Friday, January 21, 2011

Do you ever listen to your intuition?

I did today and it created a happy ending.

Let me give you a rundown of my day. I start every morning by reading my horoscope. Most of the time, it's just for fun - but every now and then it hits eerily close to home. I'm an Aquarius and this is the horoscope that popped up on my blackberry this morning:

Your intuition is keen today, Aquarius. Allow it to govern you through a difficult process you are about to begin. Not all Aquarians are comfortable listening to their inner voice. That's because, as a practical and intellectual air sign, you are more likely to opt for logic or science to guide you. But you actually have quite an exceptional level of extra sensory perception, and you need to learn to tune into it more often. If you do so today, you will navigate through a challenge with ease.

My initial reaction consisted of a shrug and a "hmm...wonder what that means?", then off to work I went. I arrived in the cold (eleven degrees Fahrenheit), dark parking lot and stepped out of my car to be met by the sweetest black dog with the saddest pair of eyes. Here’s a photo that my plant manager took with his blackberry:
The night shift supervisor said the dog had wandered around the mill, following any kind soul who’d pay him any attention. When he couldn’t find someone to follow, he’d sit outside of security's door, throw back his head and howl. Several people suggested I call animal control and have him hauled away. No way. I knew what would happen to the gentle beast if I couldn't find his owner and he ended up at the shelter. My heart broke and I almost burst into tears as he leaned against my leg and nosed his muzzle into my hand. He wore a collar but no tags. The poor brute was not only lost, he was unidentifiable. All anyone could tell me was that he'd been there all night.

My intuition nudged me. I knew this dog. Where had I seen him? It finally hit me. We've got closed circuit video cameras aimed at the staging area to watch the truck drivers securing their trailers before and after loading. Yesterday, I’d noticed a driver playing catch with his dog while waiting for his turn to load.

I logged on to my computer and searched through the screens until I finally found the portion of the tape I needed. There he was - my forlorn little friend galloping across my screen during a much happier playtime with his master. I double-checked the date/time stamp and zoomed in on the truck number. I was able to locate the trucking company by matching the truck number with the check-in log.

I hesitated about calling the driver’s dispatcher. I couldn't imagine a driver leaving his dog behind. Lots of drivers have dogs as companions on their lonely hauls and this furry friend was big enough to make a person think twice about bothering his master's truck.

A driver and his dog are inseparable. I couldn’t imagine the driver leaving his companion but I just knew this dog was the same one playing catch on the video tape.

I called the dispatcher and warned him that I had a rather odd question. I asked if he happened to know whether or not his driver had lost his dog? The dispatched didn't know but he agreed to contact the driver via cell phone.

The driver stated yes, he had in fact lost his dog while at our facility. While securing his load, his dog chased off a pack of stray dogs always running through our area. The driver had called, "Rocky" and searched for hours but had been forced to give up and leave out of fear of losing his job. He didn’t want to report the dog missing to the mill. Most places he’d loaded wouldn’t have helped him. The driver was ecstatic when he learned we'd found Rocky and asked that we'd please shelter him someplace warm since Rocky was not an outside dog. He promised, if we’d watch over him for just a little while, he’d return right away. He'd traveled 150 miles from our mill but was in the process of turning his big rig around. He’d be there as soon as he could get there.

Security and I stashed Rocky in the scale house office with a sausage and egg biscuit, water and a warm blanket. While she scaled in all the trucks, Rocky slept at her feet. Approximately three hours later, Rocky's rig pulled back into our lot. When his master whistled over the CB radio, Rocky's head popped up, ears perked to attention. As the driver walked through the door, Rocky transformed from a droopy tailed, unhappy dog into an exploding bundle of joy.

Rocky and his driver's happy ending made my day. I'm glad I read my horoscope this morning and listened to my intuition. Do you ever listen to yours?

72 comments:

  1. That is a great story :) Bless you for being that investigator and making the dog and master's separation anxiety go away.

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  2. Thank you, Hales. He was such a sweet dog. I'm just glad my intuition nudged my usually faulty memory. I love happy endings!

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  3. Oh wow, beautiful story! I'm so glad to hear you listened to your intuition and the dog! Poor guy! I'm sure his owner is doubly, triply glad!

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  4. Thanks Rebecca and Julia! It would've made you cry to see how excited Rocky got. I didn't realize a dog could wiggle his body in so many different directions.

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  5. Great story! It's nice to know people still go out of their way to help people. Those truckers didn't used to be allowed to haul passengers of any kind but that rule has changed and I think the truckers are happier. It's so cute to see a trucker get out of his rig and walk his dog around before he takes care of his own needs.

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  6. Awesome story, Maeve! I'm an aquarius, too, and I deny my intuition more than I should. Just as your horoscope said, I'm very scientific and don't trust my extra-sensory side. But maybe I can learn! Thanks for sharing a great story...

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  7. You made me cry, Maeve. What a wonderful story and how great you are for doing something like this for a stranger. In our house we call it feather gathering for our 'wings.' I applaude you for your great intuition. It's something the driver will never forget.

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  8. Hi Kat! Today reminded me that we Aquarians need to sometimes take that "leap of faith" and not have to be so logical.

