You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 6 a.m.

Veterinary Voice: A heart-warming real life Christmas 'tail'

By Cathy Theisen DVM

Theisen/TashaandTucker

Tasha with her beloved pet, Winston.

photo provided by Tasha Hanson

A few days before Christmas last year, Tasha Hanson was walking her dog Winston after work. It was typically cold and dark, and she was hoping he'd hurry up and do his business, so she could get back inside. When Winston looked down the street and growled, Tasha looked up to see a man heading towards her.

He was a big guy, seemed inebriated and had a cell phone in his hand. Standing there with a little Bichon Frise,Tasha felt none too safe and decided it would be best to head the other way. Winston, unfortunately, chose just that moment to "assume the position," and Tasha waited for him to finish.

As Tasha bent to pick up Winston's droppings, the man approached her, and began to tell her a story. He claimed he'd left his truck running to keep his dog warm while he ran into the local bar for a drink, and, when he came out, the car was missing, apparently stolen. He said he didn't care about the truck at all, but was worried sick about his dog inside.

He told her that his dog's name was Tucker, an 8-year-old Cairn Terrier, and his best friend. He began to cry, and asked Tasha to help him, eyes filled with emotion. He said he'd already called the police, and they were on their way. Understandably suspicious, Tasha was thinking mostly about getting away from what might be a dangerous situation. But then she remembered a small dog that she'd seen shivering on a porch a few blocks back. Against her better judgement, she agreed to show the man where she'd seen the dog. If it was Winston that was missing, she reasoned, she'd want someone to help her.

When they approached the house, there was no dog to be seen. The man was yelling out the dog's name in a loud voice, and moaning about how he'd let his best friend down.

Then suddenly, from the bushes next to the house, came a frantic little brown dog, who leapt through the air and into the man's arms. The man collapsed in sobs on the ground, while the dog wagged his little tail furiously and licked at the man's tears.

Tasha's own eyes filled with tears as she watched this gritty, real-life situation evolve in front of her. She'd taken a chance on helping a stranger, and now she had what she felt was a Christmas miracle on her hands. The man's truck was gone, but the robbers had apparently pitched Tucker out the window as they sped off. And now, against all odds, she'd been a part of helping him find his way back to his owner's arms.

Tasha knows she took a pretty big chance that night, but she sure is glad she did. She says she'll never forget the moment when the dog suddenly appeared from the bushes and leapt into the man's arms. For her, it was Christmas personified, drinking and stolen truck notwithstanding.

Dr. Cathy Theisen is a house call veterinarian in Ann Arbor, with 24 years experience in small animal medicine and surgery. Visit her website at www.cathythevet.net, or e-mail questions/comments to cathythevet@comcast.net.

Comments

MjC

Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 7:10 a.m.

What a great story (nearly brought tears to my eyes)!