I had always wanted a dog. When I was a kid, my big brother Duane would tell my mom, “The boy needs a dog.” I agreed! I could see me with a dog. Years later, as an adult, I still wanted a dog. I would compare breeds to see what would best suit me. I would go into pet stores in the village and look at puppies and sit on the floor and play with them.

 

One day, I went into Pup Slope to play with puppies, and when I left I forgot to take my book with me. It took me a few days to return for it, and when I did, I saw a beautiful little puppy that had not been there before; a little black and tan face with a thin white stripe running down her nose. Then, our eyes met and it was as if there were no other dogs in the room. The second she was placed in my arms, I knew I was in trouble. We hung out for a little while, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with her. I liked the way she felt in my arms. I took a selfie holding her, and we looked perfect together. Quite the handsome pair! In the photo, I am wearing a t-shirt with a horse shoe and a big four leaf clover on it. Something in me clicked. I knew this was my dog! I felt very lucky to find her. Looking down, she rested in my arms so sweetly. I saw her face and the four-leaf clover on my chest, and that was it. I named her Lucky, and the universe did the rest. Everything fell into place.

 

I had to wait until the next day to take her home. That night was very long; I hadn’t felt a feeling like that since I was a kid on Christmas Eve. I lay in bed thinking about how my big brother Duane had always said “The boy needs a dog,” and I thought about how soon that would be true.

 

The day I brought her home was March 4th, my big brother Duane’s birthday. That evening, as I was looking through her adoption papers, I noticed that she was born on November 28th, the day my big brother Duane died. I could feel my brother laughing, saying “Yup, I’m behind this.” And now I know it’s true.

 

This part is for Duane. I just want to say thank you and tell you how much I love you. And as I sit here at my desk writing these words, my dog at my side, I hear Duane in my heart, saying “The boy has his dog!” How Lucky!

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