On his day off, the alarm buzzed, and he quickly jumped out of bed. With the hustle and bustle of grooming and dresser drawers opening and closing, she tossed and turned. Rubbing her eyes, she asked, “what’s going on?”

He buckled his jeans and zoomed out of the room, “I have to go out with a friend. Talk to you later.” Few minutes later, there was a thud of front door closing.

***

He put me in a box with something crunchy (layers of newspaper) and wobbled me out in sunlight. I tried to peek out and saw the faded red barn from far sight. I could hear my sisters weeping but most painful was how my mom was panting down the fence.

Few more shakes and the box rested down. I looked up but a large hand came down towards me to shut the flaps (to the cardboard box). I must have cried but then there was a vibration (of a moving vehicle). I waited for someone to let me out. I wanted to roll in the hay again. This new “bed” made lot of noise. I tried to sleep but I missed my mom. I cried for help some more.

I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to a sudden stop. I waited but the box didn’t move. Then I heard noises, a lot of different pitches. Nothing that I recognized. With the beam of sunlight, I tried to reach towards it. I rolled down. The box was moving again. Wobbly. I hope I don’t fall.

***

“You did what?”

She was agitated. She likes everything planned and prepared and there was a dark colored fur baby sticking out of a box.

The kids were excited. They jumped and hugged their dad as he had awarded them a trophy of some sort. They weren’t this excited with the new game console.

***

There was a rustle of sound nearby and then the flaps opened. Lots of googly eyes looking down at me. A lot of new smells. A tiny hand was reaching in. I tried to move and tuck close to the corner. There was nowhere to hide. I wanted my mom. Maybe the man in overalls was somewhere close. He always brought food with him. But nothing smelled like the straw barn. I was not home.

A hand reached in and scooped me up. There was a bright color blanket on the floor. Lots of new people gathered around. I tried to find a hideaway but with another scoop, I was covered in a warm blanket and fresh breath towards my face. The blanket felt cozy but it wasn’t home. I was scared and comforted at the same time.

After many belly rubs, someone put me back in the box. This time, it was fluffy, not crunchy. I faced the corner and smelled the sweet barn. A piece of home. I yawned and slouched in a corner for a nap.

***

“I wish you had asked me.”

“Told me, at least. We are not prepared for a new pet. We have no food or kennel. We have no idea how to take care of this tiny thing.”

***

Long after, there was a thud of a door. Somebody sliding boxes. Maybe my family is coming too. But, I couldn’t smell them. What I could smell was the food the man in overalls used to bring in a large tray.

I was rested. And ready to eat. A tiny hand petted me softly and picked me up. Few flashes of light (gotta take pictures), I was on a flat box with a bowl of food in front. The bowl was much smaller than the one at home. The food was only for me. My family was not going to eat with me. I ate. And I ate.

Another hand grabbed me and lifted me in the air. My limbs flying, like I am paddling in the pool. I kicked around to lay my feet on a ground but nothing stable was there. I was flying but with someone holding me. I was put on the ground. I jumped. Something poked my paws. I wobbled for better flooring but I had to relieve myself badly. I squatted.

A new human grabbed me in a rush and ran across. I was flying again.

Day after day, I waited for my home, but whenever I opened my eyes, I would see these new people. They were eager to play and pet me.

Slowly, the smell of the barn, the weeping of my siblings, furry hugs from mama faded away. And the new scent of tiny hands and warm blankets blew me away. This was now my new home!

***