Sorry Charlie.

While driving to the Courthouse this morning, I came across an obviously lost dog running back and forth across Lambs Road. As I came upon the scraggly brown mutt, cars ahead of me were slowing in fruitless attempts to coax it into their car. Car doors open and shut, including mine, but the dog wasn't biting.

After hooking a left and running down a long driveway, I pulled in behind it, got out of my car, and waited to see if it would turn around. A car pulled up next to me, and the driver identified herself as the owner of "Charlie".

"Come 'ere, Charlie, com 'ere boy", I said, excitedly, trying to convince the dog to turn around. About 100 yards away, he stopped, turned his head...and turned around, running toward me at breakneck pace over the snowy, slushy gravel.

I lowered slightly, like a Dad about to catch his running son. Now, you need to know that, since I was on my way to Court, I was wearing a suit and tie. Two thoughts came to me simultaneously: one, that if the dog really did come to me, I was going to get a little dirty and wet. That would have been fine. Two, that if he tried to get past me, I would have to make a quick decision whether or not to tackle him.

As he closed within 10 feet, Charlie took a mean turn to the right and proceeded past me, just out of my reach. I could have dived for him, but chose not to. Off he went, into the middle of the street, dodging a car that didn't know what was going on. Charlie continued down the road, far down, until he found another long driveway, and turned into it. Charlie's owner had already hopped back into her car and was following, but this new driveway led to the woods, and Charlie was not slowing down.

I got back into my car and drove past the driveway, looking to see if Charlie had perhaps dodged off the beaten path and circled back around. I didn't see him. What I did see was Charlie's owner, 200 yards down at the end of this new driveway, slowly get out of her car, look around, and then walk reluctantly into the woods.

I waited a few minutes, looking, hoping....and then I left, having to get to court.

I don't know what happened to Charlie.

* * *

Changing out of my suit at the end of the day, I notice -- as I have for months now -- that my pants are way too baggy. So is the jacket. The suit that I bought at one of my highest weights is now a testament to what happens when you diet and exercise. It really looks kind of silly on me.

I also notice, for the first time, that there's a little tear by one of the front pockets, exposing the white inside.

I should've dived for Charlie.

Next time, old suit or not, I will.