Pulley, My African Dog

April 18th, 2006

Just like her Liberian owners, Pulley the dog was scrawny and malnourished. Through 10 years of civil war, her owners could barely feed themselves, much less her. One day they abandoned their home, leaving Pulley on the doorstep. That is where I found her, peering shyly up at me with pitiful sagging eyes. At first when I approached her, she would cower away. I found out why… Her masters had beat her into submission! But I soon won her confidence as I began feeding her everyday.

Pulley’s fur was matted, dirty, and full of fleas. I tried to wash her but she ran away. When I took her to the ocean for a swim, she panicked. I found out why… Her masters threw her into the ocean to bathe he! Little by little I would coax Pulley into the ocean waters to swim alongside me Gently I would lift her in my arms, holding her as the waves rippled over her body. Finally one day, she joined me on her own! As the days progressed, Pulley became healthy and strong, till one day her coat of fur was a lustrous sheen, her eyes bright with life! Soon my Liberian neighbors were commenting, “Look at that Pulley; she is beautiful now!”

One hot humid morning several Liberian children were crowded on my front porch, snuggled tightly around me, listening to stories of Jesus. Suddenly, I heard a loud bark as Pulley dashed onto the porch, shoved aside the child right next to me, and sandwiched herself by my side. There she sat, ears perked up, head held high, as pleased with herself as she could be. “Pulley,” I scolded, “You have to share me with these boys and girls. Now you just slide yourself right out and sit over there!” Sulking, Pulley moved, letting the child return to his place beside me. The next moment I looked around, Pulley was nowhere to be found!

I saw her later on my neighbor’s porch, pouting and whining! The ‘Old Ma’ was trying to reason with Pulley… “Now Pulley, you weren’t nice to those children, so Sis Ruth got vexed with you. You just go right back and say ‘Sorry-o’ to Sis Ruth. Guess what happened? Pulley slinked slowly back to me, head hung low. Then whimpering, she lifted her right paw to me as if to say “I’m sorry-o”. Well after that incident the ‘Old Ma’ was really impressed! “That Pulley understands just like we do.” she would rave.

From that day on, my Liberian friends would chuckle to one another as they saw me pass, Pulley following close behind. “Sis Ruth has made a beautiful dog—so strong, so beautiful, and so smart!”