The Prosciutto Imcident

My name is Scruffers and I have two dads. I didn’t always, though, I was once on the streets of Chicago. I met my dads while I was sitting in a cage at the Chicago pound, alone and scared. Here is my story.
I was picked up by Chicago’s Animal Control officers while roaming on the streets with no home or family to call my own. I had been in the Shelter for some time, and my dads tell me that it was my last day when they met me. I’m not sure what that means, but it doesn’t sound good. Anyway, I was sitting in my cage, not looking around or barking like the other dogs, when they stopped in front of my cage. They looked at me and tried to interact, but I was having none of it. Too many times it had happened before, and every time I stayed and the people left. This time, one stayed, and the other one left, but came back. With him was one of the worker people, and she took me out of my cage and out to a run out back. The men (my daddies) came with us, but I still didn’t look at them, I just sat and let them touch me. After a while, the worker lady came and took me away, back into the building. This time I didn’t go back to my cage, but got a quick brushing and a leash to wear. I went with her to a different place, where the men were waiting with a crate and big smiles, but I still wasn’t sure what was happening. I realized something new was happening when I was put into that horrible, small crate and the door was shut and locked! I was trapped! I tried to chew my way out, but to no avail, all I did was bloody my gums and scare my new dads.
They carried me out and put me in a car and took me away. After a while, the car stopped and i was released from the crate. Oh, joy! Oh, freedom! Well, kind of. I was still leashed, but thats ok, I like knowing that I’m safe with my Daddy while he holds the lead. We went inside and I got to see my new home. I was still nervous and kinda scared, but my dads reassured me that I was home, and that they loved me and that I was going to live with them forever. I finally had my own home and my own family! The next day I met my Godfather, Uncle Teebie. He stays with me at my house when my dads go away, and lets me give him baths and gives me special treats whenever we see each other.
Anyway, I settled in to my new family, and my dads had a party to introduce me to my new Grandma and some of their/our friends. My dads love to cook, and I love to eat, so I was looking forward to this. My dad Mark put a platter of Prosciutto wrapped melon on the coffee table, and then went back into the kitchen with Grandma and daddy Michael. Well, I couldn’t pass this up, and promptly started eating the ham and leaving the melon (I don’t like melon). Daddy Mark came out of the kitchen and caught me on the table, just finishing the last piece of ham. I jumped off the table just as he started to clap! I thought he was clapping for my cleverness at figuring out that the ham was for me, but I learned later that it was to let me know that I wasn’t supposed to be on the table. Oops! That’s when I knew that they really loved me, because they didn’t hit me, or yell at me, they just let me know that I wasn’t to be on the table, especially when there is food on it! Now I’m a Good Boy, and when there is food out or they are eating, I stay on the floor and don’t beg, either.
When I meet a new friend, they tell them about ‘The Prosciutto incident’, and we all laugh. I don’t mind though, because I get bones and the occasional piece of steak, as well as the best food for me. I also have lots of toys to play with and a couch with pillows to curl up on, and I get to sleep under the covers with my daddies every night! I’ve had my new Daddies and my Uncle Teebie for three years now, and we’re in our second house. This one is smaller, but Daddies tell me it’s only until we find one to buy, one that has lots of room for me, and maybe a brother or sister! I’m such a lucky dog! I only wish every dog could have a family like mine, to love and protect.
Yours truly,
Scruffers