Baby the Loyal Companion

Dear Firemen,

Please take care of Baby.  He is one month old and already filled with Dalmatian energy.  Due to personal problems, I can no longer be his human mother.  I will love Baby always.  Goodbye and good luck.

"Baby?  What in the world are we going to do with an infant puppy at a busy fire station?  There is never anyone around long enough with the amount of calls we have been getting lately.  He's a Dalmatian.  Who is gonna train him and keep up with his energy?!"

"Oh Frank, come on.  He is so young.  This person wants us to care for him.  Baby can be our companion dog on rides!  And you and I are always here at the station when we're on duty.  I...I will take him home with me when you're off duty.  Frank, let's keep him."

Frank looked into Joe's eager eyes, into Baby's innocent face tucked cozily in his doggy basket, sighed deeply, and said,

"Welcome to Windsor County Fire Station.  Baby, our companion."

Frank and Joe found Baby at nine o'clock in the morning on a hot Saturday in July.  By the end of their shift 24 hours later, Baby had accompanied Frank and Joe on six rides (all false alarms), never once leaving Joe's side.  When they had any down time at the fire station, Baby was eager to play with Joe and sneak in naps with him.  Baby was happy and loved.  Joe was content and knew he found a life-long companion.  There would be one call, though, that would prove Baby's companion love for Joe.

At nine o'clock the following Sunday morning, Joe packed up Baby and his belongings and said goodbye to Frank.  Joe planned to stop by the local pet store to buy food and supplies for Baby before heading home to a delicious breakfast always made by, well, him.  As he pulled into the parking lot of Breed's Place, Joe noticed several people being turned away at the front door.

"Hmm.  That's odd.  Breed's Place is always so popular and crowded when I drive past.  I wonder what's going on?  Come on Baby.  It's too hot to leave you in the car, even with the windows rolled down.  I will have to carry you until I get a leash and harness."

When Joe and Baby reached the front entrance, a guard stopped him.

"Sir, I can't let you in.  Someone reported the smell of smoke.  All those inside have left and those coming in must be turned away until..."

In the near distance, loud fire truck engines could be heard.

"Well, I'm a fireman.  I just got off duty.  Is there any way I can help?"

"What station are you with?" the guard asked cautiously.

"Windsor County."

"I am familiar with Windsor County.  Okay.  Well, the person who reported the emergency said the scent seemed to be coming from the employee break room.  Can you investigate?"

"Of course.  I expect back-up soon anyway," the engines were down the street.  "Come on, Baby.  Another 'ride'."

"No sir.  Your dog can't go..."

"He has been on every call with me on my last shift.  He is coming with me.  Now please excuse me!  I have to get inside and investigate."

The guard hesitated as he let Joe in with Baby.

Joe and Baby raced through the maze that is Breed's Place until they found a door marked "Break Room - Staff Only."  Joe gently touched the closed door.  It was hot.  He looked down to the floor.  Smoke was starting to drift out...and back in.

"Oh gosh.  It's a...Baby!  We have to get out of here now!"

Joe held Baby tighter in his arms and bolted.

BOOM!

Several hours later, Joe woke up in a fog.

"Where - Where am I?"

"You are in the hospital, Joe.  It's me, Frank.  You just missed being burned by the back draft at Breed's Place, but you were injured pretty bad.  Windsor County's shift after us saved you and Baby in the nick of time."

"Baby.  Where - Where's Baby?  Is he all right?"

"Baby has a few injuries and is staying the night at Pawfive Vet Clinic.  I checked in before coming here.  The staff at Pawfive says Baby is doing well and is back to being his energetic self.  The staff also says he misses you.  Baby loves you, Joe.  You saved his life by not letting go of him.  He saved you when his barks led the fire fighters to you where you fell near the front of the store.  Baby truly is your loyal companion."

Joe softly smiled and fell back to sleep.

One week later, Joe was able to leave the hospital.  Frank drove him home.

"There is just one quick stop I need to make, Joe."

Joe nodded okay.

Frank drove toward Huxley Street where Windsor County Fire Station was located.

"Frank, why are we going to the station..."

And there he was - tail flying back and forth, barking excitedly, grinning from ear to ear the way only a happy puppy could.  Joe was coming home!

"Baby!  Baby, I love you!"

Joe scratched Baby's ears and smiled just as happily as he saw his firehouse Dalmatian's eyes asking,

'When is our next ride?'

Who am I?

"Hello!  Welcome to The Dog House!  How can I help you?"

