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December 24, 1998 - Tale of the Christmas puppy6A • The Suffolk Times • December 24, 1998 v e '� ry;. r. and Mrs. Goodheart wanted to give their chil- dren something special for Christmas. They'd moved to the country from the city, where they couldn't have a pet, so now was the time they thought to have a puppy. They decided on a golden retriever mainly because they are such friendly dogs and, secondly, because Mr. Goodheart had just heard about one down at the ani- mal shelter awaiting adoption. He had to pick it up before Christmas, so he arranged to get it and keep it hidden from the children in their garage until Christmas day. What a surprise the children would have! All went well until Mrs. Goodheart remembered she had to do some last - minute shopping for cookies and hot chocolate for Santa. She was so excited about Christmas coming that she left the garage door open — and you guessed it — the new little puppy wandered out. They were going to call the new puppy Goldie be- cause of his color. Goldie ran for the pure joy of being free. There were all sorts of new smells and places to go. He passed houses all decorated for Christmas. He wandered into a big field near his new home and was almost scared to death when two big cows came running down to see who was in their pas- Focus ture. It didn't take long for ON Goldie to run to the side fence and scoot under it to NATURE safety. Now he was in a by paul strange new world. The Stoutenbmh weather seemed to be getting colder and the sky more gray looking. He almost wished he was back in the old dusty garage. There was no one to play with and no houses around. The path that he was on led into a big woods. Inside it was scary and dark. Yet, on he went, his little heart pounding as he started to run, from what he really didn't know. He ran so hard he had to stop and catch his breath beside a big log. This must be the loneliest place in the world, the thought, as a big tear ran down his cheek. Just then a little ball of fur came out from under the log. It was Squeaky, the wood- land mouse. "Why are you crying ?" she asked. "Don't you know it's almost Christmas time? A time to be happy." Goldie was a bit ashamed and wiped his face with his furry paw. "I'm scared," he said. With that Squeaky got right down close to Goldie and began to tell him how she was scared once years ago just about this time of year. Seems she was looking for pine cones in someone's Christmas tree when it was picked up and taken inside one of those big houses. "It was the most scary thing of my life," she said, "but it all worked out won- derfully. I'll tell you about it." "That Christmasy' tree was put up in the i yi living room with me as au hiding inside it. I was petrified as big hands put on lights, shiny' °` balls and tinsel all around me. No one noticed me; then later that night when everyone was fast asleep I had the best Christmas I ever had in my life. There were cookies and candies and big sweet nuts to nibble on. I only stayed a short time because I had to get back to my family, but I filled up my tummy and took some big nuts in my cheeks and mouth and headed right home for Christmas. So you see, sometimes when you're frightened good things can happen to you. I'm sure it will all work out for you." It was good to hear Squeaky's Christmas story, Suffolk Times photos by Paul Stoutenburgh Goldle, the Christmas puppy, gets lost in the snow on Christmas Eve. nevertheless Goldie was still pretty scared and cold. Squeaky told him about a big blown -down tree down by the creek where he might stay overnight. Any place would be better than out here by myself, he thought as he headed for it. On his way down there the sky was so gray he thought it might even snow that night, but that was the least of his troubles now. He had to find a place to sleep. Sure enough, there was the downed tree and alongside of it a hole in the earth that was made when the tree went over. He sniffed around, for there was a strange smell in the air. He went inside and before he ronhi say "Holy Samoly" something in and in the darkness he could heal sort of hissing sound. He'd never heard anything like that before. He turned tail and ran outside. It was almost dark by now and the woods looked so frighten- mg. He sat down as once more a big tear rolled down his furry cheek. "I'm just a puppy and all alone in this strange dark world a it is the day before Christmas. I've no place to stay. What to do? I know. I'll just go inside and say, `Merry Christmas' and see what happens." So in he went — ever so slowly — his little feet trembling. Then with all the gusto he could muster, he said, "Merry Christmas, whoever you are!" There wasn't a sound. He waited and waited. There was no hiss- ing, no movement. Again: "Merry Christmas," this time a little weaker and a bit more shaky. Then, to his surprise and joy, came a tiny little squeaky "Merry Christmas to you." The funny part of it was it sounded almost like a chorus of Merry Christmas. Then there was a low rustling of leaves and three baby opossums came forward, their pink noses twitching, trying to figure out who their new guest could be. After much chit -chat the three opossums and Goldie became good friends and they invited him to stay overnight in their warm underground home. Next morning Goldie was up early for he wanted to get back home, but in what direction? Possum No. 1 said to go this way. Possum No. 2 said no, go that way, and Possum No. 3 just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know. Goldie had to do something so he decided to head halfway between where' . Possum 1 said to go and where Possum 2 said to go. Off Goldie headed through the woods, wagging his little tail in an almost grownup fashion, he felt so much better. He was trying to pretend he was strong and grownup but deep down he was just a little puppy and longed for that garage with its warmth and food. It seemed he wandered most of the morning, see- ing hardly a soul but two sassy black crows who wouldn't even answer him when he called "Merry Christmas" to them. About noontime he saw Fluffytail, the gray squirrel, who was busy shelling a hickory nut on a limb of a tree. "Could you tell me the direction to my garage ?" Goldie asked. "Your garage? I never heard of such a silly thing in all my life," Fluffytail Squirrel said. "But it's going to be Christmas pretty soon and I'm lost and hun- gry," said Goldie, holding back one of those big tears that was welling up in his eye. "So it is," said Fluffytail, "and you certainly look lost. I'll see what I can see." Up he ran to the tippy -top of the biggest tree in the woods. Way off in a dis- tance Fluffy could see a church steeple. Coming down he said, "All I can see is a church steeple over that way, so if you head in that direction you might find your garage," So off Goldie trotted, his tail wagging as he turned his head and said "Merry Christmas" and disappeared into the woods. By now it was late afternoon and snow was starting to fall. Faster and faster the puppy went, his little feet leaving a trail of footprints in the snow. Pretty soon his tiny little nose picked up a familiar smell. "Could it be those cows, the ones that scared me half to death ?" His heart began to pound. He could hardly contain himself. He was getting close to home. Like a bee heading for honey he followed his nose, and, sure enough, it led right to the pasture where the two cows were. By now it was harder to walk in the deep snow, but he didn't mind for he knew where he was and he was heading home. He found himself among the houses he remem- IkArA r 'r'hare were tree lights every- ;. It surely must be Christmas ,e, he thought. Now if only I :an find my garage. The snow was falling real heavy by now, so much so it was touching his belly. Walking became a real effort. Then he saw it: his garage at last, where there'd be food and warmth. hen he suddenly realized all loors were shut tight. Round id he went trying to find an opening. He went to the big house. Here also the doors were closed but he could see inside every- thing was merry; the Christmas tree was brightly lit and people were singing Christmas carols inside. The only place he saw an opening was under the front porch. He was so tired and so cold he just couldn't go any further. He crawled in there and curled up among the leaves and fell fast asleep. He would spend Christmas Eve under the porch. Next morning the kids were up early as all kids are on Christmas day. They opened their packages and were happy but something was missing. Mr. and Mrs. Goodheart knew what it was. Then there came a scratching and whimpering at the front door. The children had never heard anything like that before and so they both ran to the door and flung it wide open. There was Goldie, his long golden hair cov- ered with snow, his tail wagging and, of course, here was the most perfect gift of all. He shook once and immediately ran inside with the children right behind him. Mr. and Mrs. Goodheart looked at each other and smiled, which just goes to show things do work out, especially at Christmastime.