Point of View Switches
by Brooke and Rachel
by Brooke and Rachel
Limited 3rd
The dachshund sat lazily in the steel cage. There was plenty of room and plenty of toys, but nothing that appealed to him. He was well fed and well cared for. People walked in and out of the store, passing him by without a glance. It was his ninth year at the pet shop. Gray hairs were sprinkled around his eyes. He watched the clerk pace over to fill up his food dish. He was docile enough that the cage could swing wide open and he would not move. He was well cared for – even if he never got to see the outside world. The dachshund slowly got up as the cage opened. He meandered towards the food dish and the clerk left the cage completely open while she went to retrieve more water. The dog lowered his head to the dish and slowly began to eat. He waited for the clerk to close his cage once more. He heard the familiar door chime that signaled someone had come to the store. He circled the cage leisurely and then finally laid down. He paid no mind to the strangers. He knew he would never be chosen. He knew it was altogether possible that he would die in this cage. The dachshund closed his eyes, trying to escape from such dreary thoughts. However, he awoke to the sound of his cage opening. He kept his eyes closed and pondered. He wondered why the clerk was filling up his food dish again. The dachshund felt a warm hand gently graze his back. He opened his eyes. A new, unfamiliar face was smiling at him, speaking nonsense. He hoped this would be his chance. He hoped that the cage would not close. A smile came to his face. The woman picked him up and hugged him gently. The dachshund was elated. He wiggled with joy within his owners arm. He felt the leather collar around his neck and leash attached to it. The door opened and he took a deep breath. The dachshund got out of the store and was now truly happy. He knew he belonged. He knew he had a home. He knew he would not die in that cage. Observer Narrator
I couldn’t help but feel bad for the dog. He’s been here nine years now and no one will adopt him. Of course I would, but with my rising student debt, there’s no way he would have it better at my place. I do everything I can to make him happy. I give him the cleanest water, the freshest food, and the newest toys. He doesn’t seem to care, but it’s the best I can do for him. No one wants to adopt him because he’s old and not as energetic as the others. Anyway, I have to keep the shop clean and can’t devote all my time to him. The door chime jingles. I get up from my seat and welcome a couple into the store. The girl looks enthusiastic but the guy looks bored out of his mind. I tell them to look around and, as proper procedure, allow them to open the cage of any dog they are thinking about purchasing. I have to open so many cages for people, and rarely do they buy the dog they hold. A shrill, excited voice came from the woman and I figured she had chosen the newest golden retriever puppy we received. When I walked over to her my jaw dropped. She wanted to get the old dachshund! I triple checked to make sure I heard her correctly. As I opened the cage I tried to hide a tear. The dog seemed indifferent, until he realized I was not holding him. It was a challenge not to burst into tears. I gave them a collar and a leash for free. I could cover that. That old dog deserves better than this. He deserves to see the world. Unlike me. I’m stuck here working off my student loans. Sometimes I wish I had it as easy as him. He’ll be living a great life now. |
Detached Narrator
The store was filled with rows and rows of cages filled with dogs everywhere, each of the cages containing of one dog in each. All of them puppies, all but one. One of the dog, a dachshund that had grey around its eye sat in the cage in the middle of the store for the past nine years, documented on this film in the corner of the store. The young clerk sat at her register like she usually does at the front of the store by the door with adoption papers in clipboard on the desk. The boredom has taken effect on her and she sat playing on her phone. The door opened and a couple walked into the store holding hands. The female with blonde hair contained an expression of excitement giving her boyfriend a baby- eyed look as if that was her adorable way of getting her way. The male he seemed quite unwilling and annoyed keeping a tense and stern face as if his striking looks has been chiseled on a block of stone. He took one of the adoption papers off of the counter and began to fill it out. The girl left him and began to wander down the rows of cages, she moved at a slow and steady pace stopping occasionally at some of the cages. The girl said something and turned around looking to her boyfriend but he seemed to pay her no mind. She continued through the rows of the cages looking dissatisfied as she could not find a dog she wanted. She started to come closer to where the old dog sat and when she saw him she stopped in her tracks, the expression had changed filled with happiness and love she opened the cage and picked the dog up. He seemed uncertain, but soften as she begun to stroke him. Out of her pocket she placed a collar on him attaching a leash and happily skipped walked out of the store. Limited 3rd
She could hardly contain her excitement. She wiggled and squealed in her seat as they were driving down to the pound. She would hear an occasional sigh coming from her boyfriend and she would be reminded of how annoyed he was about this, but he did agreed. She was finally able to convince her boyfriend after a continuous battle of whining and pleading to go and buy a dog. He would always say no from time to time complaining about the work that was required in taking care of a dog such as: feeding, cleaning, walking, and etc. When he finally caved in she was overjoyed she spent that night telling him about all the pet things she saved and he would reply, “Whatever makes you happy babe,” she knew he wasn’t pleased by his dull tone, but he was going to see how amazing it would be to own and care for a dog, like who could resist their cute faces? She finally arrived to the parking lot of the store, and she busted out a squeal and was happily clapping her hands. Grabbing her boyfriend’s hand she half- skipped half- walked to the store. There was rows and rows of cages filled with dogs everywhere, she slowly began to walk by each of their cages containing of one dog in each. “Oh so cute! Aren’t they all cute! How am I supposed to pick one dog?” she looked to her boyfriend waiting for his response but he said nothing, seeing he wasn’t paying any attention to her but to the adoption forms he held in his hands she continued row by row, cage by cage. She started to grow tired of walking by all the puppies seeing no difference in them to really stand out, as if they were saying “pick me, pick me,” but then there he was. She gasped as she saw him, a dachshund with grey around his eyes, not even a puppy. Sitting alone in his cage surrounded by all these puppies, she walked forward and opened the cage picking him up and stroking him, she decided he was the one. She placed a new collar around him and attached a leash and it was official, the dog would be hers and she happily walked him out of the store. |