This morning I was asked about the dog in the photo in yesterday’s post. Through the magic of the interwebz and with much joy, I was able to find a blog entry I’d written on my now defunct pet care business website. I composed this on March 11, 2018, but the event it recounts took place on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, a few years before I understood just what Easter is all about, as I was converted to Christ in 2020. Praise God for incredible journeys!!!
The shelter is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays so I won’t have the privilege of walking a dog every single day, but I wanted to chronicle this awesome time I had with a dynamic dog that I called Jack. Last year while working and staying at a KOA campground in central VA, I took advantage of the fabulous hiking trails in the area. Unfortunately, due to my dog’s ailing health, she is no longer able to hike with me, so I tackled the trails alone. This took place on Easter Sunday, and this was the first time I thought about how neat it would be to take shelter dogs outta “jail” for a few hours to hike. Jack, however, was not a shelter dog; he was truly a trail angel.
The head of Terrapin Mountain Trail is at the end of a mile-long, gravel, residential road. About a quarter of a mile into the hike, I was met by two doggies, Jack and what looked to be more of a “house” doggie. “House doggie” was smaller and fluffier than Jack and … well … took off towards a house I could see in the distance. Jack, incredibly, stuck with me for the full 10-mile trek. The first 6 miles or so were mostly uphill, and the trail was not well marked. So I was happy and extremely relieved to hit this point cuz I knew that what went up had to come down — it was time to descend the mountain.
And, at this point, at least I knew I was on the correct trail. I realized later, despite having the trail loop “trip tik” saved on my phone, I took off from the wrong end so wasn’t meeting landmarks as I should have been. This was a bit concerning, but I grew to have faith that my boy Jack had my back. He clearly knew these woods like the back of his paw. There were times he would run way ahead outta sight — I wasn’t sure if he was still with me — but he always came back to get me. It was amazing.There were a few creek crossings, and for each one Jack searched out the safest way for me to cross.
I felt so blessed to have this K-9 compass join me on Easter Sunday for such a beautiful hike. I worried a bit what might happen to him after we completed our journey, but this boy was clearly not a stray. He was obviously a local doggie who enjoyed the outdoors as much as I do. When we got back to the trailhead, we took a photo together and then Jack sauntered away towards the same house that “house doggie” went. I bet he had a good, long nap and a great story for his family!
Saying goodbye to Jack, my Terrapin Trail Angel, after a wonderful few hours spent tackling the trail together.
