"Did you hear that?" the old dog shouted.
They all ran to the front of their kennel doors to see
if someone was coming to "pick them."
"Sorry," he said to the other dogs as his
ears fell down from their perked position. "I could have sworn I heard voices
saying, 'Isn't he cute? It's Christmas,
can't we take him home with us?'"
"You must have been dreaming again old man,"
said the dog in the cage next to him. ”Anyway, what's the big deal about getting
picked up as a Christmas gift. We've all been through that routine and look
where it got us."
The word "home" meant little to these
shelter dogs.
"Just once, I'd like to feel the warmth of a hand
stroking my head," said the old dog. "I'd like to be the one who kisses
the tears off a sad face. I'd like to curl up next to a fire instead of this
cold concrete. It hurts my bones."
He curled up and sighed as the others said, "The
only place you're going to find that is in your dreams old man."
Hank's wife had only been gone a year but the pain was
as fresh as if time had stood still. He was an old man now, alone and longed
for the comfort that he knew no other person would ever be able to give to him
again. What would his life become without her by his side?
Hank's cupboards were close to bare now and, although
he didn't want to go out, he knew he should at least pick up the basics. He
drove slowly down the side streets, for freeway driving had become too
challenging. Suddenly, the car started chugging and sputtering until finally
the engine quit altogether. One of the basic needs he forgot was fuel for the
car! So he coasted over next to the curb, spotting a building within walking
distance. Hopefully, they'd let him use their phone ...
He walked into an office area and rang the bell for
service but no one came. He spotted another door going outside, failing to
notice the sign posted "Employees Only." As Hank walked out, he was
overwhelmed by yaps, barks and insane jumping from dogs all sizes and shapes.
He then realized he had unintentionally gone to the dog shelter. Slowly he
walked down the concrete aisle looking for an attendant.
Three kennels down on the right, the old dog calmly
sat there. Why should the old dog get excited? No one would want him. But, he
sensed a need and couldn't resist offering a kind look and a gentle wag of the
tail. As Hank neared the old dog's cage, he laced his fingers through the chain
link to steady his gait and the first feeling of comfort he'd remembered in
over a year came from a wet nose and lick across his arthritic fingers.
Just then a voice of authority sounded, and Hank
jumped. "I'm sorry, Sir, you aren't supposed to be in this area!" she
said.
Luckily Hank didn't know he had walked into the
"final area" where unclaimed dogs were scheduled to be put down.
There went the nudge and lick thing again. Hank looked down to the most
pleading eyes he'd ever seen. Ignoring the attendant's order to leave, Hank
asked if could he see the dog closer? Her demeanor changed completely and her
sternness melted away. She had forced herself to be this way so she could do
the part of her job she despised.
She brought the old dog out and instantly the two
souls - once so lost - found reason to hope.
Hank's cupboards were now filled, a warm fire crackled
and the old dog smiled inside as he remembered "only in your dreams."
Closing his eyes he felt Hank's hand stroking his head whispering "sleep
in heavenly peace."
It was Christmas after all.
(Shelly Guidotti)
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