"Hi.  My name is Rick McKenna.  I called last weekend to arrange for my dog to be boarded here while my family and I travel.  We will be out of town for two weeks."

The receptionist reviewed all notes made last Saturday and found the information sheet for Rick McKenna's request.

"Yes.  Your dog, Loren, will be with us today, May 13th to May 28th.  In your call last weekend, you listed all vitals about Loren for the staff to know.  Is there anything else we should know?"

"Um, I don't think so.  The most important thing to know is that Loren is very shy and nearly withdrawn around strange people and dogs.  Our vet seems to think Loren has an inferiority complex."

The receptionist looked to Loren, who held his head sadly low.  She smiled gently and sympathetically said,

"He will be fine with us.  I will care for him personally.  I'll be his pal while you're away."

Rick McKenna whispered "thank you" and said goodbye to Loren with a reassuring ear scratch.

"It's only two weeks, buddy.  I have to now."

Sadness filled Loren's eyes as Rick left and the strange receptionist took hold of his leash.

"Come on, Loren.  You'll be fine.  I will find a dog buddy for you.  And I am here every day, so you'll never be alone.  Come on."

Loren walked into his kennel home near the end of the back room where all the other boarded dogs stay.  These two weeks would be miserable.  He hoped the time would fly as fast as dog years.

At nine o'clock, the lights switched off, the staff said good night to the dogs and to each other, and all doors locked shut.  The dogs were left alone.

"Hey Sparky.  Check out the new kid.  What kind of dog is he?" Bernie, a Saint Bernard, commented.

"I don't know!  I'm not sleepy, Bernie!  I want to get out and play!  I still have so much energy!  I'm-I'm..."

A howling bark came from near the back room entrance.

"Oh geez, you've got Johnny singing hound talk again, Sparky!  Must you be such a Dalmatian?" asked Tina, a Siberian Husky.

"I'm sorry!  I can't help it!"

"Hey Sparky!  You're scarin' the new kid!" shouted Jack, a black Labrador Retriever.

Soft whispers from Loren's kennel could be heard around the room.

"Are you all right?" asked Michael the Great Dane, in the kennel to Loren's right.

Silence.  Whimpers.

"My name is Michael.  I am twelve years old in human years.  I am a Great Dane.  I am sorry if my size scares you, but that is how we come," spoken with a soft doggy smile.

Silence.

Michael lowered his body to ground eye level with Loren and whispered,

"I don't have friends here.  I can be very shy.  Will you be my buddy?  We go on daily walks here.  You could go with me.  We could play with our toys together.  I will be by your side for as long as you are at The Dog House.  How long is your human pack leaving you?"

Tear-stained eyes met Michael's.

"I-I am here for two weeks," Loren whispered back.

"My family goes to Europe every year at this time.  I expect to go home at the end of May - last weekend of the month."

"Me too."

"Do you want to be May buddies, then?" Michael continued in a whisper.

Loren nodded yes.

Loren slowly came out of his shyness and said,

"My-my name is Loren.  I am four years old in human years.  I don't know what kind of dog I am.  The shelter I was adopted from told my family I am a mix.  I guess that is why I am so quiet and withdrawn - no one knows how to treat me and dogs don't know how to approach me because I am so different.  I don't know who I am."

"I am a purebred.  I have known my identity and true personality all my life.  You are a hybrid, as the humans call it.  Your personality can match either of your parents or both.  No one knows what to expect.  Your personality is unique because you are unique.  So never be shy.  You are a breed worth noticing, worth knowing, worth loving."

"What breed am I, Michael?  Why am I unique?"

"Well, your coat is light in color.  I see a hint of Golden Retriever.  Your coat is wavy.  Maybe part Poodle?  But Golden Retrievers are so big and Poodles are so small and their personalities are not the same at all.  Hmm..."

Loren and Michael whispered in thoughtful conversation the rest of the night, trying to answer the question "who am I."

The next morning, the receptionist for The Dog House entered the back room with a new dog to be boarded.

"Come on, Samantha.  You will love it here while your family is away.  In fact, there is another dog just like you here, two kennels down.  Two Goldendoodles in one weekend.  Go figure!"

Loren's ears perked up and met eyes with Samantha as she passed by.  For the first time in his four years, Loren felt happy.  He finally knew who he is - a Goldendoodle.  He is unique because he is a mix.  And his mix is one to show off, not hide from.  He can feel comfortable and confident around strangers and new dogs because he finally knew -

"I am a Goldendoodle."

