Sunny and Jax

Walk a Mile in my Paws

Robert M Kotowski

Feb 2024

When Cynthia introduced Sunny to Jax, the first thing he said was” Sunny, you are so beautiful”! She was smitten. He was a handsome young man of 20, independent and full of hope and energy for the future, and she could tell right away he had a kind, and caring heart and soul.

Sunny and Jax were so much in love with each other and they were the best of friends. As a matter of fact, it was love at first sight! So much so that the day they met, they spent the entire day and evening together. They shared lunch, a long walk along the beach and an extraordinary moonlight dinner. They thoroughly and completely enjoyed each other’s company and the special day together. It was so magical that at the end of the evening they decided to make a commitment to one another, and set up house together. It’s a new age, and things happen fast in this new world of ours. It is not unusual these days for the young at heart to jump right in.

Their relationship was special from the onset. They were in love, and good for one another!!

And Jax and Sunny loved their new home together. She had a wonderful home and relationship with her friend Jax. As time went on they grew a little older, comfortable, and Jax became somewhat complacent. He started paying less attention to Sunny. Sunny felt that Jax seemed to be taking her for granted, and was not as loving and supportive as he was earlier in their relationship. Jax began coming home late from work, and was going out at night with friends until late hours. There were times when he would notice the women he met, and pay extra attention to them, and even be affectionate towards these ladies right in front of her. These things became an issue.

His attraction to these new women and their flirting in her presence hurt Sunny and she became became discontent. She had trouble sleeping, was not eating and would act up to show her displeasure, making a scene in protest. In Return, Jax began to retaliate. He would chastise and insult Sunny, mostly in private. It got so bad that he started abusing her verbally and physically, even in public places. Sunny was distraught!!. She dwell-ed on how unfair and wrong this was, and mourned about how had such a wonderful relationship filled with love and joy become so horrific! She missed the long walks together and cuddling on the couch. Things were not the same!

Jax was gaining success in his career and would put up a facade at gatherings, showcasing Sunny, but then he would be rude and turn ugly on the way home. And then when they'd arrive home he would mistreat her. He was starting to become irresponsible and not appreciate Sunny. Sunny became increasingly distant, which also irked Jerry and caused him to be more irresponsible. He neglected her basic needs and would leave her alone for hours without explanation or even a greeting upon his return.

And so this escalated. Jax was out running around, started going out partying, and he wasn't respecting Sunny. It was a two fold situation! Her heart was broken in two from the lost love, attention and prior existence she shared with Jax. At the same time, Sunny wanted to help Jax. She still loved him so very much, and longed for things to return to the way they were in the past when the world revolved around their relationship. She was concerned for his well being and was worried about the path he was traveling down.

What to do?

Sunny had enough of this existence. She wallowed in sadness, and worried constantly. What to do? Sunny wished and wished, and imagined that she, for just one day she could trade places with Jax, and maybe he would see the light and reflect on how he was treating her, and view life from her perspective.

And one day it happened! She was standing upright, 6 foot one -inch tall, and walking in the door of the apartment. She looked down on the cushion she used for her bed, next to her near empty water bowl and dry food dish, and she saw herself looking up, tail wagging sheepishly with a bewildered look about her! What the heck she thought ? And then she recognized those eyes. The look was unmistakable! She was looking at Jax! Could it be?

She looked at herself and saw hands, feet, and clothes. She turned and saw her reflection in the glass patio door. She had become Jax! The Wish!!! Is it possible?

Suddenly she was overwhelmed with awe of the situation, and felt amazing power. The pain and anger she felt from the unfairness and neglect triggered the drive to punish him for his behavior and for betraying their love for one another. Blinded by the newfound power and driven by anger for the way she suffered, she decided to to treat him as she had been treated, unkindly. He needed to be taught a lesson! And she spoke to Jax, who was in her body, from his body. She told him about the way he had been treating her. She explained the sadness and the hurt in her. He did not respond.

She proceeded to neglect him as she had been neglected, withholding food, allowing the water dish to get dirty, not changing the clean cover on her doggie bed etc. She did not take him for timely walks to go potty, and became cross at him when he had an accident in the house, not considering, that he tried his very best to hold it for as long as possible, and that it was her fault! She scolded him on occasion if he barked, ( he was trying desperately to communicate and understand what was happening) This went on for a few days.

Sunny spoke to Jax sternly. She scolded him from time to time, and occasionally would ask, “How does it feel to be treated this way?” Unable to respond, he just cowered away and laid down quietly in a corner or under the kitchen table.

But deep inside she did not enjoy any of this. She felt badly about how she was now behaving, and all the while he was looking at life through her eyes, she was experiencing the world from Jax’s Perspective. And ,She Loved him still!

She did not realize until now, how complicated a young man’s life was. With all of the stresses at work, responsibilities to provide food, shelter, pay the bills, maintain relationships, cooking ,cleaning etc, and just day -to -day living .

And from that moment, Sunny, in the body of Jax, turned everything around and started treating Jax, in the body of Sunny, with kindness, with respect, and with care. Every thought, every action, and gesture was thoughtful and considerate. And in this way, Sunny reminded Jax how to respect, care, be kind, and considerate of any other being. She showed him how she wanted to be treated, and yet she wanted to tell him how she understood him better as well.

What to Do?

Sunny was longing for the feeling of the first day when Jax came into the shelter, and they spotted each other through the mesh on her kennel, and Cynthia,who was always kind and caring for all of the dogs and cats at the “group home for wayward pets”. Reached in, and carried her to the counter, tail wagging wildly as Jax gave her the best hug and scratch ever!

Once again, Sunny was sad and dwell-ed on what might be.

She wished and wished , and was wishing as hard as she could for anther miracle.

She was talking to Jax again as he lay on the floor, explaining to him about her wish and how she felt, and how she understood him better, and that she was sorry, and that she loved him!

Presently, Jax looked up at her, tail wagging, bright eyed , and Said “Sunny, I am sorry also, and I love you too”.

So at that moment, Sunny and Jax were both pondering about how difficult it is to be the other, and how many challenges and difficult situations are part of the daily life of each. Each thought about the many things in the other’s day that they were not aware of, nor appreciated, and are now better understood. Each made a personal commitment to learn from this and vowed to be more thoughtful and kind to one another always.

What to do?

There was a long period of quiet as the each pondered the other’s situation. …………….They looked at each other, wondering what the other was thinking, and together they said “Let’s make another wish!?”

The end

Preface…. This is a story about a puppy who was adopted by a young man, and he was young and inexperienced, a kid with a good heart and soul, but young and who very quickly became irresponsible and did not manage and care for the puppy whose name was Sunny. The young gentleman's name was Jax. It's a story where Sunny and Jax learned about life and friendship.