Nick

Joe put the envelope in the church collection plate, and passed it to the next person. After church was over, he said goodbye to the Pastor, who said “Joe, every gift you give has “For Nick” on it. I didn't know you had any family named Nick”. Joe said, If we can talk later, I can explain.

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"Father, my wife, Mandy, and I had finally had enough of the city. We had been saving to buy a place in the country, someplace in the mountains, with a view, where we could raise kids. We found a vacant lot for sale, then had several parties where friends helped them do many things. There were road clearing parties, where everyone who came helped cut trees, fill low spots, knock down high spots, spread gravel, and move debris to spots for later use or removal. The road was big enough, and solid enough for a crane. Food, beer, and drinks were provided. Then, there were lot clearing parties. Same premise, on a bigger scale. The lot that was cleared was more or less the size of a football field, just not the same shape. It was easier, because the trees and brush were not as thick, or tall, and on the edge of a hill, overlooking a valley. Next step was to have three prefab house trailers delivered, and we had a house making party. Electricity was run, an outhouse was connected by a covered walkway, Satellite dish for tv and internet. Pretty soon we had our dream- a house with a view. To give thanks to all the volunteers, there were several Thank-You parties.

We had been there for a few years, and a baby was delaying its entrance. We kept trying, because what else could we do? I was leaving town one day when I saw a dog walking down the road. I slowed as I went past, and the dog looked at me, as if I was lost, and the dog had found him. I stopped, opened his door, and the dog jumped in. I asked the dog “Are you lost? Wander away from home? Did someone abandon you”? The dog just curled up next to me, and beat his tail on the truck seat. I backtracked to town, and asked around. The vet, the playground, many places, with the dog in hand, but no one knew who the dog belonged to. So I went home, and told Mandy how the dog had attached himself to me. Mandy knew better, but let it slide. The dog, soon answering to Nick, became a constant companion.

Nick must have been a good luck charm, for about 6 months after Nick joined them, Mandy got pregnant. We were ecstatic. When the boy, Robert was born, the dog sniffed him a few times and laid down next to the bouncy chair, tail thumping the floor. Once Robert could waddle around, Nick was never far, and kept the baby out of tons of trouble. Nick wouldn't let him near a door, or climb on shelves. Same protection with Nick's food. We don't know how Nick knew the dog food wouldn't be good for Robert, but he did. Robert loved outside, and we decided to put a fence around the house, so Robert could feel grass under his toes, but not wander off. Once it was built, Nick would let Robert go out, after we said OK, but Nick followed the boy everywhere. Sometimes it looked like Nick was walking his kid.

We had started to hear wolves, faintly, at times. Since they seemed far off, and only at night, we tried not to worry, but watched Robert more closely when he was outside. Then Nick started howling, like the wolves, when he heard them. A few dog behavior books said when Dogs hear wolves and coyotes, it reminds them of where they came from, and sometimes they try to act like wild dogs. We thought he was just reacting to them, but he seemed a little less interested in Robert from that point

Then Nick showed up with blood all over him .Nick had been acting strange, and had been showing a little hostility towards everyone. Then we found Robert's baby blanket, one that spent as much time with Robert as Nick did. The blanket was covered in blood.

And we couldn't find Robert. We looked high and low. All Roberts favorite spots. Inside and out. Nick, meanwhile, was sitting in one spot, cowering. We assumed the worst, that for some reason, Nick had attacked and killed Robert. We were frightened out of our minds. Looked again, and a third time.

Finally I said, I cant put this off any longer. I told Mandy, “I am positive Nick killed Robert, and there is only one thing to do”. Mandy was very upset, and she agreed. I got my gun, and killed Nick. It was the hardest thing I had ever done, but I couldn't overcome thinking he had killed Robert. Then I grabbed a shovel, and dragged the body outside the fence. I went about 50 ft. from the fence, and started to dig. Then I noticed three mounds inside the treeline, and went to investigate. There were three dead wolves there. I couldn't register what I was seeing. It dawned on me that the blood on the blanket, and on Nick, had been wolf blood. I took a quick look at Nick's body, and realized he had cutsand bite wounds that must have come from the wolves. And then Mandy came running over, crying, holding Robert. She said he had come out from under one of the sheds, and had been napping. I was floored. I had shot the dog who had fought and killed the wolves, protecting his kid.

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So, Father, ever since, I have been trying to make up for a moment of foolishness. I am positive, in the eyes of God, I will never be forgiven. The weekly donation is a small attempt at seeking forgiveness. I volunteer at animal shelters, and, as you know, I help at all church functions. I only hope, when I pass, God finds a way to forgive me".