My dog yanked me down after grabbing the edge of my jeans with his teeth as I was climbing the ladder to trim the tree branches, and I instantly saw why he was acting strangely.
I have a clear memory of that day. The sky was cloudy, the air was still and heavy, and the morning was gray. It felt as though it might rain at any time. I had to trim the dry branches of the old apple tree next to the house, so I made the decision not to put it off. The ladder had been prepared for a while, and I decided to use it today in spite of the overcast skies.
I leaned the ladder up against the tree and began to ascend. I had only taken a few steps, though, when I felt someone pushing me from behind. I was astounded by what I saw as I turned around.
My dog was attempting to follow me up the ladder. His gaze were focused on me while his paws slipped and his claws clattered against the metal.
— What are you doing? — I asked, grinning uncomfortably. Remain down.
I waved my hand to try to push him away, but he got back up on his hind legs and gripped the rungs with his front paws. He even used his teeth to grab the edge of my pants and dragged me down so violently that I nearly fell.
— Oh! “Are you insane?” I growled. — Release!
He didn’t let go, though. As though on purpose, he used his paws to hold himself against the ladder and pulled me down.
An odd uneasiness fought against aggravation inside of me. “What is he doing?” I pondered. Is he having fun? However, there was more in his gaze than that. An ongoing caution. It was as though he was telling me not to go up there.
I pushed him away once more while making severe threats:
Are you heading out right now? In calm, let me trim these branches!
but hardly had When he grabbed my pants once more and pushed me down, I climbed a little higher. With my heart in my throat, I barely managed to hang on; one mistake and I might have fallen.
We wouldn’t get very far this way, I knew as I paused, panting. I would really collapse and shatter everything I could if he went on. I needed to decide something.
I descended and gave him a harsh look before saying:
Alright. You’ll remain on the chain if you’re that intelligent.
I walked him to his kennel and tied him up, even though he dropped his head guiltily. I hoped to finish quietly at last. I reached for the ladder and started to ascend once more when an unforeseen circumstance occurred. I then understood why my dog had been acting so oddly.
It was a blinding blaze that tore the sky. Then there was the accident. I was on the verge of climbing the tree when lightning struck it.
Sparks flew everywhere, there was a cracking sound, and the air smelled of charred bark. I threw my hands over my face and jumped back.
I froze for a second, gasping for air. It took me a few seconds to realize that I would have been up there, on that ladder, right in the canopy, except for my obstinate dog. Then…
I gave him a look. His chain was taut as he stood by the kennel, staring at me with that same expression that conveyed more insight than many human words.
— My God… — I said as chills went through my body. — My life was saved by you.
He wagged his tail softly as though he knew he had made the correct decision when I knelt next to him and gave him a neck hug.
Then it dawned on me that occasionally our animals perceive and sense things that people do not.
