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The phantom of Kingston Road
Published Sunday, May 25, 2008
The first time I noticed him it was the holidays — I can’t remember if it was Thanksgiving or Christmas. I was driving home on Kingston Road when I saw the little white dog running down the road after a car. I slowed my car and he started running toward it. Then another car passed. His ears perked up as it neared; then as it blew past, he ran after it.
It was obvious what had happened; it broke my heart. How could someone just dump a little dog like that? You could almost hear him shouting, “Wait! Wait! You forgot me! Come back.”
As the car drove on, he gave up and trudged back toward his post by the gate where he’d been left. He couldn’t have weighed more than 10 pounds. He was just a little terrier mix, cute as could be and desperate to find his family.
I parked my car and got out. He stopped, eying me — wary and distrustful. Remembering all the dog advice I’d heard throughout the years, I tried to make myself as unimposing as possible, and crouched down on my knees, holding out my hand.
“Come on, fella,” I coaxed in my highest singsong voice — the one reserved for babies and pets. It almost never fails. “Come on, baby!”
But he wouldn’t come. If I tried to inch closer, he ran away, refusing to be bribed with kindness. So I went home to get something more tempting. I came back with cold cuts from the fridge. But he was adamant. All he wanted was his family, who he was certain were in the next car coming down the road.
The weather forecast for later in the week was for below-freezing temperatures. Lying in my warm bed, I wondered how he’d make it. The next day, my father and I set out a humane animal trap, baiting it with leftover roast and hiding it behind some branches so it wouldn’t be stolen. But no matter how many days we left it freshly baited, he wanted nothing to do with it.
In the meantime, we and several other area residents began putting out food and water for him, comparing notes on our efforts to catch the little scamp. Somehow he survived the cold weather, even seeming to thrive. He moved up onto the embankment by the road, where he’d sit like a proud watchdog, guarding his little kingdom by the Kingston Road, but still chasing after passing cars, certain his family would finally stop. Hope must spring eternal in the canine heart, too.
Every day on my way to and from town, I’d hold my breath, hoping he hadn’t been hit by a car. Often, I’d not see him at all, and wondered what had become of him. Then one day there he’d be, watching for cars and running after them, day after day, then week after week, the little white, elusive phantom of Kingston Road. I dubbed him “Phantom” in my mind, and saluted his persistence. Some days he looked so cocky and proud I laughed aloud, and began to look forward to seeing him surveying his little kingdom.
Finally one day about three months later as my father crested the hill, he saw what we’d all been dreading. Phantom lay beside the road, perfectly still while a kind and concerned woman bent over him, looking for signs of life. He lay breathing but unconscious and broken. Daddy took him to the vet where he died later that night. It was painful and it was sad and it was all so unnecessary.
I often wonder about the people who left their little dog by himself on the side of the road at holiday time. I wondered if they ever traveled down Kingston Road and saw him bravely trying to recapture his people. I wondered if they had a happy Christmas. There are crosses along Kingston Road where people who’ve died in automobile accidents are honored, their memories cherished. There is no cross for Phantom; only regrets.
I regret not calling the Humane Society — something that in all my efforts, hadn’t occurred to me. I don’t know why. Perhaps they’d have been able to catch him and prevent a senseless death.
I attended a fundraiser for the Humane Society at The Elms last weekend. They’re raising money for a new shelter with more room and better facilities than the one they’re presently using with even enough room for the occasional horse, mule or other large animal.
In lieu of a roadside memorial for Phantom, I think I could honor his memory best by asking you, Reader, to make a donation to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. And, please, please, don’t leave your pets to die painfully on a lonely road. The phantom of Kingston Road will haunt me for years to come.
Contact the shelter at Natchez Adams County Humane Society, 392 Liberty Road, Natchez, MS 39120, 601-442-4001 or mailing address, P. O. Box 549, Natchez, MS 39121.
Elodie Pritchartt is an Adams County resident.
Comments
Posted by Wisterious (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please denote on your check whether your donation is for the building fund or the general fund. Any checks written without such a notation will automatically go into the general fund.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story just made me cry. I have seen so many dogs, and cats, just left beside roads. I think there will be a special judgement on people who treat their animals like this. We have 2 dogs which just showed up at our house (6 total dogs) and more that we have found homes for. As for cats, I can't begin to count the ones we feed who are strays, but we have 10 that we have managed to catch and get fixed. Please donate to the shelter - it is the best chance for these poor animals. They get no choice in life. Have your pets spayed or nutered. If you want a registered pure bred animal, check out the breeder and don't buy from a puppy mill. If you can't take care of a pet, please find it a home - DON' T just dump it thinking it can care for itself. Animals will give us so much and ask for so little. Have a heart people!
Posted by Tanna (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Elodie, thank you so much for this article. I hope that by sharing your story of the phantom, you can turn it into a positive experience for our shelter and help many many animals.
