By: ligaya.near
Joy Sariego
Once upon a time, there was a cute golden retriever puppy named Coco. Coco was one of many puppies that had been placed in a box for adoption. Zion was only 8 years old at that time when he saw Coco in the box left on the sidewalk. Carefully, he gathered the tiny pup in his arms and shielded him with his jacket as he walked home. He was enchanted by the puppy’s sparkling eyes and his wet nose. The puppy seemed so new and exciting. Zion And Coco became the best of friends. They shared the same energy and joy every time they were together. They bonded and played together at all hours of the day. Sometimes, they sang a song while walking on the streets – Zion singing and Coco yipping. Then they’d shout with joy while catching their breath. But like all fairy tales, their story also has an ending.
On Zion’s 9th Birthday, his grandmother gave him a Maltese dog which they named Akira. Akira was a dog bought from a pet shop. It had big eyes and a snow-like fluffy curly hair. Zion loved his new dog so much that he ignored his buddy Coco.
Coco missed his best friend so much that he dreamed and hoped that one day they would go back to how they used to be.
Zion played with Coco less and less. He stopped combing his fur. He stopped taking Coco for walks. Coco began to look mangy. One day, Zion approach him again. Coco was so excited for he thought that his master had finally remembered their friendship. He wiggled his tail and barked joyfully to his master and as his master reached for him, he jumped happily and even licked his master’s face. Zion carried Coco in his arms and got into his grandmother’s car. Coco felt so happy at that moment. He did not notice where they were going because Coco only focused on his master’s embrace that he had longed for. While he was busy daydreaming, the car suddenly stopped and the car’s window rolled down. Coco looked at his master and saw Zion’s dull eyes. Without hesitation, Coco was thrown out of the car. Coco tried to run towards his master’s car but he failed to catch up as it zoomed away. He barked and barked. He paced on the road. Soon, his energy as well as his voice was drained. The poor dog cried in pain and sorrow. He was all alone. On the street where he had no food to eat, no shelter to stay in and no Zion by his side. He had nowhere to go.
Coco wandered the lonely road in the town. He was starving, parched and dying to rest. He walked along the hard ground, his feet wounded and his nose dry. He felt himself slowing down and wanting to give up. He sat down, and stayed stationary on a grassy patch beside the road. He was so tired and hungry. Any moment, he would collapse.
Suddenly, a school girl named, MarmaJ was passing by and saw Coco trembling and alone. She grabbed her water bottle and poured the water into her hands and held the water in front of Coco. Coco opened his eyes and saw the girl with a beautiful smile and put his nose close to the water to smell it. He glanced at the girl’s face and then took a few small laps of the water. MarmaJ broke off a piece of her lunch sandwich and put it on the ground near Coco. MarmaJ felt happy as she watched Coco munching the food. MarmaJ felt something powerful towards the dog. She had that feeling inside her that she wanted to hug it and take care of it. Coco was so thankful for the good deeds of the young girl.
Every morning, the girl would feed Coco before going to school and would play with him after school. Coco would wait for the girl to pass by every weekday. It became a routine for both of them until such time that the girl couldn’t go a day without seeing Coco. She started to care for the dog and was always think about the dog’s condition. Coco began to build trust towards the girl. Coco saw some hope again that not everyone was rude, that not everyone was judgmental.
One morning while Coco was laying on the ground, he saw MarmaJ approaching and smiling at him while crossing the street. Suddenly, a raging car hurtled around the bend towards them. When Coco saw it, he quickly ran towards MarmaJ’s and pushed the small girl onto the ground to save her from getting bumped by that raging car. MarmaJ was pushed to the ground which bruised her. MarmaJ was shocked and she knew that if Coco hadn’t pushed her, her life might have been taken. Her ears ringing from the shock, MarmaJ stood up and looked for Coco. The car had long since disappeared. She saw Coco laying on the ground with many bruises. The poor little dog was whimpering. She hugged Coco gently. Then MarmaJ picked Coco up and brought him into a clinic to make sure he was alright. MarmaJs’ parents heard about the incident and were so thankful for Coco’s bravery. They decided to adopt Coco in gratitude. They welcomed Coco into their family and treated him with such love. Coco was so happy for he knew that he wouldn’t be a stray dog anymore. He knew that he would have a shelter and a family to love.
