Pape
© 2011 - William C. Highsmith

My name is Pape. Even though I am a dog, I want to tell you my story. I hope to make you cry.

I was tossed from my former master's car in the parking lot of a Walmart's store. It was a cold wind and the snow banked high above my head. I made my way to a semi-sheltered corner of the building and found a place out of the wind. I had no idea why I was heaved, and certainly did not have a clue as to what lay ahead for me. I was left alone with no shelter, no food, nothing to drink, and no warm place to lay my head. Are you crying yet?
I can say more if needed.

Well, maybe I should just level with you. Perhaps I exaggerated a bit when I spoke of the snow - since it happened in South Georgia in mid August.

I really was left at a Walmart store, and I didn't have anything to eat or drink. To tell you the truth, it was three days of terror for me. I didn't know anyone I could trust. Some folks would throw me a little to eat now and then but, most of the time, it was something no respectable dog would touch. Finally, in the middle of my third night of roaming the parking lot, there appeared before me a giant of a man and his wife. There was something different about them. Although I was very nervous and wouldn't let them get too close, they persisted and kept trying to help. They fed me some fancy stuff from the store and gave me the first good drink of water I'd had in three days. Just maybe, these folks could be trusted after all.

I began to grow tired of resisting and finally gave in. I allowed the giant to begin to touch me. He was very tender as I permitted him to pet me. With encouragement from his wife, he took me home.

WOW - when we got home, I began to think maybe I had died and gone to dog-heaven. Inside that house were two beautiful GIRL dogs and alas, one wretched evil cat. Oh well - one can't have everything.

After a couple of days my new master, named Jim and his wife, decided I needed to be checked out by the vet. The veterinary technicians gave me a bath. I didn't mind that too much but, then came the needles and pills.

Furthermore - do you know where they put that thermometer?!


By William C. Highsmith - August 18, 2011