HOPI

WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN ARIZONA WE DO THE HOG FLY AND RIDE. WE RENT A BIKE AND RIDE THROUGH THEIR INDIAN RESERVATIONS THROUGH ARIZONA, UTAH AND SURROUNDING STATES. WE ALWAYS GO TO THE 3 MESA IN ARIZONA HOPING TO GET INVITED TO ONE OF THE HOPI INDIAN’S SACRED DANCE. WE STAY AT THE SECOND MESA, HOPI INDIAN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER WHICH IS AN ARTS CENTER, RESTAURANT AND HOTEL. THERE IS A 6’ FENCE AROUND THE COMPOUND.

 AS WE PULLED UP ON A MOTORCYCLE, WE SAW THE NICEST DOG WALKING BESIDE AN OLDER COUPLE. I SAW THE MAN TELL THE DOG TO STAY ON THE CURB. THEN I KNEW SHE HAD TO BE A STRAY. THERE ARE A PACK OF DOGS INSIDE THE FENCE AND ANOTHER OUTSIDE. EACH PACK OF DOGS STAYED TO THEIR OWN AREA.

AS I WALKEDUP TO THE DOOR TO THE RESTAURANT, THIS VERY NICE DOG GREETED MY HUSBAND AND I. I FELT SO SAD FOR HER AS YOU COULD SEE EVERY BONE THROUGHOUT HER BODY. EVEN HER SKULL WAS OUTLINED. TO TOP IT OFF HER TEETS WERE ENLARGED AND I KNEW SHE HAD A LITTER BACK IN THE TALL WEED ON THE TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN. WE WENT INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND A ROOM. I SAVED MOST OF MY DINNER FOR HER AND FED HER AS WE WERE GOING TO OUR ROOM.

LATER THAT EVENING, I INVITED HER TO STAY INSIDE THE ROOM AND SLEEP ON TOP OF THE BATH MATT. SHE STAYED THERE ALL NIGHT UNTIL I WOKE UP TO TAKE HER BACK OUTSIDE TO USE THE BATHROOM. SHE CONTINUED TO FOLLOW ME AROUND. IT BROKE MY HEART TO THINK I WAS LEAVING HER THERE TO DIE WITH NONE TO CARE FOR HER.

I SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER TO SEE IF SOMEONE COULD TAKE CARE OF HER UNTIL I COULD GET HER ON A FLIGHT HOME. THE MANAGER WAS VERY KIND AND TOOK HER IN FOR ME. SHE TOOK HER TO THE VET. TO GET WHAT SHE NEEDED TO FLY HOME TO VIRGINIA. AFTER ABOUT 45 DAYS, SHE WAS ON A FLIGHT TO VIRGINIA.

NOW, SHE COMES TO WORK WITH ME EVERYDAY AND HAS BECOME OUR COMPANY GREETER. SHE LOVES TO MEET PEOPLE AND IS JUST THE KINDEST DOG YOU COULD EVER MEET. HER NAME IS AFTER THE HOPI INDIANS, AS THAT IS WHERE SHE CAME FROM. SHE IS EVERBODY'S FRIENDNOW.

SELINA CONRAD