Ivy D., Northmont Middle School
My Dog
I never knew how greatly emotions can affect people. It's insane really how something so simple is so hurtful and yet something small and nice can mean everything. Dogs are so kind and loving, they understand their human’s mood and do anything they can to help them. They’re bred to be affectionate to people. Do we really deserve them?
My mom is one of the strongest people I know. She's smart, tough, and kind, yet she still manages to deal with annoying kids all day. I know how happy the sound of dog nails clicking on wood flooring makes her. I mean, yeah, they’re going to pee everywhere and possibly rip up your stuff, but kids do that too and my mom has two kids, why not add a cuter one who’s not a moody teenager or an annoying middle school boy.
Eventually my mom heard about a friend of a friend’s dog who needed a new home because she was too energetic for her owner. Obviously, we went to meet her. I could feel the excitement radiate from my mom! It made me smile. Of course I was excited to meet her too, what kid doesn’t want a puppy? What could go wrong?
We arrived at the puppy’s house with my aunt. As I opened the door I could hear it, the clicking of puppy nails. And there she was. One of the most adorable puppies I've ever seen. I could tell my mom was happy. Then the puppy charged at us, I was startled for a moment. The owner, an elderly lady with a kind smile, desperately tried to hold her back as she barked and whined. She was so energetic! She licked and barked and did all the things puppies do. But I could tell there was something about my family that wasn’t right for her. She needed a yard, a wide, open, area to run in. We didn’t have that.
As we left, my heart pounded, I knew this might not work out. Days later, my mother came into my room, tears filling her eyes and I knew. We hugged and cried knowing it was right to let the puppy have a better life than in our home. I put on a smile for her and I’m glad I did. I helped her feel safer in that moment to cry and let it out. Just that small moment opened my eyes and I understand how smiles really help. I could see her relax. Being positive in that short moment affected my understanding of life and my mother's mood.
Overall, I think we made the right choice by letting the puppy go. Although it hurt both of us it was the moral thing to do. But then again it taught me a lesson on how much emotions are real and affect others. The influence that moment made for the future is surprisingly inspiring. Next time, be positive and kind to see who it affects.
