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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Our Mutual Friend (not about the book) (09/15/11)
Our daughter-in-law called to tell us about a cute little dog that she had just gotten at her brand new Pet Store. She almost begged for us to come down and see it. I thanked her for the invitation, but told her we were not looking for a pet. She said, “Oh, I know, but it is so cute, I just wanted you to see it.” So I told my husband what was going on and I thought we should support her with her new store.

He said, “We’re not getting a dog.” And I agreed.

We arrived at the Pet Store and she showed us the “cute” dog. She was right that it was incredibly cute. So after hanging out there for awhile and her showing us all the things she had set up in her new store, we ended up buying the dog and taking her home with us.

We enjoyed this little ball of fur for many years. I came home from work one day, and my husband was sitting on the couch. He didn’t have the TV on nor was he reading a paper which is what he usually did.

I asked, “What is going on.”
He said, “The dog is gone. She had an incurable disease and the Vet put her to sleep.” He added, kind of as an afterthought “and we’re not getting any more dogs.”

Several months went by and close to his birthday, our kids took the grandkids out and found him a new dog. They invited him over to their house. When he came in, he was just happy to see the kids and they were all giggling. He asked, “What is going on?” Then he saw the box and looked in it where his new dog was. When they told him they had gotten him a new dog, he immediately said, “I don’t want a dog.”

We took the dog home and for quite some time, he didn’t have much to do with her. Then she gradually started working on him. He ended up enjoying her so much clear up to his death.

Her name is Mabel and she now is my companion. She has dug out under the fence so many times, and people call me to say they have her. Sometimes I thought she was just annoying. I finally solved that problem by installing a long leash for her that I hook her up to when she is out. Yea, no more digging out! I can just enjoy her now.

Scripture reveals in how God is looking out for his faithful ones: “He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.” (Proverbs 2:7-9, NIV)
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Goergen
09/26/11
This was both so sad and so sweet! Dogs are indeed precious friends and faithful companions that love us unconditionally! If this is a true story I am so glad your husband came to love Mabel and she is still a friend and comfort to you! I would be lost without my doggies! Well written story!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/26/11
This is a lovely story. Pets can add so much comfort to our lives and even help people heal.

My only suggestion would be don't start your sentences with the word "and" either leave it out or make it part of the previous sentence.:)

This is a heartwarming story with a bittersweet ending. It's a great reminder how God provides for our needs in unexpected ways.
Jenna Dawn
09/27/11
This is a sweet story.

I disagree with the suggestion not to start a sentence with "and". I know many English teachers teach against this, as my husband pointed out to when I did the same recently. However, there are times when it is creatively appropriate and if you may have noticed established authors doing the same. I have.

We all have to figure out what seems right for us ... and hope the judges see it the same way!

I did want to comment on a grammatical error (as far as I can tell). In this sentence:

"So after hanging out there for awhile and her showing us all the things she had set up ... "

If you took out "after hanging out there for a while" and simply left "her showing us ..." the sentence would awkwardly read, "So her showing us all the things she had set up ... ". My point being, "her" should be "she". You'd then have to reword a few other things to make it work.

It would then read something like:

"So after hanging out there for awhile and after she showed us all the things she had set up ... "

Anyway, this is a nice story and it made me smile. :)
Mildred Sheldon
09/27/11
This was heart warming and I enjoyed it so very much. I would be lost without my two precious dogs. They keep me company and their love is so pure and sweet.