 6 months, I pulled off to the side on a rural road in Iowa next to a cornfield to access the back of the van for needed hydration. That’s when I heard it, a rustling in the tall corn. As a wildlife photographer, my ears are always listening for an approaching animal. My life was getting ready to change drastically. I moved over from the back of the van to see what was happening and there just emerging from the tall corn stalks was a dog. I suppose this was given away early by the title and opening picture. There he was, I called him over cautiously, my last incident still fresh in my mind. He came right over, there would be no new bite, at least not yet. He was panting heavily although it was not very hot. Using the top of a cheap Styrofoam cooler, I filled it with water and set it down. He dove in trying to bite at the water anxiously, it had been a while since he had any, finishing it in seconds. Thinking about what I may have in the car to feed him, I remembered an unopened pound bag of beef jerky. He wanted it all, and did not want me to leave. Now what do I do? He had no collar or tags, I pondered it while feeding him jerky and conversing. Helping strays is in my bloodline, My Mom did it, my Sister did it, and now I’ll have to do it. At least see If I can help him make it home. There was a storm, maybe a fence got blown down, or something. People have helped me find lost beloved dogs before. What were my choices I wondered? 1: Get in the SUV and drive away. 2: Take him to an animal shelter. 3: Take some time to find his owners. 4: Take him with me. That about covers the choices, turns out I would do 3 out of the 4. The little voice we all have keep telling me, “Cm-on man, just get in the car and drive away.” I mean repeatedly, but I couldn't, at least not yet. I had decided to ask around for his owner, there were a few homes across the street and close-by. The storm a few days before may have blown down a fence allowing him to escape. I loaded him into the car and we went. Both residents were sitting outside and both reported seeing him scavenging around for a few weeks. The belief was that he had been dumped by an uncaring owner. We then drove into town visiting the only gas station/convenience store there was. The owner came out to look, no one was looking for him, she had not seen him. Thinking he looked hungry she ran in and grabbed a small bag of food. As we tried to open it on a picnic table out front he jumped up and began tearing into the food just as he had the water. Typing a search term into the GPS “pets” the search came back with the closest Petco. Off we went to find out if Lucky had a chip. The chip would tell us who he belonged to and I could heroically return him to his person. Suddenly, my trip was all about a stray mutt who was on his way to stealing my heart. We backtracked into Des Moines for the veterinarian I knew was inside Petco. I had posted his picture on Facebook and had received a message from a man I knew near Des Moines. He offered to take Lucky and find him a home. We had options, first things first. Part of me was afraid of this outcome knowing my love for canines. Before leaving I asked about the cost of a chip, only $35.00. Then purchased a collar and leash. We returned to the van and I knew it was decision time. I wondered how someone could have a dog and not care to protect it. Why was there no collar or chip to identify him? I turned to the GPS again and typed “dog park.” There was one right around the corner and as we drove I began to explain to Lucky. Yes, I already had a name for him, “Lucky” I said “Your interview begins now, if you want the job of being my wing man, there are a few requirements.” He stepped up onto the console and licked me on the cheek, he knew what I was saying. As we pulled into the parking lot at the dog park, I explained some more. 1: Good with other dogs, no aggression, only defend yourself if attacked. 2: Must like to ride in the car, after all, there was 10 days left in my trip. 3: Good with people, no biting, refer back to number one, only defense. 4: Must come when called, very important if you are ever to be off your leash. 5: No chewing stuff, only chew on items I give to you for that express purpose. 6: No jumping on my leather furniture. That’s it just 6, we got out to enter the park. The interview had officially began, 5 dogs and 4 owners were already inside. Astonishingly, all the dogs bowed to him as if a king. He did not pay any attention to the humans unless addressed. One whistle, he looks and immediately returns. He aced the first interview task confidently. Two of the humans came over and commented on his beauty, I told them our story, just together for a few hours so far. One commented, “Wow, he obeys you as if you have had him since birth.” He simply just continues to act like he belonged to me waiting to be invited onto the bed. Seemingly not caring where he laid, bed, floor, wherever. There were many unexpected bonuses to come regarding his behavior.
He slept thru the night, no accidents, already potty trained, no barking either.
The extra expenses had begun though as the hotel asked for a $25.00 pet fee. Somehow I knew there would be more stress on the pocket book to come.
Another test as well, we were scheduled to spend a few nights with my Mom and her man in their brand new condo. Another challenge for Lucky’s new home interview. I wondered how he would do as he grabbed the sweet spot in the five king size pillows. Needing to get back on track with my trip, we stopped into one of the Bridges of Madison County Iowa. Lucky was anxious to get out and run around. I was planning on flying my Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and did not want to manage him on a leash. So I simply told him if he wanted to stay in Iowa it was his chance and let him out of the van. Keeping an eye on him for as long as I could, soon he was out of sight. Somewhere down inside I wanted him to choose me several more times on his own. I finished flying, landed and called out for him with a whistle, nothing. My stomach began to knot up a little knowing I was not in control, he was. Cornfields surrounded us and a creek ran under the bridge. I imagined he was exploring and maybe getting a drink of water. I called out again and then sat down in the van getting present to the chance that he may not return. Then, just like that there he was running full blast, tongue and tail wagging. He jumped right into the van and took a spot next to me in the passenger seat. He had made his choice, again! Surprisingly, Mom was not disagreeable on the phone while telling of my new, if only temporary wing man. She has always loved animals and even went out and got some Greenies treats before we arrived.
Lucky was the picture of well behaved, staying calm and coming when called. No bathroom accidents either and he did not even try jumping on any of the furniture. More boxes checked off for his interview, it was going well.
We stayed for a few days and then had to get back on the route, but before leaving we went to meet an old lifelong friend, David. I posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew of a dog friendly bar or restaurant. The answer came back quickly, they called it Bar K.
Bar K is a unique new destination featuring a modern bar, restaurant, event space and dog park. Constructed out of repurposed shipping containers, located in downtown Kansas City on the shore of the Missouri River in Berkley Riverfront Park. Bar K brings engaged, community-minded people and their dogs together to share connections with their pups and each other in a joyful and creative space. David arrived, we sat for a while, then ordered lunch. While we waited watching Lucky interact with a hundred dogs. Big ones, little ones, submissive and aggressive as well.
David called him a social butterfly as we watched Lucky surrounded by 10 dogs all wanting to get in a sniff. His heart was definitely pounding but he did not lose his composure.
Our food arrived and I whistled for Lucky, he came quickly and sat down next to the table. As we began to eat David made another observation, “he’s not a beggar either.” I asked what he would do, he is a dog lover and has two. Without hesitation he replies, “take him home with you, clearly no one was taking care of him.”
We spent the entire afternoon out there before saying farewell, promising to visit together again soon.
Before starting the van I decided to call Alaska Airlines and inquire about flying a canine. They only offer one dog per flight and mine had an opening, the fee was only $100. He would need a kennel and a health certificate proving up to date shots. We headed for Petco again, the decision had been made. We gave him a self service bath and made an appointment for the health checkup. I also ordered him a chip and tags with our names and contact info on them. Asking for help from a staff member, turns out she was the store manager and gave me deep discounts on everything, including a harness and de-wormer. He had picked up worms on his corn field travels and they had to go. It was scary for both of us, he was shaking when I picked him up in baggage claim. Getting him and my 4 bags to the Uber stand was no small feat.
Soon, we were only a half hour from home, I could hardly wait to let him see his new place. Coming in the front door he seemed to approve, we sat in the backyard for the rest of the evening.
He was to have a very harrowing experience a few days later, I’ll have to tell you about that in another article as this one turned out long-winded.
Thanks for making it to the end!