Second chance

“Second Chance"

Dear Mom, 

Thank you for asking me about this. Here is the story about how Scott and I met. I am so glad to share this. It really is a great story and really was such an unlikely reunion. Thank you for asking.  

DJ, Scott's eleven-year-old son, wanted a dog. DJ hounded his dad every day to persuade him to consider the idea of getting a dog. His perseverance finally broke through Scott's defenses. Scott told his son, “You need to write me a letter and send it to me as an email, explaining reasons why we should get a dog.” Scott was hoping that would put an end to it, because DJ never wanted to write or read anything. He figured if DJ did follow through then he would be stuck going to look at dogs, but at least Dj would learn how to write a formal letter. What Dj did with this task was beyond anything Scott could have imagined so Scott went on about his day, dropped Dj off at school and headed to work. 

It just happened to be that Dj’s teacher was teaching about writing letters in class. Normally he would have his class send emails to a pin pal, but the enterprising DJ convinced his teacher to make his crusade for pet ownership a class project. DJ’s teacher, Mr. Lucas, happened to be friends with Scott, so it seemed like a great chance to pay Scott back for the Savannah literary conference that Scott had arranged, that was supposed to be a weekend golf trip to Augusta. Mr. Lucas had at least 10 years of anger built up over that. 

With Chromebook's in hand, Mr. Lucas began to instill into the children of his fifth-grade class the proper technique to send a formal email. He also told them that the topic of the email was to list the benefits of getting a pet. The rest of the teachers in Dj’s fifth grade thought it was such a great idea that all the other teachers got onboard and where teaching letter writing through email to their classes. The email they gave students to use to submit the letter was Scott_moore@gmail.com. 

At 3:00 in the afternoon DJ was heading home from school and his dad was at work and checking his email. Every fifth-grade student at DJ’s school sent an email. Dj’s enterprising email campaign resulted in 82 emails in support of him getting a pet. This struck Carl as showing great initiative so he gave in and took Dj to see what dog could be available at the animal shelter. 

Dj’s email read as follows: 

Dear Father, 

You requested that I send a formal notice as to my request for a pet and include reasons for why a pet would be a good idea for us. I would love a dog because they are cute and cuddly, fun and would make me happy. Those are my reasons. 

Other reasons that a pet dog would be great are that it will teach me responsibility, show me how to care for an animal, instill in me a sense of compassion for animals, teach me how to care for an animal, help us to stay healthy because we will need to walk and play with it, and it will help you deal with loneliness because it will be a companion to you when I am not around. 

Please consider these reasons and I like forward to adding a furry family member to out household. I am available to discuss pet dog options every weekday after 3PM till 7PM, and all day on weekends. I have researched places where we may be able to rescue our new furry friend, and the animal shelter in Stokes county seems like a great place to start. I have the hours and the address available. 

I hope you have a great week. 

With love from your favorite son, 

Dj Moore

How could Scott say no to this, and the 81 other letters that DJ had somehow convinced his glass to send in support of his cause. They were bound for the animal shelter and would have a new fur baby come Saturday. 

Scott and Dj were being led through the animal shelter when DJ spotted the dog that he had been imagining. It was a chocolate Labrador puppy with the biggest eyes he had ever seen. Scott was shocked and queasy when the dog was brought out. It was a rare moment, a second chance. I was volunteering and happened to be filling in for an attendant. This was part of my community outreach that was required by the vet school. Scott and I met at North Carolina State University in a chemistry class. He was too shy to really give the relationship a chance. Not to brag, but I was his dream girl. He became self-conscious and tongue tied whenever we were alone together. His inability to relax and be himself had ruined his chances, and it did not help that he would start sweating profusely. He was more relaxed now, after having more life experience. 

While DJ played with the future Goofball, Scott and I enjoyed a long conversation. Dj said the dog will be great, and he is calm. He can keep you company when I have to go to Raleigh, and you won’t have to feel alone. Anne Marie made a face at this, and DJ said, oh my momma passed a while ago. Dad needs something to keep him from being lonely. Scott gave me a look and the sweetest smile that made me melt. I could see how much love he had for his son and I wanted to be part of that. 

Goofball came home with Dj. I offered dog sitting and requested tentative date night, trying not to be too forward. Dj persuaded his Dad and his dad got a second chance with me, and that, Mom, is how Scott and I came to be together. 

I hope you have a great week. Thank you for asking about how we met again after so many years. That is the story of how DJ made his entire fifth grade a part of out engagement story. I really think it is a great story, both for animal rescue, fatherhood and second chances.

Love, 

Anne Marie