Ellen Balkin, Friend In A Time Of Need

Two years ago, my poodle Picasso escaped from the house while I was cooking dinner and was hit by a car.  I was absolutely frantic.  Picasso is my life, so seeing her lying in the street, injured, was so painful that I was literally frozen and unable to act for what felt like a few minutes.  What’s worse, the driver just sped away.

When I finally ran out to the street, I could do nothing but yell for help.  Ellen is my neighbor.  We had barely spoken in the 3 years that I had lived in my home at the time, but she always had a kind face.  She was the first one to come out and help.  I was panicking and crying, and she was on her mobile phone dialing the fire department. 

It only took 10 minutes for a car to come and bring Picasso to the nearest vet, who was able to save her, thank God.  Because she had to stay at the vet overnight, I went home alone, feeling depressed.  But Ellen knocked on my door shortly after I got back and asked how I was.  I invited her in and we talked for hours.  If it weren’t for Ellen, I would have been terrified all alone in my home that night.  Thank you Ellen for showing me that there are people out there who are willing to give of themselves for no reason other than to comfort another human being.