    :-)

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  9. Aww...Paisley. I didn't do anything great. I'm just soft-hearted when it comes to animals. I had to find Rocky's "daddy".

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  10. You are so right, Denise! I love it when I see a mountain of a man walking behind a 3lb. chihuahua. Those pups are more than just pets. They're family!

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  11. Great story, and yes, I always listen to my intuition. Always. :)

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  12. Me too, Margie! Happy Endings Rock!!!

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  13. Oh yay! I'm so glad it worked out okay!

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  14. Me too, Kate! Jasper's not too keen on sharing his space. ;-)

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  15. Aww what a touching story, Maeve! I'm glad Rocky and his human are back together. :)

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  16. Me too, Nicole! He was so happy when his "daddy" walked through the door.

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  17. Not many people would go out of their way to help a dog. Thank goodness you did. You made Rocky and his owner's day. I often listen to my intuition. It keeps me out of bad situations.

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  18. I'm learning to trust my intuition more. Especially after today!

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  19. Maeve,

    You're a saint! What those two poor souls thought in anguish . . . Lotsa good Karma coming your way. Hugs! Pj

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  20. Aww...thanks, PJ, but I'm no saint. I know you would've done exactly the same thing.

    :-)

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  21. I love stories about dogs but this is more about the people. Man loves dog and wonderful people make sure they're not parted.
    Hope someone does something equally nice for you.

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  22. I do listen to my intuition sometimes. Years ago, when our pet cat came up missing, I refused to get rid of any of his things. We got him back two weeks later. The people who installed new windows in our house accidentally drove off with him. They didn't know he'd hopped into the back of their truck.

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  23. WOW,GREAT job tracking down Rocky's owner. I'm impressed.

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  24. Oh, Maeve. That is the sweetest story I've heard in awhile. Thanks for sharing this. I'm applauding your efforts, Nancy Drew. :)

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  25. That is a wonderful, heart-warming story. What a selfless act of kindness, Maeve. I bet the driver was thrilled to death. Jasper must be proud ;-)

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  26. Maeve,

    Ah, what a wonderful story. Glad you listened, and you have a good memory for seeing the pup earlier. And, what a potential start to a romance. Find a dog, win a trucker's heart ;-)

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  27. Woof, woof, woof! Tiny says that's dog for All Dogs Now Love You, (she said it went out over the interstellar dog communication system and is traversing the globe as we speak;). Tiny also says there are special places in Heaven for the humans that care for God's creatures. And Tiny knows 'cuz she's Jasper's larger--er, curvier, cousin.
    You are not only a kind human being but a gifted storyteller. You captured my attention from the first paragraph, kept me on pins and needles, brought tears to my eyes, and then gave me a reason to smile.
    Blessings, Maeve
    (You had better keep an eye out for canine travelers, they've now alerted their species that you are known as Friend to their kind so you're on the list of approved safe houses!)

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  28. Thank you for your kind words, Susan. I think I'm treated VERY well by the folks that bless my life.

    :-)

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  29. Oh my goodness, Shawn. I can only imagine how relieved you were when your kitty returned. Trust me...I'm going to trust my intuition more often. Who knows where it will lead me?

    :-)

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  30. Thank you, Margaret! I've been accused of being a bit stubborn at times. ;-) This time it paid off!

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  31. The driver was VERY happy, Victoria. It did my heart good to see the two re-united. However, I think Jasper's most proud of the fact that I didn't bring Rocky home! ;-)

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  32. That's a great idea, Louisa! Isn't it funny how an everyday occurence can transform into a whispering muse?

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  33. Hahaha! Tell Tiny thank you very much, Rachel. All my life I've loved animals and usually related much better to them than to my own "species". I'm glad you and Tiny both enjoyed finding out about my day. Jasper said to tell Tiny, "Hi!"

    :-)

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  34. Aw... This brought tears to my eyes, but in a good way. Thank you so much for having that big heart of yours and being the person you are. If all were like you, what a wonderful world this would be. :)

    Melissa Murphy

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  35. You are too kind, Melissa. I'm really not special at all...just plain old Maeve --a bit soft-hearted when it comes to animals. One look into Rocky's big brown eyes, and I bet you would've done the very same thing.

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  36. Oh Maeve- You made me cry. as a dog owner and a 'softie' to all animals (I once cried because I shot a grasshopper with my brother's pellet gun!) I appreciate you. And...what Rachel and Tiny said.

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  37. Maeve what a beautiful story. Look at the puppy face. I just wanted to hug him and kiss him. I am so glad this story had a happy ending. I think I do tap into my intution. I would have to say that my intution had gotten me out of a lot of bad situations over my lifetime.

    I have even used it to warn others. Funny but my partner Steven uses his intution a lot and I would have to say that he is 99% accurate about whatever his gut tells him.

    Great post and thanks for sharing :-)

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  38. Hey, Maeve--Thanks for sharing such a great story. Not many people would go out of their way like that. You made the dog happy--and his master too. I can't imagine what I'd do without my Ammo! :-)

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  39. Sorry...it wouldn't let me post as me--Amy Lillard aka Amie Louellen. So now I'm anonymous--dark and mysterious. yeah, right! You're a sweet soul Maeve!