Readers, please pass the word that we have the plans for our new shelter, and now we are ready to raise the much needed money to build it. Encourage all your friends to contribute. As someone has alredy informed you.. checks meant for the building fund must have that written on them. All other donations go for the general expenses of the present shelter. So when you make your contributions decide if you want it for the general expenses or the new shelter.
Thanks to all of the supporters of our shelter,
Tanna
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How can people do this to an innocent animal. I kept reading hoping for a happier ending, but should have know better. I had a dog for 13 years that someone in a yellow sports car threw out in front of the Dairy Queen. When she tried to get back in they kicked her knocking some teeth out. Naturally being the animal lover I am I opened the door & she hopped in. She sat in the front seat then looked at me like she was thinging well are we just going to sit or go home. She became a very dear member of our family & we will always remember our Sugar.
Elodie never have any regrets because you did everyting possible to help this little Phantom.
Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I also live in the country, the same area as the Phantom, and i did pass by a few times, tried to get the little dog but to no avail. I also would hold my breath when I would drive by. It is sad, One day I picked a box of kittens on the side of the road, most got new homes, the others had to go to the shelter. there have been dogs as well. people who do this will get there just rewards.
Did anyone see on tv about the puppy mill in Tupelo. That was the most horrible thing that I have seen. So please do not buy from a puppy mill. Go to the shelter and adopt, those are the best companions you can have. So please donate and adopt.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very sad. Get your dogs fixed if you do not wan puppies. And take theem to the shelter, do not just drop them off on teh road.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was wondering what happened to this dog,Me and my daughter tried to catch him left him food...AWWW Poor thing. After he wouldn't come to us we thought he belonged to the people right there beside the hill...Man i hate to hear this...
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have three new stray kittens under my house now. The Mama cat always come here to have them because she know they will be fed.
Elodie, they make little plaques for our beloved furbabies maybe it we knew the exact location we could honor this little Phantom with a non human plaque.
There are also online memorials for pets so this would be a good memory for him. Poor baby deserves to be remembered in a special way.
Posted by racehorse (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I tried to catch this dog too. It was very cold outside and I worried that he would freeze. Everytime I tried to catch him, he would take off and perch on that little hill and watch me. I hated to read this because I was thinking that he was safe and sound in a loving home by now. I often wondered who got him. I tried to catch another one that had been left at the old trash site last year. I do know for a fact that this dog was caught and has a wonderful home.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I travel back roads many times in my work, so I have gotten to where I carry cat and dog food in my truck. Just can't pass them up, but I can't take them all home either. If I could just win that lottery!! Or if people would just become more humane toward animals, and also slow down their driving. I have never hit an animal and I pray I never will.
Posted by Wisterious (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
elodie,
i'm so glad you are able to share with such description. not only did your story bring tears to my eyes, so did the comments on that story.
you are an angel.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom, I hit a puppy on Morgantown Road about 10 years ago. I cried so hard and just couldn't get the sound out of my head of my car hitting him. Also, when I was a teenager, I had a boyfriend who once intentionally swerved to hit a Persian cat. I was so devastated that I broke up with him soon after and told him why! I think cruelty to critters should carry stiffer penalties.
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It breaks my heart too. There are dogs on La Grange Road that I pass everyday and they are pitiful. About every six months or so they have another pack of pups which end up getting run over or they just join the pack. I had a group of four guys one night try to steal my dog out of the middle of the street. I had let him out to pee for a second and saw the brake lights flash against my window. The guy in the back seat was hanging out of the car coaxing him towards the car. I'm afraid they would have used him as bait to train some pit bulls. It's just my assumption but they didn't look like a group of nice guys wanting a nice doggie. It was after midnight. I would have never lived it down if that would have happened.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hit a skunk on Airport Road in Vidalia a few weeks ago & cried. I still feel bad when I see the little spot in the road. It's always bothered me to see animals on the side of the road, but to think some were probably deliberly killed by someone like kpage's ex-boyfriend makes me sick.
Anyone that is cruel to an animal are probably the same way to humans.
freedom42 I remember when I was little loving to go to your house because there were always animals. Where I lived I couldn't have any.
By the time I was in Jr. High we had moved & I've had pets every since.
The hardest part about having them is knowing you won't have them forever.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 27, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We can't ever move from our current home. The pet cemetary down by the woods is full my friends. We keep it neat and plant wildflowers around it. Each one holds a memory, from the puppy who died at birth, to the chickens who died from old age, to my special baby who was deliberately run over right in front of me. (She wasn't even in the road, but on the edge near me). Animals give us such unconditional love.
Posted by DIXIEGAL21 (anonymous) on May 28, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was so sad to hear about our sweet, brave little white phantom. I am another that stopped several times to try to rescue him on my visits to Natchez. Being from out of town, I didn't realize he had such an audience. He definitely held a place in my heart. Thanks for the story Elodie, you are a kind heart. I have always been a supporter of the Natchez Shelter, and will send a memorial today. Bless all of you that cared for the little guy. God knows who you are....
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