By Marla Fryman

I’m new to Ramona. Moved up the hill 10 months ago to a place with some acreage on a private road. Along the way, we adopted two German Shorthaired Pointers from the GSP Rescue in Bonsall, Diesel and Hershey. Sadly, Hershey has passed away due to cancer. We gave her a wonderful two months living in Ramona — chasing rabbits and squirrels. A month later we adopted another GSP that we named Jager.
Today, Dec. 30,  I had company — my nephew and great-nephew came to visit me.  As they were driving away just before 4 p.m., I also went down the drive to retrieve my mail. As we usually do, our dogs accompany me or my husband in the golf cart or running along side to the mail box which is about a 1/4 mile down our dirt drive.  
I headed back up the drive, but the dogs decided to jump out and chase my nephew’s truck down the street to busy Vista Ramona Drive. He never noticed them and, boy, did I start to panic!  
I called for them and whistled, but they kept chasing after him. I went as fast as I could in the golf cart to try to catch them, but it was to no avail. To my horror, they were nearly hit as they ran from our road and into traffic. My heart sank, but I had to try to get Diesel and Jager to come back. I yelled and whistled and clapped. I did everything that I could to get their attention.
A truck stopped and both the driver and passenger got out to try to help. Another car with a couple in it stopped and slowed traffic for us.  One by one, cars started to stop to help.  
Soon, I was able to grab Jager. In all of the commotion, Diesel jumped in with the couple in the car, as the driver’s door was open. The gentleman driver in that car said that he’d hold onto the dog while I took Jager home. He decided to simply follow me the 1/2 mile to my home to bring the wayward dog back.  
We safely returned the dogs to their enclosure and I caught my breath.  I thanked the lovely couple and they were on their way.
I realize that it was my fault for the dogs being able to run away. I thought they were under control, but I was wrong. Something that we had done nearly daily went haywire. I deeply regret it and I’m grateful that they were not harmed or worse — especially, thankful that nobody was hurt the ordeal.  
I thank God that I live in Ramona, as I don’t think many in the other areas of San Diego would have been as willing to help someone in trouble. They might have just kept driving at full speed without a care for their neighbors.
Ramona lived up to its character today.
From the bottom of my still pounding with adrenaline heart, I want to thank each and every one of the wonderful people of Ramona who stopped to help me and my dogs. You are truly a Godsend and a blessing to our community! I don’t know what I would have done without you, especially the sweet couple in the car that brought Diesel home and wouldn’t accept anything from me for it.
Good Samaritans are alive and well in our community. I’m proud to call Ramona my home. May God bless each and every one of you in the New Year!  

Marla Fryman is a Ramona resident.