Boomer
Recently, I spent the day at my daughter Hannah’s boyfriend’s lake house. It was a chilly but sunny day and after dinner he suggested that we take a boat ride around the lake. There were six of us that included the two of them, my son, daughter-in-law and the two moms. I’m a pushover when it comes to being near the water and was happy to jump aboard.
The ride started out slow and steady until Richard decided to pick up speed, but because it was chilly, Hannah had asked him to slow down. He decided to turn off the boat so we could just hang out in the middle of the lake. We were talking and laughing when Richard announced there was a dog. A dog? We were in the middle of the lake. He could tell the dog was struggling and immediately went into action, along with Hannah and Andrew to rescue the animal. Everyone on board was puzzled how the dog got there but we wanted to get him into the boat.
It took three of them to lift the dog onto the back platform. My daughter thought she might have to jump in to help from the water since the dog was too weak to assist, but they were finally able to lift him. The dog was exhausted but seemed relieved to be out of the water, even though he was surrounded by strangers. It was a golden lab that looked like was in the later years of his life.
After he rested for a few minutes, Richard, Andrew and Hannah knew they must lift him up and over the side of the boat because they felt he would surely fall back in once the boat was in motion. As they awkwardly lifted the exhausted, wet and weak animal my daughter spoke gently and softly as she stroked his side.
Once he was on the floor of the boat he immediately wagged his tail then laid down from pure exhaustion. He was shivering and traumatized from his struggle to stay alive in the water. It was decided Richard, Andrew and Hannah would go door to door to the houses along the water’s edge. Unfortunately, everyone’s shoes were left on the dock on the other side of the lake.
The three remaining on the boat talked quietly to each other and to our new furry friend. Several minutes later we saw the other three on shore talking to a couple and started heading towards the dock. By the grace of God they found the dog’s neighbors. They had seen the dog earlier that morning and wondered how long he’d been missing. Apparently, the dog’s owner wasn’t very responsible. They promised they would take him home, feed and care for him.
Richard helped the dog stand and as the couple neared the boat they called his name, “Boomer.” He immediately wagged his tail and recognized them. Once on the dock and in their care we all felt relieved. The name Boomer fit him perfectly. God bless the lovely couple that would care for the mild-mannered golden lab.
We’ll never figure out how Boomer came to be in the middle of the lake, but I do believe we were placed in his path for a reason. Thank goodness Hannah asked to slow down, thank goodness Richard stopped the boat, and thank goodness there weren’t a lot of boats roaring around the lake.
One thing I know to be true, I couldn’t have been more proud of Richard, Hannah, Crystal and Andrew. Their hearts and actions saved the life of a sweet golden lab. They didn’t hesitate to do the right thing and tears cloud my vision as I recall the rescue. Kindness knows no bounds. Stories like this remind me that humanity is alive and well. Here’s to Boomer and the four friends he found that day.
xoxox…..Sheryl
PS…..As we raised our glasses and toasted…..”To Boomer,” my daughter exclaimed “to Scooter.” We all laughed. It was a good day.