Crash came to me in a round about way. Both Crash's mom, Vicky, and myself had posted ads on CL, but neither of us had bothered to browse the very list we were posting in.
My ad essentially stated:
I love dogs. I will run your dog for free. (See "The Ad(age)" for my actual ad)
Vicky had posted:
My Big Boy Bloodhound, "Crash" is in need of a human friend to run with. We live 3 blocks from Golden Gate Park.
I am disabled with nerve damage to both legs & I have fallen several times trying to walk him because I often lose my balance.
Unfortunately, this would be a "volunteer" position as I am on Social Security Disability & I just don't have any money to spare.
I used to take my dogs out using my (old lady) scooter but it's not running right now.
Crash is a good boy & is big enough to protect his human should it be required.
Please consider this "volunteer" position if you live in the outer Sunset/Parkside districts!
It was quite simply a match made in pup-running-Craigslist-pet-section heaven. Of course, due to both of ours apathy, it was doomed to never take place.
I should take a minute here to explain that I'm not a very compassionate person. That sounds odd, I know. What do I mean? Well, I believe in survival of the fittest, I don't give money to the homeless. I don't feel bad for people with addictions to drugs or alcohol. I'm harsh, and unforgiving of society. I have seen a boy rise above the poverty line of the ghettos of Texas, live out of a motel in Oregon just to finish high school, put himself through college, med school, and become a doctor, and a great man (good job Jeremy). I've also seen a bum pull down his pants and take a dump on the street right in front of me. I don't really feel for humanity. Humans, for the most part, while capable of doing good, are more destructive than productive.
Now, don't take this to mean I love dogs and hate humans, not at all the case. This is certainly not a commentary on Vicky either. I only mention this so you can understand my surprise at how Crash and I came to know each other.
Within hours of re-posting my ad I got an email:
Please check out this link to someone wanting a "runner" for their dog.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/pet/1856555059.html
Hope it works out for you!
Jaded by the spam I had been receiving instead of real inquiries, I was disenchanted by this email, but when I clicked the link provided I was pleasantly surprised to see a head shot of Crash and Vicky's post, not the scam plastered page I was expecting.
It certainly seemed real. It was worth a follow up. I quickly drafted a friendly e-tro to Vicky and hit send, trying not to hold my breath, once burned already.
Vicky got back to me the same day. Her emails are always a really LARGE font and brightly colored and bold. She includes emoticons, over uses explanation points, and often signs them with a flower animation of some sort. Despite all that, I really like her. She is kind, and open, and cares about the things in her life that care for her, namely, her dogs.
Yes, dogs, plural. Crash has a step brother, Chauncey. I have not asked why Chauncey was not included in the ad. He is a bit older than Crash, and perhaps she assumed it would be easier to find someone for one unruly dog rather than two, and thus listed he in the most need, young Crash.
With the accompaniment of James, for safety's sake (I grew up with a paranoid father and older brother who are both convinced the world is out to get this redhead), I went to Vicky's home that Friday after work for my first true puprunnersf meet n' greet.
What a wonderful family for my first. The pure essence of why I decided to do this. Without a better way to put this, it is clear Vicky is in need of my "service". Her limited mobility leaves her easily overtaken by the enlivened dogs. She is suppose to keep her legs elevated and this results in an unkempt home. Most of the items in the living room, a reclined futon couch pushed against the half open sliding glass doors to the small balcony, a worn out rug sprinkled with the remains of a half eaten stick, seem there for the dogs' sake more than any human.
She is chatty and sweet.
I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for my health and my ability to run.
Crash is a great dog. Easily excitable, completely non-aggressive, and Bloodhound through and through, with his nose to the ground, tail wagging high, and loud, deep howl. We ventured to GGP, jogged a little to test him out, let him off lead in the protection of the Polo Fields, and got to know each other. I can see Crash growing into a great pup.
When I returned, Vicky asked if I would take Chauncey out in the grassy space across the road, so he wouldn't be jealous. I happily obliged.
I received three more emails from random women trying to connect myself and Crash before the weeks end, with nothing to be gained for themselves. I replied to each of them that I had touched base with Crash and his mom.
Faith in humanity restored.
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