Today is National Homeless Animals Day, which was instituted by the International Society for Animal Rights.
The ISAR will celebrate today with many organized candle vigils, but I’m going to do something a little different. For your enjoyment, here’s a short story I wrote based on a true story –that of my real life dog Mackie.
Buster Beginnings
I started life as Buster.
The early weeks are fuzzy, but I’ve heard tell I came from a litter of five pups. When we turned two months old, we were sold to different homes.
My First Home: The Millers
My first family was the Millers, a husband and wife.
They gave me toys, walks in the park, and a big comfy bed to sleep on whenever I got tired. (Which, as a puppy, was often.)
Then one day, when I was seven months old, Mr. Miller interviewed for a new job. Both he and Mrs. Miller were excited about some doors the new job would open for them. Mrs. Miller waited anxiously for Mr. Miller to come home that night.
The New Job: Bad News for Buster
When he did, Mrs. Miller rushed to him.
“So?”
“I got the job.”
Mrs. Miller threw her arms around her husband and shouted with glee, but when he didn’t return her enthusiasm, she frowned.
“What’s wrong, honey? I thought this is what you wanted?”
Mr. Miller looked at me.
“It is, but I have bad news. Buster can’t come with us.”
“What?”
Mr. Miller went on to explain the new job was in a place called Spain. We lived in America. There are dogs in Spain, too, but the Miller’s new life wouldn’t allow time for a dog anymore.
My Second Home: Sandy
Mrs. Miller was very upset, but her friend (my vet Sandy) assured her, “I’ll find Buster a great new home.”
The Millers moved to Spain and I moved in with Sandy. I liked staying with her. At night I slept in my big comfy bed. During the day I went to work with Sandy.
At the office, she tried to find someone to adopt me. She’d tell anyone who showed the slightest interest in me, “He’s a Sheltie and is almost a year old. As you can see, he’s very well behaved. And smart too. Watch.”
She’d raise her hand and I’d sit. Then she’d hold out her hand and I’d put my paw in it.
Everyone agreed I was very well behaved and smart, but no one wanted to take me home.
Meeting My Girl Maggie
Then one night Sandy went to the video store. When she returned she was very excited.
“Buster, I think I’ve found your new family. You’ll meet them tomorrow.”
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. Sandy wasn’t going to give me to just anyone. She wanted to see what kind of environment they’d provide for me and how we all got along first.
I was nervous on the ride over. But the moment I saw Maggie Murdoch, the little girl who would become my very best friend, I knew I had found my family for life.
Becoming an Official Murdoch
Mrs. Murdoch cooed as she stroked my coat, “What a well behaved, handsome boy you are.”
Mr. Murdoch held out his hand. I put my paw in it and we shook.
“He’s smart too.”
“The only problem is his name. Buster just won’t do. As a part of the Murdoch clan, he needs a name that starts with M. Like McGregor.”
“Or McIntosh,” Mrs. Murdoch said.
“I like McKenzie,” Maggie chimed in.
“You could name him all three,” Sandy suggested. “And call him Mackie for short.”
The Murdochs thought about it.
Then Maggie said, “Mackenzie McGregor McIntosh Murdoch. It’s perfect!”
Her parents agreed that was just the name.
My Last Home: The Murdochs
“But there’s one more question I must ask before he’s yours,” Sandy said. “Do you have any plans to move to Spain?”
“Absolutely not!” they shouted.
“Besides,” Maggie said, as she hugged me tight, “if we ever did, Mackie would come too. He’s a Murdoch now, forever and always.”
With that, Sandy left me at the Murdoch’s with my big comfy bed. (I still see her, though, on my annual vet visits.)
But as far as everyone’s concerned, I’m home for good.
How You Can Help Homeless Animals
Support your local shelter: volunteer, donate time and/or money, adopt your next four-legged family member from one.
Spay and neuter your pets.