Should I have become a Social Worker instead?

I LOVE where I live, going on 8 years now. No, it is not an easy place to live and my gas bill proves it! Not to talk about the time I spend, driving back and forth to work. However, this is my choice of living and if I decided to move out, it would cost me MORE!

Lake Hughes, California, a place most locals have not even heard of! A bunch of "stay away" residents and what kind hearts they have! A few years ago, my neighbor bought another home in Lake Hughes and decided to rent out her former residence. In the meantime, her husband got sick and they could not afford to pay two mortgages.

So, what did she do? Well, picked the first renter that came along, did not bother with credit check (or background) and happily took the money. At the time, I was pulling 10-14 hours a day, being at the height of the market so I really did not pay attention or realize the problem.

One day I REALLY did though. My neighbors were on my little dirt road cul-de-sac, fighting like there was no tomorrow! Cops came, took care of the problem. End of story? No, this is just the beginning. It showed that they were dealing drugs, had out-standing warranties, and on their trips to a nearby town big enough to support their selling habits, brought their 2 pitbulls along.

For protection. Got a gun? Kill my dog, not me! Un-speakable. So, here I am, starting to get SERIOUSLY worried about coming home (at all) and one night, I heard it, dogs fighting. It was a Tuesday evening and I never forget it.

I was scared so I jumped up on the fence, up to the roof of the art gallery and looking down, THEY WERE RIPPING MY CHARLIE BLUE APART! The two pit bulls had gotten a hold of Charlie, one at the neck, the second one at the back leg, and they were pulling like crazy!

I did not know what to do but I knew I had to do something. I found a piece of wood that I threw down (hoping not to hit Charlie Blue) and then started to scream "HELP!" After a few minutes people started to show up. One guy with a truck pulled it all up to the fight, turned on his headlights and revved the engine.

That got one pit bull off of Charlie Blue. Another guy came with a can of gasoline and through it all on them. That got the second pit bull off of my friend.

My friend Charlie Blue? How did we become friends?

Some 8 years ago, after my dog told me to look at the map to find another lake to swim in. we took a trip and I LOVED the place. She, being a golden retreiver, loved to swim. A day off? Where's a lake? Let's go!For almost 15 years, she was my best friend.

After separating from my husband, getting out, starting a new life and living somewhere else, things were finally starting to come together. Signed the lease of my new place and a few days later, returned to un-load my belongings. There was this dog, laying on the wayside of the country road and for sure, I thought it was dead.

Coming back, I saw it walking down the road! I later learned he was a local stray that had walked the road for years and several locals where feeding him. Poor thing, being stray and relying on table scraps, I could do better! He got my royal treat daily after that and shortly he began to "speak" to me. As in outbursts of cries. Cry, cry, cry, tail wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.

That was as far as his social skills went. I could not touch him but he listened when I spoke to him. He was at-tentative but on a safe distance.

Long story short, the day after the attack I did not go to work. I was ansciously awaiting for my phone to ring with news about him. In the meantime, a local fire broke out and to be able to get out of my rural area, I had to do a round-about.

Yes, somebody did call and me and some local friends went to see what we could do. His leg was ripped, his body had wounds all over it and he was soaked in gasoline. At first, he did not want to come near me but all of a sudden, he just laid down.

We carried him to my car where I had my dog crate set up with comforting blankets. Getting to the vet and leaving him there with strangers was not easy but I had no choice. All in all, he went through three surgeries and almost $5000 and I paid for it all. Someone suggested to put a collection can at the local market and lo and behold, I collected almost $2400!

The local press had several articles about Charlie Blue and he was the topic of the town for a long time. A retired neighbor adopted him and he was like a newborn puppy, happy about the love he was receiving. When she moved out of the area, another lady and her husband took him over and he is even happier now.

What reminded me of Charlie Blue was that a couple of days ago, he came to my gate. Talking, crying, wiggling, obviously happy to see me and so was I. I did not give a hoot of the financial burden, paying for his surgeries, all I wanted was for Charlie Blue to be ok. Now, he lives down the street from me and obviously, he does remember and is grateful. So am I.