In this season of giving thanks, I would like to give a shout out to some very kind Goleta residents. My son, Tim, and I are volunteer dog walkers for a nonprofit organization called Cold Noses, Warm Hearts (CNWH). Every Saturday, we take a couple dogs with us for a long walk. Recently, we tried fostering a dog overnight, too. The Friday before Halloween, I picked up Smokey, a cute gray schnauzer mix. Life had been tough for Smokey, and he was shy and hesitant as we walked to my car.
At home, Smokey seemed anxious to be outside. So after feeding him, Tim and I drove to Girsh Park to walk him. Again, Smokey balked when being walked with a leash, so we took him to the enclosed dog run area at the park. Smokey loved running around free of the leash. A few minutes went by, and Smokey found a small opening under the fence. He wriggled under it, and just like that he was out. Panic swept over me as I grabbed the leash and ran like a madwoman, sprinting full speed during rush hour, yelling, "Stop that dog!" At first I was met with perplexed looks. But soon, bicyclists and pedestrians stopped to help me. I cringed as Smokey ran across Storke Road, going east on Phelps.
A bicyclist offered to get a treat to coax Smokey. A couple in a car pulled over, and the passenger got out to help. A fireman pulled his small truck ahead of Smokey, blocking the way so that Smokey would turn around toward Tim and me. We had that one chance to get him, but with a burst of energy, Smokey flew past us, heading west across Storke Road.