Hi,
My name is Winston Trooper. I used to live in a pet shop store window on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens, New York. In fact, I grew up there. Every day I saw people walking by, some coming into the shop to look at the other dogs and cats. There was a lot of commotion, but it didn't really bother me any. I didn't pay attention to it. All I did was bounce around this big plastic box trying to keep myself entertained.
As the days and weeks and months passed, I noticed that all of the other dogs and cats that were there with me came and went. Someone people would take them away and another dog or cat was put on display.
No one paid much attention to me. After a while, I just sat wondering why no one would take me out to play. I knew that I was a VERY big Yorkie, (I am 12 pounds now) but I didn't know that everyone thought the other little dogs were cuter and cuddlier than I.
I didn't notice at first, but there was this fella who would stand near the store window and watch me, while on his way home. One day, he came into the shop, and asked about me. The manager grabbed me from my plastic box and took this fella and me into this room. I didn't think much of it at first, because this never happened to me before. This fella put me on his lap and I just sat there not knowing what to do. He let me walk around this room and I sniffed a bit, and then lied down. I didn't know it, but I was feeling very lonely. I let out a big sigh and then it was back into my box. A more weeks went by, but I still saw the fella walk by the window and watch me. He did this practically every day.
Finally, when I was almost 9 months old, I heard the owner say that he would have to do "something" with me. I had no idea what that meant, but I didn't think it was none too good.
For the longest time I watched other dogs walking on the street with people and saw other pups leave the shop. I became so lonely and no one would ever pet me. I thought I would spend the rest of my days there, and the ominous "something" scared me.
Then, one day, that fella came into the shop and said he "could not take it anymore, that poor guy is spending his entire puppy-hood in that box". I agreed with him but had no idea what was about to happen. The next thing I remember, I was scooped up from my box and put into this big bag. I was scared like never before. I was leaving the shop but where was I going?
When I was taken out of the bag, I saw it was that fella who had been watching me all that time. I was in his home. He gave me some great stuff to eat, much nicer than what I was used to. The bed I slept on was so soft and warm too. In a few days I felt something I had never felt before; HAPPY. I started to bounce around for no reason at all. The fella took me to a nice doctor to make sure I was OK and that there were no problems. I was sure glad I checked out fine.
This fella turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to me. He loves me so much! He feeds me the best organic foods and taught me how to walk outside on a leash, just like the dogs I used to watch. I get to run on a beach and ride in a convertible car. I sleep with my buddy every night and play every day with the old cat that lives with my buddy.
I had my first birthday on December 11, and I think I am just about the luckiest guy in the world. Santa does not have to bring me one single thing; because I got everything I ever wanted this year. My only wish for this Christmas is that there are more fellas out there like my buddy who will take a fella like me into their hearts and homes. We are in shelters, rescue homes and pet shop windows just waiting to give all the love and affection that we have.
Winston Trooper
