Why we love our dogs

A Dog Named Midas

Over the Labor Day weekend, my husband and I and a group of friends decided to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon kayaking on a nearby creek.  After putting in, we were joined by an exuberant, playful Yellow Lab.  We didn’t know who he belonged to, only that he seemed to be enjoying himself accompanying us as we made our way down the sparkling creek.

After traveling a short distance, we grew concerned that he was still with us and hoped he could find his way home.  As he swam and walked in the shallow parts alongside us, when one of us would get in front of him, he did all he could to place himself in the lead.  He seemed to be telling us that he was in charge.  He continually turned his head as if checking to see we were still behind him.

At one point, a friend and I encountered a fallen tree and her kayak turned over.  The kayak and her drink complete with its’ kozy began to float down the creek.  I tried to untangle myself to recover the kozy while another friend went after the kayak.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when the dog swam after the kozy, retrieved it and brought it right to my side.  I gave him a “good boy” and, as I was petting him, discovered the name on his tags:  Midas.

There were times when Midas had been swimming too long and we all stopped so he could rest.  When we disembarked some eight miles and three hours later, we just couldn’t believe that Midas had followed us the entire distance.  We were tired and grateful our trip had come to an end.  But Midas, upon meeting my friends’ new golden retriever puppy, still exhibited energy extraordinaire.

Midas’ owner did not seem surprised to receive our call that his dog followed us and needed a ride home.  Many of us secretly hoped that his owner would not claim him and we could keep him for ourselves.  What a super swimmer!  What a super dog!  Here’s to you, Midas!

Submitted by:  Denise Bernatos, Mechanicsburg, PA