Monday, January 5, 2026, -4.7* F, 61% RH, 0656
The three run barking into the dark. Swath of orange rims eastern horizon moments later snatched away. Zayne, braver comes into my room as I sit on the bed getting dressed. His dark eyes wanting, another biscuit? alone time with mommy? a place on my bed? He settles for petting our eyes locking. He wishes to be the only dog.
Viewed a 7-minute film yesterday, a spoiled teenager wanting a pure-bred puppy like his friend had just gotten. “I don’t want a used dog...look these dogs are old, broken, here because nobody wants them.” The next day, after it had been discussed, a payment plan worked out, he and his mother returned for the $2500 puppy. Store Closed. Out of Business. “NO! I don’t want to go get a shelter dog. I want a new puppy. If I can’t have that puppy, I don’t want one at all!” Finally, he agreed. The puppies he had seen in the store were now at the shelter, not available, too young, sickly from a puppy mill. In the next crate a mixed breed shepherd with bandaged leg he’d dismissed yesterday. The teenager softened when he heard the story: leg broken when pulling a child who had fallen into water.
We are lead past our wants to what is meant for us.
Art: LJ Austin “I Remember Running”
