artist-Pamela Nations-Weissman (Namdag Tsomo)
Tommy stared out of the playground of the City Orphanage. He was thinking about his family and how much he missed them. "Oh, how I wish that God would send my family back to me ", he sighed, "It's just not fair". Suddenly Tommy felt something tugging at his pants leg. "Hey what's that?" To Tommy's surprise, it was a funny little gray dog. "Well who are you little fella and how did you get here?" Tommy didn't expect the pup to answer him back, and when he did, Tommy was so startled, he gasped and while jumping back, tripped on a ball and landed right on his bottom. "Hey, why act so surprised? All I said is hi my name is Weenie." Weenie and Tommy were eye to eye on the ground now. Tommy's voice quivered in disbelief as he said, "yyyyou spoke to me, you can talk, but you're a dog and everybody knows dogs can't talk. Can they"? "Hee, Hee, Hee", giggled Weenie. "My friends call me Friar Weenie, on account of this bald spot on my head. We've all been watching you and you've been really sad. We’d like to be your friends and cheer you up!" Exclaimed Weenie happily.
"We"? Said Tommy. "Uh-huh", replied Weenie. "Only you can hear us talk though '', added Weenie. "Why"? Asked Tommy. " Because you're an orphan and all of us are orphans too! Allow me to call the others over, and introduce you to them. Wait here, this will only take a second'', said Weenie. Weenie faced an old abandoned house across the street, and let out a round of barks so strong that his front paws bounced off the ground with each one. All at once four little heads popped out from under the house and began barking back. Within a few moments the four dogs were hopping all around Tommy, licking his face and hands, wagging their tails, and smiling at him affectionately. Tommy shrieked with delight, "my goodness, what a bunch of cuties you are''! Only after two strong barks from Weenie did all the dogs settle down right away. Tommy's heart was filled with happiness, and boy did it feel good. It was the first time that he’d laughed since he lost his family, the first time in a very long time. Weenie beamed, as he stood before a chubby little round dog with curly white hair and squinted eyes. "This is Fats, we call him that because he loves to eat. He’s blind too, but if you want to make friends with him, just scratch behind his chubby little ears, and slip him a piece of cheese now and then. He loves cheese, it's his favorite thing”. "Hello Fats! I'm Tommy," he said as he scratched Fat's chubby little ears and head. "Duh, hello Tommy. Do you have a piece of cheese for good boy Mr. Fats' '? He inquired as he sniffed and poked around Tommy’s pockets. Tommy, being extremely ticklish, rolled around laughing so hard that he began to lose his breath. "La-la-la-later F-f-fats, I p-p-promise I'll b-b-bring ch-ch-cheese later, hee, hee, hee, p-p-please s-stop-p-p F-fats," Tommy giggled. "Alright, Fats enough"! Shouted Weenie. Tommy could see right away, Weenie was the leader of this pack as Fats immediately plopped down letting out a huge,"Mmff ''! "Weenie”, said Tommy, "how did you get that bald spot on your head anyway"? "Well", replied Weenie, "life in the Dog Pound was very rough, everyday a struggle for food, a spot to sleep, or just protecting yourself from bigger, meaner dogs. It wouldn't have been so bad if we had a chance at being adopted, but people seem to adopt puppies and kittens before the adult dogs. The bigger dogs especially liked to beat me up, because they were jealous of how smart I am, and how the other dogs looked up to me. Can I help it if I was born a genius? Anyhow, we all grew tired of it and ran away. Suddenly a reddish spaniel type of dog bumped Weenie out of the way with her hindquarters. "Oh for heaven sakes, my name is Elizabeth! I'm of the female persuasion and like most females; I do not enjoy waiting for my introductions. Move aside Weenie Dahlin, and let me get a closer look at our gentleman caller,"said Elizabeth. Elizabeth had long flowing ears and big fluttering eyelashes. She spoke in a pompous, southern voice and wiggled her hiney from side to side when she walked. "Hey there Tommy, I hope you are aware that I, being a lady and all, don’t usually hang out with the likes of this riff-raff, but the woman I own is sure to discover my absence soon enough, and she'll surely come looking for me. You see that horrid man that she let come to live with us, he doesn't like me, and I surely didn't like him much either. One day my lady person went out to buy groceries, and he scooped me up, put me in a bag and when the bag was opened, I was at the Dog Pound. I mean can you believe the nerve