The figure gazing out across the window could visibly see the power that the rain possessed. Branches from trees were broken and snapped from under the sheer force; the driveway and land merged into one, creating a small lake. The howling wind rattled the windows violently. Nothing escaped the figures eye’s except, the shivering critter, hidden under the car.

Three hours earlier: A seaweed-green Prius rolled to a stop in the driveway. “Mom, Dad,” I shouted. “Gramp’s here.” I raced towards the door eager to greet him. Stopping just short of tumbling head first into him, I smiled and said “Hi Grandpa.” He had always towered over me at 6’3’, and I’ve always had to look up to make eye contact. His height had always amazed me for a person who is sixty-five. I wish someday that I’ll be that tall, but when your eight years old, you’re not exactly Jack and the bean-stack tall.
With my thoughts going unnoticed by him, he continued to move around to the trunk of a car. Not wanting to give him a reprieve from my talkativeness, I charged on into the next string of words. “Looks like it’s going to rain; I sure hope not. That would really be sad on Thanksgiving. Did you bring anything with you, because if you did, then I could help you? Mom and Dad are in the kitchen…,” my voice trailed off at his soft chuckling. “What?” I inquired.

“You talk too much,” he stated kindly. Now it was my turn to chuckle. I removed the items from the car, and briskly walked back to the entrance of the house. Glancing at the sky, I wondered about what the weatherman had said. He seemed absolutely positive that it wouldn’t rain until tonight, but it looked like Mother Nature would bless us sooner than later. Quickly gathering my wits, I rushed for the door. As I entered the kitchen, I found a little speck of space on the counter, and gently displaced the items down on the kitchen counter.

“Hi Pops, How you’ve been,” asked my dad. The sound of the grown-ups conversation danced around my ears, as I moved further into the room towards the window. Ignoring them, I watched in awe as the wind increased with speed, drawing dark, chubby cloud. Feeling hypnotized by the way the clouds moved; my mother’s voice was a rude disturbance.

“Honey, can you set the table for dinner”

“Y-yes mom,” I stammered. Turning away from the window, I hastily rushed to do my job. “All done, “I said, yelling back into the kitchen. No more than thirty seconds later, out came both of my parents, each carrying appetizing goods. My mouth started to water when the aroma of it hit me. My parents made many trips into the kitchen only to return with more food; brightly colored corn, freshly baked golden biscuits, red bouncy jello, all littered the table.

Shortly after seated, soft tinks against the window were audible. “Oh, it’s starting to rain,” I sighed. The soft tinks now coming down faster and harder were causing the windows to shake. I rushed over to the window, excited by the new turn of events. Staring at the window, I gazed out across the window, witnessing the damage that Mother Nature was responsible for. Tree branches were broken and snapped, the front yard had become a small lake. With my face plastered to the window, I saw a blurred image move across the yard. The water surging down the window distorted the image, but it was clear that the misshaped shape was an animal.

Intrigued, I dared myself to wonder out to investigate. Once outside, the rain soaked through my clothes, creating a chill to run up my back. Standing still, I waited for a sign that would lead me to the mysterious creature that was trespassing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of brown blur heading for the parked cars. Turning towards the cars, I cautioned myself as I approached the area. Seeing nothing right away, I bent look under the car. I gasped, pulling air into my lungs. I fell on my hands and knees to have a better look, just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Peering once again, I saw what I had before; before me a tiny beagle puppy stood. The pup stood there shaking uncontrollability, caused by the cold nip of rain. Big brown eyes bored into mine, pleading with for help.

My heart already gone at the very sight ofthe small pooch, I reached for it, moving slow as not to scare it. The animal somehow sensing that I wouldn’t hurt it, stumbled into my outreached hand. I cooed little things like “It’s all right,” and “You’re safe,” I brought the terrified critter to my chest, and wrapped my arms around it in an attempt to give it warmth. The little pup tried to lick my face in gratitude, but I wouldn’t let it. I marched back to the house, stopping when my mom met me at the door.

“Where did you find that,” she asked, staring hard at the dog.

“Mommy isn’t it cute, can we keep it?” I pleaded.

“Well…It is cute,” she said reluctantly. “But you need to come inside the house before you get sick child.” Although she didn’t seem happy with me, her eyes weren’t as sharp as it was before, and I knew things were going to be okay.

Excited by this new development, I raced though the house to show my dad. “Daddy, daddy, daddy, I have a surprise to show you.” Those words that are so simple will haunt the minds of adults. I located my dad in and dining room, and I came to a complete stop in front of him. Three pairs of eyes turned to me; my grandpa’s, brother’s and dad’s.

The three sets of male eyes those traveled to the little bundle in my arms. The first to speak was my dad. All he said was “No.”

Lowering the puppy to the ground, I battled my father with the reasons that it would benefit to have another dog. Totally oblivious to the humans, the dog decided to explore. “Why not?” I stated the determination in my voice creeping through. For several minutes we argued back in forth. Finally my mom joined the battle, taking my side over my dad’s. Leaving the room, I went in search of the puppy.

The beagle had apparently over come all previous fears, for all traces had vanished. Now the critter possessed the courage of ten men, for it feared nothing in my house, not even the two Chocolate Labs in the corner. It marched towards them, not deterred by the size of the beasts and gave a squeaky bark. The only respond that my dogs gave was by snorting, as if it amused them, and rolled over on to its back. Evidently bored with them, the little pup continued to waddle around the house.

If love at first sight was true, then the little beagle pup would have had my heart. Falling for the dog was just about the craziest thing that I could do. Here was a dog that had been in my house for about ten minutes, and I already loved it. It was the eyes, they got you every time.

So, I was unprepared for when a fire-red pick-up truck moseyed into the driveway. Turning to my parents, I waved my arms like a mad-man to get their attention, but they ignored me. Thus, when the door bell sounded, they were startled. Glances between each other were made, as they left for the door. Not caring about a thing in the world, I played with the new puppy. Two seconds later, my parents came into the room followed by the strange man. There was no emotion in his voice, but his eye’s glowed with sympathy.

An awkward silence fell over the room. “Jordan, that dog belongs to this man.” That was all my dad said. Unable to protest, I silently handed the dog over. After a terse “Thank you and good-bye,” the man left with my new friend. I was happy that the pup had a home and a family that loved him, but I will always miss him. He was the best thirty minute friend I ever had.

My parents forgot to tell me until a few days after the incident, but the dog that I rescued actually lived right across the street. My little heart soared with joy at this. Every once in a while, I’ll hear a squeaky bark, and think that’s my dog. Sometime’s he’ll even come back into my yard, and I think that he’s looking for me. He never stays long; my dogs always chase him off before he can get too close. The little beagle was my first stray that I brought home. Although I don’t think that my parents were too happy about it, I would do it again in a heartbeat.