Doing What Comes Naturally
I turned into Gulf Parade, driving well below the stipulated 50kmh. I was used to keeping the speed down, as Saturdays were always frenetic around the oval and community barbeque area.
A still, sunny day. Dogs on leads, wet and panting from their beach romp. Children sprinting across the oval, returning to canopied tables intermittently for picnic snacks. Walkways and bike tracks sprinkled with exercisers and cyclists.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the sleek kelpie shot out in front of my car. I braked hard, but saw, heard, and felt the thump. The shocked dog sped back in the direction it had come from, but instead of returning to its owner, it disappeared into the dense foliage leading to the cliffs above the beach.
I pulled up to the side of the road, my car in park, leaving the engine running as I tore to where the stunned owner stood at his open car door.
‘I am so sorry! I did not see him!’ My heart pounded with concern and visions of the dog being fully caught under my wheel if I’d been travelling a little faster. I looked up at the burly and bearded owner, who had introduced himself as Dave. He had another dog safely on the car’s back seat, doors now closed.
‘It’s my fault,’ he said calmly. ‘I took him off the lead before he was in the car; he’d spotted another dog across the road.’
‘What’s his name? I’m not leaving until he comes back!’
‘Tango,’ said Dave. We shouted the dog’s name repeatedly. I had visions of the kelpie bleeding and passing out.
After what seemed an eternity Tango emerged, still at speed, romping up to us and letting Dave and me carefully examine his panting body and legs. No yelping, happy to be stroked and patted, allowing me to scratch his tummy. Such trusting eyes. Forgiving too?
I suggested a vet checkup. Dave said he’d think about it. He was so easy on me, but clearly delighted to see his rescue kelpie.
At my request, I received a text with photo from Dave later that day. ‘All good. Like bouncing off a cow or sheep. Tango sends you a consoling lick and looks forward to meeting you on the beach.’ Relief enveloped me.
I’ll never forget that thump.
Burnside Writers Group 