Two In One

            It was the early seventies.  When a friend’s poodle, Christopher, had died, she couldn’t wait to get another dog.  Many people find replacing an animal hard to do.  But the friend was married to a workaholic.  After work, her husband attended night classes at an area College.  She was lonely as it was the only way to explain it.  The dog had become a companion.  When visiting her before Christopher’s death, he was all she could talk about.  But then there was talk no more of him, but replaced by tears.  And so when she asked me to go with her to a town several miles from where we lived to purchase a dog, I did agree to go.

            She had learned of pure-bred Spitz puppies for sale through the newspaper.  She had called and sat up a time to go see them.  She had intentions of leaving that day with her a Spitz puppy.  It was a different cry from a gray male poodle she had.

            I had a dog and getting another was not in my plans.  I went only as a friend.   But when seeing the puppies, she suggested I get one.  It was hard to resist the long, thick white fur and pointed ears and muzzle.

            “They’re only twenty-five dollars, she said, “You can afford that!”

            I don’t know how she did it, but I was an easy sell.  Not only did she walk away that day with a new puppy, but so did I.  I didn’t need the dog.  What was I thinking?  The only response by my husband was, “We didn’t need another dog.  We already have one.”

            In the next several weeks to follow, I took care of the dog I named Spitz.  It was like two in one.  I had the breed and the name.  I think maybe my naming the dog from his breed was because I knew I should never have gotten him.  The friend on the other hand loved her new dog.  She began to fill the void that Christopher had left with her new male dog, Spencer.  While on the other hand, I never felt close to Spitz.  I did get all shots for him and had every intention of keeping him.  But my love was always shown to my anniversary gift, my dog Zundel.  This was not fair to Spitz.

            One day I made the decision to find a new owner for Spitz.  I too advertised in the paper hoping to find Spitz a new owner.  I did not charge for him.  I merely stated free and had all shots.  The first call came from a newly married young couple.  They were much like we were once upon a time.  Over the telephone the woman was very talkative, happy, and thrilled to take the dog.  Upon meeting the couple, I knew they would give Spitz a good home.  Upon their leaving, my husband said, “You did the right thing.”

            I never regretted giving Spitz to a new owner.  I was certain that he had found a good home.  After all, the price was right.

            As for my friend, she kept her dog.  When she and her husband moved to Chattanooga, I lost contact with her.  But knowing her, she kept good care of Spencer much like she had Christopher.  It has been so many years since I last saw her and her husband.  They never had children.  And to many people, a pet does become one’s baby.  Knowing how she is, she has a deep love for dogs.  I can’t ever imagine her being without one.