Wednesday, December 3, 2008

No Good Deed ...

I've never particularly believed in the old saying, No good deed goes unpunished, but yesterday afternoon I was certainly pondering it's cosmic possibility.

Four or five mornings ago, I slipped out of my nice warm bed, took a shower, and was ready to leave the house just as the sun was cracking the eastern horizon. I opened the front to to head off to work when I got a surprise. There, curled up in a tight little ball, was a white dog. A big white boxer. She was shivering and I could easily count her ribs.

I woke my wife up and even though I was going to be late for work, we found her a blanket and a bowl full of food.

Since that time we have decided that the dog belongs to some neighbors that live down the road. However it's obvious they don't take very good care of her, and truth be told it doesn't appear like they take very good care of their children either.

But so far I haven't woke up to discover their kids huddled up and shivering on my porch.

So this dog has shown up a few times since and each time my wife or I has set out some grub trying to put some meat on those ribs.

Fast forward to yesterday. Both of my boys were supposed to sing in their school's Christmas program. So we were running around trying to get them fed, dressed, and whatnot so we could get to the school on time.

My 8 year old son puts on his brand new shoes steps outside to the front door and promptly steps in a huge pile of dog crap which I can only presume originated from the big white dog we've been feeding.

So as I stood with a stick scraping dog feces from the tread of his shoes I couldn't help but think ... No good deed goes unpunished.

47 comments:

Anndi said...

There are few things in the world that are harder to get out of sneaker threads than dog doodoo.

It was very nice of you to take care of one of God's creatures though.

Let's look on the bright side... maybe the delay made it so that you avoided a car accident or something on your drive to school?

Guess that dog proved that "Tis better to give than to receive"?

Beck said...

Yucko!
But that poor dog. You guys are doing the right thing. Is there an animal control person that you can call and report suspected dog neglect?

Crystal Phares said...

I'm laughing. I can't help it. My new puppy left me a little "gift package" this morning, so I totally understand how you feel.

Janet said...

Heh. I had a similar experience with a crow a while back. I blogged about it too, and if I remember right, I even used the same proverb.

But I had pictures... LOL.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Oh, that stinks. (Pun not intended, but it actually works nicely...) Such a said circumstance, particularly that you suspect the kids might not get treated the way they should.

Merry Christmas!

Kristen Painter said...

I think it's lovely you feed the dog. And hey, everybody poops. Considering the home that dog comes from, did you expect him to have better manners?

Charles Gramlich said...

Maybe he thought he was returning the favor. You give him something. He gives you something.

Stacy said...

Poor dog! Poor kids!

I must be a bad person because I would be tempted to put the poop in the dog owners' mailbox.

Spy Scribbler said...

Awwww... still, I love that you guys fed him. Poor thing.

Rick said...

Ouch!! What a payback. But did it ever cross your mind that some stray cats were setting the poor dog up?

Annie said...

Cracking up here! Sorry, but true. Look at it this way: Now you've got (yet another) funny tale to tell the grandchildren some day.

Patti said...

ahhhh, the time honored stick in the treads trick.

Anonymous said...

Poor dog. Poor shoes! Ah, but I would have fed the dog, too.

Jenn Jilks said...

I have a similar story - and a solution. Our neighbour's son brought his pony over to make a deposit in my kid's sand box (FAS child). You can't always blame the adults.. but...
Their dog, who ran loose a lot, came over to our property.

I had repeatedly taken the dog back to their house, on a rope, suggesting they keep it tied up. I warned them that the next time I would take it to the pound.
The last straw was when the dog knocked my son down and stole the ice cream cone he had earned as a treat.
I took the dog to the Humane Society where they had to pay $200 to get it out of hock! It has identification and I knew they would phone the family. It was a good lesson.

Anonymous said...

I can't call the pound she is a sweet dog a little poopy but sweet. They would not go get her out and I would feel terrible. I think we should just put her in the dog run with Gyp and keep her. Travis does to he just does not know it yet.

Poetry Sue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Poetry Sue said...

Travis... you should listen to your wife... she is a very smart woman...

I would not only take the dog in, but probably invite the kids over.. and if it seemed to be a an extreme case of neglect I would definitley call the Police or Child Protective Services... I hear about parents like this all the time and it just irks me to no end that someone can neglect not just man's best friend but god's greatest gift as well...

Unknown said...

