Goodbye Puppy Friends - Part I

'Peros and Jumping Dog are moving!

Their Mommy and Daddy are getting jobs in Texas and my puppy friends must go, too. They have been an important part of my life while living in this god forsaken Southern town.

Three years ago, when I moved into my apartment not far from the University, I noticed the saddest looking dog I'd ever seen sitting across the street on the porch. The black-and-white border-collie mix was outside, every day, chin resting on her paws and looking glum. She barely raised her head or showed any interest in passers-by. I tried and tried to get her attention. "Hello Puppy! Who's the prettiest dog in the world?" I'd say as I walked outside my door. She just ignored me and it broke my heart.

Despite the rejection I kept on trying. After a month or two of this, one Friday afternoon I was inspired while carrying a fish sandwich home for lunch. I asked her "Puppy, would you like some fish?" To my astonishment, she trotted off the porch and up to the fence to have the tasty treat. She ate the morsel of cod right from my hand. I knew I had made a friend. "Hey, Pupperos", I said, "I'll bring you another treat tomorrow."

I gave her a dog biscuit the next day and every day after that. It was easy to fall in love with her warm brown eyes and wet nose. She ran out to greet me every day as I walked out of my apartment building crying "Peros!"

It seemed she had been transformed by the cookies. When I looked outside she was no longer just slumped over looking depressed. Before my very eyes 'Peros became a happy, active dog. She started taking an interest in other pedestrians in the hopes they'd also provide treats. Some did and then they became her friends, too.

In the summer after my first year in town, I was lucky enough to study abroad in France for 6 weeks. I explained to my new puppy friend that I was leaving for a little while but would return. I left to have the time of my life but she was lonely and soon fell back into her old habit of moping on the porch. I didn't know this until...

I returned, went out on my steps and called out her name. To my surprise, Peros ran out to greet me, joined by a miniature version of herself!! But, instead of being a part Border Collie, the new puppy was part Jack Russel Terrier with a springy step and a two-foot vertical leap. I called him, "Jumping Dog", of course! Their daddy came outside to tell me they thought I had moved so they got 'Peros a friend.

A struggling student doesn't have much ready cash but I considered it a necessity to double my doggie-treat budget.

Stay tuned for part II......