Memorable Christmas

Sleigh bells ring

Are you listening?

In the lane

Snow is glistening.

"A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland.

"Dad, can I please stay up just one more hour to sing along with the carolers outside our home?  Please?"

"Sammy, you have been singing along with every group of carolers outside our house since breakfast.  It is after nine o'clock at night, far past your bedtime.  Santa doesn't reward little boys who don't listen when their dad says go to sleep."

"Santa!  I'll-I'll go to sleep right now.  Good night, Dad!  Tell Mom I said good night when she is done baking chocolate chip cookies for Santa," Sammy said with a rush as he buried himself under his dog breed sheets and comforter and fell right to sleep.

Sammy's sixth Christmas was to be a special one...hopefully.  His first-grade letter to Santa listed one wish only - a Cocker Spaniel puppy, just like the one in his favorite movie, "Lucy the Forever Companion."

Sammy loved dogs, especially puppies.  As he learned to write in kindergarten and now in first grade, Sammy practiced the same words every chance he had:

Dear Santa,

My name is Sammy.  I am good every day.  I do not cause truble with anyone.  Mommy and Dad promis to adopt a puppy after I turn 6 years old.  I am 6 now (since July 7).  I wood very much like my puppy (you no know witch (I don't know how to spell that word) one).  Please give me sumthing good - a puppy - becuz I have bin good all year.  Thank youi.

Sammy's thoughts on this Christmas Eve lay nervously on the plate which was to be filled with cookies for Santa to enjoy.  Would Santa like the letter too?

The holiday night was silent.  Peaceful snow fell quietly outside.  Sammy slept with a smile as he dreamed about his special wish.  Silence.

Until there arose such a clatter.  The shuffling of feet in the living room.  The clink of cookie plate and milk glass.  The rustling of ornaments and evergreen branches.  The tapping of hooves on the rooftop.  Could - could it be?

Sammy woke from his happy dream with a start.  Someone was in his house, a stranger, a...

"SANTA!!!"

Sammy met excited eyes with a round-faced, rosy-cheeked, thick-bearded man wearing a red holiday outfit topped with a floppy holiday hat...the one and only.

"Hello, Sammy.  I am pleased to meet you, too.  Go back to..."

" I do not want to go back to bed.  I want to open the presents you brought for me...with you," Sammy said as he slowly walked down the stairs.

"Well...Okay, you have been more than good this year.  I will stay for a minute."

"Santa?  Did you read my letter?"

"Yes I did.  Your handwriting is improving.  Sammy, look in the big, round, purple box with pink bow."

Sammy slowly walked from the base of the staircase to the overflowing tree skirt.  The big, round, purple box was moving.  Sammy ripped off the pink bow and yanked off the top to reveal...

"A Cocker Spaniel puppy girl, Sammy.  You get your wish.  You deserve the best because you are the best.  Merry Christmas, Sammy."

Sammy was too busy loving his new puppy to notice Santa's sparkling magical exit.  Sammy and his new puppy played for hours.  At dawn, they were both exhausted.  Sammy curled into a ball exactly where the purple box once stood, with his pup cozied in his arms.  As the two fell asleep, Sammy whispered,

"I love you, Lucy.  You are my best friend forever.

"I will never forget this Christmas."

The Ugly Bulldog

Saturday began with peaceful April showers.  Annie loved spring rain, especially when pitter patter drops fell on her birthday.  Today, as the tulips blossomed in her family's garden, her new year bloomed beautifully, too.

"Good morning, birthday girl," Annie's mom spoke with a warm smile as she delivered the traditional breakfast-in-bed to the birthday girl who was already up and dressed.

"Mommy!  I am ten years old today!  You said that when I am ten, I can pick out a special gift.  I know what I want my gift to be!"

"Miss Annie!  If I had known you were going to be so full of hyper energy, I would not have added extra powdered sugar and chocolate chips to your favorite birthday waffles!"

"I'm not hungry, Mom.  Can we go shopping on Main Street for my special gift?"

"Main Street, huh?  Thee place to shop in Redland.  You are now ten and you were promised a special gift.  Okay, tell you what.  Your father is busy confirming the clown to be at your party tomorrow afternoon and he is watching your little brother.  Why don't you and I get lost in glamorous shops all day today...and it seems the rain is slowing.  We won't need our ducky umbrellas, but wear your raincoat just in case!" Annie's mom shouted to her daughter not paying attention.

"I'm ten!  I'm ten!  I'm ten!" Annie exclaimed as she bounced all the way to the family minivan.

