A Christmas Story
Once upon a time there lived a charming little girl named Carla. Her best and closest friend was named Digby. He was an adorable bit of silky fluff with four legs, a wagging tail and black intelligent eyes.
Carla and Digby shared a bond without parallel. Digby was pampered to say the least and enjoyed all the comfort and care a loving owner could bestow. He slept on Carla's pillow and was bathed and brushed each week. He ate the best of dog foods and special treats.
One Christmas Eve, Digby was playing with his ball in his shaded fenced garden when a big strong hand reached over the fence and snatched him away from his happy home. Digby could see Carla calling him earnestly through the back window as the car sped away.
She did not hear his desperate barks. Carla's continual search for Digby was in vain, but she never forgot her friend and never stopped looking for him.
Digby barked and barked; he could not control himself. The man yelled at him to be quiet. Stunned by the man's gruffness, yet still true to his teachings, he lay motionless.
What had happened? Digby just did not understand. The car had travelled many miles; it seemed like a lifetime to Digby. He now could not control his body from quivering.
Finally the car stopped. Digby tried to hide under the seat, but that big hand searched him out. Two young unkempt children ran squealing and yelling to greet them. They pulled and tugged and pinched Digby. The man made it clear to the children that the dog could not come in the house.
This was their Christmas present.
The children were very rough with Digby, but delighted in their own way to have a pet.
Darkness soon covered the landscape like a shroud, enveloping everything, including Digby. He missed his home and Carla desperately. He spent a tortured tearful night, shivering from cold and hunger.
The children soon tired of their new pet and Digby was virtually left to himself. They fed him scraps in a dirty foil pan almost every day.
His beautiful silky coat was now dull and knotted and he itched all over. There was a tiny space in the back of his mind where he faithfully kept his memory of Carla.
Many months passed by and he was deeply depressed, thin and covered with fleas and sores.
One day he noticed a big fuss going on next door. People hustling about, some were sobbing and they were all dressed in black. After a few hours, all became quiet, except for a loud meowing noise. Digby decided to investigate. There on the porch of the house next door, he met Mischka. She was lonely too; abandoned through the death of her mistress.
Mischka was a master hunter and she taught Digby very well. Life was taking a change for the better, now that he had a friend and plenty to eat. Digby had more or less moved in with Mischka and they had a nice warm spot arranged on her porch.
Then it was Christmas Eve, and as they snuggled for warmth and comfort, Digby heard tiny bells ringing. He jumped up and ran to the edge of the porch. He looked upward as he heard someone calling his name. A large and jolly man in a red suit, sporting a long white beard, sitting in a sleigh that was tethered to some sparkling reindeer, magically reached down and pulled Digby into his arms.
"I'm taking you home to Carla" he pronounced, "it is her Christmas wish."
HOME TO CARLA !! WAS THIS A DREAM ??
How could he leave without Mischka ? The man understood and reached down to her. She scrambled into his arms and away they flew.
Carla was awakened by a very dirty bedraggled but elated Digby. Carla held him close and squeezed him until he could not breathe !!
The past year was now only a memory to Digby and Carla, and with Mischka they all lived happily ever after.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!
