Walk for the Underdog

Linda Blair Worldheart
Acton,CA

Rescuing Jesse James the dog
By Linda Blair for LBWF

Two weeks ago, I was driving home, when I saw a scared black and white pit-bull running down the road towards me. I pulled the car over and followed him but could not get close. I felt helpless and horrible, but it was dusk so I knew I must get home to all thirty three rescues I currently have in my care.
The next day I went back to the area and sure enough I found him under a bush. He was frightened and growled and barked at me. I threw some cookies and talked to him but was uncomfortable and did not want me to come closer. I left him a small bowl of water I had in my van and said I would be back.
The next day he had a blanket under his bush and a big yellow bucket for water- I smiled, other had seen him too but were having the same problems I was- he was afraid. Again I talked to him, threw cookies towards him but he was so afraid, his growling and barking told me to stay away. I am the Pit lady so I felt it was my job to help him but he didn\'t want my help.
Some days I would go and he was no where to be found and I was concerned for that he was picked up by the shelter or possibly had an encounter with all the packs of coyotes out here.
Neighbors started coming by, one little girl was on her pony and asked if it was my dog. I replied no but I was trying to befriend him before it was too late. I was frustrated and thought about him all the time. What more could I do?
I had two friends who stopped by to volunteer leave cookies and water for him on their way out at days end. The next day I was on my way to the chiropractor when I stopped by to see how he was but all the cookies and water were still there. I was worried. I whistled as I always did but felt a pain that something had happened to him. he had not been there since the night before. I decided to look across the road and believe it or not there he was 300 feet away peaking up and around the bushes at me. I sighed and smiled in relief for him. I walked across the road and threw some cookies in his direction and he disappeared. At least I knew where he was- he was still alive- but something bad had scared him- coyotes?
When I returned I parked my car and brought out my cookie bag and made my way into the bushes. I was looking for snakes as it is snake season and thought well, someone will see my car if something happens to me. I mead my way around and through the bushes thinking I will never find him in all this dense brush but whistled and called to him anyway. I got to a new fence and thought now what? I called and whistled and looked for holes in the fence. Just as I was about to give up- there he was- out in the open looking at me. I called to him and this time I saw a tail wag and a spark of a young dog in his hop. Then he started eating the cookies I had thrown three hours earlier. I called some more and whistled, he looked off to where my car was and then back at me. The son of a gun he actually made his way to me. When he arrived at the fence between us- he looked at me, tail low and wagging and allowed me to stroke his head. He had surrendered. He was tired of being alone, scared and after all I was the nice lady who gave him space but always brought food and water. How bad could I be? I talked to him all the while stroking his head and eyes. He was sweet. After about 10 minutes, I stood up and said \"Lets Go\" and signaled with my hand to follow me along the fence that separated us. Much to my surprise- he did. When we came to the corner fence and road, I thought\" yeah right, he\'ll never follow now\" and he did. He went right through the little hole the coyotes probably use and went straight to his bush to hide. I was smiling pretty big now and I got the can of food from the car that my vet had suggested I try. I grabbed the leash and gave him the food in a dish I had brought along. As he gobbled it down, I hooked the leash on to him as he ate. He was fine with it. I gathered the food and headed toward the car with no problems. I opened the back and lifted him into the crate I keep in there and comforted him in his concern. As we drove along I told him he was safe now and all would be ok. As I got home I yelled out to my friends \"I got him- I got the black and white pit!\" The smiles on my friend’s faces made me proud- no one could get near the dog and yet I had him in my car! We were all happy for him and once more I was still shocked, I thought it would take longer!
I can tell you that I had more work to do to make him feel comfortable but he is so sweet, young, and a happy dog that probably was a victim of a foreclosure. After being thrown away by those he trusted, he is forgiving and is learning to trust again. He is in good enough condition, considering he\'s been living in the wilds for 2 weeks, his collar was expensive and new although the tags were removed. He adores me, plays with toys, knows how to sit and be patient. He has no micro chip and his back toe nail was recently ripped off. He is so grateful I can not tell you. I am use to city shelter rescues- I have never tracked a dog for weeks on end before and actually caught them. My heart feels comfort right now- for all the dogs I have lost to sickness in rescue and the pain I feel daily for the lives I can not save- I found one more scared baby left to fend for himself and I saved one more life today. He and I are both tired and yet somehow content. I needed this and he needed me. I have named him Jesse James.

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