Once upon a time, there was a tiny little puppy. He had six brothers and sisters, but he was the smallest of the litter. The owner of the shop called him the runt. All his brothers and sisters were sold already, and he was the only one left in the big kennel next to the window.
Jeffrey, as the shop owner called him, sat in the window of the shop watching the people walk by. He did as many tricks as he could to get their attention, but no one ever stopped.
The only thing that Jeffrey longed for was a good home, enough food to eat and someone to play with. He missed his brothers and sisters so much, but when mother left them she said that they must all be strong and become someone's best friend.
One day a little girl peeked inside the window. Jeffrey wagged his tail and jumped up to the side of the kennel to grab her attention. He was so excited and licked her little fingers through the cage. He knew that she was the one. He wanted to be her best friend. Jeffrey felt terribly sad when she turned around and walked out, but was equally happy when she brought in another human to see him.
When Lilly picked him up Jeffrey knew for certain that this was his human. He licked Lilly all over her face and wagged his tail non-stop. Lilly laughed and looked at her daddy with a big smile on her face.
Her daddy smiled and handed the shop owner some money. Lilly picked him up and carried him in her arms. Jeffrey knew he was finally on his way home.
Life with Lilly was wonderful. They played outside every day and at night Jeffrey slept with Lilly in her room. He had his own little bed next to hers and when it was cold, he climbed into bed with Lilly. During the day when Lilly went to school, he waited patiently on the back porch for her to come home so that they could play.
One afternoon, when Lilly crossed the road, a car came around the corner at a very high speed and knocked her down. She lay there in the middle of the road. The ambulance came and took her to the hospital.
Jeffrey waited but Lilly didn't come home. He waited patiently for days, but Lilly still didn't come home. Jeffrey felt sad, and he stopped eating. He just wanted Lilly back.
Finally, one afternoon Lilly came back. She looked a little different, and her father pushed her in a funny chair with wheels. Jeffrey was so happy to see her but Lilly seemed very sad. Jeffrey tried to lick her face but she pushed him away. Jeffrey watched as her daddy carried her upstairs to her bedroom.
He felt rejected and went back outside. Whatever was wrong, didn't matter to him because to him Lilly will always be perfect.
That night as he lay in front of Lilly's bed, he could hear her crying. He moved closer and finally jumped on top of the bed with Lilly. While she cried, he put his head on her pillow and licked her face while she cried. He didn't want her to be so unhappy. He just wanted her to be the old Lilly again. He wanted his best friend back.
To be continued-
