Buddy's Diary - January 12 (Part 2) - Stories in English

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A Girl

Just then, out of seemingly nowhere, a human Girl appears. She is tall, thin, and pale. She looks young but is clearly grown. I squint up at her. She stops and stares down at me in surprise and dismay. “You weren’t here ten minutes ago,” she mutters. Then she glances back over her shoulder at the fast-retreating motorbike.

A deep sadness fills her eyes. “Another stray,” she says in a heavy, sad voice. “You poor little thing.”

I study her intently. In that second, my terrified mind unfreezes from the initial shock and races. Then two fast thoughts cross my mind. I was abandoned, I understand. And then in the next moment, I realize suddenly: If I don’t find another home quick, I will die of hunger and thirst.

Suddenly, the terrible truth of that realization hits me. It overwhelms me. I can’t take it. My little life has just begun. And now... it’s to end? Like this? Out here? On this lonely street? I can’t bear it. I want to live! I have so many more things to see, eat, taste, touch, bark at, and explore! And now… I’m about to die.

Overcome by grief and deep sorrow, I open my mouth and let out the most pitiful, heart-wrenching series of wails a dog has ever made. I’m not even thinking of her. I’m just overcome by my own deep self-pity and despair.

Then, to my surprise, something happens. The girl begins to cry, too. Tears stream down her face. She just stands staring down at me, crying. For a minute, that’s all we two do. Crying. Together.

Then, she snivels. “I’m so sorry, little one,” she sobs. “I can’t take you home with me. I’m not allowed to have dogs in my apartment.” I don’t know what she’s saying, but I see her wiping her eyes and turning away. Away!

My mind spins and unfreezes a second time. Wait! I must have a human to give me a home and food if I don’t have Momma Dog. And this one... this one seems to be... sympathetic at least. Maybe... maybe a little nice even. Maybe... safe. Not like the man who threw us out. Maybe she’ll take me in!

But no. She just turned and is starting to walk away. Slowly but surely. I stand watching her for a moment. Then I realize I need her. “OH NO YOU DON’T!” I think, and dash after her. But she doesn’t stop for me. She looks back, then turns away and keeps walking.

I stop and look at her. She doesn’t want me either, I think. A frightening thought hits me. What if NO human wants me for some reason? What if there’s just something unwanted about me for them? But I can’t let myself think that. I quickly push that thought out of my mind. I MUST have a human! I decide. And QUICK!

I look around. No other humans in sight. No houses even. In that moment, I make up my mind. Even if she doesn’t want me, I want her! And so I will have her. I’m going home with HER. That’s it.

Crying isn’t going to save me. Feeling sorry for myself won’t help. So I gather up all my power and I run resolutely after her. I’m still clumsy, floppy; my legs are small. Hers are big and long. Each stride she takes moves her miles ahead of me. But I am strong. I had breakfast two hours ago, and it is still powering my little limbs. I won’t let fatigue stop me. I rev up my muscles and charge after her.

She hears me and glances back. She stops several times. “No, you can’t come with me,” she says, but her voice is soft and sad. I’m coming with you anyway, I think, looking up at her with determination in my little brown eyes.

Each time she sighs and turns away, I merrily run after her, my tail high. You’ll like me eventually! I assure her. Don’t worry, I’ll be good!

She keeps walking away. But I follow. Because I know… she’s going to be my new home. Not because she chose me, but because I chose her. Shouldn’t that count, too?

A risky bet

Up and down the hot road we walk, up and down the hill and down and up and up and down and down and up and down again…. until every muscle in my little legs aches. But I won’t give up. I keep running after her as fast as my legs will carry me. I can’t let her out of my sight. I need to follow her home. The sun rises. It grows hotter. I am thirsty. My belly rumbles. But I won’t give up.

Now and then, the Girl glances back at me. “You poor little thing. You must be hot and thirsty,” she mumbles. Each time she looks at me, I meet her eyes with my soft brown ones. I wag my tail enthusiastically. “I like you! I like you! I’m your friend!” I exclaim. But she doesn’t come to me. She doesn’t pick me up. She just turns sadly and keeps walking.

Suddenly, something changes.

Ahead, the path is covered in shiny green jagged things. The Girl takes a big step over them. Then she stops and looks back in horror as I draw near. “Oh no, I can’t witness this!” she gasps. In a quick motion she nears me, and scoops me up. I feel her warm hands under my chest. “YES! Finally!” I yap, delighted, wagging my tail so hard it nearly comes off.

“My friend!” I cry, trying to lick her face. But a moment later, she puts me down on the other side of those sparkly green things. I’m disappointed for a moment, then I cheer up. My tail goes higher than ever, and my spirits are lifted. Our first contact. Small, but at least it’s a start! I think, delighted. Suddenly, the world seems so much brighter. The trees are less like menacing giants looming around me. The shadows between them are less threatening. Sunspots dapple the ground. Birds sing. Life is good after all. I’m on a new adventure. I have a new human. And I’m going home with her!

My fears subside. I waddle merrily after her, tail high, heart lighter with each step.

Time passes. She still hasn’t taken me home. I begin to doubt. Strange noises in this peaceful morning. Rrrrr. Some of those noisy fake-horse things whoosh by. Ggrrrrr. A big metal shiny thing flashes by, leaving smelly air behind.

The Girl crosses the wide street. I run after her. She stops, concerned, and picks me up in the middle. She holds me as another big Grrrrr thing rushes by. She puts me down on the other side. She’s mine, right? She seems to worry about me. She seems… to be looking out for me. Now and then, at least. Even if she still keeps walking away from me.

But I’m not sure. And I have to be quick and smart. I have to secure a new home. Fast. NOW. Far off, thunder rumbles. Clouds spread across the mountains. I smell rain in the air.

A young, tall man jogs by on the other side of the road. He is bouncy, his big white sneakers hitting the pavement with strength and confidence. I hesitate. I look at him. Maybe he’s a better bet. Maybe he’ll smile at me, pick me up immediately, and take me home?

I notice the Girl is standing still, watching me and him. I squint up at her. She’s a giant, like a skyscraper, towering above me. I see the sadness in her eyes. I glance across the street at him. If I don’t go now, he’ll be out of sight and I’ll miss that opportunity. I must bet fast and well. I look at her one more time. And something inside me tells me… stay. She’s the one. Don’t leave.

I sit down by her feet, gazing up at her, trying to read her expression. She waves a hand lamely after him. “Try… your luck with him. Maybe he’ll take you,” she says meekly. I don’t even look his way. You’re mine, I tell her. I made my choice.

And somehow, deep inside, I knew it was the right one even back then.