Be A Friend

When we lived in our first house we had a dog named Fluffy. We actually got him when we lived in an apartment after we were first married. He was patient, loving, smart, and a wonderful dog to have as our girls were born.

As the girls grew and began using crayons, we had to watch Fluffy as he loved to eat the crayons. The result was this multi-colored poop that varied depending on which crayons he had eaten for his last snack.

Fluffy was happy in our new house because it had a big back yard where he could run. At the time the girls were very little and they played with Fluffy all the time. He loved being around the girls and would let them dress him up in doll clothes and their clothes and actually acted like he enjoyed it.  We loved Fluffy very much and got a kick out of the many silly things he would do.

One evening we were at some friend’s house playing cards when the subject of their dog, Rags, came up. Fred was going to a six-month class and his wife, Barbara, would go also and stay with her parents until Fred completed the data communication course. With tears running down her cheeks, Barbara mentioned that they would have to put Rags to sleep because they couldn’t afford to board her for six months and there was no place for Rags to go.

Well we just couldn’t let that happen and thought about our beloved Fluffy if we were in that circumstance.  So we told them that we would take care of Rags for them while they were gone.  Barbara began to sob from our offer and through her tears she began to explained that there was just one problem.  Rags was pregnant. We hadn’t expected that, but said it didn’t make any difference. We meant what we had said because that’s what real friends do for each other.  We knew Rags was a good little dog with a temperament just like that of Fluffy.  So, a few weeks later they brought Rags to our house and dropped her off.

Rags and Fluffy had a great time together and the girls played silly games with both of them . A few weeks later, Rags delivered her puppies.  Three of the cutest little balls of fur you ever saw.  Before we knew it they were running around the yard having a great time. We watched as Fluffy played with them and helped Rags mother them. We remarked that Fluffy appeared to think he was their father. It was great fun for the girls too. They all had a merry old time.

When they were a little over six weeks old we put a sign on the front lawn that said “Free Puppies.” A short time later, an ice cream truck stopped in front of our house and the driver came to the door asking about the puppies. In no time at all, he picked one out but could see the girls were sad about the puppy leaving. He took them to his truck and let them each make an ice cream selection, which seemed to help. A few days later all of the puppies had found new homes.

Our taking care of Rags and her puppies was a wonderful experience for our family, plus we knew we  were able to help out our friends. As the song says, “That’s what friends are for.” Rags got to be a mother and was able to live the long life she deserved. Fluffy, to his surprise, got to play father.

It seems now days that people are so caught up in their own lives that they forget they just might be able to help out a friend.  And at the same time, they might find themselves enjoying a new or different experience.

One word of caution however.  If it’s a friend asking you for money, it really is better to calmly say no.  As much as they promise that they will repay the loan, it probably won’t happen.  If you can afford to give it to them and aren’t really expecting it back, that’s fine then.  Otherwise, even close friendships will probably be destroyed over the unpaid debt.

If it is money that they need, it is better to say no, unless you can gift it to them without expecting to ever be paid back. If you want to increase the chances of being paid back, make out a simple note detailing how and when the money will be repaid and have them sign it.

Tags: Advice, Animals, Good Choices