of that scoundrel? Well once my Misses finds out he’ll have another thing coming, you mark my words. I tried to tell them workers at the Pound that it was all a big mistake, but they wouldn't listen to me. They simply tossed me in a cage with this bunch of scallywags. My Misses WILL come looking for me soon," she said with her nose in the air. Weenie, still sore about being pushed aside cut in,"Oh knock it off Prima donna, Queen of denial, Ms. Priss, when are you going to get it? Your lady person moved, we went to the house you lived in and she’s gone. She chose the man over you, she just couldn't take you to the pound herself, so she had him do it! She isn't coming back! Hello! She isn't coming back, girlfriend!" Elizabeth, so upset by the harsh reality that Weenie laid on her, wiggled underneath the hole in the fence and ran back across the street and under the house. "She will be alright, her life is one big fantasy, and I just want her to face the facts. She'll be a better mutt for it.” explained Weenie. Tommy nodded in agreement. His new friend Weenie was a genius, and he had never met one of those before. "Now me! Now me!! Wheeee, Now me!! I'm Michael! I love to play! I Love grass, it makes me sooo frisky! I love to roll around in it. I love to eat it!! They don't have grass at the dog pound, just yucky cold cement! C’mon, let's play! Someone play ball with me, or tug of war. I know let's play tag your it! Somebody chase me ", shrieked Michael playfully as he ran, not looking where he was going. CRASH!!! He ran head first into a garbage can. Tommy roared with laughter at the spectacle. He expected everyone to have as much energy as he did, and Tommy thought that he was very fun to be around.
At least everyone thought so except for Scram. Scram was an old beat up looking dog who didn't seem to take much notice of anything except the inside of his eyelids. He liked to sleep a lot, and Michael annoyed him into waking up and meeting Tommy. Scram spoke in a gruff voice, "If ya asks me, dat wuz bout de onliest way to stop that loon from bouncin round like dat! Darn fools gittin on my nerves. I wuz bout ta pop the daylights outta him and calm him down muself. Howz an old coot like muself spose to get any rest with that whipper snapper goin on like dat? Well since I'ze awake, hullo, My name's Scram, I'ze likes the Blues, and I'ze likes to snooze, but Ihate to play ball or anything like that, specially, not with that- thar lunatic. Dats all I'ze gots to say bout dat,, so wake me when it be time to go Weenie." And he curled up and was snoring in no time. Just then a loud bell rang in the distance."Uh-Oh!" said Tommy," I've got to go now, thats the lunch bell and Ms. Crabtree will be looking for me, and you don't want to meet up with her. She's an awfully mean lady, I’m sure she would call the Dog Pound and tell them to come get you all. You'd had bess go, hurry’’, Tommy warned. All the dogs sprang to their feet except for Scram who snored away in the soft grass. "Oh geeessh, c'mon Scram, we've gotta scram before that big ole crabby lady gets over here!" Urged Weenie. Scram yawned and slowly started off for the old building again, with Michael nipping at his heels and bouncing all around him. "Go away kid, ya bother me”, snapped Scram. He snapped so hard and fast that Michael did a hop, full circle, and trip, as he slid chin first across the grass. Which he didn't seem to mind much. Scram amused at Michael's little show, laughed raspily, as he turned to say one last thing to Tommy. "Say Tommy, If-un you can bring ole Scramster a nice blanket I'd be much obliged to ya. It gets darn cold under that thar building. "Sure Scram, now hurry Go", whispered Tommy, just as Ms.Crabtree rounded the corner "Boy what are you doing over here? You know my rule for tardiness", bellowed Ms. Crabtree. Tommy held his breath as he watched Fats try to get his chubby rear underneath the house across the street. "What are you looking at over there?" She scowled and squinted, but didn't seem to notice the round fuzzy hiney, with the wagging, stubby tail, and the paws sprawled out behind it, which was sticking out from under the house across the street. Tommy could not help himself, and he laughed. "So you find it funny do you, rotten little child"? "Well I'll bet that a couple swats from my paddle will teach you to be late for the lunch bell again"! She grabbed Tommy's arm and paddled the seat of his pants a few times, pulled his ear and led him to the lunch line where the other children were waiting. Ms. Crabtree towered over Tommy. Glaring down at him with fire in her eyes. "Did you find that funny? No I suppose not", she chuckled.
