Lost Dog!

"Red", lost dog in our garage this morning

Somedays you just never know how your day is going to start.  This morning was such a morning.

This morning started out as usual, I groggily arose from the dead got out of bed, hit the bathroom for my morning pee, then slumped to our kitchen for my breakfast of bran flakes and strawberries.  After feeding my face, brushing my teeth I trekked to my home office.  I called my friend and former high school classmate Jack S.  Jack had called me yesterday as I was just going into work.  He needed my help with is new iPhone in navigating the Calendar function of his iPhone.


I called Jack.  After about a half an hour of Ron's iPhone Class, Bill breathlessly bursts into my lair. He gasps "There's a lost dog outside!  I put him in the garage."  Oh great, an emergency this early in the morning and I'm already in my Mr. Fixit mode.  Make no mistake about it folks, I'm the Go To Guy in this household.

A stressed lost dog and a stressed Ron taking a selfie

So whose dog is this?  Our neighbors across the street who just installed their invisible dog fence?

Bill said the lost dog has a phone number on his collar.  Out to the garage I am met by an anxious WET, PANTING red Irish setter.  Oh great, just what I need this morning.  Putting out another fire.  I understand Bill rescuing the poor dog.  We don't want the dog wandering out on Route One to risk being hit by one of the speeding idiots on Route One, especially today Friday when the Horde descends on Gayberry Rehoboth Beach for the weekend. 

Route One (Coastal Highway), ready for the onslaught of the weekend Horde

I get the phone number off of "Red's" collar (and actually, I later found out that this dog's name is actually "Red.")  I call the number and I get voice mail.  I leave a message.  Now what to do?  We have a panting, (which we gave some water), WET, dog in our garage.  

I go back to my office and my computer.  I have a lot to do.  My friend Pat from Toronto is coming down this Sunday and I have to coordinate picking him up and taking him back (to Wilmington) for the following week.  Yes, Pat's taking the bus for this time instead of driving himself.  A fifteen hour trip.  Yes, it takes that long to travel from Toronto to Casa Tipton-Kelly.

Me and Pat last year just before leaving for our trip to Philadelphia 

The phone rings.  The man on the other side of the phone identifies himself as "Donald."  I recognize his voice.  He is a former (gay) neighbor of ours who we had falling out with his late partner.  I say to "Donald", "This is Ron!  You know who I am Don!"  He says he's calling from ---------- (I'm leaving the name out because I don't want his boss to to an Internet search and read this blog), and that dog "Red" (yes, that's the dog's name) is his bosses' dog.  He asked where I live. I told him "Don, you know where I live!"  Then he realizes who I am and said "Ron!  Hey! I know where you live. I'll be right over to pick up Red."  

Ten minutes later Don pulls up in our driveway.  I told Bill Don was coming over.  We were both out in our parking lot to greet Don.  

Bill greets Don and "Red" is going home

Now how about this?  Don doesn't know why we had a falling out with his late partner who died three years ago.  And I don't really want to rehash why either because his partner is gone now and it's probably best that we leave that negativity behind us.  But we never had a problem with Don. Who knows what his partner told Don why we had a falling out but that's all history now.  

Friendship renewed

We had a wonderful reunion right in our little parking lot by the garage.  Don now has a new love.  They're getting married this September.  Don gave me his new address (and phone number and e-mail).  Bill and I will visit.  We also have a mutual friend, Ed C. who, coincidentally will be vacationing next week at his home in Rehoboth.  What great timing!  My friend Pat will also be down next week.  I can introduce Pat to Ed and Don.

"Red", the catalyst for a friendship renewal this morning

So folks, you just never know.  Somedays you get out of bed and your whole world changes….for the better.  I'm not a religious man but sometimes I wonder.  

Don and Ron, renewed friendship after three year estrangement (is it me or does Don look like he's not quite ready? I'm always ready)

You're going home buddy.