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  40. Awww. Cute puppy. Lucky puupy to have found you, Maeve!

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  41. Oh Calisa! You and I sound like kindred souls when it comes to animals. Wouldn't the world be a lonely place without the warmth and love of our furry friends?

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  42. Thanks Lizzie! I'm going to try to trust my intuition more often even though it's sometimes scary when it tells you to go against the grain of what seems logical. And you are so right. Rocky had such a sweet face. The brown eyes and those droopy ears melted my heart.

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  43. LOL!~ No worries Amy! I like dark and mysterious --that's why I write paranormal romances.

    ;-)

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  44. Thanks so much, Kara. I think it's the other way around. I'm lucky that Rocky visited my life and taught me a valuable lesson about listening to my inner voice.

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  45. Thanks Jeannene! I know you're an animal lover too. You always have the best photos of all your "friends" on your blog.

    :-)

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  46. What a lovely thing to do and what a great outcome for Rocky and his owner.

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  47. Thank you, Libby. If you'd met Rocky, you would've done the exact same thing. He was a big baby that REALLY missed his driving partner.

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  48. Aw, I love this story. So glad you made a happy ending happen for Rocky and his master.

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  49. Aww, Maeve. I'm so glad you were able to reunite Rocky and his owners. Makes me warm all over. :D

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  50. Maeve, what a great story! Thank goodness you were so kind and clever. I suspect the horoscope had nothing to do with it and you're always going a step above to be thoughtful.

    My daughter did something similar. Saw a dazed puppy on the interstate, pulled over, and rescued the puppy (that part makes my heart stop). When she got home, she called the number on the dog's collar. A young couple had just moved to our area and let the puppy ride in the back of the pickup. (I hate when I see that!) He either jumped or fell out. She met them at a public location, where they promised NEVER to put him in the pickup bed again. I hope they are serious.

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  51. Great Story. Made me cry. Yes, I had an insight into a guy my niece was dating and mentioned it to my husband, so that he could talk to his sister. He just gave me the willies. However, nothing was said and she ended up in the hospital. Over the years, there have been numerous incidences, I always listen to my inner voice, it has never been wrong.

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  52. Oh my goodness! How awful for your niece. I hope she's recovered from that terrible incident. An experience like that can leave scars that haunt a person for years. I'm learning to trust my inner voice more and more every day. I'm so glad I listened to it yesterday.

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  53. Caroline - I understand how frightening it must've been when you discovered your daughter had stopped on the side of a busy interstate. What a courageous soul! I'm glad she had a happy ending too. I hope the couple learned a much-needed lesson from your daughter.

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  54. Maeve, I forgot to mention that I nominated your blog for the Stylish Blog Award. You can pick it up here: http://pennyrader.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-blog-won-award.html :D

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  55. Aww...Thank Penny! That means a lot to me.

    :-)

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  56. What a wonderful story! I'm sure driver and dog are eternally grateful to you.

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  57. They were over-joyed to see one another, llona. You would've smiled if you had seem them.

    :-)

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  58. A woman after my own heart. I am such a sucker for these guys. I have 3 dogs now (just added a new one). I can't even go to the Petsmart on adoption day because it breaks my heart, even though I know they all eventually get homes.

    Thanks for sharing a great story.

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  59. My husband always teases me, Tammy. He tells me the animals know if they show up at our house that they're guaranteed a good meal. I never turn a stray away. I told him he should be glad I'm that way - after all, I kept him! ;-)

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  60. As the wife of a long haul truck driver this story touched me deeply. We had a dog that rode everywhere with my husband, but got scared one day and ran off. It was a big loss to our family. I am glad to hear that you took the time to find his owner and wish that someone had been that good to us when our Skunk got seperated. He got on the radio at the truck stop and asked the others around for help in finding him, but the ending was bad because no one around would say that they saw him or help locate him. He searched for hours before someone said they say a dog that had gotten hit not far from the truck stop. A dog is a good companion to have when you are on the road far from home and it is rough to loose your companion and friend. God Bless you for all you did.

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  61. Oh Dawn. I am so VERY sorry to hear about Skunk. I wish there had been a happy ending and he'd been found. Lots of the drivers loading at our mill have dogs and even cats riding with them. It's easy to tell these four-legged co-drivers aren't "just animals"...they're beloved friends and family. I know if I lost my little Jasper, I'd be frantic. Helping Rocky find his way back to his loved ones was just a natural thing to do.

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  62. So seldom is there really good news for all involved. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!

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  63. Nice story, Maeve. Lucky Rocky and his Dad, and good on you for following your intuition.

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  64. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa and Leigh. I'm glad you enjoyed hearing about Rocky's happily-ever-after.

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  65. That is such an awesome story! It brought tears to my eyes. I've been a volunteer for animal shelters. Those furry companions form attachments to their humans and are devastated to separated from them. I'm so happy for Rocky and his Dad. And thank you, Maeve, for listening to your intuition and giving those two a happy reunion.

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