This is a true story.

It was Wednesday, August 12, 2009 and I was shopping with a younger member of my family. This was two days before my vacation was to start. We were shopping because she was having a little trouble adjusting to some changes in her life and I wanted to give her a little extra attention. As we walked and talked, she asked if she could get a puppy and keep it at my house. She knew she couldn’t keep one at her house and didn’t want to face the fallout from asking for one. I asked if she had a specific dog in mind. She said no. I asked if she had specific breed in mind. She said a bluenose pitbull. In my mind, my initial reaction was no. I had never been around pitbulls, but I knew their reputation. But I also believed that no animal is born “bad.” I told her we could continue to talk about it, that I would seriously consider it, but that it would have to happen when I take another vacation. I wanted to be home with the pup to give guidance as he/she adjusted. I took my family member home and went to work and thought no more about the puppy. I went to work the next day. Last shift before my vacation. I wanted the shift to go quickly, but my anticipation made that categorically impossible. My supervisor met me at the front door. Immediately I knew something was up. He said he and I needed to have a talk. As we headed for the timeclock, my mind started racing, trying to figure out what I had done wrong. I couldn’t think of anything. He bypassed the office and went toward the back of the building. Now I was getting really confused. I had never, ever seen anyone taken out back for a talk. He motioned for me to stand next to his car as he reached in and pulled something out of the front seat. I still didn’t know what was going on. He turned around with his hands pushed out toward me. I didn’t even look at what he was holding until he said, “He’s yours, if you want him.” A bluenose pitbull puppy.

Some things are just meant to be.