When I was a boy, I developed a strong allergy to a number of animal danders, secretions and exhaustions that in effect meant I could not share a house with any sort of pet. Cats, dogs, fish, weasels and birds all caused me problems. That’s right, even fish.
I still wanted a pet, though, because my friends had pets and the kids of TV had pets.
One day lightning struck and felled a thick old tree right into our backyard. My father cleared away most of the branches and was left with a thick log of oak. He decided to carve this oaken log into a wooden beagle, so that I could have my own pet dog. I named him Piney, since I didn’t realize he was made of oak.
I loved Piney, and I took him everywhere I went – school, the store, the town square, church. I said he was my best friend. It got a little weird, to be honest.
But, while I loved Piney, I always knew he wasn’t the same as a real dog. I grew tired of playing fetch and carrying him over to the branch, then walking it back myself. I was bored of feeding him imaginary food.
One night, when there was a full moon, I made a wish:
“Moon light, moon bright
Full moon of autumn’s night
If I may, I would delight
To have my wish come true tonight
Please make Piney into a real dog”
And nothing happened because wishes aren’t real.
I still wanted a pet, though, because my friends had pets and the kids of TV had pets.
One day lightning struck and felled a thick old tree right into our backyard. My father cleared away most of the branches and was left with a thick log of oak. He decided to carve this oaken log into a wooden beagle, so that I could have my own pet dog. I named him Piney, since I didn’t realize he was made of oak.
I loved Piney, and I took him everywhere I went – school, the store, the town square, church. I said he was my best friend. It got a little weird, to be honest.
But, while I loved Piney, I always knew he wasn’t the same as a real dog. I grew tired of playing fetch and carrying him over to the branch, then walking it back myself. I was bored of feeding him imaginary food.
One night, when there was a full moon, I made a wish:
“Moon light, moon bright
Full moon of autumn’s night
If I may, I would delight
To have my wish come true tonight
Please make Piney into a real dog”
And nothing happened because wishes aren’t real.