Chihuahua

            My parents ran a country grocery store.  It was the only grocery store for miles in this country community.  It was sometimes a happening place as neighbors came to buy food, gasoline, and whatever needed without having to go to a town.  It was like everybody knew everybody.  My Mother and Father seemed to have many friends.  And on one such day, my Mother’s best friend came for a visit.  She had telephoned prior to that visit telling my Mother she had something to show her.  She had excited.  Even Mother acted kind of excited to see what it was.

            Upon my Mother’s friend’s arrival, she came walking in carrying her purse. 

            “I have something to show you,” she said.  And immediately she opened her purse revealing a small head looking out.

            I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Being somewhat curious, I spoke first.

            “What is that?”  I asked.

            “It’s my little Chihuahua dog,” she answered.

            Mother never spoke until finally she asked, “What good is it for?” she continued, “Will it help you on the farm?”

            “I got it for companionship,” she answered.  “Don’t you just love him?”

            “I can’t tell much about him in that bag,” replied Mother.

            “Wait a minute,  I’ll get him out,” replied her friend.

            She reached into her purse and brought him out.  The dog began to wiggle and to the floor he dropped.  Off he ran behind shelves to hide.  Apparently all the excitement scared the little fellow.  And he showed more fear as they came close to catching him, he ran to another place.  It was almost comical as mother and her friend both tried to catch the dog.  Finally; they did!

            That day was my first sighting of the small dog they called a Chihuahua.  It was small and couldn’t have weighed more than five or six pounds.  I had always been use to the big dog like the ones we had owned in the past on our farm.  But since that day, I have seen the Chihuahua in commercials, and yes, the movies.

            As for my parents who ran the grocery store, not long afterwards a sign went up, “No Dogs Allowed!”

            I wonder if the sign would make my Mother’s friend mad as it certainly would be seen directed at her and her dog.  But surprisingly, it did not.  After all, I think they all knew that a grocery store was not a place to bring a dog.  My Mother’s friend continued to shop there.  Nothing seemed to get in the way of their friendship.  The remained, “Best Friends Forever.”