Halo, the Miracle Dog

Combativeness, anger, hostility, cruelty and a lack of empathy & compassion plague our society. This negativity has given me a purpose behind sharing a story of love, grit and a whole lot of luck. I know many of you have an emotional connection to animals and nature. E.O. Wilson describes Biophilia as the human attraction to animals as an innate tendency to focus on nature and life. He believed that humans have an emotional connection or fascination with other forms of life and nature, a sense of phylogenic relationship with all life on Earth. I am hopeful that this story reminds you of the goodness of people and you will share your warm stories with others.  Instead of focusing on all the cruelty and negativity, especially in the animal world, focus on the positive connection experienced with animals and the joy they bring. When we are compassionate we are aware of a deep connection between ourselves and all creatures.

People Respond to the SOS

Oklahoma winters often bare down on us with a vengeance.  A few Januarys ago, we went from a warm and sunny morning to ice, “snizzle” (an Oklahoma term that combines snow and sleet), blistering wind, topped off with beautiful snow glistening under the stars.  My son Matt was traveling from Oklahoma City to Tulsa to pick up his dog we were dog-sitting. On the Creek Turnpike, the plows were whizzing by and traffic was slowed due to the ice under the blanket of frosty snow. As he exited the turnpike, a truck in front of him tossed something out of the window.  Swerving to not hit it, he noticed the object moving through the snow in a white blur. It was a white with black spots puppy running the wrong way towards oncoming traffic.  This was when I got the call to help.

I put an alert on social media for assistance.  I met my son on the side of the turnpike westbound between County Line Rd and Elm St. With car flashers blinking, we drove slowly in the shoulder expecting the worse.  We could see flickering flashlights held by others in search of this fast as lightning pooch. We approached a north-side incline as ominous as the snowy ski slopes of Colorado. At the same moment we shouted, “Did you see that?” We both saw glistening eyes.  Was it the pup, a raccoon, or just wishful imagination?  I stopped the car and out of the car he jumped, adorned in loafers and a suit. He begins the repetition of crawling up the incline, sliding back down, climbing back up, continuing this pattern until he reached the top. He screamed, “OH MY GOSH!”  It’s the puppy!

Our hopes were quickly dashed when the pup ran lickety-split along the jogging trail fence with Matt following: sliding, climbing and running.  I drove carefully on the turnpike shoulder to try and keep up.  The crafty pup squeezed through a hole in the fence, continuing her escape on the jogging trail.  Matt skied down the hill on the soles of his dress shoes and jumped back in my car, shouting “Turn the heat up and go! Exit Elm and go to the parking lot.”  We can trap her now we thought.  A crowd gathered and we all walked in the frigid weather carrying treats and leashes. We were very aware of our winter weather warning with temperatures below zero overnight and a wind chill of minus ten degrees. There was no sign of the speed demon dog.  Searching continued for several hours and everyone agreed we’d have to return at daylight. We feared it too cold for a pups’ survival.

Perseverance Pays Off

At sunrise, school was cancelled. A snow day! I put out another plea for help, grabbed much warmer clothes and met a group of people, at the Creek Turnpike Trail. Most I did not know.  We searched with cheeseburgers, chicken and steak. Anything that might be yummy enough to draw her out of the woods.  That is when I looked up to see my son and another group of volunteers from the Life Church along the turnpike. This reaffirmed my faith in humanity and community. Again, no luck. No pup.  We went home to warm but I knew I had to go back.

Upon my return, I parked on a neighborhood side street, realizing I was on the edge of a friend’s property and a large no trespassing sign. I was ready to brave the blistering wind and search the property.  Thinking I was seeing things, I rubbed my eyes to focus as the snow was getting deeper and the sky darker and there she was! This scrawny, white with black spots puppy trotting around the corner from the thick woods.  I carefully opened my door, armed with a pouch full of various meats. I prayed I would not escalate her fear.  She trotted straight to me and my open car door, and she jumped right in.  I slowly got in and put her under my new pea coat offering her some of my yummy treats.  The human animal connection was at work between us.  I looked at my radio as I warmed her and Barry Manilow’s “It’s A Miracle” was playing.  I took pictures of her and sent them to my son.  “Is this her I asked?”  It was her! Safe and warm, everyone returned home full of joy and relief.  Another dog was rescued.

Pup Finds Love and Acceptance

I drove her to the nearest veterinarian to check her for a microchip.  She was chipped, but the owner would not answer the call.  We were able to email him but he was not appreciative of the many people that volunteered to search in frigid temperatures to save her, in fact he denied ownership. He was hateful and lacked empathy.  That was that.  She was going to our house for safe keeping.

She would need to build confidence and trust. That was not going to happen overnight. It was essential that her perception of people change. Not all humans are cruel, impatient or hurtful. We quickly made a list of all of the things and there were many, that triggered her fear. We tried very hard as a family to remove these from her repertoire. She would need a structured, predictable and positive environment.  We started consistency in every aspect of her new home. But she also lacked something very important-a name. She has two large wing shaped spots on her back with a heart in the middle.  “Halo” was blurted out and we all knew it was a perfect fit. Though, I am feeling frustrated with her, I might just call her “Tollgate” in memory of her turnpike adventures.

Halo is a work in progress and not perfect. But she is very loved, sleeps under the covers each night and a constant companion to all. She is delightful at one moment and a Tasmanian devil the next. We try not to laugh at her terrier ways and all agree she is a perfect addition to our family. My pea coat still has Halo fur embedded in the wool, a reminder of our  connection.  I am sure many of you have stories much like mine.  I am hopeful that my story serves as a reminder to share more of our heart with others. We have so much to offer this world and must remember, we are much stronger together.

Note: by November 2023, Halo has gained some pounds and years. You can see how she got her name – two wings with a heart in between.