A "Tail" of Rescue

This story was told to me by my friends, Eloise and William.

William is a photographer. A few weeks ago his photography group was driving through a remote area of the Badlands of South Dakota. "Look over by the side of the road. I think I see a coyote lying in the tall grass."

The driver pulled over and Will got out to get a closer look. A head lifted up from the prairie grasses. Will was hesitant to get closer, but then he saw a tail wag. He thought that was a good sign so he walked over and discovered an emaciated dog, unable to get up but still able to wag his tail.

Fortunately the driver was an animal lover and encouraged Will to bring the dog into her van. Will lifted the dog, mostly skin and bone, into the van. The dog slept the entire trip home.

Before Will brought the dog into the house he approached Eloise and told her that they may have a guest for the night since the Humane Society was closed.

Eloise thought it best if they kept the dog for a few days until they gave him food and he looked more presentable for a possible adoption. After a few days they brought the dog to the vet to have the fleas, tick and worm removal and to get his shots. It turned out that the dog was about a year old and, other than dehydration and some infestation, was in good health.

This Hot Springs couple had been in the process of looking for a Golden Retriever to replace the one they had put down. Needless to say, this abandoned dog, almost to the point of starvation, came into their lives with a wag of his tail. They adopted him, or, perhaps it was the other way around; he adopted them. Whichever way it was, this is the tale of a wag of a tail that saved the life of one dog and brought a bundle of joy to a loving household.

They named him Inktomi. (Inky for short)

Photo by William Ing