Sam’s “Way Back” Files

How Dog Rescue Works

This is a true story — we think!

Somewhere, in a back corner of Heaven, there is a small and inauspicious office; it serves as headquarters for Saint Francis of Assisi the patron saint of animals.  A yellow Lab lies on the floor, his head comfortably resting on his paws.  A gerbil does turns in a wheel, while another rests in what looks like a toilet paper tube … but surely it can’t be.  The desktop is strewn with notes and papers; a bookcase is filled with well-worn volumes, primarily pertaining to animal behavior.  St. Francis, wearing a faded blue robe, sits with his back to a window, through which, one can see an expanse of pastureland; it is filled with grazing animals.   On the wall hangs an incredibly lifelike painting of a cow; a brass plate identifies her simply as Bessie, Sydney, NY, 1935. A curled yellow sticky at the corner of the frame adds a bit of amplification “Arrived January 23, 1935, assigned to the Flying Cloud pasture.” Saint Francis gives no indication that he notices Rubin, his canine coordinator, entering the room. Not waiting to be recognized, Rubin begins to state his business at once, “We’ve got a problem Francis … it’s a Beagle in Great Mills, Maryland … his name is Paco.”  “Oh yes, I know the one,” replied St. Francis, “What can we do for Paco?”  “Well,” begins Rubin, “he’s losing his home and needs a place to go.”  For the first time, St. Francis looks away from his reading and directs his gaze at Rubin, “What are Sam and Susan’s numbers?  “Twelve”, Rubin quickly replies. St. Francis lowers his eyes and puffs out his cheeks, as if to contemplate his response for maybe one second, letting out the air with a pop. Without turning back to his assistant, he simply says, “make it happen.” “I will Sir, and thank you.”  With a swirl of his dusty brown robe, Ruben is gone … In Maryland, Sam and Susan’s telephone is ringing.  While they might normally allow an unrecognized number to go to the answering service, this time they pick up the phone; both Francis and Rubin knew that they would …

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