Shindu

By Andi Eberhardt

About eight years ago, I was inching home to the East Bay in terrible traffic after visiting family in Laguna Beach for Thanksgiving. I finally pulled off somewhere between Bakersfield and Fresno to feed my whippet-pitbull mix.

It was pitch-dark and cold. As Zoë ate, I noticed movement nearby and thought it might be some wild animal. I rushed Zoë back into the truck, but when I turned around the creature was already devouring her food and water – and then I saw that they were puppies.

Yes, cute and adorable itty-bitty pupsters! One, much bigger than the others, turned out to be the mom. They were underweight, dehydrated, and appeared to have been dumped. I waited an hour for someone to claim them, and then I packed them in Zoe’s crate and got back on the road.

That was their lucky day. I found good homes for the others but kept tiny Shindu who, with his floppy, silky ears – and back problems – may be a Dachsund mix.

Every time I see Shin bound joyously around Point Isabel, greeting dog and people friends, I’m thankful that I happened to stop that night beside that dark field along I-5.