A boxer? And a white one?? oh memories memories memories.... My dad raised boxers. His favorite was a white boxer her named Hawkeye. His best friend was a little puppy my dad carried around in the front pocket of his t-shirt. (Her name was Hotlips)

Boxers are THE best dogs in the world. I cannot understand how someone could be so neglectful.

Travis, take my word for it. Listen to your wife. You won't be sorry...The BEST dogs ever and so good with kids.. Stupid neighbors...

Melissa Amateis said...

Awww, poor little guy! I vote for taking him in. And if the people who own him miss him, they'll come looking for him - but I bet they don't.

Nnairda's said...

Aww! It' still wonderful that you helped out the little pooch. Karmically he will pay it forward somehow and protect you and your family one day. You never know... :)

Anonymous said...

I believe God has sent you a story-in-the-making.Named the dog yet? I am betting when you do, the dog is staying. (It's happened to me!)

Anonymous said...

LoL! Travis, you certainly stepped in it that time ;-)
Aloha, Cloudia (on s public computer)

alex keto said...

Obviously, it was a canine statement about the quality of food you were providing

Barbara Martin said...

Travis, I agree with Anndi about being delayed. It was more likely, than not, a blessing in disguise.

By showing concern for another neighbour's dog is a fine example for your children. Especially if the kindness is done more on the spur of a moment, than out of collecting karmic points.

Big pat on the back for Travis.

Barbara Martin said...

Travis' wife: Good idea, because you really don't want to know how pounds euthanize dogs. It's not by lethal injection.

Anonymous said...

YOU were late for work! I cant believe it. I think Freud would have something to say with your latest fixation on poop. Does that dog have enough meat on her yet to have a "crack"? Kidding aside, I know you are good to your animals so I am sure that she would be better off with your family.

Vodka Mom said...

That was classic! CLASSIC! and, I love that phrase!!!

Joshua said...

hahahaha, the fates love to play every now and then

Cloudia said...

It's heartbreaking when kids and animals are neglected. To not be detroyed by this stuff is a worthy aim. You do what you can - and you touch our hearts along the way. good man, Travis. Aloha-

Barrie said...

Oh, I feel bad for their dog and children. Sorry about the whole shoe thing, though.

the walking man said...

Now that the dog has marked its territory it is yours Travis...how was the school recital? It didn't stink did it?

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Junosmom said...

Eh, what's a little poop? I loved the comments that either the dog was commented on your food quality or was giving back. Perhaps the poor fella just had to go. I hope he finds life a little easier these days.

Debbielou said...

Oh dear - a similar thing happened to my husband when visiting our friend Lyzzy dee last year - husband stepping on mound of doo doo. Lyzzy dee expertly removed the offending article from the tread of husbands trainer using various sized twigs - A true friend indeed. Pleased that you fed the dog x

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Oh that sucks!

kim said...

Awww. I'm glad you are taking care of that dog.

Anonymous said...

I can think of better thank yous...but its lovely of you and your family to take care of this dog. Hope their kids are treated better than the dog.

Miladysa said...

Muck for luck :D

Terri Tiffany said...

LOL And will you be inviting this dog in????

debra said...

Having 3 dogs, I am well versed in the acquisition and removal of fecal matter from shoes and other objects :-)

Junosmom said...

At least you found the offending matter on the shoe before venturing out. Unlike myself

http://lifetimelearning.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-really-know-youre-hayseed-when.html

It could have been worse - it could have been a small amount that you only discovered upon arriving at your destination.

yellowdoggranny said...

im sure it was left with all good intentions...

DrillerAA said...

That is priceless.
Animals don't always know how to show their appreciation for a good deed.

J. L. Krueger said...

We got our foxhound a similar way. The neighbors abused him and he kept coming to our house for food and companionship (we had two dogs at the time).

Eventually he refused to be returned "home." The neighbors finally gave up in disgust and let us keep him.

He's a real clown and turned into a very loving member of the family. He spends a few minutes every night snuggled with my wife on my pillow while I've been away.

Aaron said...

Awe, he was just saying thanks. ;)

Unknown said...

I crapped on the freaking porch??? Now THAT would have made me really upset. But that poor thing. Someone needs to call the Humane Society. They'll take proper care and make sure it finds a good home.

Shauna Roberts said...

I'm glad you did the right thing, Travis, and I hope he lives happily with you and your family. What looks like bad luck often turns out to be something that saved you from something worse.