Willis had just joined the family. It had only been a week or so.
He came to us because his first person had passed away and we had only just lost our toy fox terrier Dodi to pancreatitis, so we had a pet vacancy.
It was a regular practice of mine to take the dogs with me on a hike at a nearby park...and then stop by the grocery store on the way home.
That’s what went down on this date.
Reeses Pieces and Willis were still in the getting to know each other phase.
We hiked...and the off to Kroger we went. Because I’m a professional dog parent...I parked in the shade off to the side of the parking lot...and left the windows partially down. Including the sliding back window of my truck.
I popped out and walked around the front of the store and out of sight of my truck.
Just so happens I’m a list person...and as I got near the end of my list...an announcement came over the speaker system. It went like this...
(Please note here...I’d shopped in this store dozens and dozens of times and never heard an announcement like this one...so of course it caught my attention).
“Would the owner of a tan Chihuahua wearing a blue harness, please come to the customer service desk.”
WHAT? HOW? And then I crack a smile as I proceed immediately to the service desk. Wiiiiillliss!
As I came around the corner...there he was...all grinny. Willis was in the arms of the person working the desk. He had a little gleam in his eye when he saw me. And as I approached I couldn’t help but ask… “um, how did this happen? How did he come to be in your arms right now?”
She replied, “Somebody saw him walking through the produce section and picked him up and brought him to me.”
Clearly, Willis had jumped out the window and followed me into the store. I had no idea just how loyal and capable a chihuahua was...who knew they were trackers? I still can’t believe he walked right through the font door of the Kroger that day.
And yes...I am aware this whole story could have gone horribly wrong. But it didn’t...thanks to some very good-hearted people making excellent choices to intervene on this day.
I took him into my arms and asked if it was ok if I shopped for a few more things before I checked out. She said, “sure!”
Then as I walked the aisles everyone was smiling at us because they all had heard the same public service announcement and they knew this story had found a delightful end. Willis was just smiling away because he’d found me!
But then...it struck me. OH NO, what about Pieces?
So I hurried back to my truck and there she was on the floorboard knowing full well that Willis had broken a cardinal rule of staying in place. I assured her that all was well and promptly closed the back window which clearly is how Mr. Houdini escaped.
Never underestimate the determination of your Chihuahua sticking by your side come hell or high water. Fiercely loyal these little ones.
And don’t doubt for one second that for the remainder of our days together (9 years to be exact)...if Willis was with me...the rear truck window was tightly shut.
And so goes the legacy of Will Willis. Dearly missed...yet I will always honor his big heart and his fierce loyalty. And his gifted ability of knowing where I was at any and all times.
Rest in peace my
furry friend.
Chief leader of my security team.
You are sorely
missed.
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