"You've been nothing but trouble since you arrived here". "Never eating, paying attention, or
playing with the others, always off by yourself". "You think you are better than the others, well you
are just no good troublemaker". "Nobody will ever adopt an ugly troublemaker like you,” she shouted as she stomped off laughing. Tommy's face felt hot and red. The tears streaked down and splattered on the ground
around his feet. "Sissy Boy, Sissy Boy, Tommy is a Cry Baby, Sissy Boy." It was Dirk, the meanest boy in the Orphanage. "Hey Sissy Boy, ya want I should give you something to cry about"? Taunted Dirk as he shoved Tommy's head forward. He had his friends Albert and Marcus with him. They did anything Dirk told them to do, and they were laughing and praising their hero Dirk.
Tommy dried his eyes and faced the cafeteria. He held his head high, and reminded himself that he was strong, and there were forces of a greater good, which were looking out for him. Besides his Father wouldn’t have approved of him crying, so out of respect for him, and the memory of his Family, he would not cry. He thought about Weenie and the others, and he began to smile.
"Would you look at the little weirdo fellas' '. "What's he smiling about?" Sneered Dirk annoyed that Tommy was no longer crying. "What a freak you are ", mumbled Dirk. Tommy could no longer hear Dirk's insults. "I am worthy, proud of who I am and where I come from!" he thought. He was also happy to have made new friends, even if they were dogs; they were still a lot nicer than a lot of the kids and people at the orphanage.
The next few weeks were great! Tommy looked forward to the hour of outdoor time each day. He managed to get a hold of blankets, food, toys and other stuff for Weenie and the Gang. They would play, rest, and snuggle with each other, then lay in the shade of the giant oak tree, and watch the leaves being gently blown by the wind. Tommy could hear them whisper, "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS", and he felt it was his Father speaking to him through the giant oak tree.
Each day he grew closer and closer to the dogs. He began to think of them as his new family, while Ms. Crabtree began searching all the rooms for the missing blankets and food. She was so angry that she took away the children's T.V. privileges. Dirk swore to find out who was taking the stuff and fix-em for good.
One day when Tommy was resting with the dogs all around him with their chins on his legs and arms and chest, Dirk and his boys came running around the corner and startled them. Dirk, Marcus, and Albert were a bit startled as well. It didn't take Dirk long to regain his meanness. "Fleabags and a little weakling, One little, two little, three little, four little, five little Fleabags, and one scrawny little filthy weakling". Squealed Dirk "Hey Look Boys!” Blankets, Food, so Tommy’s the thief,
My Dad used to say that all people like you are rotten thieves. We lost our T.V. privileges because of you and now you're gonna be sorry, let's get him boys” Shouted Dirk!
He hauled off and kicked Elizabeth in the side, and sent her yelping behind the big oak tree. That was it, if there's one thing that you do not do in the dog world, it’s mess with a pack of canine's female members. That sent the boys into a frenzied attack upon Dirk and his boys, before Tommy could even stand up. Even Scram moved faster than ever. Ripping, tearing, biting, growling, barking and screaming filled the air.
The other children ran over from the playground cheering the dogs on
Ms. Crabtree rounded the corner waving her paddle in the air and screaming," shoo, shoo, shoo, get lost you lousy mutts, I Just called the Animal Control and they are sending someone over to take you to the pound"! The dogs scattered to avoid being hit by Ms. Crabtree's paddle. They wiggled under the fence, scurrying off underneath the old house again. Tommy just sat there, unable to move. Everything had happened so fast; he wasn't sure what exactly had taken place. About the only thing he was sure of, was the fact that he was in big trouble. Blankets and food, which he had brought for Weenie and the gang, were strewn here and there. You might say that he was caught With his hand in the cookie-jar.
