dogfight

I called 911 for the first time last night. Well, I dialed it twice, but hung up on the operator the first time. I was on my way to rent a movie and came up on a dog fight. Earlier, Ryan and I had seen two loose pit bulls as we were walking home from a lovely evening with good food and great friends. I, of course, was scared for my life, but my brave husband stayed calm. We made it home safely, all three of us. A bit later I left the house for the movie store. Towards the end of our street, two women stood yelling at what turns out to be the same two pit bulls attacking one of their, much smaller, dogs. I dial 911, stop the car, turn it around and drive it towards the dogs. What did I think I was going to do, run over them? I just wanted to startle them, I guess. That didn’t work. I honked. Blinked my lights. Then I decided to throw something their way. An empty nalgene bottle doesn’t work, FYI. But, a full gallon oil container is a bit of a distraction. They disperse. I freak out and jump back into the car which, by the way, has all of the windows down. But the pits want this little dog. So I open up my back seat to the victim. His owner is shaking and smoking in my backseat. She’s also holding on to a sweet, little puppy. The police finally show up to find the pit bulls circling my car. Scary. One of the pits becomes aggressive with the first policeman. This dog soon meets his end. After six loud rifle shots, the air is silent. Which is worse, watching two dogs tear up another helpless dog or hearing the shots that killed one of the pit bulls?

I didn’t end up going to the movie store. I went home and did dishes while re-living the gruesome scenes from the evening. Wanting to move to the suburbs where there are fewer pit bulls. Desiring a safe place where Asher can grow up and play. I want to be free from the fear that would keep me locked up in my house. So, this morning, I took a run with Laura and Asher. We passed by the red spot where a dog laid last night. I bought some doggy spray (called “Halt”, pretty awesome name) that might ward off any aggressive beasts that get near us when we walk from our house to downtown. I’m at peace. This is our street. Our neighborhood. Our town. God has placed my family here for a reason. I’m glad that I didn’t pass by and try to ignore that scene last night, if only to help a neighbor in need.