Mr. Sweetie

Written by Georgia Williams

I started my hunt for a dog when my youngest child entered high school.

I worked in the evenings, and since my daughter was the last child living at home, she was there alone with her father at night. “I’m bored,” she’d lament. “I miss you. Dad’s boring!” she whined. I decided what she needed was...a dog.

So my hunt began for a cute, little, fluffy white dog. A sweet little thing that would curl up in bed with her while she did her homework, watched TV, or talked on the phone. A companion that would follow her around and entertain her. A friend to grow up with.

My search continued for several months. Then suddenly one morning, my search ended. I’d dropped my daughter off at school and was listening to the radio on my way home. The local animal shelter made regular visits to the radio station with pets that needed adopting. The “special guest” that morning was Reggie, a little white Poodle/Shih Tzu mix who, according to the DJ was, “adorable!”

I drove 90 miles-an-hour to the animal shelter! I wanted to be the first one there when Reggie got back from his radio gig.

When I arrived at the shelter, he was already back in his kennel. He was adorable! And the moment I looked into his eyes, I knew he was mine...I mean hers.

Reggie rode in the front passenger seat on the drive home. He sat sideways facing me and leaned his head against the seat. Every time I looked over at him, he was gazing up at me. “You are so sweet!” I told him. “You don’t look anything like a Reggie. You’re a mister sweetie!”

As much as my daughter tried, Mr. Sweetie never really warmed up to her. He had lost his heart to someone else. Now I have a sweet little thing to curl up in bed with me while I write, watch TV, or talk on the phone. A companion to take walks with and run errands with.

But best of all, I have a friend to grow old with.