Artemis: Goddess of the Hounds

Greek mythology says that Artemis was a strong minded and independent female goddess who spent her nights running through the woods accompanied by her faithful hounds.  She was a skilled hunter and survivor and managed to elude danger with her powerful strength.  Being one of the moon goddesses, she also blended in with the night and when the sky darkened and the moon was full, she was in her element.

 

So when I received information in the Spring of 2009 to rescue a dog that had been loose in the wood for months, it was almost fate.  The call came from a concerned citizen that a female Pit Bull had been loose in their park near the woods for over 2 months.  No one could get near her but she was surviving on food left by compassionate park goers.  The little brown dog spent her days frolicking with other dogs in the park but never allowing a human to get close enough to catch her.  Covered in wounds from coyote attacks, it was only a matter of time before this four legged gal would meet the ugly side of Mother Nature.

 

In all my years of being called out to similiar situations, I've always managed to "get the dog".  I felt confident that this would be no different.  But after countless nights of running thru the woods and poison ivy, camping out among the coyotes, eluding traps that we had set, this crafty Pit Bull remained free.  Never have I met a canine (and my experience was growing up with wolves mind you), that was so cunning, so cautious that she put me in tears of frustration.  After three long weeks, "Baby", or "Lady" or "Pinky" as she had many names, remained what seemed like a spirit in the darkness.  The forces were working against me and I just couldn't understand why she didn't want my help.  The stories of a haunted woods and spirits lurking in the dark gave me goosebumps.  But despite the forklore I found something comforting in these woods, her woods.  But I was giving up hope.  I couldn't catch her.

 

It was April 19, a Sunday and the sun was setting.  I decided it was time to say "good bye".  She just didn't want to be caught and I had to accept it.  I went by the park to get one last look at her.  I had to leave her in the hands of Mother Nature and whatever was going to happen, it was to be.  Dusk had settled in and as I pulled up to the park, there she was running and playing with another pack of Pit Bulls ironically.  A park goer had brought his group of dogs out to play fetch.  I watched her for a few moments and saw how happy she looked, barking and play bowing to the other dogs but always making sure to avoid the humans.  Despite how at peace she seemed, the woods also held potential death for her.  How could something so good also be so bad?  But it was out of my hands now.  I approached the group and introduced myself to the other Pit Bulls' owners; a man and his fiance'.  A few other park goers approached and exchanged stories of how they first met her.  Some had experiences of even trying to catch her but to no avail.  The woman owner of the Pit Bulls playing ball introduced herself as a vet tech and we briefly discussed tranquilizing her.  I explained...."been there, done that, didn't work".  I was in deep conversation with some of the park goers and out of the corner of my eye, I saw our little brown friend slowly approaching the vet tech and her dog.  The vet tech held out a raw hide treat and as she attempted to snatch it, she held on with her teeth.  It was then that the woman tech slowly reached under "Lady's" chin and grabbed her by her tattered collar.

 

The fight was on!!!  Lady turned into a wild animal, whipping about like a mustang on the desert plane.  Reflexes kicked in and I ran to her aid.  By this time Lady was biting at the vet tech's wrist and her fingers had gotten twisted up in the collar.  I quickly grabbed a leash and looped it around Lady's neck but not before she tore into my upper arm with her teeth.  She was making a last attempt in fear to break loose but Lindsay (vet tech) held on and as the leash tightened up we realized we had her!!!

 

It was a bittersweet moment.  Lady conceded and lay on the grass shaking.  Park goers cheered and immediately began making calls on their cell phones calling everyone in the neighborhood.  She was safe.

 

It will be a long road to recovery.  She is very untrusting of humans.  But for now I will give her all the time she needs.  Only she can tell me when she's ready.  Or maybe she will remain a free spirit inside and never accept life as a "pet".  And like Artemis, there is no doubt that her strength will carry her through the next phase of her journey. In all the weeks past, the trees, the birds, the sky and the moon were Lady's faithful companions.  I can only hope I can compare. But one thing is for certain.  Those nights that I spent in the woods of the La Crescenta Park felt "special".  Something was out there.  Something peaceful.  Something spiritual.  I can see why Lady used it as her sanctuary.  And I can only hope that someday Lady and I can re-visit these woods and thank them for keeping her safe. In the name of Fire, Water, Air, Earth and the Spirit....Blessed Be.