The Golden Puppy

Tom strides by the pavements beneath, the sun-shining sky and the breezy heat. A yelp, a cry, and there the open door of the pound. Puppies for sale. Though not exactly puppies - perhaps a bit older. They are cute and fluffy, some black, some white, some grey, some brown, and there is one who is patchy. A girl so cute, shy and timid yet warmed by his presence. Tiptoeing over Tom lowers his hand by the gate. She smells and licks, then tries to get up like a child reaching his arms out. Patting her, she feels secure and loved. Upon his rise, Tom waves the young pup goodbye.

Finished with work Tom strides by upon the damp pavements. A yelp catches his eye the puppy is still there. She wanders over more confident than before. Tom gives her a pat and a scratch, then proceeds with a wave goodbye.

This pattern continues day after day, week after week. Today Tom comes by with a handful of mates. A sweet yet bitter tone escapes each of their breaths. The moonlight captures the pavements, a little yelp and longing eyes seek Tom. He sees her but doesn’t venture near. The lads rush over. “Oh dogs! We should get one for the apartment, what do you think Tom?”

“You can if you want. She’s cute enough this little mutt, but I long for a rare special kind. One of a kind in fact. One who would be like a golden pure breed unlike anything anyone has ever seen.”

“Dare to dream Tom. Are you talking about these dogs or about a woman?”

“Poke all you want. This dog is not for me. She’s got a perfectly good home here in the pound. Someone is there to look after her. I can see her when I walk by after work. This is a great arrangement.”

“What if someone else takes her? She clearly wants you.”

“Then she wasn’t for me.”

“Sometimes you need to make the first move, Tom.”

With that Tom’s shoes clapped against the flat rock pavement. Not a wave of goodbye, the puppy whimpered into the night.

Each day after work Tom continued down the pavement seeing the pound open for business to sell the puppies and other occupants. The girl pup would look over at him, yet understanding his words from a night or more ago, she wouldn’t bother to come for a pat.

This time it was Tom who ventured near the gate. She got up and starred. Waiting for a command from him that never came. He removed his hand from the gate and continued his way. Glancing over his shoulder at the pup who made his day, yet in a moment lost it all.

Forecasted rain came, washing the pavements clean. Doors closed for business. Tom soaked by the bad weather on the walk to work he heard a yelp in the kitchen.

“Riley? What’s this”

“Hey, Tom. Yeah, I couldn’t stop thinking about this puppy. She is too cute to pass up. And you didn’t want her. It’s almost like she could hear you – I saw how she broke apart that night. Well, maybe you had too many. But when I heard about the downpour for the next week and some, I couldn’t let this poor pup live it alone. I rescued the pup but haven’t yet signed the adoption papers. She needs a name, and I thought should give you one last chance.”

Tom’s jaw clenched; he hated feeling forced to decide. Glaring at his friend then over to the puppy in the work office, he turned and left.

Riley stayed with the pup, he was the son of the building owner, he was sure and secure in keeping a pup in the office until home time.

“Miss Mary come along.”

“Is that what you chose to call her? Tom overheard, as Riley called the pup to the elevator.

“Yes, it is. The pound was on Mary Street and Mary seemed a bit off to use on its own, so Miss Mary is quite good I feel.” Riley said, reassuring himself against Tom’s seemingly accusatory stance.

“I don’t think you’ve thought it through having a pup. We’ll all hear her, and before you know it we’ll all be taking turns looking after her.”

“C’mon Tom, if you're keen on the pup of course I’ll let you look after her.”

“That’s not what I am saying.”

“Then what are you saying, Tom?”

“You are irresponsible, Riley. And I don’t want to shoulder your responsibility. This is why I said she had a perfectly good home at the pound.”

Rattled, Riley picked up Miss Mary and slid into the elevator.

“See you later.”

Tom’s shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of the words shared. It wasn’t needed. Now he’ll have to clear it up – another thing to do that could have been avoided.

The apartment air felt tight, closed, and distant. Riley’s door often open like his personality, now shut and closed. The pup seemed like a good dog, she barely spoke. Yet she yelped each time Tom had come near in the beginning. Why the change he pondered. Talking to Riley at work, seemed near on impossible. He hadn’t apologized yet, rather tried to mend things through actions.

At the meeting Riley slid a piece of paper over the boss.

“Let’s talk about this later.” Was all Tom could hear. Was Riley planning to leave? Over a comment? We’ve been friends since college, studied identical topics. I thought he knew me, Tom questioned internally. Now he is willing to blow everything on this pup. Just doesn’t seem like him.

The work day drew to a close, as Tom’s attention was low scanning the ground, his confident stride left elsewhere, feet scuffing along the rocky path. Playful dogs ran about in the shelter. What was it about that dog? He questioned.

Arriving home, the first staircase to the left would be home, but across the walkway Riley’s door was open. He was still at work chatting with the boss. There’s no way he would be home yet.

Tom looked about. Is this dog so valuable others have come to steal it? That didn’t seem logical.

Light cascaded through the small apartment. All the apartment rooms were presented in the same direction. Through the walkway into the tiny kitchen. The light welcomed Tom’s presence. One slow step after another, his heart raced and flew ready to attack.

“Hello Tom.” A delicate, soft attractive voice spoke.

Dazed and shocked, there stood the most attractive woman he had ever seen. Her hair golden blonde in loose curls that fell over tanned shoulders, ending at a tiny waist. Flawless features, an intense purple dress, with a full thick cleavage. The dress was filled by the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen or dreamt of.

“And you are?” He managed to mutter.

“I’m Miss Mary.”

“The dog?! There is no way in the world you are a dog!”

“Funny you should say that. You see, I decided to take the form of the pup because I knew you and wanted to know you more. You could have taken me but you decided against it. I heard you loud and clear that day. You are specifically seeking your golden rare dog. You are hunting for a limited edition one-of-a-kind, special to you, type of dog. Only I believe you are looking for that type of partner. That is why I am here. To help you overcome those notions and help you to see how easily something rare can slip away.”

A strange light began to glow around the woman, her form almost melted and shone at the same time she warped her being back into the pup Tom knew prior. As the light faded, the pup’s coat glowed a shimmering gold. The collar fell off and the pup ran out the open door.

Tom picked up the collar, a tiny note fell. It read: “The most important thing is right before you.”