Felix, the dog who does it right

I was walking about 20 minutes from my home on an early summer day. I could see the pond and the new goslings learning to swim behind their mothers.

A car was edging close behind me. I didn’t look back. The neighbors on this country road always slowed their speed and waved as they drove by. I had a feeling that this car was not friendly. I moved toward the pond and grabbed hold of a small limb from a young tree. Why was I shaking? Why was my heart pounding?

The car stopped beside me. The man leaned out his window. I yelled at him, “You should be more careful.” He laughed, “Don’t like my driving, huh?” He jammed his accelerator and roared ahead. Something in my mind told me, “Get out of here. Hurry; go home.” I stood there for a minute, hanging onto the tree. And then I saw this man had stopped once more about a half mile ahead. “Go. Go,” my mind said again. “Get out of here!” I ran through the brush and over the rocks. I’d get to Herman’s house, my closest neighbor. He would help me. With all my strength I finally got to Herman’s door. He was not home!

Herman’s German Shepherd dog, Felix, came to me. He licked my hand and gave me a doggie smile. Then, he began to lean on me, pushing me gently toward the opening to the little house Herman had made for him. “My goodness, Felix, what are you doing? I need to get home. Don’t you see Herman’s not here?” Felix began to whimper and push me harder. At that moment I heard the roaring of that strange man’s car moving closer. He was bounding into Herman’s driveway.

Felix pushed me to the back of his little house, then jumped out and growled like a bear in that man’s face. The man got out of his car and yelled at Felix, “Get out of my way, you idiot!” Felix would not stand such talk. With teeth and growls ready, Felix approached the man with a doggie suggestion that he leave. I peeked out of his little house and saw Felix escorting the man into his car and following him far down the road.

That evening, when Herman arrived home, I told him all that had happened and how Felix had helped me. Herman said repeatedly, “Felix did that?” Finally I said, “Yes, your Felix is a remarkable dog. He saved us all.”

In appreciation for my remark, Felix gave me a doggy kiss. And I gave Felix the best hug a person could give a doggie friend.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].