Six weeks after the mother gave birth to the seven
pups, the couple put out signs in the front, along the road: Free Puppies.
They had given no more attention to the dog when she
was pregnant than they had before. There was nothing special about the
sandy-colored mix breed in their eyes. She was valuable only to deter folks
from trespassing on the couple's property. When the pups came along they were
more a nuisance than anything and the couple wanted to get the puppies off
their property as soon as possible.
Days and evenings folks dropped in to pick out one of
the free pups. But the black and tan boy was overlooked each time. He was the
largest pup. He had a long body, short legs, and a head that looked too big and
disproportionate to his wiry-haired frame. And, he looked nothing like his
soft-furred siblings.
After his mother weaned him he ate what was left out
for his mom, but he wasn't growing like he should. Soon, he wasn't feeling so
good. His mom tried to play with him but he felt too poorly to join her. He was
vomiting and his stools had turned yellow and bloody. It got so bad; most of
the time he couldn't perceive where he was or what was going on.
One morning the woman came out, wrapped an old towel
around him and laid him roughly in a cardboard box. The woman dropped him off
at a place where many animals were kept in pens and cages.
A young man at the new place took the pup into a room
of steel and tile. A woman in a white outfit quickly looked the puppy over,
then shook her head.
"His Parvo has progressed beyond any treatment
options." She caressed his head, while looking into his large eyes. The
pain from his sickness was etched in the fur boy's expression.
The lady looked at her assistant. "Does he have a
name?"
The young man shook his head, and then turned his gaze
away from the poor pup. This was a part of his job he found soul bruising. He
took in a deep breath and steeled his heart.
She continued to stroke his head and the gravely ill
pup's eyes lost some of that edge the pain had instilled - so wonderful did it
feel to be caressed so. Her voice was soft and soothing - the pup's breathing
became less erratic and the look of illness stored in his eyes faded a bit with
the pleasure of her ministrations.
The vet asked her assistant to fetch what she needed.
The young man winced. He didn't think he'd ever get used to this - another
innocent soul to be put to death.
He turned, quickly clenched his eyelids shut to stop
the burning of pent up tears. He gathered the shaver, syringe, and the vial of
liquid.
As the vet shaved a spot on the pup's forearm and prepared
the solution, the attendant held the boy pup close, talking softly, petting him
gently. In moments it was done. The attendant felt the last breath the pup in
his arms gave up - just as the frail body went limp.
He awoke and found himself in tall green grass. He sat
up and looked around. He saw dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, playing and
relaxing. All of them appeared healthy and happy. Next to a large bridge of
many colors he noticed others sat watchfully, eagerly, and he wondered what
they were waiting for. Was there something coming across the bridge?
He stood, then padded over to the bridge to see what
the others were looking for … Humans!!! Long lines of them behind a misty
rainbow veil. As soon as the humans came into view, the pups and older dogs ran
forward to meet them and there was much happiness.
The dogs whimpered of their joy and the humans thanked
God for taking such good care of their beloved fur kin. When all the furkin had
joined up with their humans the shimmering mist enveloped them and bore them
away.
In a short time cats and kittens had gathered at the
bridge. As the rainbow mist swirled to life the felines became watchful.
The black and tan pup walked slowly away. He knew no
human would come over the bridge for him.
"You are right, small one. You have no one to
wait for … yet."
The pup was startled by the voice and he turned a full
circle to see who was talking to him. He saw no one, but the air all around him
pulsed a silver-gold.
"You will be put to life. To be loved and
spoiled. That is what happens to dogs who didn't have that their first time on
Earth. Those of you, who had no human spirit-mate; no heart partner. But you
will now! A woman and her son. May you be a blessing, each to the other."
The pup wagged his tail.
"You will also have a name - Benjamin. Whisper it
to them when you are first together and that is what they'll call you."
The pup barked and his eyes lit up with hopeful
anticipation. Before he could bark again, he was gone.
"I'll see you later, Benjamin. And you will come
back happy, for I know you deserve it!"
On Earth a litter of puppies was born, and one of the
boys was named Benjamin.
(© Kathy Pippig Harris, 2006)
*****
I would like to thank Kathy Pippig Harris for her kind permission to publish her poems and writings on my blog.
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