Millie and Tillie

I heard her scream my name “Millie!” through the gates of this what do the humans call it, “dog pen”.

“Millie! Millie! Millie!” I heard as I turned and saw my sister Tillie yelling and running around.

“Tillie, you have got to be quiet, we want to go home with someone. You know they won’t pick us if they hear your screaming like a banshee!” I scolded.

“Millie! Millie Millie! It is so good to see you. You and your big words like banshee!” Tillie was now running as fast as she could around this enclosed pen.

I watched the young helpers who were talking off to the side. They called Tillie and I “cute old pugs”, when we first arrived at this place which I heard them refer to as “a shelter”.

I really don’t know how we got here other than our owner, Pepe', would not wake up even when we licked his face. Before I knew it his kids brought us to this place. I don’t think we will be going back.

All I know about this shelter is that new people come in and take dogs home. They seem to be excited to see their pets and pose for pictures. I have tried to be positive and a good girl.

The teenagers took pictures of Tillie and me. Tillie has been locked in separate room from me and we only see each other during this pen time. She has taken a different approach, rather than being a good girl, she has been off the wall. She tried to run away, almost bit one of the volunteers and overall has acted up this whole time.

I have tried to calm her down but here she is again flying around the pen like a crazy dog. I can’t run like her anymore. I’m a bit older so I sit and watch. I have also warned her to stop talking. It will scare people. Pepe' knew we could talk. He loved to hear us except when we sang. He would cover his ears. I miss Pepe'. That’s why I know something must be wrong with Pepe’ as I yelled for him to get up and he didn't. He would never leave us here.

After Tillie had her maniac run of the pen, she came over and cuddled with me. I knew she was afraid too. She licked my ear and we rested together. The teenage volunteers were about to take us back inside when a woman came to side of the pen.

“Oh my gosh! They are so cute!” she looked right us as we tried to nod our heads in unison like we practiced.

“They are sisters. A bit older but their owner passed away and the family could not care for them." One of the volunteers explained.

I whispered to myself. “Pepe' died?” I tried to hold back tears and keep our unison pose going.

Tillie then looked at me a little scared as we both heard the woman say,

“I wish I could take both of them. I really do, but my landlady won’t allow it and my apartment is so small. I will take the younger one."

The volunteer smiled as she reached in for Tillie and carried her out to the front to complete the paperwork. I could see Tillie was scared. Her eyes stayed focused on me as they walked away. The other volunteer brought me back to my room. Pepe' died and now my sister Tillie was gone.

Days went by and then weeks. I cried every night for Tillie. I kept thinking, "What if I never see her again? What if no one comes for me?"

I could hear the staff at the shelter say they were worried about me. I could not eat. I did not want to play. I just waited.

I waited and watched as other pups went home. They were usually younger and able to run faster. I waited but no one came for me.

Then one day while I was out in the pen, this older woman knocked on screen. She said her name was Connie and she asked, “Would you be my dog?”

I went over and licked her hand. Connie seemed like she would be nice to me. My tail started to wag. One of the staff came and helped Connie take me home.

When I got to her house, she already had a bed and toys for me. She also had my favorite treats.

She brought me out to her yard which was fenced in, and we played. I tried my best to be a good girl as I wanted to stay with Connie.

She then asked, “Do you like it here Millie? Do you want to stay?” She saw my tail wag, “I love you, Millie. I wish you talk."

I couldn’t help it. I blurted out, “I love you too Connie!”

I watched as her eyes grew wide. I wasn’t sure whether I had made a mistake. She took me in her arms and rocked me. “I’ve been so lonely and now you are here. We can chat together.” She smiled as she spoke.

I wagged my tail, and I licked Connie’s face.

She then said, “Now I have a surprise for you!”

She turned to the patio door and as I followed her hand I heard “Millie!”

I jumped off Connie’s lap and ran to my sister whose face was pressed against the window. Tillie's owner was Connie’s tenant.

“Tillie!” I screamed as Connie opened the door.

We ran around the yard for hours, well maybe a few minutes for me. It was so good to see her.

We found our home.