TAZ Adventure – Selective Scavenging
It had been a very long day, taking three huskies to the end of the earth to be considered for an adoptive home. To those unfamiliar with our terminology, the “end of the earth” is a little, one horse…well, maybe one half of one horse, town in the middle of the high desert called Landers. On the map it sits near that big, open white space emblazoned with the word “Unexplored” across it. Very long drive.
At the end of this long trip, we all deserved a treat, especially the three exceptionally well behaved huskies that trekked with us to the desert. Being cost conscience, our choice was simple: Taco Bell was offering a 49 cent taco special..
Robbi proceeded to the counter while I made a restroom stop. Upon emerging from the facility, I spied it there on a vacated table: a partially munched chicken burrito and an untouched taco. Almost akin to a sixth sense, my peripheral vision scans every food establishment I enter for scraps left upon the tables. Mentally, I scan and analyze the contents of the remainders. Then, a full range of pre-set scientific standards commences. First, empirical summation on a visual level is required to quickly determine if the biological nature of the contents is a comestible option for canine digestive capabilities. Additionally, the overall mass must meet or exceed a predetermined standard; conducive when the overall mass has been mathematically divided evenly among the number of canines inclusive in the trip.
All internal calculations indicate in the affirmative for the left over food. Step two initiates and activates motor skills utilizing highly sophisticated tracking and capture techniques. Engaging a well practiced movement, I efficiently yet casually scooped up the entire affair, wrappers, napkins and all, in a single deft swipe and did not break my stride. Oh boy! Extra treats for the dogs! Mission Accomplished!
Meeting up with Robbi at the service counter, she noted my new found treasure.
“What’s that?”
“Oh!” replying enthusiastically, “I found a half eaten chicken burrito and a cold taco someone didn’t even touch!”
Robbi smiled, but didn’t quite share my excitement at the find. Actually, her glance was cast over my shoulder to a restaurant employee who was listening in on the conversation. The worker looked rather shocked and then disdainful regarding my selective scavenging of other parties’ leftovers.
Huskies, being bottomless pit garbage disposals, continually forage on anything they can beg, borrow or steal. When that number reaches nine, one starts to discover many new and inventive ways to “treat” the huskies. In polite society, I’m sure one would find scarfing up abandoned, half devoured morsels conscripted from a cheap fast food outlet rather abhorrent behavior. However, the practical nature and virtue of not wasting food, rescuing dogs, showing thought, care and love to a neglected creature, and offering a creative and cost effective solution seems to supercede a perceived breach of etiquette. Our sensibilities often change with our circumstances.
Looking back to my “pre husky” days, I’m sure I would have been as equally appalled as the worker. Very sadly, my disdain would have been based on assumption and lacking information, knowledge or experience. If the upset employee had but looked out the window a mere five minutes after overhearing my statement she would have witnessed three smiling Siberians enjoying the fruits of her labor that might otherwise have been summarily thrown out. One man’s trash is another’s treasure. It’s funny to contemplate but, the worker might have gotten more pleasure out of seeing the dogs’ satisfaction than knowing the people simply left it behind. All of us certainly did.
Scott, Robbi and the Salsa Siberians
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
Art Linkletter
Taz Adventures © Scott Ringwelski
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Correspondence: ColonelTAZ@yahoo.com
