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TALLY

Slowly, I walked down the wide corridor neatly flanked with sterile-looking gray cages and wondered, as I saw the sad, begging eyes of the inhabitants, what had been their crimes. What had they done to deserve such a fate: unloved, unwanted, abandoned? In their day, they had given affection, playfulness, and loyalty. Now, they were here without the ones to whom they had given their trust and love.

Their pleading eyes seemed to say: "Please take me home. I have so much love to give, and I need your love."

Some, however, were past the point of caring, simply awaiting their fate:"No one wants us. When we became inconvenient' for our owners, they simply discarded us - like so much garbage. Now, as soon as we become ill, they'll dispose' of us. Why try to make an effort? Why give a greeting and say: Hey! I'm here! I'm a living, breathing creature!' We ask so little - just a place to call home, to belong to someone, to be loved. And we'll give all we have - our loyalty, protectiveness, playfulness, love. That should be worth something! Aw, what's the use?" And so they turn away and curl up in a corner, the beautiful, the homely, the unfortunate, not bothering any more, not even trying to wag a tired tail.

But she was different - she did look up. There was still hope in her eyes. She was a Brittany Spaniel in the last row of cages. What a beauty she was! Big, brown eyes, bright and sensitive; about medium build with white fur that had reddish-brown splotches here and there, and a slight curl to it. The tag on her cage said her name was Tally. As I drew near, she cocked her head to one side, studied me a bit, then wagged her little stub of a tail vigorously and let out a loud, raspy bark. How she wanted to be free of that place!

Her warm eyes seemed to ask: "Will you rescue me? Take me home? Will you be good to me, or will you ? Please, let's give it a try!"

I looked at her trying to evaluate whether she would be a good watchdog; that's what I needed. Her bark was loud but hoarse, strange-sounding. Then, I heard her cough. Apprehension returned. Does this mean she'd be sickly? Should I take a chance on her? Oh, she's so beautiful! So lively. Yes! I'll do it!

The S.P.C.A said she cost $25, and was about a year and a half old. Apparently, she just had pups and then been spayed. I put the collar on her I happened to have brought with me - just in case I actually found the right dog - and led her out into the bright sunlit morning - out to freedom. She barked so appreciatively

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