Tears left shiny streaks as nine-year-old Gracie Price read the data sheet. The type-written page attached to the cage with duct tape, told the life story of Ziggy, the brown puppy curled up and shaking in the corner. Ziggy was from a puppy mill and when he was not adopted as were all of his litter mates, he was left at the shelter.

Ziggy had been at the shelter several weeks. When he was eight-weeks-old he was removed from his warm mother and placed in a display area to await adoption. His adoption was unlikely however; he had a birth defect, his left eye never developed. Ziggy arrived at the shelter when he was only three months old. There he was alone and scared. He was in a confined place depending on a stranger to provide him clean space and essentials. He was unable to run about, and roll in the grass. That was all about to change, according to the information sheet he had seen his last sunrise through the skylight over the cage-lined hallway. If he was not adopted today, he was scheduled for euthanasia.to make room for new residents.

Gracie knew what it meant to rely on others for every aspect of life. Like Ziggy she had a birth defect, her spine did not develop properly. She could not stand, run, or romp with other children. She was confined to a wheelchair. She squeezed the large rubber wheels and thought about Ziggy’s destiny. Before feeding time, someone would inject him with a substance that would end his life.

“I want this one,” she shouted.

“He will need a lot of attention.” Her father had quietly watched the tears, and the slumped shoulders; he anticipated her reaction

“I can do it.”

“Be reasonable, sweetheart. You cannot do many of the things Ziggy will need.”

“But he is going to be killed because he can’t do them. If he could take care of himself, he wouldn’t have to die.”

Her father realized Gracie was no longer considering reality; she was identifying with the puppy. She might think the shelter was euthanizing the dog because it was unattractive. When he tried to explain the financial strain the shelter was experiencing with an extra mouth to feed, the conversation deteriorated quickly.

“Am I a burden on you and momma? Do you wish someone would give me a shot and kill me?”

“Of course not. We love you; no sacrifice is too great for you.’

“Why can’t I feel like that for Ziggy?”

Happiness has many expressions, the smile on Gracie’s face and Ziggy’s wagging tail were displayed the entire way home.

The End

By Dresdin Fear 

From: United States

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