This is the story how Toby met a policeman.
One day, my car was rear ended at a very busy intersection near my home.
The other driver was a very young man, only sixteen years old. He was
very sweet, and had genuine tears for fear he had hurt me. As a matter
of fact, he had reason to cry because he had knocked me a full two car
lengths ahead, and his 1971 VW Classic Rabbit, well, it would have to be
picked up in paper sacks! The back end of my nearly new Honda laid in
the middle of the street, also in pitiful pieces. He had no insurance.
I was shaking and crying when I called 911. I’m ashamed to say that when
they answered, I could only tell them where I was, but I had difficulty
telling them my name. They asked me to spell it, and I couldn’t even
say my difficult name, let alone spell it. I think that’s why they sent
an ambulance. I then handed my cell to my new friend so he could call
his mother.
The ambulance got there first. They were giving me oxygen and doing the
usual agenda when the law arrived. I was all right, and I knew it by
this time, but the medics were making sure and they asked me to stay
where I was and let the law “do their job”. So I stayed where I was.
The policeman was a tall, big man, with a ‘no nonsense’ kind of a face;
all business. He was the kind that you would hoped to heaven would be on
your side. He asked me for my driver’s license and proof of insurance. I
started stammering, again, but managed to tell him that they were in my
purse in the front seat of my car. Then I managed to tell him that I
had two dogs in there, and when I left them they were fairly calm, but I
didn’t know how they were now. I couldn’t guarantee it.
“How big are they?”
“Well, the fat one is 23 pounds, and will possible lick your hand, if he
is not too upset. The other dog weighs 10 pounds, and is not friendly.”
He snickered. I could hear him snicker!
As he turned away, he said, “No problem”.
I then went back to the business at hand, letting the law “do their job”.
Soon after, the ambulance driver tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Look over there!”
He was pointing in the direction of my car.
The officer had a very, very long stick in his hand and was trying to
get my purse out of the front seat. My little dog, Toby, was up on the
back of the seat, just waiting for him to make his fatal move. Her
little ears were laid back, her hackles were raised and she was crouched
ready to spring. Her teeth were bared and she was growling so loud I
could hear her as far away as I was sitting.
My little spotted heathen had waited her whole life long for an opportunity like this!
But that wasn’t the only reason the policeman’s face was red. He was
embarrassed. As people will do, a crowd gathered to watch this show, and
they were enjoying it immensely!! They were stopping to watch. Several
were telling Toby, “Stick to your guns, little dog!” Some were asking
the law if he was going to arrest her, and one man driving by, hung out
his car window and shouted, “CALL FOR A BACK UP!”
Soon after, the policeman walked over to me and asked, “Lady, how much did you say that dog weighs?”
“She weighs 10 pounds. Did she bite you?”
“Yes she did, in two places!” He showed me his hand and forearm. It
looked ugly! It really did. Of course, I told him how sorry I was, in
all sincerity.
“Has she had her shots?”
I felt PANIC, but I told him the name of our veterinarian, and that she
had just received all of her shots. Fortunately, that was the truth, and
she also had her two year license. Thank the Lord, we were legal.
On our way home, I bought Toby a pork chop.
A few days later, I received a letter in the mail from the County Health
Department, informing me that they had checked Toby for a previous
record and had found her ‘clean’. At the bottom of the page, someone had
drawn a smiley face and had written, “Have a nice day”. I was so
relieved. I bought Toby another pork chop.
I’m getting old, and Toby is getting old too. I have visions in my mind
of Toby and me growing old together, with me going on welfare trying to
keep Toby in pork chops. I see her growling at every squad car she sees.
I know she will never forget THAT policeman.
But she and I will be very happy together, I don’t have a doubt.
by:
Lori Kniff
About The Author
Lori Kniff loves cats and dogs. She has had a
cat most of her life and several dogs. She is concerned with the health
and welfare of our pets.
Please visit
http://www.pawsitivepamperings.com for items that will help you show your love for your cat or dog.
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