Dear Happy

"I missed you dearly."

A small boxer puppy trailed through the streets. Heavy rain began to fall. The droplets splashed at the stray and turned the air cold and desolate.

"Thought I was nearly there, forever, at last, together."

A car sped past and sprayed the freezing water onto the puppy. People ran past, occasionally almost stepping on the wandering soul. The dog whimpered as it cut its paw on a shattered glass bottle.

"Is our time fleeting? Is even meeting a healthy idea or am I getting too near?"

The dog snuck into a small drugstore on the corner but was discovered and shoved back onto the hard, gravel streets once again.

"Don't try to fight it, you're here for the night."

Suddenly, the dark clouds lifted and the sun emerged like a soft ray of hope. The once forlorn puppy felt its chest lift, and tail perks up a little higher. Happiness was felt, and with every down comes an up. The warm beams of sunlight reached all the way into the strays heart.

"And I'll be waiting for you until we meet again."

With a spring in its step, the boxer pranced its way through the streets. The dogs tail wagged as strangers and old friends alike gave it treats and little pats.

"I know it's scary, but don't be wary."

A young girl was being pushed in her stroller when she saw a small, thin puppy padding along. She stretched her tiny fingers out until the landed on the little puppy's back. The dog happily leaned into the child's stroking. Her dad gently scolded her but also scratched the dog's ears.

"If we don't have that long, lets not wasting feeling wrong."

A young man strutting down the sidewalk in high heels glittering like disco balls noticed a small puppy on the street. He gasped and pulled out a tiny hair bow unquestionably for a glam dog he owned. He plopped it on the little strays head with long, manicured nails and went on his way.

"This isn't the end, I'm your lifelong friend."

In between sips of her tea, an elderly woman with deep-set wrinkles stroked the dog she had seen sitting by her chair. She poured some of her tea into a cupped palm and let the stray gulp it up. When a delighted bark came in response to the treat, the woman smiled wide. This intensified her crow feet, but it's doubtful she cared.

"Sure it's been awhile, but I'll be here when you smile."

A young teen with scars on their wrists saw a little boxer puppy and lit up. She pulled a hunk of sausage out from her grocery bag and handed it to the dog. She watched the stray gobble it up, gave it a pat on its head and walked away from the encounter a little more bounce than the last time.

"So don't try to fight it."

The dog wandered through the streets with a full heart and belly.

"You're here for tonight."

Thinking about all the kind people it had met.

"And I'll be waiting for you until we meet again."

The boxer might not have had a great life so far, but this was a wonderful day. The best perhaps. The city really was beautiful. But even more beautiful, were the people in it.

"Would you mind staying? It's getting late, but I will visit you soon."

The rain picked up again. Harder than the last time. People began bustling to get into shelters. The chaos resumed and everyone was thinking of themselves and whatever couldn't get wet, and how long it would take them to sprint to the nearest bus stop.

"So just try to get through."

In the middle of it all, the dog sat. And watched.

"And don't try to fight it, you're here for tonight."

Suddenly, the boxer stray raced through the puddles. Dancing around, and trying to catch raindrops on its tongue. Sitting happily and waiting with those huddled into little alcoves where there was dry air.

"And I'll be waiting for you until we meet again."

The little girl from earlier saw the dog playing in the rain and ran out to join in. The elderly woman walked with her umbrella and watched merrily. The young man came out too. The teen jumped in the puddles with them.

"I'll be waiting for you until we meet again."

The boxer puppy finally felt happy.

All credit goes to the lovely Miss Dodie Clark, thanks for reading my therapy written at 3 am