A Circle of Friends

                                                                  A circle of friends







         The three puppies met in a pet store.  A Bassett Hound, a Pit Bull, and a Beagle, they were the best of friends right away.  In fact they made a pact in the store that no matter what happened they would always be friends.  Scamp the Beagle thought the ears on the Bassett Hound named Sebastian were made for tug of war. 

         “Awowww," Whined Sebastian. "cut it out."

         Scamp rolled on his back and howled with laughter, “Sebastian, Sebastian how’d you get stuck with a corny name like Sebastian.  I’m going to call you SB for short.  Oh no, no, no that won’t work.  Hey, Sampson come on over here and help me think of a better name for old Sebasstiannn.”  He dragged the name out for effect. 

         Sebastian laid with his head on his paws his long ears spread out on each side of his head and sulked.  Sampson the Pit Bull even though he was larger than the other was scared and shy so he crawled one inch at a time over to his friends.  “I don’t know I kind of like Sebastian for a name.  But if you want a nickname for him call him BT, I'm Sam, and Scamp fits you.”  BT and Sam both laughed.

         Scamp wasn’t sure he thought it was so funny but he laughed anyway.  He went for BT’s ears again, “I said knock it off, Sam.  Awwooooww.” He howled.  The store clerk came running over. 

         “What are you little guys up to over here."  She picked up the beagle and nuzzled him."  You're always up to no good you little monster." He nuzzled her face, licked her and wagged his tail.  Scamp couldn’t help himself; he seemed to have more energy than his two friends put together.  "Leave these other little guys alone and let them get some sleep would you?"  She put Scamp back in the pen. He snuggled up to Sam and BT and they all went to sleep peacefully.  Nora looked at them all and thought it was a shame they would all have to be seperated again.  It would be like taking them away from their families again.  At least they would be going to good homes.

         They never talked about the time when they would no longer be together.  That time came sooner than any of them expected.  Nora took one last look before she closed and locked the door for the night.  The puppies were sleeping on top of each other in a corner of the baby swimming pool that served as there home for now.  She had added more shredded paper to the pool but she knew by morning they would delmolish the area.  Still for the moment everything was quite.

         As usual Scamp was the first to wake.  "Hey you guys.  It's time to wake up and play.  We're all alone.  whooohoo."

         The other two stretched and yawned sleeplily but woke and began to jump around the pool.  BT asked, "What's up tonight, Scamp?"