"With that excitement you won't need a clown!" Annie's mom laughed to herself as she quickly headed for the kitchen to put away the birthday meal and get to the garage.

The sky was still damp and gray as Annie and her mom strolled down Main Street.  They passed an Apple store ("I will get you an iPod  for your sixteenth birthday).  They passed a Gap store ("I don't need any more clothes this year").  They passed an Ann Taylor store ("Too young" spoken by both at the same time).  They passed a Barnes & Noble ("Your bedroom is stuffed with books from Barnes & Noble.  Let's come back at Christmas for a holiday gift.").  They passed Annie's favorite Ruby Toys & Company.  They passed Annie's mom's favorite Cobalt Music Records.  Yet by lunchtime, Annie still hadn't answered her mother's question, "What is your special gift?".  A few blocks north of downtown on Main Street, Annie smiled and said, "One of them."

They stood before Grandpa's House - a take-in for puppies and dogs unable to be cared for at Redland Animal Shelter.  Adorable puppy faces with smiling eyes and floppy ears pressed themselves against the window, wagging tails to be sure.  One crate on either side of the open door was filled with younger puppies eager to be adopted.  A Golden Retriever as golden as Annie's hair.  A black Newfoundland as dark as Annie's dad's mustache.  A Parson Terrier as hyper as Annie today.  A Miniature Poodle as baby-like as Annie's four-month-old brother.  A German Shepherd as protective of its small space and only toy as Annie's mom is of her family.

"Can I, Mom?  Can I have one of them?"

"Well...they are so cute.  Oh all right."

Annie raced inside to look at both crates.  One puppy caught her attention.  It wasn't cute or adorable or cuddly.  It wasn't pleasing to the eye at all with its bat-like ears, its unusually-shaped head, its big (and wide-set eyes).  It wasn't eager for attention.  It didn't look special because it didn't feel special.  Who would love this puppy?

"Excuse me, Sir, but what kind of dog is this?" asked Annie.

"Why that is Billy!  He is a French Bulldog, three months old.  He isn't popular.  Nearly everyone who comes in whispers to me that they think he is ugly."

"An ugly bulldog?  That is so sad," Annie's mom said with a frown.

"He comes around when he gets a belly rub.  My staff calls him Billy the Clown because he goes crazy with just one stroke to his little belly.  Do you like clowns, dear?"

"I love clowns!  Today is my tenth birthday and tomorrow I am having a party with a clown!"

"Happy Birthday, then!  Would you  like a puppy as a present?  My treat for the big ten."

Annie's eyes lit up with excitement at the store owner's kind offer and turned back to the crates to find the perfect puppy.

"My daughter just said outside that a puppy will be her special gift this year.  Honey, which adorable little one would you like to adopt and bring home?"

Annie was not paying attention.  She felt sad for Billy being called ugly and was giggling at Billy's goofiness to her rubbing his belly.  His big eyes lit up.  His ears stood alert.  His tail was wagging eagerly and happily.  He was a clown.  He was cute.  Billy was one to love.

"Honey?"

"Huh?" Annie half-way asked.

"Do you know which puppy you want?"

"If you don't mind me saying, Ma'am, I think your birthday girl has taken a liking to the 'ugly bulldog'."

"Yes.  Yes she has.  Okay, we will adopt him.  What do you charge?"

"Billy is on me.  I do request donations in any amount to support care of all animals here and at Redland Animal Shelter.  Their adoption into loving and forever homes means more than money."

Annie's mother smiled and said,

"Sweet sentiments that are so true.  I will definitely donate."

After picking out a temporary carrier and receiving warm goodbyes to Billy from the staff, Annie and her mom and Billy left Grandpa's House with happy smiles that were sure to last for years to come.

"Annie, look up. b The sun has come out!  No more rain!"

"No more rain.  Only a beautiful sun, just like Billy."

Hammy the Hero

As police officer, Joe Smith, glanced at his watch for the millionth time in this final half hour of his shift and scribbled notes in paperwork he files on a daily basis, his mind drifted to the news report heard earlier in the evening.

"Compact Flash has struck again.  I am outside the home of the latest victim, who miraculously fought against the jewel thief and received only a few scratches.  I tried to speak with the victim, but he was too shaken up to tell me his story."

The reporter continued,

"As this once quiet and peaceful neighborhood - Porcelain Lakes - well knows, Compact Flash is infamous for stealing only diamonds and pearls - "compact" in what he is after - and fleeing the scene in just a few minutes - in a "flash."  The street I am standing along - Magenta Avenue - has suffered the worst from Compact Flash, with a robbery every night last week.  Police warn all residents to keep their doors and windows locked securely and to be vigilant at all times."

