Jennifer Probst - Searching for Someday

THE SUN STREAMED through the open windows and over my fur, warming my body like a heated blankie. I snuggled deeper into my bed and gave a big sigh. Bunny Squeak lay close to my paw, and the delicious scents of meat drifted in the air. Hmm, dinner. Mommy and Daddy were talking behind me. Laughing. Then the sound of slurping. Kissing they called it. I closed my eyes halfway and dozed for a bit.

I remember when I was able to run, really really fast. I had all my legs then, but I wasn’t happy. The bad people hurt me, and I tried to keep being better, but I was never good enough. The first time I saw Kate, I thought she was an angel. She picked me up from that hill and saved me. Her eyes were very big and very kind.

I didn’t think she’d want me. My legs were broken, and I knew I couldn’t run and play anymore. But she didn’t care. She got me a cool cart and taught me to run as fast as the wind, and she spent hours talking to me about important things. I always listened. I loved watching silly movies with her, and cuddling in bed, and staying with her when she cried. I hated when she cried, but then she’d hug me and laugh and things would be okay again.

I always wanted a daddy, for her and me, and now I have one. He gave me Bunny Squeak and walks me at the park and loves Mommy. He got me the best chair and now my butt feels so much better when I lie down. I finally have a real family, just like the other dogs at the park.

I’d rather have no legs and be with Mommy and Daddy. I never thought love existed or if it was really meant for me, but I was wrong.

I guess if you never give up and keep fighting, eventually you find the one meant for you. Or the ones.

“Robert?”

I picked up my head. Daddy’s arms linked around Mommy’s waist. He held up two bags of treats. “Peanut butter or bacon?”

I barked once.

“Bacon it is.”

Daddy walked over, patted me on the head, and gave me my treat. I munched on the crunchy treat, pulled Bunny Squeak closer, and felt happy. I guess sometimes you can’t give up hope, even if you are broken.

I hope other dogs and other humans realize it and take their shot.

With a big sigh, I dropped my head back on the mat and slept.

THANKS TO MY editor, Lauren McKenna, for getting me to the finish line and making this story shine. Also to the team at Gallery for all your support and expertise.

Thanks to my agent, Kevan Lyon, for all her support.

Finally, everyone who knows me realizes I dream of happy ever afters for ALL my characters—both human and canine. Thankfully, the story of Robert is based on truth.

My local shelter, Pets Alive, posted a picture of Robert, who was slated to be euthanized. His legs had been crushed when he’d been thrown from a car. He was a paraplegic and needed critical surgery. He was on death row.

But something in his face spoke to the shelter volunteer. A look that haunted all of us, captured in a photo and posted on the Internet. This dog hoped. He believed. And though he’d been beaten, abused, and neglected, something within him longed for something better.

This was the look that saved him. Pets Alive took him, gave him surgery, fit him with a cart to walk again, and now Robert is adopted and living happily ever after. He even has his own Facebook page, Rockin’ Robert. I like to check in on him, see his happy, lolling grin, posing outside with his cart, and know one angelic soul was saved.

Robert taught me the most important lesson in life: Disabled doesn’t mean disposable. Everyone should be given a second or third chance. And no one should ever give up.

Thank you, Robert and Pets Alive, for reminding me of what’s important. Here’s the link if you’d like to visit Robert and see what he’s up to:

https://www.facebook.com/RobertPetsAlive