The other day I was talking with James, a guy Wayne and I met playing volleyball a couple years back who’s since become a good friend. He dates Lyn, my other good friend from volleyball. Lyn actually sparked a series of articles about deaf dogs after she found out her dog was deaf and asked me what I knew about such things. (Which was nothing then but thanks to her I learned a lot!)
Anyway, like my mom James’s dad also was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Between league sand volleyball getting ready to start back up (Lyn, James, Wayne, and I will be on the same team one night this season again) and our parents’ cancer, James and I have been talking more than usual.
It seems I learn something new about James almost every time we talk. He’s quite the colorful character with a very diverse past. I knew he had taken in a stray cat last summer that he named Puss Head, but I didn’t really think he liked animals very much.
Except when Princess Sophia (Lyn’s deaf puppy) became a little too much for her to handle, he took her in. Because I didn’t think he liked animals, I didn’t expect that arrangement to last more than a few days. I thought he was just helping Lyn have a way to still keep the dog in the picture for her kids’ sake.
But a few weeks went by and he mentioned how him and Sophie were learning to cohabitate with one another. Then a few more weeks went by and I was sure he’d find her another home, but nope. Sophie was still there.
Earlier this week we got to talking and I heard a yapping in the background. I knew James was on his way home after spending the weekend at his dad’s place helping him out. Sophie had gone with, and that’s when I learned his dad had an old dog named Fred.
James gave Fred to his dad a few years back when another girl he was dating wasn’t caring for that dog in the way it needed. He knew the dog would be better with his dad, so he made that happen. I was impressed and told James how I’d misjudged him.
“Aw, you helped that dog find a good home. I didn’t realize you’d ever do something like that. I didn’t take you for an animal person.”
“I love dogs. Not taking care of them myself, but I’ll help find them a good home.”
And then he went on to tell me about all the strays he’s rescued. From malls, grocery stores, just wandering in neighborhoods in general…
I was duly humbled. James is a nice guy and all, but he can be a bit gruff. Not the sort I’d ever think to take to helping animals. But there you have it. An animal rescuer. Shows you how much I don’t know. And how I shouldn’t judge people by their covers.
Yet, I’m still doing it. I wonder if he’ll end up finding a good home for Sophie elsewhere, or if he’ll come to see himself as the best home for her?
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