Puppy Gives Back
I sent a newsletter, but the site bumped me out before I could attach a song and photo, so must do it here
Puppy Gives Back
It was a short summer and a hard winter in the countryside. Many unemployed workers migrated to the city looking for work. Few realize that this also happens with dogs. Annie and Misha are driving to the McDonut Cafe and Puppy is noticing so many dogs walking the streets with their shaggy looks and little hobo bundles. “Mommy, Daddy. Who are these street dogs? There are so many of them. Why aren’t they at home?” “It is a terrible story. These are not street dogs. There is trouble in the countryside. Crops were bad and snow was early. The farmers could barely feed their families. Usually country dogs are rewarded in the off-season for their hard work and loyalty, but this year there is nothing to spare. These puppies came to the city looking for an opportunity to help out. Usually they are employed in the spring with the readying for planting, but this year the farmers were forced to lay off many of them. There is plenty of summer work in the country for a hard working dog, but summer is still far away. These spring days are nicer, but nights are still cold. It is a tough life for a homeless street dog. They will be recalled when the weather brightens, but in the meantime they seek work each day to pay for their keep. Poor doggies!” “Mommy, Daddy. Where do they sleep?” “They have built little lean-tos where they gather at night to keep warm. It is so sad!” “Mommy, Daddy. Something must be done. Look at them! They seem so down. I am sure that they are such happy dogs when they are home. Can’t we help?” “Hmmm. I suppose we could do something for a few dogs. And I know that our neighbors are good people who will also help. Let us think on this when we get home. You are correct children. It is not right.” “Mommy, Daddy. Let us help. Let Puppy and I can ask them what they need and how we might assist?” says Coyote. “I am a wild beast and used to sleeping rough, but these dogs must miss their homes so much.” “Yes dears. These are fine dogs touched by circumstance and not vagabonds. Such a shame! You are correct children. Let us plan when we return home.
After a long, busy McDonut day, the Snoops arrive at McDonut family central and after supper they make a plan. Annie begins. “Children. Your idea is a sound one. Our yard is large and sheltered. And we have the teepee, which is warm and cozy. What if we set up the big family tent and make a second shelter? We could have our own Dogtown, only comfy and safe, where the puppies could have sanctuary and still keep the company of their brothers and sisters. I know that if we do this properly, we can speak with the neighbors and they will surely pitch in? These are not reprobates. They are family dogs down on their luck.” Let’s get to work children.” Annie and Misha and the puppies set up their tent city. The teepee should hold 8 dogs and there will be room for 6 in the big tent. Their little beds and blankets are arranged neatly in rows with a dish and a chew toy in front of each. A little heater from the basement is in each tent to warm these colder nights. Country dogs are tough. They will be fine. “After work we will go to a dogtown. You must give the speech Puppy. Country dogs are proud and do not like charity, but you can convince them and they will respect the words of their wild sister Coyote. They will not trust humans. Some have been suspicious and disrespectful. Scoundrels. These are good hard working dogs just a little down on their luck. We have all been there. If this movement might catch on, it is only a month or two and these dogs will be back to their jobs in the countryside.”
Now Puppy and Coyote must convince the country dogs of their merit. These are proud dogs who pay their own way. Everyone piles into the Lada to look for a suitable Dogtown. Annie remembers one close to Snoop McDonuts, which they find without difficulty. They park a distance away while Puppy and Coyote make their pitch. “Hello cousins. My name is Puppy McDonut. This is my sister Coyote. We have a proposition for you, if you would grant me a few moments.” “Of course. We know you from your adventures and your appearances on the Oprah Show. You are a good dog, Puppy McDonut.” “Thank you friends. Now we know that you are not vagabonds or beggars. You are family members who work hard for your keep. We know of the circumstances that have affected your homes. Our Mom and Dad have a nice back yard where we love to nap in the sunshine. You are tough and hardy ones, but it is early spring and the nights are still cold. Annie and Misha have made a tent city with comfy beds and a little blanket for your night times. You can still seek work in the mornings. It will be a tough go, but at least there will be a warm bed for a good nights’ sleep. And each weekend a fresh bone to gnaw on. This is not charity. Snoop McDonuts are the most famous in all the country and their richness comes partly from the golden wheat of your farms. We do this in appreciation for the blessings we have been given. I am making good royalties from my books and appearances. What do you say? If it does not feel right, we can call it a day and you can go back to your Dogtown tomorrow. Nothing lost but a journey in our beautiful Lada and a night with our family.” The Puppies stand away and discuss this together. “Arf, arf, arf. Bark, bark, bark. Hmmmmm. Paws up or down me hearties?” “Well I say if it were anyone else the answer is no. But this is Puppy McDonut. When you can no longer trust Puppy McDonut, it is a sad world indeed. Let us try it brothers and sisters. You are on Puppy. Let’s do this. It has been a tough go since leaving our happy homes.” “We will need to make two trips,” says Coyote. “Our Lada is large and powerful, but we are 16 dogs. You go Puppy and show them their new home. I will stay and entertain them with tales of my great adventures.” “Yes Coyote. I’m sure that they will be thrilled.” And off they go.
