Man's Best Friend

Jeff is a single man with a five year old chaweenie named Sam. Now Sam is used to Jeff being gone during the day at his job. Jeff spoiled Sam by buying him toys and other things to keep him occupied during the day while he's at work. And yet, Sam missed Jeff while he was away and would whine and carry on for at least an hour after he left for work. Every day was the same.

Jeff worked for a marketing firm and he was very good at what he did. It was a secure job and he enjoyed it. But something happened. A virus spread throughout the country and Jeff was forced to stay home. Luckily he was able to work from home.

Sam couldn't have been more happy to have Jeff at home all the time. He was finally able to spend every day with his master. Little did Sam know Jeff was still going to be working.

Jeff always enjoyed Sam's company. He was always happy to see him when he came home from work every day. Except now he was home all the time. He knew still had to work a certain amount of time during the day, but he was looking forward to it. It was going to be easy.

The first few days went well. Jeff was able to get his work done with little interruption. He put himself on a schedule he could easily follow.

Sam on the other hand was really hopeful Jeff could spend all his time with him. Sam would follow Jeff into the living room to his computer and lay down in his doggy bed for an hour before he wanted Jeff to play with him. Jeff would indulge Sam for a short while but, would soon be back to work on his computer.

Now, when the second week rolled around, Sam was starting to be more of a pest. Every time Jeff would start working, Sam would beg to go out for a walk. Or bring his toy to him to play. It always happened about the time Jeff was in the middle of something. His patience was wearing thin even though he loved Sam. He knew he had to find a happy medium so they could still get along and he could do his job.

Jeff decided to spread his job out through the day so he could spend time with Sam and get his job done. Everything finally began to work. It made things more pleasant and they were more able to get along alone together.

The virus was still ongoing and Jeff still had to go out periodically to go to the store. Sam loved going on a car ride. Every chance he could be with Jeff was all he wanted. Even if it meant he had to wait in the car while Jeff went in.

Now, usually going to the store also meant going to the pet supply store. Sam enjoyed that because he could go in with Jeff and there were usually other dogs in there as well. This time however, Sam has to wait in the car. And Jeff is only able to get food. Everything else he has to buy online.

One day Sam is awakened by a Knocking on the door. Jeff answers the door and welcomes a man with a mask over his nose and mouth. He is carrying a pet taxi. Sam is curious. The man sets the pet taxi on the floor and lets Sam sniff at it before he opens it. He then opens it to reveal a one month old puppy, not much different than Sam. Jeff purchased a companion for Sam. Jeff was able to do his work but, he still needed something to keep Sam occupied. A playmate was just what Sam needed. He hoped Sam could act as a big brother to the puppy.

Little does Jeff realize raising a puppy is no easy task even with Sam to help. He decides to name the puppy Diane. Diane learns quickly to get into things and she is really curious. Just when Jeff gets started working, the puppy gets into something else and he has to leave his work.

Sam is more than happy to show Diane all his favorite spots in the house. Although Sam is reluctant to share his toys. Especially his favorite squeak toy. A purple rubber hedgehog. Sam doesn't need to worry much, Diane has picked out her favorite toy, a rubber chicken. She could spend hours chewing on it. But, even with that toy, she still finds things to get into, distracting Jeff from his work.

Jeff receives a message from his boss giving him a deadline to finish a certain marketing project to present to the company. And all the distractions from his pets are not helping. He has to find a way to keep them occupied. Sam is old enough that he keeps himself on a sleep schedule. He likes his naps throughout the day. Diane is still a puppy and has a lot of energy and a lot of curiosity to get into trouble. And trouble she finds. Whether it's getting into the trashcan and making a mess, or getting under Jeff's desk and trying to chew on the computer cords. Jeff has had to puppy proof his house to keep Diane out of trouble.

Jeff finally decided to section off his office space so Diane would stay out of it. He was able to set aside enough time to work on his project. Jeff was given one week to get the project ready to present to the company. Even with all the distractions with his pets, He was able to finish the project on time.

Jeff has found ways of making things work with his pets and his job.

The virus ran it's course and, Jeff was able to return to his place of work. He found someone to stay with his pets during the day so they wouldn't be lonely.

And Jeff, Sam, and Diane still have their struggles but, they have a good life.

the end.