Today I took a long walk to an electrical store to get some hard to find fuses. I had called all over the island to find someplace that had these particular fuses and was pretty happy to finally find one. It was probably a 3 mile walk each way, but it was a cloudy and cool day so I didn’t mind that prospect.
The first half of the trek was over familiar territory where we had shopped for parts and other supplies over the last few days. Picture a randomized commercial district spread out along one road over a mile or so – that’s where most of the stores are in Marsh Harbor. The directions I got on the phone were classic Island. Go to the stop light (there’s only one) and make a left, go past the Ace Hardware on the right and when you get to a lot on the left with heavy machinery parked there, make a left (note that once off the main road, there are no signs on the roads and Google doesn’t even know their names). Go up a hill and make a left. Go to the end of the road and the business will be there. At least this is what I thought she said.
I made the left at the heavy machinery and was immediately in a very rural and unfamiliar area. The weather had worsened as well and there was an ominous feel to the air. After climbing the hill, I made the left at the first intersection where the stop sign was. This put me on a very lumpy, potholed and inexplicably bleak looking road. The prominent feature of this road was dogs. There were dogs everywhere. Most were just being dogs — barking and trying to look tough, but about half way down the road there was one very strong and mean looking dog who did not seem to like me. I like dogs and I can only think of one or two in my whole life that intimidated me. This one was number three. I spoke sternly but he shadowed me, growling and staying about 8 to 10 feet behind me for about 100 yards. At the end of the road — surprise — there’s no electric supply company. There were two guys loading dogs and guns into their truck who had never heard of the company and were not helpful at all. I had no phone service, so I had no option but to retrace my steps. My dog nemesis seemed to know I’d be back and had waited where he left me and he shadowed me growling again on the way back. So between the dog, the weather and general feel of that road by the time I got back to the other road, I was feeling unsettled.
At the top of the hill I had cell service and was able to call the company. I had turned left too soon. I found the store, got my fuses and was on my way back. I was also glad that I did not have to transit Dog Lane again, so imagine my dismay as I came around a turn and found myself face to face with another dog.
Not just any dog either. This was a very large German Shephard. His head was ginormous, his feet bigger than mine and his head was hunched below his shoulders giving him the look of a demented, rabid dog (which he could very well be). He saw me and started moving toward me, and he seemed to be thinking “an early dinner today.” There was no growling, no barking — only a deathly stare and occasional drool. His eyes were pure evil. I looked frantically around — there’s no place to shelter, no tree to climb, no houses to seek safety in. He is slowly approaching, one determined step at a time. 15 ft, 10 ft, 3 ft — I am a dead man.
There’s still no growling and he is inches from me. I’m frozen in place and I can see death in his eyes. Before I know it his nose is touching my legs and he starts to force his head between my knees. We both stand frozen for a moment. He didn’t bite me so I take a chance and reach down and touch him. He presses harder against my legs. I start to rub his ears and scratch his neck and he presses harder. He is, it turns out, a sweet and friendly dog who just wants a little love. When I kneel down, and keep petting him he’s in heaven and soon I am too. We stayed like that for several minutes before I pat him one last time and say goodbye. It’s a wonderful day again.
Just like people I guess — you can’t judge by appearances. How many times do we all have to relearn that lesson?T