The family has planned carefully. There are 14 comfy beds lined up, each with a blanket, a bowl and a chew toy. Because the yard is large, there can be 8 dogs in the teepee and 6 in the tent. Pray that they all stay! Other dogs will follow Puppy McDonut. Our city can join together to solve this crisis. The first 7 enter the teepee led by Puppy. “Goodness. This is paradise! What a site after the lean-tos of Dogtown.” “Please cousins. Choose a bed. We know it has been a long, cold day. We will return with your brothers and sisters. Under the blankets now. Have a little nap before we return. There is fresh water in your bowls and we will have a nice snack after we are all settled.” “What wonder is this?” says Rex, their leader. “That Puppy is even better than his reputation. Settle in cousins. I for one am ready for a warm, comfy nap.” And so it was.
Misha and Puppy return for the second wave. Annie stays to prepare supper for their guests. When the jeep returns, the other country dogs snuggle in to their little beds. Heaven! “A little patience friends and we will have supper. Remember. Those chew toys are yours. All I ask is please leave my stick alone.” “Of course Puppy.” Dinner is served. Before the supper meal, Coyote and Puppy lead a prayer to the Great Mother, Patroness of all canines. Everyone is so well behaved. These are country dogs. Salt of the earth. When their kibble is snarfed, each one tucks under their warm blanket and closes their eyes. Goodness. It is the first proper sleep since coming to the city. Such a fine sound, little doggy snores and sniggles through the night. And in the morning, it is off to search for work. These are stalwarts who will work hard for a meal, or a little treat for later. Our neighbors understand and soon every yard has a little tent city.
By chance and good fortune, Puppy and Coyote are guests on a TV talk show watched by all the land, only 10 days hence. They will tell the story of these dogs and how the entire neighborhood has pitched in to help. Now the Puppy is gregarious and playful, but he is not an attention seeker. He is mostly modest and a little shy. But this is an important cause. One must put aside personalities and unite, at least for this one brief moment. The Puppy is determined to make a difference. So when he and Coyote are special guests on Good Morning Kiev, they are ready with their plea. Puppy is a dog’s dog. Surely they will listen? “My fellow citizens. Perhaps you have noticed the influx of country dogs to our great city? The winter has been hard and they have not come to mooch, but to seek work to help their families. My neighborhood has banded together to provide food and shelter in tent cities to show our kind feelings for these good dogs. I am donating my royalties for the next two months to buy kibble and chew toys for honest hard working dogs. I have been blessed. It is the least I can do. I ask of you, my fellow citizens to do what you can do. I know that this city has a big heart. Every dog deserves a comfy bed and a meal at the end of the day. And because he is temporarily without work, he is certainly not a bad dog. Annie and Misha have decided to donate a dollar from each purchase at the “World Famous Snoop McDonuts” until this crisis is over and these dogs are back to their homes. Let us all join together to make these puppies’ stay in our city a warm memory. If you have space for a small shelter, set up your own little dogtown. Or if you wish to donate, no matter how small, be assured that the welfare of my country cousins is my only concern.”
Puppy McDonut goes one step further. “These are honest, hard-working dogs. They do not ask much, only to pay their way. A little kibble or a treat to help the cause. They do not squabble. They share. So please. Coyote and I will be starting a website, “Kiev Cares”. If you have any employment, no matter how trivial, please post it on the site and someone will assign the ideal canine to fill your requirements. This will be quality work from quality dogs. Pay what you can afford. Our puppies will be grateful and we will all be better for it.”
Such a response! Any city seems cold and lonely to the outsider, but in no time the citizens have taken to the idea. The entire city is touched by the words of our two champions. Tent cities are springing up everywhere. Some are only pup tents. Some are big tents. Even oligarchs are opening their estates to the good dogs of the country. The citizens are showing their true hearts. And Puppy McDonut is the little dog with the big heart. Our dogs in camp still miss their families, but at least they are warm and cared for. Once suspicious neighbors now offer their odd jobs to these scallywags. Early each morning, the streets are busy with bustling pooches heading for their assignments. How clean and sparkling is the city! How happy the people! It is good for everyone. And for one brief spring moment everyone feels part of the cause. Pray it continues!
And what a gentle spring it is. Show a dog a little love and they will give so much in return. Thank you Puppy. Thank you Coyote. You have brought smiles to so many in our city. When the vagabonds return home to begin their work, they will be recalled to their jobs with joyous smiles, head rubs and so many belly scratches. “We missed you so much. This promises to be a fine summer in which we can all prosper.”
A country is boundaries formed by the vagaries of history. Only by doing great things together do citizens become united in love and pride. This is but one small example of that unity. Thank you Puppy and Coyote for your insight and caring. You're such a good dog Puppy McDonut. Well played!