Joe's mind raced.  Had he locked his doors and windows securely?  His house was the smallest home on Magenta Avenue, but still all the doors and windows!  His wife was in the city for a weekend-long corporate convention.  Their ten-year-old daughter was spending the weekend at a friend's house, luckily not in Porcelain Lakes.  Their six-month-old German Shepherd puppy, Hammy...

"Hammy!"

A sleepy growl came from the floor next to his desk.  Hammy had been with him on this shift.  Joe sighed in relief.

Joe's boss, Sergeant Gray, urged him to go home after a long shift.

"Joe, go home.  It's midnight.  You're exhausted.  Your shift is down to paperwork.  The next round of on-duty police officers are more alert than Ham, and he is a German Shepherd!  Go on.  Get some sleep!  Your mini-vacation starts now," Sergeant Gray spoke now with more energy.  (Then again, he was sipping on his next who-knows-how-many cup of coffee.)

Joe straightened up his messy desk and thought "Mini vacation?  It's Saturday now.  I have to report back on Monday for my next detective shift.  Oh well.  I won't argue the notion."  He gathered his badge, felt for his gun on his gun belt, and grabbed his wallet and keys.  The jingle sound of the metal keys stirred Hammy into a whined yawn and half-open eyes.

"Come on, Hammy.  It's time to go home.  You - and I - can collapse in bed soon.  Come on, boy."

Hammy was not exactly the textbook definition of the German Shepherd breed.  True he had the color and size of a standard German Shepherd, yet his personality seemed to be stuck in infant puppy mode.  He was eager to please and put a smile on the faces of his whole family.  He was as cuddly as a teddy bear.  He barked only to get attention.  All of his play toys and reason to keep active were indoors.  His only walks were for potty breaks after major meals.  Hammy did not like being left alone.  Hammy did not at all like challenging exercise.  In fact, he preferred cozy comfort over too much activity.  If a German Shepherd is naturally inclined to guard and protect at any expense, Hammy, well, not so much.  His place within his human pack was well defined - be cute, be loved, be taken care of.

Thirty minutes after leaving Police Headquarters in the town of Cedar Woods, Joe and Hammy arrived home - a beautiful, dark-red brick, two-story, six-bedroom large home which had been lived in by every generation in Joe's family.  The house was in fact listed as a historical landmark in Cedar Woods.  Joe didn't always feel comfortable coming home to a dark, historic landmark after a long shift, especially when his family was not home.  This very late night seemed unusually dark.

"Home at last, Hammy," Joe said with a yawn as he pulled into his driveway.

Ham, too, let out a lazy yawn.  Yet when he was let out of the car, something deep within his German Shepherd instinct sharply woke up.  Something was off about his house that he needed to investigate...to protect.

Ham dashed toward the front door and barked wildly.  Every house light on Magenta Avenue was turned on within seconds.

"Hammy!  Stop it!" Joe yelled out.

When he approached the front door, Joe noticed that it was ever so slightly open.  He was too exhausted, though, to quickly realize what Hammy sensed.

As Joe unsuccessfully fumbled for the entryway light switch, Ham's internal radar skyrocketed.  He growled deeply and paced toward the base of the spiral staircase.  He growled angrily and his eyes focused on something only he could see.

A nervous voice spoke from the staircase.

"G-Good boy.  I-I'm..."

Joe found the switch.

"Freeze!!  Drop your bag!  Put your hands up in the air...Now!!"

The strange man, within two feet of Hammy, slowly let go of the bag he was carrying...and quickly reached for his back pants pocket.

Ham pierced the tense air with a screaming bark and lunged for the strange man, baring teeth that looked more dangerous than the man's weapon and Joe's gun.

"Down boy!" Joe ordered as he slowly approached the terrified man.

"So you're..."

"Yes!  I'm Compact Flash!  I was about to steal your diamonds and precious pearls!  My gun is just a toy!  Honest!  Arrest me, arrest me!  Just get me away from your dog!"

The beautifully soft colors of the sunrise dawned.  The last of the police cars drove off.  The last neighbor to thank Joe and hug Ham for his fearless courage and protection walked back to their house.  Joe sat on the step just before the front door.  Ham was falling fast asleep in his lap.  Joe laughed lightly.

"Hammy, you saved the day!  And now you are back to being my puppy.  Hammy the hero."