Love comes in many forms. We love our family, our friends, and our pets.

But sometimes we lose one of those we love. This is what occurred in the story . . .

 

Love On Lake Avenue

     Three days of rain—pouring rain—were about to drive me crazy. I’m a sun type of guy. I didn’t know how much more of this I could handle. However, I had to get out of the house, even if it meant getting soaked. So I grabbed my raincoat from the hall closet and my umbrella from the round barrel sitting alongside the Japanese credenza next to the front door, opened the door, and headed out.

     There was only a slight wind, so I felt I could avoid getting drenched. And my double canopy 68” umbrella with nine different breeds of dogs imprinted on it would be my ultimate protection. From the description of my umbrella, you might have guessed, I’m a dog person.

     Jasper, my fourteen-year-old cocker spaniel, went to heaven eight months ago. I never imagined life without him. We were pals. We’d bonded instantly in the small pet shop on Lake Avenue. His eyes met mine and we knew the relationship would be forever. I guess we had different ideas about what forever meant.

     Well, I’m ready to look for another partner, someone to share my home and my life. I’ve already picked out a name—Jasper II. I trudged down the block toward the same little pet store where I found Jasper—Uncle Willie’s Doggie Paradise.

     When I got to the store, I ducked under the awning, closed up my umbrella, and entered the shop. The tiny establishment bustled with excitement. Customers, young and old, peered in at the dogs in the cages trying to get their attention.

     I pushed my way through the crowd. As I did, I bumped into a woman who turned and yelled, “Watch where you’re going mister. I was here first.”

     “Sorry, lady,” I replied. If looks could kill, they’d be picking me up off the floor. The small shop accommodated about thirty cages, all very close together. Every cage had a slash mark through the original price with a pretty reasonable sale price above it on the tag that hung on the cage door handle.

     I tried to maneuver between two male patrons. One whirled around and sputtered, “He’s mine. Just move on.”

     “All right, the two of you look like you deserve each other,” I responded.

     “What do you mean by that, fella?” he barked.

     At that point, the other guy gave me a penetrating stare. “Just leave my father alone and keep moving. This is his dog.”

     I wanted to ask him to show me the receipt for the purchase, but decided it would be better to keep my mouth shut. I moved on down the row of cages trying my best to see the charming critters attempting to make sense out of the throng of people staring at them—some actively seeking the mob’s attention, while others sat shaking in the corner of their temporary home. I wondered if this was an impossible journey.

     Then I saw him—a golden brown cocker. “Wow!” I muttered under my breath. “He’s the one.” But there were two other people standing in front of me trying to get his attention. And it appeared as if one of them was talking to a salesperson.

     This can’t be, I thought. Don’t you know he’s mine? I had to make this happen. I hadn’t walked all the way down here in the pouring rain just to miss out on the opportunity to find my future mate—my "forever partner."

     Then I heard what I didn’t want to hear. An attractive young woman, about my age, gushed to the sales clerk, “I think he’s really cute. Can I hold him?”

     “Yes, ma’am. Let me in front of you so I can open the cage door.” The woman slid over and the slender male employee squeezed by her and inserted the key into the lock.

     I began to shake as I saw my chance for future happiness disappearing right before my eyes. I watched the clerk insert the key into the lock. But nothing happened. The door remained closed. He tried another key from the key ring and still the door didn’t budge. Was this an omen—the perky little guy was meant for me? I smiled.

     I didn’t realize the young woman had turned toward me. She smiled back. Oh, my. The smile wasn’t meant for her. But, I figured it was all right—just a friendly gesture, I thought.

     I guess the salesman had tried a number of keys while I was distracted, for he muttered to the young woman, “I think I need to talk to the owner about what to do. None of the keys work. Please wait here. I’ll be back as soon as I get an answer.” He left and headed toward the rear of the store.

     Then I noticed her glancing in my direction again. Her smile seemed broader than before. She’s probably thinking about the wonderful future she’ll have with Jasper II—my Jasper II, I reflected. However, she is pretty. But no, she’s my competitor. I didn’t come here for this. I must keep my distance and figure out my plan of attack. It’s Jasper II I want.

     I became antsy waiting for the clerk to return. I tried not to stare at the cage to catch a glimpse of my dream, but I couldn’t control my craving to do so, and so I did. But all I saw was her gazing in my direction. Her eyes fluttered. She was beautiful.

     But then it came to me. This was her ploy to distract me, to get my mind off Jasper II, so that when the clerk returned she would have the upper hand. Oh, my God! It seemed to be working. I’ve got to refocus on my purpose—what I came here for.

     I pulled myself together and waited for the salesperson to return. It seemed as if it took forever. Then he came around the corner. Following him was the owner of the store. Wow! He hadn’t changed much since I saw him when he sold Jasper to me over fourteen years ago—short and pudgy, with a little less hair, but I’d recognize him anywhere.

     They both approached the cage. “I had to get the boss. He’s the only one with a master key. He’ll get it open for you, sir,” the salesperson declared.

     “Huh, it’s the man who’s going to get my Jasper II,” I whispered. “What about the woman? What about me?” I stood frozen in disbelief at what’d just happened. Then it got worse. The boss removed Jasper II from his jail cell and placed him into the arms of the fifty something, short, balding gentleman, who ran his hands up and town Jasper II’s body, as the pup’s tail wagged back and forth.

     Then the man, now holding Jasper II close to his chest, followed the shop owner to the front of the store to check out. My mind boggled and my eyes glazed over. I wanted to say something like, “This isn’t fair. It’s all wrong. He’s my dog.” But I didn’t.

     As I stood staring at the empty cage, I felt someone touch my arm. I swung around and looked into the eyes of the gorgeous young woman. “You seem so disappointed. But the puppy is going to a good home.”

     “How do you know? And why aren’t you feeling bad about not getting Jasper II?”

     “Jasper? Who’s Jasper?”

     “Oh, don’t mind me. I gave him a name I thought fit him.”

     “To answer your questions, I knew I was second in line to get the pup, so I had to be prepared for not being able to take him home. I spent about twenty minutes talking to the gentleman who did and found him to be good-natured and devoted. I was happy for both of them.”

     “God, you must think I’m pathetic—a real loser.”

     “No, just the opposite. I think you’re warm and caring.”

     I began to blush, as I knew I’d discovered “Love on Lake Avenue,” and I was certain our first furry child would be named Jasper II.

 

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