THE BEGINNING: a dog's life

It hasn't always been this easy you know. Most think I just eat and sleep. But there's more to it. In fact, in the beginning, things were a lot different. First of all, there were more of us. I was one of twelve siblings. And I wasn't exactly the top dog either. I had two brothers who were much bigger than I was. I managed to hold my own though. Sometimes it was a scramble to get dinner, and often my older brothers and sisters got first dibs, but there was always enough for all of us. Sleeping wasn't exactly a dream come true. Scrunched up with all my brothers and sisters who couldn't ever make it through the night without kicking and rolling around. A bonus though, the days were sure fun, playing in the yard and going for swims in Dad's pool. Mom kept a close watch on us though, so we couldn't venture off and explore too far.

Then one day, everything changed. I woke up just the same as I did everyday. I had some breakfast and went out into the yard to take care of business. It wasn't until about mid morning that things seemed off. The phone was ringing like crazy and Mom was pacing while Dad stayed out in the pool. I couldn't understand what the big guy was saying to Mom but he just kept talking to the phone and patting Mom's head. Then it happened. Strangers started showing up and walking around the backyard. Dad was glad to see them, but Mom was a bit nervous. The big guy talked a while to the strangers then brought them into the backyard were we all sat in our pin. My sisters were yapping and jumping all over, while my brothers just smiled. What was going on?! Then the big guy picked me up and handed me off to one of the strangers. They held me up then gave me a squeeze. Man that felt good! The strangers and the big guy talked a bit more. I understood a few no's in the conversation but that was about it.

After everyone was done talking, the stranger carried me into the house where Mom was. We all sat down and the big guy wrote some stuff on a paper. The strangers just kept petting me and I could feel the fast pace of their heart beating. It was like they were excited about something. So I didn't worry, in fact, I got a bit excited myself! After a few more minutes, the big guy took me over to Mom and she gave me a kiss. I still wasn't sure what was going on. Then Mom said to me,

"You be a good boy son, and take care of these humans. They'll make sure you are loved and looked after. They have a good scent about them so trust them they will know what is best for you. I know you'll enjoy your new home. Watch out for the feline they have though, she may not be quite ready for you, but she'll adjust and you two will be great friends."

Woah! What was she talking about? New home? Feline? What's that? Next thing I know I am back in the stranger's arms and going out the front door. I began to panic a little. But the heart beat of the stranger was still excited.

Then the car began to pull away from what I used to call home. We were headed down the road to the unknown. That's when the stranger said to me in a soft voice, "Everything will be ok". I remembered back to what Mom told me and I began to relax a little and enjoy the ride.