The Pup That Came for Christmas!

I walked down the street with Sasha. The café was only two blocks away, but it was freezing here in Duluth, Minnesota.

“Come on!” I urged Sasha. “We are almost there!”

“I’m too cold to walk any faster!”

“I’m too hungry to wait any longer!” We laughed.

We walked down Main Street. The people were rushing by. The stores were packed since it was two days before Christmas.

“We sure are lucky we already bought our holiday gifts.” Sasha and I bought presents together three weeks ago.

We were finally at the café.

“Help! Someone! Snickerdoodle got out!” The man that owned the pet shelter was yelling as a dog ran toward me, jumping into my arms. He had long, soft ears. I thought he was a beagle. He snuggled his velvety head against my chest. I set him on the ground.

“Thank you so much for catching Snickerdoodle. Only, from what it looked like, he caught you.” The man had picked Snickerdoodle up. “Did you ever think of adopting? Snickers clearly thinks you need help. Snickerdoodle can sense distress. He probably ran out so he can soothe you.”

I looked down. “My parents got divorced. But I’m not a dog person, anyway.”

“Well, good luck. Thank you for catching Snickerdoodle.” The man took the dog into the pet shelter.

“Let’s eat!” I said as enthusiastically as possible.

“Okay.”

I did not see Sasha until Christmas. She rang the doorbell at about three o’clock.

“Merry Christmas!” Sasha was holding the little dog Snickerdoodle in her arms. He struggled to get over to me. I guess it had been a sad Christmas. My family was divided.

“I already talked to your dad. He said it was fine to have the dog here.”

I did not fully appreciate Snickerdoodle until my neighbor’s cat ran into the street. Snickers bounded aft it. I thought the cat was going to be killed until I saw Snickerdoodle pick it up gently and place it in my neighbor’s yard.

Now, I love Snickers. He is the best friend I could ask for.