Bittersweet rescue...
Today we hiked around the Minnowburn area, and the Giant's Ring again. Something about that place just draws me there, if not just the sheer size of it. Plus, I think it's a glorious small distance walk, and I need all the small bits to kick Gareth into gear for some proper hiking.

The weather was incredible today. With a pressing sky and a strong wind gust every now and then, we set out towards the natural amphitheater. To get there you have to cross a field of cows...which was... well, lacking cows in general.

We crossed into the natural amphitheater to find it full of cows instead, and made our way across the field. What follows from there is a short hike up the road leading towards the Giant's Ring. Since the sky was about to fall down upon us we made our way forward, and before heading along side the barley fields we crossed the wishing/penny tree. A ever imposing dead tree, which has cracked like a miniature jig-saw all over. And into each available space locals leave coins offerings. We leave an offering every time we pass it as well, it just feels right to do so.



Trailing along side the fields of young barley, we passed some field workers along the way. They were tending the trail, and although their sound obviously sounded of electrical trimmers Gareth thought they were mini-bikes ;) We were coming close the second road, the one closest to the Minnowburn park. At the crossing of the fields and the road, a small black dog waddled towards us... and our hearts just dropped.

It was an elderly dog that approached us, and the side of his lip was bleeding. Upon closer inspection, half of his lower jaw just hung there, seemingly unattached. It looked like it was hit by a car. We held it, stroked it, and the dog sat down aside me. I stroke his neck, and felt two tags dangling. His name was Shubi. The second tag contained two phone numbers, a mobile and a home phone.

Neither of us brought our mobiles, and Gareth set out up the road towards the first house. I sat with Shubi at the edge of the field, and not long after Gareth came back from the house... no-one answered. Just at that moment a bus pulled up, which Gareth stopped to ask for a mobile. No such luck yet again. And then the field workers came down, and they luckily had a phone with them.

We phoned the house, and it turns out the owner was just up the road and she was coming down to get him. After some time, I left the dog with Gareth and walked up the road to meet the owner along the way. Turns out she did live in the first house. I called in, and the owner confirmed Shubi was hers.

As we were walking out, I asked her if his jaw had always been 'wonky'. She answered yes. I have to admit I felt a little stupid for calling in, when in fact it had always been this way. She then told me Shubi was 13 years old and had cancer. He was suffering too much, and she was waiting for her kids to come back home to say their goodbyes. He was going to be put down this friday. At that moment I just felt like crying, but the woman was obviously suffering from great grief herself so I held it in.

It felt oh so bittersweet taking this dog from along side the road, only for it to be put down in days. I'm glad he wasn't hit by a car, but I can't close the event as him being 'okay'.

I just pray to the gods to make his passing swift and easy.