Street Dogs Pt.2

2 Days ago:

I haven't seen Cooper in a while. I’m getting worried and nervous he changed. What if he became those dogs who become mean and nasty. Those ones who don’t trust ANYONE! What if he forgets about me? What if Cooper thinks his life is so bad he should just give up and stop being the nice bright light he is? What if…I had to stop thinking about the what ifs. I need to stop thinking about that and take action. How can I recuse him? OH NO. What if he doesn't want to leave?! Some strays WANT to get caught, because you get fed. I don’t know how to fix this…How am I going to rescue him? I need help. I usually don’t like asking for help but this is a desperate situation. I was deep in my thoughts of what dogs to ask when I saw a familiar woman walking down the street.

It was her. THE HER. IT WAS THE WOMAN WITH THE KIND FACE! She was walking her own dog, a golden retriever. I nearly jumped with joy. Impawsible! How is she here? Oh well. Maybe she can help? I doubt it. I don’t like humans but her…something’s different. I kinda felt a pang of jealousy that she had her own dog already. Deep down I wanted her to take me in. I pushed those feelings aside and walked up to her. Instantly her face lit up. She said something in her language and squatted in front of me. Her dog looked at me and bounded up, wagging her tail.

“Hey there! My name's Mochi!”

Mochi’s owner pulled a treat out of her treat pouch and placed it on the ground in front of me. She whispered something in her language. I couldn't understand what she said but I didn’t need to. This woman was nice. I watched her (for safety reasons) and munched up the treat. It felt good on my tongue. Delish and not moldy or old. I liked this human a lot but we have to get down to business.

I was about to lead Mochi to my secret hideout when her owner reached down to pet me. That shocked me, I had never been pet since my old family left me. It felt so good on my dirty black, white, and brown fur. I froze. It felt soooo good! But we needed to focus on my plan. Why did I trust a human I just met! She can dump me too…but instead she picked me up and brought me to her car.

I blinked. “I—I’m Amilia. My friend got taken by the pound. I have to save him.” Why did I just spill all my life to Mochi? I just met her!

Mochi tilted her head and walked along next to us. “That’s awful! Maybe my human can help. She’s really nice and loves dogs—especially ones who need a home. Her name is Lila.”

That evening

Lila sat on the couch while me and Mochi sat on the floor.

“We can’t just leave her friend there,” Lila said. “But we can’t break into the pound either. We’ll do this the right way.”

Lila began calling around, asking for information. She found out there was a new beagle at the pound.

Mochi looked at me and translated everything.

“That has to be Cooper,” I barked hopefully and wagged her tail.

Lila smiled looking at her tail. “Then we’ll go get him tomorrow.”

Before falling asleep I turned to Mochi.

“How can you speak human but I can’t?” I asked Mochi.

“Well I’ve been living with her my whole life. I understand her now…” replied Mochi. “Hey, maybe you and Cooper can live with us after we save him! It gets a bit lonely…”

This shocked me. I always wanted a home…I went to bed that night thinking about what she said.

Yesterday:

Lila loaded me and Mochi into her car. I trembled with both excitement and fear — I had never been in a car before. Well not that I remembered.

When we arrived, rows of kennels lined the shelter, full of wagging tails and hopeful eyes.

My ears perked up when she heard a familiar bark:

“Amilia?! Is that you?”

It was Cooper!

I ran to the kennel, whining with joy. Cooper wagged his tail so hard it thumped against the wall.

Lila spoke gently to the worker. “That’s my friend’s lost dog,” she said. “Can we adopt him today?”

The shelter volunteer smiled. “You’re in luck — he’s available for adoption right now.”

When Cooper’s cage opened, I ran to him. We barked, tails wagging, reunited at last.

“I missed you so much!” I cried.

“Me too. I needed my survival guide! Did you know they feed us gross food? It’s worse than garbage pizza!” Cooper said with a smirk.

I laughed. I missed his funny remarks on what strays eat. Since he was new at this he was still getting used to garbage pizza and meat.

Lila signed some papers, paid the small fee, and they all walked out.

Mochi barked proudly, “We did it!”

I smiled gratefully. I haven't smiled this big in days!

Cooper walked next to me.

“Who’s this?” he asked. I had forgotten about that!

“This is Mochi. I met her yesterday.” I replied.

“Cool. Nice to meet you, I’m Cooper.” he told Mochi.

“Oh I know. Sooo yall ready to go home?” she said then without waiting for a reply she jumped in the car.

“Wait.” Cooper’s mouth dropped then looked at me.

I smiled and nodded. This is my family now. As if reading my mind he smiled and jumped in the car.

Lila brought me and Cooper home. She gave us warm baths, bowls of food, and soft blankets.

For the first time in my life, I slept without fear — snuggled up next to Mochi and Cooper.

Today:

I have found a home and I made a family. I don’t need to worry about being kicked out again because Lila loves me too much for that to happen. Oh! I have to go…Cooper and Mochi need me. Byeeee!

-Amilia 🐾