Alfie, Lost in the City

                                    ALFIE, LOST AND ALONE
         
Written By Prayful

Name:    Alfie, lost in the city.  Separated from his family during a camping trip in the woods of northern Michigan, Elfie was found by an elderly gentleman, Mr. Alfred A. Cross. He took Alfie home with him, fed him, and called the Humane Society to see if his family could be located. Alfie wore an ID tag with his name and address on it so the family was notified.  Mr. Cross would love to have kept Alfie, but he could not afford to take care of him and his health would not allow him to provide Alfie with the kind of physical care he would need.
Mr. Cross called the Humane Society everyday to check on Alfie.  He wanted to keep in touch with him to see if he was reunited with his family.  One day, Mr. Cross decided to go down to the Humane Society to visit Alfie and see how he was getting along.  Alfie noticed him as soon as he walked in the door. He started jumping up and down in his cage and his little tail wagged and wagged with joy. He started barking at Mr. Cross as though he were saying “hello”.
Mr. Cross bent down to Elfie’s cage to talk to him. “How are you Alfie? Have you been a good dog while here? I know your family misses you like crazy, because if you were my dog I would be everywhere trying to find you. Don’t worry though, because your picture is posted everywhere, including on the internet and I’m sure someone will recognize you.”  But until you are claimed by family, I will be your family. I will visit you so you won’t be too lonely or home-sick. I will be your friend during your stay in this strange place. Now I must talk to the attendants to see when you will be getting out of here, OK? Now you stay put and I’ll be right back.”
At the front desk, Mr. Cross asked the young lady about Allies’ family coming to claim him. “I’m sorry sir, but the family that lost that poor little cute dog will not be coming in to get him.” Mr. Cross was stunned, shocked and surprised at this. Who would not come and get such a cute and sweet doggie.”Excuse me, ma’am, but why would the family not come to claim him?” The young lady looked at him with such a sad expression that Mr. Cross thought she would cry. “His family was contacted at the number on the dog tag and the daughter answered.  Elfie belonged to her parents who had taken him along on their camping trip.  Elfie must have been frolicking in the woods when they were packing to leave and they must have thought he jumped in the car as he usually does. When they realized that Alfie was not in the car, they made a U-turn to pick him up. Their vehicle was hit by a 16-wheeler and both parents were killed instantly. The daughter is just devastated and requests that Alfie be put up for adoption with the best family that we can find for her.
“Oh, No!, that poor doggie.  He is so cuddly and adorable. He will be so lonely without his family. May I come to visit him until a family is found for him? I would not want him to be sad and lonely with no one to talk to him and keep him company.”
“Why that would be kind of you, Mr. Cross. Visiting him should be no problem, but I must warn you not to let yourself get too attached to him, because he may be adopted quickly.”
Mr. Cross sat and visited with Elfie for two hours and promised to come back again. Elfie was as excited as Mr. Cross patted his head and talked with him, but his happiness turned to great sadness when the time came for Mr. Cross to leave.