I decided to try some creative writing. The idea for “Amaya finds a new home” came to me as I was driving to work this morning. In my lesson today I introduced my students to an amazing woman and friend, who founded HEART, an NPO rescue organization in Tokushima, Japan, that rescues, cares for and re-homes stray, abandoned, abused and neglected animals.
While I was thinking about this, the idea of writing a story from the perspective of a stray dog came to me. I didn’t plan this story out. I just started writing.
Amaya finds a new home
Hungry
I didn’t know what to do. My master wasn’t moving and I was getting hungry. I always eat at the same time every day. It was most unusual for him to forget. I tried nudging him with my nose but he didn’t react. He was so cold. Something was definitely wrong. I yelled as loud as I could, but no one came.
Despite my hunger, I tried to be patient. Master had occasionally been late with my meal before, but eventually I always got one. This time though the sun rose and then disappeared again. Darkness descended over our home and I was still hungry. Worse though, my water bowl was empty too now.
Miserably, I curled up in my bed and tried to sleep. Maybe someone would come soon?
A visitor
I heard a sound. There was someone outside the door! Happily I got to my feet and stepped towards it. Surely they would help me? The thirst was now much worse than the hunger. It was so hot too.
I recognised the human. She had visited a few times before. We hadn’t had much to do with each other, for my master had always made me go in a different room whenever this person came to visit. I don’t know why. I love people.
She stepped inside and called out my master’s name.
“He can’t answer!” I barked back impatiently, but she ignored me.
She hurried over to where my master was lying motionless, still in his bed. I heard a strange sound emanate from her mouth. It wasn’t one I recognised. She immediately withdrew one of those little metal things that humans always seem to be tapping away on. Then she started talking to it.
Before long I heard the sounds of sirens. These I knew came from a special type of large moving metal thing, bigger than the one my master had. I had seen and heard them while out walking. The noise got louder then it stopped. More people arrived. There was so much bustle. I started to get scared.
Escape
One of the strangers tried to grab me. I managed to avoid him. The door was ajar so I quickly slipped out and ran as fast as I could. I had no idea where I was going. All I knew was I needed to get out of there.
I remembered there was a place I could get water. I had seen it so many times when out walking with my master. I decided that the first thing I would do would be to go there. My throat was so dry. I couldn’t wait to feel the cool refreshing liquid in my mouth.
It was just how I imagined. I had never tasted anything better. I took many long gulps. Once my thirst was quenched, I sat beside the water, just staring at it for a moment. I could smell and see food in there, but I knew from past experience that these slippery creatures were next to impossible to catch. Believe me I had tried. My master had teased me relentlessly about it. I didn’t mind though.
I missed him.
Alone
I had wandered for a while, nibbling on grass. There were plenty of those jumpy bugs around in the warm sunshine. I had always enjoyed bounding after them on walks, trying to catch one or two. To be honest though they didn’t really taste that great. I much preferred the food my master gave me. I didn’t have much choice now though.
When it got dark I found somewhere to curl up under a big tree, with humungous roots that had made a natural den. I knew it would keep me warm and dry. I was pretty scared because I’d never slept outside before, but it seemed pointless to go home. At least here there was water nearby.
Hoshi
By the time I met Hoshi I was used to my new life outdoors. I had become an expert at foraging for food, but it never seemed enough. I knew I was lighter, but maybe it was a good thing, for I also found it a lot easier to run and forage. I could move all day and still never get tired.
Hoshi was clearly new to being outdoors. I felt sorry for him when I met him. He was walking funny and had a strange face. I could smell blood and knew he’d been injured somehow. He never told me about it, but given how scared he was of humans, I think it might have been them.
I’d heard stories out walking before. Not all masters were as kind as mine had been. Some would hurt you, others would forget to feed you, some left you tied up outside for hours and hours with nothing to do, no one to play with. I think Hoshi had been unlucky and his master had been a cruel one.
I took him under my wing. He was so young he didn’t know anything. He even refused to eat the jumpy bugs at first. I taught him the best way – swallow them as fast as possible. His paw got better and it turned out he was a really good runner. I enjoyed chasing him and letting him chase me. I taught him how to swim in the water. He loved it.
The metal thing
It was much cooler lately and we were glad. Some days had been so hot we had been unable to move from the shade of our den. Today we were running and the wind was blowing the leaves and Hoshi was chasing them. I just laughed. Then I leaped after him and he ran away, yelping in joy.
It was so fast. One minute we were playing, the next there was a horrible sound and then Hoshi was lying on the ground. He couldn’t move. I ran straight up to him and nudged him. He whimpered and I knew he was badly hurt.
The big metal thing stopped and a human got out and ran towards us. I was happy. Maybe she could help us. Hoshi was still lying on the ground, unable to move. His eyes were pleading with me to help him. I licked his shoulder. I could taste the blood.
More big metal things arrived. One of the humans took Hoshi in his arms and carried him away. I followed and jumped inside with him. My master had sometimes taken me in one of these things and so I wasn’t scared.
Alone again
We went to a place I recognised. My master had brought me here sometimes. Mostly it was fun. Occasionally they would hurt me with a little spikey sharp thing though, but afterwards I would get a yummy treat so it was always worth it.
I knew Hoshi was going cold like my master had done. I couldn’t believe I was going to be alone again.
As I expected, they gave me one of the yummy things. I didn’t really feel much like eating it though. I was sad about Hoshi. It was my fault. If only I hadn’t chased him. He didn’t know about those big dangerous metal things. I should have told him to stay away from the place where they ran up and down.
They wouldn’t let me leave. I tried, but it was no use. I was exhausted. I decided to just rest and try and work out what to do the next day.
A new friend
After the sun went down, I was surprised because the kind man who used to give me treats after the sore poky thing, came and played with me for a bit. I liked and trusted him. So I licked his hand and he tickled my belly, making me yelp with happiness.
That night I went to sleep curled up on something soft. I had almost forgotten what it was like not to be on the scratchy ground. I had water and food, it wasn’t too hot and it wasn’t too cold. It was perfect.
When the sun came up the nice man came back, gave me some food and then took me outside. It was so much fun running around, smelling all the new smells. I didn’t catch one single jumpy bug either! My tummy was full.
Amaya’s new home
That day once it got dark, the man didn’t leave me. This time he took me with him. I was so happy to go I licked him everywhere I could. Unlike my old master, he lived with other humans too. There was a woman and two little ones. They played with me so much. They chased me and threw things for me to go and get. I loved this new place.
I had a comfortable soft bed to sleep in, lots of water and a whole bowl of food. I hadn’t been this happy since I had lived with my old master. I still missed him, but I really liked my new home. I went to sleep that night feeling like the luckiest dog in the world. I just wished Hoshi could have come too.
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