Alley 1.5

While driving home from work tonight, Jeff and I saw an adorable Golden Retriever puppy out for a walk. The puppy was at that awkward long-legs, floppy-ears, unbalanced stage.

It reminded us of Alley when she was little. This, of course, reminded us of Alley's story.

We met Alley at a Quizno's sandwich shop in California. It was Thanksgiving Eve and we were stopping to have a quick sandwich before going to the grocery store to buy food to feed 20 guests the next day.

A large group of high school field hockey players was outside the restaurant crowded around a puppy. Jeff and I went into Quizno's. We ordered our sandwiches and sat down to eat. Jeff kept sneaking peaks outside at the puppy. When the sandwiches were served, Jeff ate his sandwich in about three bites and hurried outside to play with the puppy.

We had discussed getting a sister for Sassy, but only a few times. And this was the night before we were to have 20 people over for a feast. The timing couldn't have been worse, I thought.

I finally finished eating, and went outside. Jeff was engaged in a dynamic conversation with one of the Quizno's employees who was also the puppy's owner. She couldn't keep the puppy anymore because of some complicated living situation involved her sister, a boyfriend, another dog and a hotel. It was best to not ask too many questions.

Jeff was clearly in love. He couldn't stop holding the puppy. Then the Quizno girl really lays on the guilt. She says that if she can't find a new home, she'll just have to abandon the puppy in the desert. At this point, I notice that the puppy is tied to a newspaper box. Jeff says that's a sign. He doesn't believe in signs, he just really wants the puppy. I asked about the puppy's breed as I happened to glance at the sign on the Quizno's door. It read:

Free puppy to good home
1/2 Rottweiler
1/2 Chow
1/2 Wolf

This wasn't just a puppy, this was 1.5 puppy. And part wolf. How could we say no?