Charlie, the Perfect, Unwanted Dog

Today was adoption day at Clementine’s Pet Store. Charlie sat in his cage and watched the people go by. All I have to do is be the perfect dog, he thought.

A man in a bowler hat strutted by. Charlie put his nose in the air and sat up straight.

“By George, aren’t you a handsome boy,” the man said.

Charlie decided to get a closer look at the man’s moustache.

“Goodness gracious! Too much energy!” the man said.

A lady and her five children darted around the store. Charlie wagged his tail and barked for their attention.

“How about this one, Mommy?” the littlest girl cried.

“He certainly is happy,” the woman replied.

Suddenly, a little boy saw Charlie’s tail poking out of the cage and gave it a good yank.

“A-W-O-O-O-O!” Charlie howled.

“Bouncing biscuits! A bit too vocal!” the woman said.

Later when a young couple peered into the cage, Charlie flopped on his belly, pushed his toy with his nose, and licked their fingers.

“He sure is lovable,” the man said.

“Dribbling drool, a bit too lovable,” the woman replied, wiping her hands on her skirt.

With each new visitor, Charlie did his best to be the perfect dog. But that afternoon as Clementine’s was closing, he found himself all alone. I’m not the perfect dog for anybody, he thought.

“Feeling unwanted?” asked a friendly voice. Charlie looked up and saw a woman standing by his cage. “I know a place where you’ll fit right in,” she told him. The lady filled out some papers, and she and Charlie left the pet store.

Outside, a soft snow was falling. The woman drove to a big yellow house where a group of kids watched from the windows. “Welcome to the Sugar and Spice Home for Children,” the lady whispered to Charlie. When they entered the house, the children gathered around Charlie and inspected him from snout to tail.

“I can’t see him!” a boy in the back exclaimed. So Charlie jumped up in the air.

“I hope he likes music,” a girl said, pulling out her clarinet. Charlie howled along to the tune.

“He’s more fun than a bath!” the children giggled as Charlie licked their faces clean.

Charlie found lost socks and toys under the beds. He led the kids through their quickest fire drill ever. He even helped them exercise.

After giving each child a goodnight kiss, Charlie curled up on the floor. I’m the perfect, unwanted dog, he thought, wagging his tail happily.