The New Friend

“Do da do da,” sang Midge as she entered the living room.

“Hi Midge,” called Snappy looking out the tank window. “You are singing this morning.”

“Oh yes,” said Midge. “I guess I am.”

“What are you happy about today?” asked Snappy.

“We went to see the dinosaur statues yesterday and after we saw them, we went to the zoo,” said Midge.

“Was it fun?” asked Snappy.

“It was really good,” replied Midge. “Those dinosaurs are really big animal monsters. I'm happy they don't live in our city.”

“Are they really big?” asked Snappy.

“They are so big,” said Midge. “One of them I think, is bigger than our house. He could step on the house and smash it.”

“Oh my!” said Snappy. “I hope they never come to our city. Why do they have the statues at the park?”

“Jake said they were showing them to people,” said Midge. “He called it an exhibit or something like that.”

“The animal monsters must be famous for them to have statues of them,” suggested Snappy.

“Maybe they are,” agreed Midge. “Gabby don't think that they are alive today.”

“Does he know for sure?” asked Snappy.

“I don't think so,” said Midge. “I think because we haven't seen any here in our city, he thinks they don't live today.”

“Did you go to the zoo?” asked Snappy.

“We went to the zoo after we finished looking at all the monster animal statues,” said Midge. “They have new animals there now.”

“Did you see Duke?” asked Snappy.

“No,” said Midge. “All the animals that were there the last time we went aren't there anymore.”

“Where did they go?” asked Snappy.

“I don't know,” said Midge. “This little zoo is only a holding place, Jake said.”

“What is a holding place?” asked Snappy. “I don't know what that is.”

“Jake said it was a place where they take them before they go to a big zoo,” said Midge. “I think Duke went to a big zoo now.”

“That is good,” said Snappy.

“But you know, it is sad,” sighed Midge.

“Why is it sad?” asked Snappy. “They have a home.”

“But is it a happy home like you and I have?” asked Midge. “I don't think they have someone who loves them like our owner loves us.”

“They have a lot of people who go to see them I think,” said Snappy.

“Yes,” agreed Midge. “A lot of people go to the zoos, but they have no human who plays with them.”

“I guess that is sad,” said Snappy. “We are lucky.”

“Yes,” said Midge. “I think pets live better than a zoo animal.”

“Are we pets?” asked Snappy.

“Yes,” said Midge. “They call us pets because we belong to a human.”

“Oh,” smiled Snappy. “I thought I was a turtle and you were a dog.”

“We are,” laughed Midge. “But all animals who live in a human's house are called pets.”

“Jake and Booker-T are pets too?” asked Snappy.

“Yes,” replied Midge.

“So when I was living at the pond in the park, I wasn't a pet?” asked Snappy.

“No,” said Midge. “At the park you were just a turtle. Now you are a pet turtle.”

“Okay,” said Snappy. “I think I understand. Are Sammy and Jimmy my pet ants?”

“Hmmmm,” said Midge. “I think so.”

“They live in my tank,” said Snappy.

“I'm not sure how that works,” said Midge. “We will call them your pet ants.”

“Okay,” smiled Snappy. “My pet ants. Wow, I have pets of my own now.”

“Yes,” said Midge. “I think you do.”

“Hey Midge!” called Booker-T as he came running into the living room where she was talking to Snappy.

“Hi Booker-T,” said Midge. “Slow down. Are you okay?”

“Come quick,” said Booker-T.

“What is wrong?” asked Midge.

“Come with me,” said Booker-T as he turned to go through the kitchen door.

“Wait for me,” said Midge as she hurried after him. “What is wrong?”

Midge followed Booker-T out the doggie door to the back yard. Beside the dog house lay a little black kitten.

“Please don't hurt me,” cried the kitten.

“We aren't going to hurt you,” said Booker-T. “Are you okay?”

“I'm scared,” said the little kitten.

“Where do you live?” asked Midge.

“No where,” said the little kitten.

“What is your name?” asked Booker-T.

“Smokey,” answered the little kitten.

“Why are you scared?” asked Midge.

“I don't want anyone to hurt me,” said Smokey.

“No one here will hurt you,” said Booker-T. “We will be your friend.”

“How did you get here?” asked Midge.

“A man set me on the sidewalk and drove away,” said Smokey.

“Someone dumped you out?” asked Booker-T.

“Yes,” said Smokey. “I saw the little house here and ran over here to hide.”

“He can come live with me,” said Booker-T.

“Will your owner let him come live with you?” asked Midge.

“She was going to let Susie live with us but her owner came back home and Susie went back with her,” said Booker-T. “I think she will let him stay or she will find him a good home.”

“You can go home with Booker-T,” said Midge. “Would you like that?”

“Yes,” said Smokey.

“His owner is a good person,” said Midge. “Booker-T used to be homeless and she took him in and gave him a nice home.”

“Oh, thank you,” said Smokey. “I would like to stay with you.”

“You can be our new friend,” smiled Booker-T. “My name is Booker-T and this is Midge.”

“What kind of cat are you Midge?” asked Smokey. “You look different than Booker-T and me.”

“I'm a not a cat,” said Midge. “I'm a dog.”

“Oh,” said Smokey. “I heard dogs and cats don't like each other.”

“Midge is different,” said Booker-T. “She is friends with everyone. We have another friend who is a dog and a bird.”

“Oh wow,” said Smokey. “You all like each other?”

“Yes,” said Midge. “We have fun together. We also have a turtle friend in the house.”

“Do you two live here in that big house?” asked Smokey.

“Midge lives here in this house,” said Booker-T. “I live in the house next door.”

“Who lives in the little house here?” asked Smokey.

“It is my dog house, but I stay in the big house,” said Midge.

“I can live here in the little house,” suggested Smokey.

“No,” said Booker-T. “You will live in the big house with me. I will take you there with me when I go home. Right now, Midge and I are going to Jake's house. Come on and you can go with us and meet Jake.”

Smokey followed Midge and Booker-T out the gate and along the sidewalk to Jake's house. Smokey was happy. He found himself some new friends and a new home.