CHAPTER THREE    

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 I slowly merge off the highway and head down a long, narrow road that leads straight into the woods.

     The trees go far up into the air, and yet the sun still shines through. I take this as a good sign and keep driving.

     Why doesn’t the GPS ever get the arrival time correct?

     This trip should have taken under two hours, but now it’s almost three hours and this rescue place is no where in sight.

     I grow more and more uneasy the further and further I drive out.

     When I researched the address over the internet, all I saw was a trailer and a tiny house that had a fence in the shape of a large circle, and inside of it, were eight dogs.

It looked weird. Yet again, I’m in South Carolina. So what doesn’t look weird? I’m not in Manhattan or LA anymore, I remind myself. Loathing the thought.

     I keep driving.

     Stay positive, I tell myself. I’m going to meet this dog and love it.

     But then I am reminded of internet dating and all those men I met who I couldn’t stand from the second I saw them. Not exactly “couldn’t stand,” but knew they were not “it.”

I was a keen judge of character and never wrong. But being wrong about a man online was one thing. So you suffer through a dinner which I always made fun. I am after all, me, and I am exciting and fabulous, but what happens if I don’t like this poor dog?

     Here I am out in the middle of no where. These people probably need my $450.00 as they are trying to survive out here in the WOODS, but what do I do about the poor dog if I don’t want it?

     Sorry Mr. Dog, this is not a fit.

     I’m going to leave you out here to suffer in Holly Hill.

     Yes, that’s the name of the town I’m heading to. Holly Hill, South Carolina.

     As I drive farther and farther out, thinking further and further what a mistake this is, I curse out my sister who didn’t take the ride with me!

     Suddenly, I pass a tiny house on the road and am relieved to see and hear some signs of life, but then it’s nothing again, just more woods and long roads.

     Was that it? I wonder. Was that the house Meg is at?

     There is nothing else out here! That has to be it!

     I turn the car around.

     Why isn’t the damn GPS directing me correctly? Even they are confused and bothered!

     Turning the car around is difficult because the road is narrow, and if I drive even a few inches off of it, I’m going to end up in a ditch.

     I will die out here alone. No one will ever find me.

     At this point, I’m wondering if this would be better anyhow. The better road. The “high,” road.       Go out without a bang. Just disappear. Poof, gone!

     Stop with the negative thoughts, I tell myself. I’m rescuing a German Shepherd today and it’s going to be great!

     As I drive closer and closer to the one lowly house that’s in the middle of no where, I see a fence and to the right of it, that trailer I saw on the internet.

     This is it!

     I attempt to pull in but there’s no driveway. It’s just grass and to get to the house, I have to maneuver my car over a tiny bridge that goes over a stream of water.

     A man comes rushing out.

     Ana told me that she was “too disabled,” to meet me, so she would be sending her “long time partner, Reeves,” to handle the “transaction.”

     I stop before the bridge and get out and wave to him.

     I try to gauge him from afar. When I see him, I am put at ease. He’s a little overweight; just an average middle aged man wearing a T-shirt and shorts.

     He doesn’t say anything.

     I ask him to direct me over the bridge so I don’t drive off of it and into the stream.

     He agrees and stands in front of my car, and waves me onto his property avoiding said tragedy.

     I don’t know where to park but I guess with all of this open land, anywhere is good.

     I exit the car and put on a happy face. “Hi Reeves! I’m Juliana, thank you so much for meeting with me today!”

     He smiles but doesn’t say anything.

     I’m looking around for Meg. Meg, where are you?

     Meg?

     Now I’m really starting to think this is strange.

     “Yeah, I made it out here, no problems,” I add. “Really pretty out here,” I add.

     He still doesn’t speak and is just staring at me awkwardly. “Umm, I brought everything you asked for, and I have it all in my car.”

     He nods.

     This is weird.

     “Where is the dog?” I finally ask, and hold my breath.

     He looks towards the fenced-in pen. My eyes follow his.

     I see all the dogs, but I don’t see Meg because those aren’t German Shepherds.

     I look back at him.

     “She’s out back.”

     I nod.

     “I’ll go get her. You can sit down here,” he says, pointing to the lonely picnic table in the middle of the front yard.

     “Sure!” I reply, relieved. “I’ll grab her treats in my car.”

     He nods and walks off.

     I go back to my car and my heart is racing. I take everything out that I brought for the dog; her new collar, a huge dog pillow for her to sit on, a towel, some toys and a cute orange doll that squeaks.

     I set up everything at the picnic table and I wait.

     The sun is beating down on me. I look around at the dilapidated place and can’t believe I’m here.

     I am literally in the middle of no where and anything can happen. But something in my heart tells me I’m in the right place.

     Something in my heart tells me that I’m meant to do this.

     I hear the door open, and as I look back towards the house, there she is.

Reeves opens the flimsy screen door, and Meg steps out.

     I suck in my breath. She’s wobbling on her long legs, looking all around.

     She follows close behind Reeves and she looks confused…“Oh, my God,” I utter, as tears form in my eyes

     She walks towards me and I get up from the picnic table and bend down.

     I open my arms, and the dog comes running toward me and falls into my arms. I kiss her and hug her, filled with warmth and joy. She is beautiful. She is perfect.

     I am madly in love.

     As I cradle Meg, I sense her relief. I lean back against the picnic table and stare into her eyes, and I start crying.

     She is licking my face and Reese stares at us, and I have no words. I keep hugging her and I cannot believe it.

     I have done so many things in my life. So many stupid things that have never worked out.

     But this, this couldn’t have happened any better.

     I look up at Reeves. “Thank you,” is all I can manage. Meg keeps kissing my face, and I say,      “This is my dream. I have always wanted a German Shepherd and now she is here. I’ll take her.”

     “You want her?” he repeats in a surprised tone.

     “Yes, I want her. I love her.”

     I squeeze Meg again, and in this moment, I vow to take care of her and love her forever.

I take out my phone and take a selfie. I turn the phone around to see the picture of us, and I look so happy. The smile on my face that has long disappeared since Covid, is now back.

     I complete the paperwork with Reeves, and he leaves me with a small bag of dog food and another bag that has their rescue logo name on it, and some coupons and pamphlets.

     I pay Reeves the money and the deal is done.

     “Don’t forget to get her spayed,” he adds, “that is a part of the deal you signed.”

     “Yes, of course. Thanks again, Reeves, this is the best day ever!” I say, and my heart filled with joy.

     Reeves helps me get Meg into the car.

     I couldn’t fit her massive cage in the car, but Ana said it was okay if I just put her in the back seat.

     I think after all our back and forth, she didn’t want this deal to fall through, and quite frankly, neither did I.

     Meg’s in the car, I’m ecstatic, and I can’t wait to drive off. “Bye Reeves,” I say, waving to him,      “Thanks again!”

     And as I head back over the bridge, Meg and I are off to start our new life!

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copyright JULIANA JONES

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