Slowing down as I approached the asphalt, I took a deep breath of overwhelming gas fumes —this was the beginning of my new life.
My owner said something, and I turned my head to see her gently tugging my leash toward a gray car parked inside a white outline rectangle on the ground. Just as I was inspecting it, the car honked—louder and sharper than the flock of geese I had once seen. I flinched in confusion and fear, but the girl’s giggle and smile told me the car won't bite me.
She moved closer to the car, and I watched in awe as one of its sides swung open. Her arm motioned from me to the dark space inside, and she gently nudged me forward.
Oh. She wants me to go in. So I jumped into the car and landed on a squishy seat, soft like my bed, as she closed the door, leaving me alone in this strange, grey space filled with dim light.
“Don’t leave me here!” I barked. “I trusted you!” I added, watching her move away. Thankfully, she didn’t leave me—instead, she opened another door and sat down beside me, still smiling. Relieved, I wagged my tail.
Then, she took out a set of jingling keys, inserted them into a wheel, turned them, and suddenly a low, growly sound rumbled from beneath us.
All at once, the car began to move. I felt like I was flying as I watched in wonder the pet store disappear behind us.
The car ride was full of sudden stops, and the constant engine drone left me with a headache, making me feel sleepy and dizzy. Realizing the ride wouldn’t end anytime soon, I reluctantly lay down on the car seat, which smelled faintly of burning plastic under the relentless sunshine.
Just as I was drifting off to dreamland, the car stopped. This time, for a longer time, the engine finally went quiet.
Sensing something different, I lifted my head and sat up, sniffing the air for any sign of danger. Scrambling around and jumping onto the front seat, I whined to my new owner, hoping she could somehow tell me what was happening. Sensing my nervousness, she petted me and pulled my leash and harness from her bag, dangling them in front of me.
My leash! That means we are getting out of this tight space!
I eagerly stuck my head through the harness and patiently waited as she buckled it on.
Clank! The door opened with a soft push, and my owner stepped outside, gently tugging the leash in her direction.
I cautiously peered down from the car seat to judge how far I’d need to leap.
My owner kept on tugging on the leash, pressuring and distracting, even a little irritating. But I didn’t blame her for not knowing; I was her first dog.
Bracing myself, I jumped down from the seat and landed on the concrete. For a moment, I stood there, dazed by the stillness contrasting with the car ride, but I soon recovered and took a deep breath of this new life.
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The air smelled like freedom—earthy and fresh, layered with the sharpness of pine, the sweet whisper of wild grass, and something floral on the breeze. Gone were the synthetic oranges and stale dust of the pet store. Beneath my paws, the grass was cool and damp with morning dew, soft as clouds compared to the brittle patches I had once known. Tall pine trees stretched toward the sky, their shadows swaying gently in the breeze, and nestled between them stood a house painted in the cozy hue of winter oranges—warm, soft, and glowing in the light.
It looked like a place made for dreams.
The whole scene felt like another world entirely.
Before I could take in more of the scenery, I felt a gentle tug on my leash pulling me toward a building that, at first glance, looked a little like the pet shop. But this place was different—quieter and warmer.
“Home… home…” she said, repeating the word as she pointed toward the structure.
Ah, this must be home, and it is important to her, and now to me. I thought as I trotted alongside her, matching her footsteps as we entered this new space she called home.
Inside, the air shifted. It was a new blend of scents, different from the fresh grass and pine outside. It smelled like her, but richer and more concentrated, as if the walls had soaked in her presence. I was bathing in her musky, comforting scent and was wrapped in it like a blanket.
Then—click—my harness came loose. She gave me a gentle nudge forward.
And just like that, I bolted into the house, tail wagging, nose to the ground, sniffing every corner and crevice. Each step filled me with wonder. Every room, every smell, every creak of the floor, was all mine to explore.
_______________
What will you do?