I look up every animal shelter in the state. I set the filter to Golden Retrievers, and like Jaxon had said, it’s nearly impossible to find one that’s not an older dog, or a mixed breed. But onlynearlyimpossible.
There’s a litter of eight week old Golden Retriever puppies at a shelter three hours away. The website says they arrived yesterday and are going fast.
I call them and ask about the puppies. The woman on the phone tells me they have three left, and that they’re open until 8:00. It’s only 3:30, so if I leave now, I’ll have plenty of time.
I tell my parents I’m going to Jacie’s house to study, and then I set a playlist of all my favorite songs and get ready for a very long road trip.
Three hours later, my legs hurt and I’m sick of driving, but I’m finally here at Happy Paws.
“Let me guess,” the woman behind the counter says as I walk inside. She’s probably in her thirties and wearing purple scrubs with paw prints on them. “Golden Retriever puppy?”
I laugh. “How’d you know?”
“The phone has been ringing off the hook for them.”
I’m almost afraid to ask. “Are there any left?”
She smiles. “Just one.”
“Boy or girl?” I ask, but I know it doesn’t matter. Either one is fine with me.
“Girl. She’s had her shots and she’s ready to go. Would you like to see her?”
“Yes, please.”
The woman disappears into the back and I’m glad I get to wait up here. I came to a dog shelter once as a kid and it nearly killed me at how sad it was to see all those dogs who weren’t adopted yet. I stand around nervously, listening to the sounds of the dogs in the back, and finally she comes back, holding the cutest little puppy in her arms.
“Oh my God,” I whisper as she holds the puppy out to me. I take the little ball of fur and clutch her to my chest. The puppy’s tail wags quickly and she licks my cheek.
“I love her,” I say, as my heart swells with instant affection for this little thing.
The lady, whose nametag says Diamond, laughs. “She’s a cutie. Do you want to fill out the adoption papers?”
“Yes, please,” I say, juggling the puppy as she squirms in my arms, trying to lick my face at any angle she can get.
I happily pay the one hundred dollar adoption fee, and then Diamond gives me a soft blanket for my car. The puppy falls asleep in my passenger seat as soon as we get back on the road. I can’t stop looking over and smiling at her.
It’s just after nine when I get back home. I am exhausted from the drive, but coming home was much more fun with a little puppy next to me. I park a few driveways down from Jaxon’s house, and take out the stationary I brought with me from home.
I write:Dear Jaxon, Will you be my human?
And then I fold the note and attach it to the puppy’s little pink collar I’d purchased at the animal shelter. I wrap her in the blanket and quietly walk up to his front door.
I’m nervous, and I know there’s a million things that could go wrong, like what if his parents answer the door or something?
Hiding in the shadows of his porch, I clutch the puppy in one arm and send him a text.
Me:Do me a favor and check your front door in about thirty seconds.
I send the message, and then I kiss the puppy on the head, set her down gently, still wrapped up in the blanket so she hopefully won’t run off, and then I run like hell.
I make it back to my car, and I jump inside. Then I watch. The door opens, and Jaxon looks out at eye level, probably expecting to see me there. But then he looks down, and I can’t see his expression very well but I can tell he’s excited.
He picks up the puppy and reads the note. And then he snuggles against her soft fur and takes her inside.
