Black Dog Sam by Louise Nomani

What does a miracle look like? Do you know its color, its dimensions? Do you believe in miracles?

The black stray dog was a fun youngster full of noise and play and sweetness, but he had reached the awkward proportions of youth and was not beautiful, His dull fur came from too many miles on an unending road and mats that came from too many nights spent hidden in the undergrowth beside the long road. His glossy black silk undercoat one could only find when they patted him and scratched him behind his ears.

The Black dog looked much like a setter with feathers and long legs meant to own the ground he ran upon. His face spoiled that image though with nose a little too fine and ears too short. Oh, but look at those eyes. His eyes could own a person with the warm brown depths that drew you into his soul. They were big and brown and mirrored the beauty he carried inside.

The dog’s energy was disarming, and his desperation to escape from confinement tugged at the heart... It strained the arms. Black dog was a waif in a foreign place, and the cold rough concrete was shredding his feet and shredding his nerves. He was a survivor of abuse, bad food and inadequate water. He had fought for and secured his freedom only to lose it and find himself caged once again. Now black dog could find no hope to lean upon. His despair consumed him.

The young black dog was giving up after many days of hoping, of praying that someone would come and love him and take him home. One could see his spirits fade as smiling faces and soft voices passed him by. Arms were always reaching for the younger puppy, the adorable ones kenneled next to him. His despair grew, and Black dog could not climb out of its darkness. He lost his appetite and retreated in silence to a far corner of his gray space. He knew his fate. He stopped looking up to search the faces of those who passed. He shut their voices from his mind. Black dog could only dream of green grass and freedom and love. He waited with head on feet. He had heard them talking—the ones with kind hands that fed him and changed his papers. He could feel their sympathy, but he understood the talk. He knew his fate. Dread and fear wound round and round through his mind and through his day just as time from a clock goes round and round. Black dog waited.

The girl with dark hair, pale face and sad eyes visited the shelter. She went there often to put a dollar in the box and to love the ones of diminishing spirit that were so needy. The staff knew her. They had heard of her loss and exchanged sad looks with one another as she passed. The girl spotted black dog and knew his sorrow in an instant... She was a learned student in the dimensions of sorrow with all its ragged contortions. She knew its fear and pain and loneliness. The girl with the hollowed dark circles under her eyes had lost the love of her life. Metal parts and pieces had been recovered.The flying machine had been salvaged, but her love had not; and he lay somewhere still in the dark waters of the bay. Her grief consumed her. Her agony could not be extinguished, and she moved in a daze.

Girl saw black dog and her presence cut through his retreat. He picked his head up to look at her as well. He could sense her being, her sadness, and for an instant he forgot his own. He rushed the door and smiled at the girl to lighten her heart and mind. He cocked his head to see her better as his feet clawed at the door. She was the one. He knew it, and he went a bit crazy in his bid to escape and go to her.

Girl couldn’t have a dog,. She worked long hours and knew the responsibilities of dog ownership. She knew a dog’s needs. There was a piece of her heart that she could offer though. The need in dog’s eyes was persuasive, and she asked a volunteer if she could take this young black dog for a walk “Can I take him out for a walk”? she asked Rita.

Rita was uncertain “He’s very strong; he’ll pull like a pony. Do you think you can manage him? My goodness" she added, he’ll jump all over you!” Girl laughed. It was a beautiful sound. It had been weeks since she had laughed. The black dog could not believe his luck. He rushed to the girl jumping to kiss her face and then racing to tie her up in his line of leash. His ecstasy was of forgotten proportions. He was so happy, and the girl and dog walked through the door and onto the grounds where the green grass nourished dog’s spirit, and the sunshine buoyed girl’s courage. Girl and dog sat together under the Oak. The black dog filled her arms and lap, and they cried together to wash away the grief of their losses and share their broken dreams.

Thomas and Mary could see them through the open door. Their hearts warmed, and tears came to their eyes. There are rules at the shelter, but Mary could forget one if she chose. She chose to forget the rule this day. Mary is a healer without uniform. She joined the girl and dog on the grass. “He really needs to get out of here," she said softly to the girl. "You know," she added, "it’s a long holiday weekend, and the shelter will be closed. Why don’t you take him just for the weekend? It would be such a gift for him.” The girl laughed, but the laugh had a hollow ring. “You mean," she said slowly, "I can take him and give him a holiday? I can spoil him just for the weekend?” Tears filled her eyes, and Mary was silent. The girl nodded her head slowly. She agreed, and the course was laid. There was jubilation in the kennel girl’s demeanor as she rushed about collecting leash and food and water bowls. The gifts seemed like rich offerings, and staff laughed; one knew their joy at giving black dog this outing. “What do you call him?” the girl asked. “Sam, one answered. We just call him Sam.”

Miracles come sometimes in sharing love and sharing grief. One does not always know the face. Black dog flew into the open door of the truck. He pranced in circles and panted with a very pink tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. He smiled at the girl when she spoke to him pulling lips wide to show very white teeth. His tail took on a life of its own as it whipped back and forth in his glee. "Sit down,” The girl commanded, but he couldn’t until he leaped onto the front seat beside her unable to bear any separation of space between them. The girl relented. “Be still then,” she said, and black dog seemed to know the need of it as the truck took a corner and tested his balance.

Well, she thought, I’ve done it again. She had let her heart rule all reason. She shook her head in disbelief as she regarded the sweet face next to her. She had complicated her life for the weekend, but somehow her pain had eased. The joy of this dog coursed through her heart and strengthened her mind. “Sam," she ventured with a hand on his head, “Let’s go meet mom and dad.” She laughed, and her laughter was music to the dog’s ears. “Perhaps they’ll know a way. They always do,” she added. The truck picked up speed, and Sam knew that he had found a home.

Post note: Sam came to stay – with mom and dad for 8 short years, and he brought great joy to the daughter and the mom and dad. We miss him still.