Plastic Baggie Sealed With Love – Short Story About a Dog
When two sisters face the painful reality of their parents’ divorce, they are confronted with an agonizing choice. Will they make the right decision and find their happily ever after? Read this Short Story About a Dog now and look for Feel-Good Stories by Jack and Kitty for free every weekday.
Plastic Baggie Sealed With Love – Short Story About a Dog
In a small, friendly neighborhood, two sisters, Chloe and Harper, faced a world turned upside down by their parents’ divorce. Their mother, gently breaking the news, said, “We’re moving to an apartment, girls. I’m sorry, but Apollo can’t come.” Her daughters’ heartbroken faces devastated her.
The next morning, she softly announced, “We’ll take Apollo to the shelter tomorrow for adoption.”
“What? No, Mom!” Chloe protested. Harper, in disbelief, began to cry. “We’re moving… and losing Apollo?” It felt like their world had shattered.
“Apollo is family,” Chloe said, voice quivering.
“I’m sorry, girls,” their mom replied, tears in her eyes. “I’ve exhausted every other option. We have no choice.”
Chloe and Harper exchanged a worried look. Later, in their bedroom, Chloe and Harper whispered a plan. “Apollo deserves happiness, not a shelter,” Chloe insisted.
“He needs a loving home,” Harper agreed.
As they prepared Apollo, Chloe reassured him, “You’re going to a new home, where they’ll love you.”
Harper, stroking his fur, added, “You’ll have a big yard and treats.”
Apollo tilted his head, sensing their sadness. He licked their hands, his way of offering comfort.
“We have to be strong for Apollo. We have each other, but he won’t have anyone.” Harper whispered to Chloe.
“Yeah, we can’t let him see us cry,” Chloe agreed, swallowing hard. “we’ll find him a family to love him like we do.”
Harper, the younger sister, nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.
The two sisters set their plan into motion. Although it broke their hearts, they knew they couldn’t let their best friend down when he needed them most. They went for a walk and scoured the neighborhood, searching for a new home for Apollo. “He needs a big yard, and a family who’ll love him,” Chloe said determinedly.
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Finally, they found the perfect place a few blocks away: a large house with a sprawling backyard where a family played with their dog. They watched as a young boy threw a ball, laughing as his dog chased it, and a gentle-looking couple sat on the porch, watching with affection. “This is it,” Harper declared, her eyes moist with tears.
That evening, they prepared a small care package for Apollo in a clear plastic baggie. The two girls wrote a note in bright purple crayon:
My name is Apollo. I like head scratches and barking at squirrels. Bacon is my favorite food. I’m scared of thunder. If you let me live here with you, I will become your bestest friend ever. P.S. – When I grow up, tell me that Chloe and Harper love me.
The two sisters tucked the note inside a clear plastic baggie – along with a dog treat and his favorite chew toy. They zipped it up and tied the baggie to Apollo’s collar.
With heavy hearts, they walked Apollo to the house, trying not to let him see the fat tears sliding down their cheeks. Ringing the doorbell, they hid, watching as the family discovered Apollo. The dog’s tail wagged curiously, his eyes friendly.
“Mom, there’s a dog here!” a boy’s voice called out.
“Look, there’s a note,” said the mother, reading it aloud. The family gathered around Apollo, their faces softening with affection. The family welcomed Apollo inside and closed the door.
Chloe and Harper watched for a few more minutes, tears streaming down their faces. “Goodbye, Apollo,” Harper whispered.
The next day was tough. Their mother, noticing Apollo’s absence, asked, “Where’s Apollo?”
“He’s got a good home now,” Chloe replied, her voice choked with emotion. “Please, let’s not talk about it right now.” Their mom, understanding their pain, didn’t press for more details. She trusted her daughters implicitly, knowing they would never put Apollo in harm’s way. Recognizing the enormity of this change for the girls, she knew they would open up about it when they were ready and life had settled a bit.
Life in the apartment was quiet, too quiet without Apollo. The walls seemed bare, the rooms felt empty, and every corner whispered the absence of their beloved dog. “I miss telling Apollo about my day,” Harper said one evening, looking around the unfamiliar apartment. “He would have loved to hear about all these new things.”
Chloe sighed, gazing out the window. “Yeah, I keep thinking about how he’d react to all the different sounds here compared to our house. He always had such funny reactions.”
The sisters tried to adjust, but their hearts ached for their furry friend. They missed the warmth of Apollo’s presence, his comforting cuddles, and how he’d excitedly greet them at the door.
Then, one sunny afternoon, there was a knock on the door. Their mother opened it to find Apollo, his tail wagging furiously. The sisters couldn’t believe their eyes. Behind Apollo stood the family who had taken him in.
“Apollo!” exclaimed their mother in joyous surprise. “How on earth did you get here, and who are these lovely people?”
Realizing she hadn’t invited the family inside, she quickly added, “Oh my goodness, where are my manners! Please, come in.”
The family that had welcomed Apollo into their home was incredibly kind. They shared how Apollo had become a cherished member of his new family, but he missed his original home, too. The new owners found the mom and girls, guided by the sisters’ heartfelt note.
“I can’t believe you did this for us,” their mom said, her voice filled with amazement. “Girls, they wanted to bring Apollo over to see you!”
As Apollo joyfully played with the girls, the family explained, “We thought it would be nice for Apollo to visit. And you know what? The apartment manager said it’s okay for him to come over sometimes. Plus, you girls can visit Apollo at our place whenever you want.”
The girls’ faces lit up with smiles. “Really? We can see Apollo anytime?” one of the sisters asked excitedly.
“Yes, anytime,” the family replied with a warm smile.
Chloe and Harper hugged Apollo, laughing and crying. “You’re still our best friend,” Harper said, burying her face in Apollo’s fur. Apollo responded with a happy bark, his eyes shining with love. The family embraced, a circle of love reunited.
In their selfless gesture, Chloe and Harper discovered the true meaning of love. Sometimes, true love often means going beyond yourself and doing everything possible to ensure the happiness of those you care about. And now, Apollo wasn’t just blessed with one loving family, but two. The girls realized they hadn’t lost their best friend; they had simply shared his joy with others.
Chloe and Harper smiled as they petted their loyal pal. Apollo would always be their very best friend – and that was something distance could never diminish.
Written by Kitty Norton. © 2024 Jack and Kitty Norton. Reprinted by permission of Jack and Kitty Media Group. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