Dirk jumped to his feet, wiping tears from his eyes and checking his body for dog bites. There were none, only shredded shirtsleeves and pant-legs. Seeing that he would live; he quickly pointed his finger at Tommy, and yelled, "It was Tommy that stole all them
things Ms. Crabtree, and when I begged him to do the right thing and return them, he sicked that pack of wild dogs on us". Ms. Crabtree grabbed Tommy and yanked him up by his arm,"Oh is that so, she sneered between clenched teeth? “Well, I've had enough, so you’re coming with me to my office you little trouble-maker". Leading Tommy off by his arm, she shouted behind her,” great job Dirk, you boys get cleaned up, and I'll give you a nice reward once I've finished punishing our little savage here". "Yeah, Alright", cheered Dirk and his pals, as they gave each other high fives. Tommy however was not cheering, as he received swat after swat of Ms. Crabtree's paddle.
Through the crowds of children that had gathered outside the office, a dark skinned little girl approached Tommy as he left Ms. Crabtree’s office, " Hi Tommy my name is Toni, that was an awful punishment you got in there. That woman should be locked up". Tommy stood with his head down too embarrassed to look up at Toni. He had noticed her in the cafeteria before, she was very pretty and he had a secret crush on her.
Toni grabbed Tommy's hand and placed a piece of cornbread half wrapped in a napkin into his palm. She rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on his cheek. "In Love may you find great strength", she said. Their eyes joined for a moment, before Tommy walked on to his room, not feeling the pain from his welts, only love from the piece of cornbread and the warm tingle on his cheek from Toni's kiss. She watched with tears in her eyes as Tommy shut the door to his room behind him.
The night was long for Tommy. The piece of cornbread that Toni slipped him helped to quiet the rumblings of his stomach. He thought about Weenie, Fats, Michael, Scram and Elizabeth. What would become of them now that horrible Ms. Crabtree called the dogcatcher?
Tommy couldn't get to sleep. He tossed and turned and worried about the friends that had quickly become an important part of his life. What if he lost them, just like he lost his Family? He didn't care about being strong anymore. He cried and cried until his pillow was wet with tears, he cried until he exhausted himself and fell asleep. The next morning a young couple came to see about adopting Tommy.
They had heard that a special boy had been brought to the Orphanage. The woman, Mrs. Parker once had a baby that died and she could no longer have any children. The Parkers worked as an Environmentalist, and they very much wanted to adopt Tommy.
Ms. Crabtree warned them that Tommy was a thief and a troublemaker. She advised them that it might be better for them to wait a few months so that she would have time to straighten him out with love and understanding. But, of course what she was really concerned about, was that they would see his welts from the paddle. How would she explain that? They thanked Ms. Crabtree for her concern, but insisted on meeting the boy. They had made a long trip to the Orphanage and did not wish to leave without meeting Tommy.
Ms. Crabtree nodded and waddled to Tommy's room flinging the door open. "Up and at em, wash your face and hands, brush your teeth, comb that stringy hair and put your best clothes on, not the shorts, wear the trousers and the long sleeve button up shirt. She stood staring hatefully down at him saying between clenched teeth, "Looks like I'll finally be rid of you ". and she snorted nostrils flaring like a mad bull.
Tommy returned the hateful glare with one of his own and rushed to the window. "Where are the dogs"? "Oh forget about them mutts”, she laughed. "They are in the City Dog Pound where they belong and if nobody adopts them in a few days they all will be put to sleep.'' Mrs. Crabtree slammed the door behind her and Tommy could hear her crazy laughter all the way down the corridor. He had to save them. But how?
