In '04 I was giving a paint bid at a residence in Midtown Gary. On Jackson St - just down the street from where the Jackson 5 grew up. Cold Feburary, sleet. Overcast. Dreary.
I meet a very friendly puppy who lives on an unheated closed in porch. I asked the lady what the dog's name is ? "Ugly." The dog lived across the street from the junkyard and took on a tin can for a toy.
This all seems very sad but there is a happy ending. The lady figures out that the dog really likes me and I can take him home. She didn't want it. I say let me go home and get the house ready and I'll come back and pick up the dog.
And in the interim she managed to get hospitalized for three days. Comes home and I finally reach her on the phone. She's ok, and I was going to rescue that dog no matter what.
Well we were on Jackson Street and Reggie Jackson was my favorite player growing up so that's how Reggie got his name. ( in hindsight I could have called him Tito or Jermaine !)
I get Reggie home and have to give him three baths just to get this insulation of grease out of his fur. Kept him warm.
Take Reggie to the veterinarian that afternoon...
Wait for it....
Dr. Smith says, " do you know that Reggie is a girl and might be pregnant?"
Turns out Reggie wasn't pregnant but was menstrating so we had to wear a little puppy pants for a couple weeks.