A Boy with Popcorn

Do you ever see a dog walking with its owner sometimes and smile at the pure cuteness? Are you ever in awe of how well-trained the dog is, walking smoothly next to its owner, as they enjoy a peaceful walk?

If so, you definitely were not looking at Zoe and I. Zoe is poorly trained – and as her owner – I take responsibility for this. She doesn’t so much walk, as lurch, bounding from one exciting thing to the next. It could be an interesting smell. An interesting leaf. Or God help me, a squirrel or other dog. If she sees one of these creatures, and if I’m not prepared with a tight grip on her leash, she’ll nearly yank my arm off as she lunges at them. She wouldn’t do anything if she actually caught them – she is super timid – but she gets awfully excited.

So taking Zoe for a walk is typically a work-out for us both. In our last two neighborhoods, they were largely contained with minimal traffic. We were very spoiled in our last house, which had a flat, one mile loop surrounding quiet streets. Perfect for walking a lurching dog. Then we moved into our rental house and while close to our remodel house, walks typically occur on a few streets book-ended by busy city streets. I’ve been terrified that Zoe would get out of our house and bound into one of these streets. Because she has very few street smarts. And by very few, I mean absolutely zero.

Recently, we had the walk I have always feared. It didn’t happen exactly as I expected. Often I have my youngest child with me too and my hands a bit full. On this particular walk, I was solo, so relaxed and leisurely that I held a Starbucks latte in one hand – Zoe’s leash in the other. The sun was out, but the sidewalks were a bit damp. I had chosen a pair of Nikes, which while a bit hipster, have slippery soles. I should have known they were a poor choice.

We were walking down a slight hill, on the sidewalk beside one of the busy streets. I’m really not sure what happened. I slipped – Zoe pulled slightly (nowhere near the traditional full body yank) – and somehow I landed hard on my knees. I was surprised (you really don’t fall that often as an adult and it’s always so surprising how much it hurts!). I could feel blood from my knees soaking my pants. And I had dropped her leash. Ahhh!!!

Of course, she does exactly what I have always thought she would do. She ran straight into the busy street. Thankfully there wasn’t a car coming at the exact time. So I’m standing on the side of the street saying “Zoe, Zoe!” in my most cheerful, commanding voice as if she’ll come on demand. Of course she doesn’t. So I start to get nervous as a car pulls up and graciously stops. And then the driver also holds out her arm to stop traffic coming from the other direction. I continue to say “Zoe, come!” and walk toward her. And Zoe promptly starts running in circles, in the middle of the street. She looks terrified, but still doesn’t come to me. I think she can sense my growing franticness and responds by running in circles around the stopped car. I follow and it becomes a ridiculous game of chase.

At this point, there are 7-8 cars lined up on either side of the street. We’ve brought traffic to a complete standstill. I am scared of losing Zoe. My knees hurt. And I’m mortified that I have so little control over my dog.

As I get more desperate, I see woman after woman after woman leave their cars to help me. Eventually, there are 5 or 6 women all trying to coerce a terrified Zoe back to me or trying to grab her leash.

Finally, a little boy climbs out of the back of an SUV wearing his little soccer uniform. He is holding a bag of popcorn. He leans down, puts his hand out gently, and lures Zoe in with his popcorn. I grab Zoe’s leash and crisis averted!

This little boy was such a hero. I so wish I had the presence of mind to offer him a reward. I was so scared for Zoe and shocked by my fall that I said a heartfelt thank you and then cleared the street so the large back-up could go by.

If I could find this boy, I would so love to. He helped me save my dog – dumb as she is, I love her dearly. He helped the poor women get back in their cars to whatever holiday destination they were likely heading to. And he helped clear a large back-up of traffic on 70th Ave NE.

This little episode – ridiculous as it is – was so heartwarming. It reminded me of the good in the world. How so many people would drop everything – stand in front of traffic – and make themselves late – to help a labradoodle and her freaked out owner. How a little boy would sacrifice his yummy popcorn and cleverly catch her. And how ultimately, even amongst the busyness of the holiday season, an entire street could come to a standstill to help a complete stranger. 

The world can be a beautiful place.

Author: Lisa Gurry

Defined as a Writer. Creator. Mom of 3. Runner. Fashion lover. Traveler. View all posts by Lisa Gurry