Approaching Zero

Many years ago I received a Beagle puppy for my birthday. I was divorced, living alone, and my sister and girlfriend conspired to decide I needed a room mate. They both taught kindergarten at the same school, and one of the teachers there had a side business breeding and selling registered 13” Beagles. This puppy became “the one” when the breeder brought a litter to the school to play with the kids. He approched my girlfriend shyly while the others engaged in pure puppy chaos. Next thing I know, she’s walking up to my door with a bundle in her arms, registration papers, water bowl, food bowl, and a bag of dog food. She held him out, and said, “his name is Charlie”. A look of horror crossed her face and she began to apologize for presuming to name my dog. I told her not to worry, that we’d see how it went. If his name was Charlie, he’d let us know. He was a Charlie. I miss him with all my heart. He was the best gift I ever received.