Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sneak (05/12/16)
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TITLE: Sneaking Into Our Hearts | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kate Warren
05/16/16 -
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Frank walked out to his truck and began to climb in when he sensed a movement from the corner of his eye. A dog was in the bed of the truck and trying to scramble to its feet; trying and failing.
“Well, little Missy, where did you come from? I don’t remember coming to school with a dog today.” Frank said to her.
He called to his friend, “Hey, Robbie, get a load of this! There’s a dog in my truck! Looks in pretty bad shape too!”
“Where’d you get the dog, Frank?” Looks like she needs some water at least. I got a bowl in my car, let’s get her some water.”
“Dang, man! That’s about the filthiest bowl I’ve seen! You got stuff growing in that?” Frank backed off in disgust. “That’s gotta be cleaned before we put something in it for the dog!”
“Oh, now you’re Mr. Clean?” Robbie taunted. “Oh, alright, I’ll go try to clean it out.” Robbie rolled his eyes at Frank. He returned a bit later wiping the bowl down with some paper towels, and it was somewhat more decent. They filled it with water and returned to the truck. Missy drank as if it was her last bit of water, her tail wagged, and she gave Frank a lick. He was in love.
“What are you going to do with her?” Robbie asked.
“What else, take her home to Mom, you know Mom can’t turn down a hard luck story and Missy is one if I ever saw it,” Frank replied.
Frank drove right to his mother’s house with the dog, now named Missy tied in the back. He lifted her out of the truck and was shocked to feel what he swore was every bone in her body.
She stood proudly and shook herself thoroughly as if trying to put on her prettiest face. She was a small blonde German Shepherd with lively brown eyes and puppyish antics.
Frank gazed at her, wishing he could keep her. “How could anyone starve you, do this to you, girl? Well, let’s go in and meet your Mom and do some pretty fast talking.” Frank walked into the house making sure Missy as far behind him as he could. “Hi, Mom!”
“This is a surprise! I thought you would be off to school tonight! What is the occasion? I have Patrick’s dinner all ready, if you have a few minutes, you can feed him.” Mom beamed her pleasure at seeing her son.
“Daa!” Frank heard his son Patrick’s squeal of delight. He dropped Missy’s rope and went into the living room to see his son.
“Hey, Buddy! Did you have fun today?” He swept Patrick up in his arms.
“I’d say he did,” Frank’s father answered. He helped me down at work, took a long nap. By the way, what was that you came in with?”
Before Frank could answer Patrick who had struggled out of his arms, gave a delighted squeal. Dad and Frank turned and saw Mom and Patrick enjoying Missy. She was enthusiastically licking Patrick’s face.
"Someone left her tied up in the back of my truck . She was dying of thirst, and I think she is starved. She is skin and bones! Besides, look, Patrick has a best friend!” Frank did his best to convince his parents to keep yet another animal.
“Dear, she’ll be okay. Look how good she is with Patrick and I would bet she is already housebroken. We can share dinner with her tonight and tomorrow I’ll get her some dog food and a trip to the vet. It’s no trouble.” Mom cajoled.
Missy had a reprieve and quickly snuck into everyone's heart.
It turned out she was housebroken, understood "No." and was perfect for a nine-month-old baby.
Epilogue:
That is how precious Missy came to live with us those many years ago. When I took her to the vet, he was amazed she was alive, he called her “Methuselah” and joked that someone had forgotten to tell her she was an old lady in dog years. She was a perfect dog and a joy to have as a friend. I miss her.
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A very heart-warming piece.
BLessings~