FLOPPY EARS - A short story written by M. E. Heed

Tread softly lest you crush my dream

It was another busy day at the dog rescue centre. Although it was packed-full with dogs needing loving homes, they took in a litter of three pups. They were abandoned in a bin on the hottest day of July, dehydrated, hungry, they had no energy to even take their small bodies to where the food dish was. Soon they had bounced back to life within weeks of help,love and care from the staff.

After three months, two of the three pups were adopted and went to loving, caring homes in the UK. The one left behind was named Floppy Ears. 

Floppy Ears was the smallest of his other two brothers. He had black patches over his eyes and body; white eyebrows; short white cute paws and when he strolled  his whole body bounced; but his ears, oh well his ears were the cutest and most comical parts of his body which moved in rhythm with his body, flapping up and down. He was a friendly and playful pup, wanting to make friends with every dog in the kennel. 

However, after Floppy Ears’ brothers left for the UK, he was sad, lonely and scared. For a long while he spent most of his time in the corner of the kennel-run feeling sorry for himself, not wanting to be friendly with other dogs. He only had in mind his brothers and those joyful times he spent with them. Days went by, the staff tried to encourage him to play but he wouldn't have it, he just sat there uninterested. 

Weeks turned into months and he saw dogs of all ages and sizes come and go. Although at times he thought he would never leave the kennel, deep down he never gave up hope. 

There were three dogs that had been there since Floppy Ears arrived. One day he plucked up courage and approached them as he felt confident and happier about himself. Despite the fact he knew them, he was still apprehensive about how they would react. 

“Hello,” came his soft and trembling voice.

“Who are you?!” snapped Bruno, the Rottweiler. 

“Ignore him, he is one of those pups found in the bin last summer. He's the runt of the litter, and no one wants him,” retorted Max, the Pedenko.

“Oh yeah, who would want such a short legged dog, not a guard dog like us, we are the cream of the cream” added the Dobermann proudly.

“But … but … I'm sure the couple who visited a little while ago, who made much fuss of me, might come back later for me,” said Floppy Ears, with certainty.

Floppy Ears wasn't wrong, later on that day the couple came back for him. On his way out, he turned round to the three impertinent, mean dogs, and said grinning with great satisfaction: “after all you didn't burst my bubble. I’m now going to a loving home and you're the ones staying behind in the kennels, so much for being the cream of the cream!!”