I woke up with a start as a cold hand gently caressed my thick light brown fur. I looked up and saw the kind eyes of my friend, an old woman who lived in nothing but the shelter of a cardboard box. She smiled, making her dimples show as wrinkles etched her forehead. I wagged my tail and nuzzled up to her. No, she is not my owner. The old woman only allows me to stay with her occasionally for warmth and company. 

         We've grown to be friends over the years though.  However, I can't help but feel as if something is off. Why is an old woman so kind to me after I've done nothing in return? Why would a human do this for me, when a human took my family away from me? A whistle hit my ears as I turned my gaze to a tall man with a badge on the right of his chest. 

           I stood up wagged my tail  in order to give a cheerful bark as a greeting. The man was none other then my other friend, Officer Phil. He smiled and and ruffled the fur on my head in greeting. "Hey girl, what are you up to?" He asked with a soft smile on his face. I barked in reply and twirled around in a circle. "Woah! Easy there, Squirt! You're about to knock me right over!" Phil exclaimed as he tried to avoid my tail. 

         I yipped in response and jumped up to lick his face. "Eck! Why'd you do that?!" He asked while chuckling lowly. I gave an enthusiastic bark in reply and ran over to the old woman. Phil's gaze went to the woman's and his expression turned serious. "Officer Phil, how nice to see you once more." The woman beamed as I helped her over to him. 

        "Yes, indeed it is. . .have you found a shelter for her yet?" "No, I just need to spend one more night with her. She's the only light I've received after the bank took my house, I-I don't want to loose her." The woman answered with tears in her eyes. I whined softly and nudged her small hand. She smiled and sniffled a little bit. 

        "I understand, Esmeralda, but you need to think about what's best for her and yourself. Tomorrow you need to find her a shelter and you need to go to Oakly's. Please promise me that you'll do that." Phil said with a sad look in his eyes. I began to grow impatient as I watched both of my friends crying. What was happening? "I promise." The woman answered in between sniffles.