When Tommy had finished cleaning up and was dressed he inched his way down the corridor to Ms. Crabtree's office. Toni was standing outside, she gave Tommy a reassuring smile and held up her hand with her fingers crossed.” Good luck Tommy". Tommy's heart raced at the sight of her, as he sheepishly smiled back at her. Once inside he was introduced to the Parkers Tommy was pretty mesmerized by Mrs. Parker’s beauty, she had long black hair and brown eyes and reminded him very much of his own Mother. She smiled sweetly at him, her eyes sparkling like the sun on a river. "Hello Tommy, I'm so happy to meet you". Tommy nodded in agreement as he turned to look at Mr. Parker who was eyeing him curiously. Mr. Parker reminded him of a big bear. He had a beard and mustache, and was almost as big as a bear. Tommy paid close attention to Mr. Parker’s eyes as he spoke and they appeared to be kind. His Mother had always told him to look deep into a person’s eyes, to see if they were coming from a good place, or a bad one.
Both of the Parkers were coming from a good place, unlike Ms Crabtree whose eyes were as cold and as empty as venomous snakes. The Parker's decided not to wait, but to take Tommy home with them that day. Tommy was given two hours to pack and say his goodbyes. As the Parker's were on their way out, Toni urged them aside. She explained about the horrible spankings that Tommy had suffered and about the dogs he had befriended who were to be put to death. The Parker's were horrified and thanked Toni for alerting them of the Orphanage’s conditions and the untimely fate of the dogs in the Pound. They promised her to do what they could to help and they drove off toward town.
Tommy sat on the edge of his bed staring at his feet. What could he do to save his friends? The Parkers surely wouldn't want to take on five dogs and a little boy, he convinced himself.
After a while The Parker's knocked and entered Tommy's room. "Are you ready to go home now son”, beamed Mrs. Parker.” We have a long drive ahead of us, better get a move on”, said Mr. Parker. Tommy walked with them to the car. " You can sit in the back there Tommy, and buckle your seat belt for us”, said Mrs. Parker. Tommy did as he was told. Once he was settled in his eyes frantically searched for Toni among the crowd of children that were gathered around something. "What are they looking at?'' he thought. Where is Toni"? As the children began to move Tommy could see aPolice car, then he saw Ms. Crabtree being led to the car by two Policemen. They had handcuffs on her, and she looked really angry. Toni stepped from the crowd of cheering orphans, except for Dirk and his goons who cursed, knowing the new person in charge might not let them get away with as much as Ole Crabby Tree did. with a big smile Toni gave Tommy a thumbs up sign, and waved to him as the car drove away.
Tommy I was a bit confused. Was she happy he was leaving? He thought. He secretly hoped she would miss him. The car ride to the Parkers was long and Tommy dozed off
and dreamt about his dog friends, he began to cry and woke himself up. He was going to miss them and Toni so much.
Pulling into the driveway, it was nighttime and Mr Parker Carried Tommy into the house and laid him on the sofa. The Parkers stood there and looked down at their son sleeping and held each other’s hands and Mrs. Parker put her head on Mr. Parker’s shoulder she sighed and said,’’ Our Son is home now, we just need to go back and get our daughter, said Mr. Parker with determination in his voice. Tommy woke, and repeated, you have a daughter? '' The Parker’s smiled sweetly and said ``Yes, soon we will and you will have a new sister and her name is Toni” They explained how they fell in love with her, and if it hadn’t been for her they may have backed out of adopting him. Tommy was thrilled about having a sister. That’s not all, son, we have a surprise for you. Let us take you to your bedroom now so you can get comfortable said, Mrs. Parker.
They walked down the hall and Tommy heard a familiar Yap from behind the door. It was Michael! Before the door was even opened, Tommy shouted, you saved Michael!! Thank you !! No, we didn’t save Michael said, Mr. Parker. We adopted Weenie, Fats, Scram, Elizabeth, and Michael. They opened the door, and Michael bounced all around their feet.
They were all there. There was a feeling stirring deep inside his heart that Tommy had never felt before. It had been too long to remember just how long he had been since he had been surrounded by so much love. Now Tommy had a Home, a Mother, a Father, a Sister and his fabulous dog friends. Tommy was home at last. As he scratched Michael’s ears and kissed his head, Michael looked into Tommy's eyes saying happily.
“ Is it ok if we get a cat now?”
And everyone laughed and laughed,
(The End)
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