Goldie had hundreds of acres to roam. She spent hours running over the fields every day, chasing rabbits, squirrels, and anything else that moved. She had virtually no restrictions on what she could do. The one restriction she had was that when her master called, she had to obey and go to him. But this was almost always rewarded with food, a kind word, or a pat on the head. There was nothing that she needed—she had a warm bed, plenty of food, and lots of time to run and play.
One sunny, July afternoon when she was out playing, a rabbit suddenly appeared before her and started running. As she started to chase it, she heard her master call, “Goldie! Come here!!” For the first time in her life, she hesitated and began to wonder why she should go to her master. But the habit was too great, and she turned to go to him. Not long after that, when she was out in the fields, a gopher appeared before her just as her master called. This time she hesitated for a few seconds, and then turned and chased the gopher. She was experiencing something new—freedom.
When she finally returned home late that night, the house was dark. There was no one stirring, and she guiltily climbed onto the steps and went to sleep. It was cold, and without the protection of the house, she shivered all night and got very little sleep. She was also very hungry, because there was no one up to feed her.
The next morning, when her master came out, Goldie stood up and tried her best to look sorry for what she had done. Indeed, she was sorry and couldn’t believe what she had done. For the next two weeks, she was very good and did everything her master asked.
But then, on another afternoon, once again a rabbit jumped out of the bushes just as her master called. But this time, there was much less hesitation. She almost immediately went and chased the rabbit. Again, she got home really late, but this time, most of the guilt was replaced with a new exhilaration of independence and freedom.
Time went on, and it got so that she didn’t even need an excuse when her master called. She just did as she pleased, hardly ever listening to her master. Of course, this upset the master very much, but he loved her so much he did not want to put her on a chain. He kept hoping that she would change her ways and be obedient to him once again.
Then one afternoon, the master took Goldie in the car to town. On the way back, he stopped near a forest to look at a tree that had been struck by lightning. In a flash, Goldie had jumped out of the car to chase a rabbit and was running into the woods. Goldie’s master saw her run and started calling to her with fear in his voice because he knew how dangerous the woods were. But Goldie did not listen. She ran deeper and deeper into the woods, suddenly realizing that she was finally free. She did not have to go back to the master. She was on her own. The master finally gave up, and, very sorrowfully, got back in the car and drove home. The next day he went back out to look for her but could not find her.
Winter came, and with it came the cold and the snow. Goldie was struggling to remain alive. There were no longer any rabbits or squirrels to chase for food. Her left front foot had been injured when she got it caught between two dead trees. Her once shiny fur was matted down with mud and brambles. Once a beautiful dog, she now looked like an old stray. She felt the last of her strength leave her body as Goldie curled up beneath a tree.
“Goldie!” she heard from a distance. Goldie perked up her ear but there was only silence. Perhaps it was the sounds of this old woods and her weakened mind playing tricks on her.
“Goldie!” There it was again. This time the sound was much closer. It was the master! He had come for her. Suddenly Goldie strength returned–if only slightly– but it was enough for her to let out a meager yelp.
“Goldie!” she heard the master again. Goldie mustered another bark. Seconds later she felt the warm strong arms of her master wrap around her cold and depleted body. He picked her up and covered her in a wool blanket. Goldie was once again safe in his care and she fell asleep.
Days later, Goldie woke up in a warm home with a cozy bed and plenty of food and water. And there, by her side was the master. He never gave up on Goldie and she knew that she would never ignore his call again.