my new friend...the starving dog

Today, I decided to go on a run as I woke up about 6 a.m. unable to return back to my sweet, and ever-waking slumber. I stopped off with my dad to the dig site of the new Tafuna Church of Christ and said "hello" to a few people working out there. I said hello to Ms. Pua who was diligently taking her machete to the built up foliage. I told her that she would be great in a horror movie with her sharp weapon. She is a very kind-hearted lady and people who meet her tend to think the same. Anyway, I left there and stopped at a shoe store to look for a new pair of running shoes, $90.00, I don't think so. I will literally run through them in a few months so can't see spending almost $100.00 for a pair of kicks. I did see a perfect pair of neon pink and black Vans for $47.00 which I compulsively purchased. I got back in the car and my dad and I headed to Pago Pago as he was going to drop me off 8 miles out. However, enroute, there was a Samoan traffic jam and waiting more then five to ten minutes in traffic is unholy and un, un, something. That being said I hopped out of the car un Nu'uuli and ran toward Pago Pago. Today, the run was beautiful and ocean side. The waves had a certain mid-morning luster to them, so this palangi was digging the universe. I decided not to run quite 8 miles because of the heat so decided to turn around. As I was approaching my turnaround destination, I saw a wobbly emaciated dog heading toward me. She let me pass by with no fuss and all was well. I then turned around so I was approaching her yet again. I think I scared her as she ducked under the railing by the ocean. It was hard to tell how old she was but was evident she had a bum leg, many puppies, starving and had mange. I squatted down to let her know that I wasn't going to hurt her. She got the point after a few minutes as she cautiously mustered over. She was thirsty as the sun was beating down, I had no food or water to give her. I chilled with her and patted her mangy head and she came up and let another creature give her some love. In this time that was the only thing I could offer her. Me and mangy dog shared a few moments together and a connection, then I left her. In life sometimes we can't rescue everything, that is not the way the world works. However, we can be civil and show goodness to mother earth and her inhabitants. Glad, I met her in my path and glad we shared a few moments with each other.

Jeannine