About 13 months ago, a dog came to our garage. She was bleeding at the mouth, no collar, and generally tattered. A beautiful blonde lab. We did some checking to see if anyone was missing a dog, but no one claimed her. We checked with the pound, no one had a listing that matched her. So, we got her all cleaned up, gave her a name – Happy, took her to the vet and then gave her a home. She has lived with us for 13 months now. You boys really love her. You play with her, lay on her and even sleep with her. We have another dog, Shadow, who you also love dearly. Last week, Steve who is living with us had taken Happy out and was playing ball with her in the front yard. A man stopped and told Steve the dog was his, and her name was Dixie. He called out for her and she went right to him. Steve took Happy back in the house, and told him I would call him. I did. He was not nice. He accused us of “stealing” his prize hunting dog which he had invested in. Which of course we had not. He was really ugly. But, in the conversation, he did mention he had 3 children. He said they had missed their dog, and they loved the dog as well. Your dad and I talked about it. Under the law, we could have kept Happy. In our city, if you feed and house a dog for 3 consecutive days, the animal is yours. Dad and I decided to tell you boys what was going on, and let you decide. We were SO proud of you. As soon as you found out other kids were involved, you immediately, all of you, said you wanted us to give Happy back to the family. We asked you to really think about it, and talk it over and then let us know. You did discuss it, and came back to us saying you did want to return the dog. The spokesman amongst you said if Shadow had been missing, and someone found him, you would want him returned. No matter how much time had passed. You wanted to do the same. I could see how hurt you were, but yet, your hearts were so willing to do the right thing. You each put someone else’s desires above your own. We took Happy to the family tonight. The father, again, was ugly to us. However, the mom asked us to come in. She had the three children write a letter to us, telling us thank you for returning the dog. I think she got it. Even if the father was being selfish and did not. What I really want you to know from this story, is what the daughter said. Her note said that since the night Dixie (Happy) had disappeared, she had prayed every night that someone had found her, and that they were taking care of her and loving her. Her note said that she had been praying someday Dixie would return. She said thank you for taking care of Dixie and “giving” her back. She got it too. She knew you boys had given her a gift.
L