Dondi got a puppy. This was the deal: Walt has a buddy on the job whose Boxer had an unexpected litter, so one day Walt follows the guy home and picks out this little fella, who Walt and Dondi name Pug. Pug the Boxer.
Dondi is dog crazy, but she hasn’t had a pet of any kind since the day they stacked their New Jersey belongings on the roof of their old Packard and hit the road for destinations west.
Dondi loves Pug with her whole soul, and as he grows into his first year, Pug quickly becomes her best friend — which is lucky because he’s also her only friend. Dondi likes to whisper all of her secrets into the smooth fur of Pug’s side, as he stretches out on the rag rug by the front door.
Pug is a lifeline that provides the certainty missing from the previous handful of nomadic years, but it doesn’t last.
One day Dondi comes home from school and there’s no Pug. The night before, Walt was playing with Pug when Pug snapped and bit Walt, and that was that — Walt packed Pug up and shipped him back to the buddy at work.
Dondi is devastated and blames Walt’s frenetic wrestling and not her dear dog. Dondi cries buckets for days and days, but Walt doesn’t skip a beat, because Walt never skips a beat.
dgm says
May 27, 2009 at 8:55 amPlease tell me Pug escapes and finds his way back to Dondi.
Grandma J says
May 27, 2009 at 9:17 amDamn that Walt! I hope Dondi gets Pug back.
corrie says
May 27, 2009 at 9:35 amPoor Dondi! What’s with Walt? i didn’t think he would be so unforgiving… especially for a puppy!
P.S. Young-girl Dondi and our own Bossy look so much alike in this photo!
aj says
May 27, 2009 at 9:37 amWalt is turning into a horrible person. Poor Dondi. Poor Pug. What a rotten thing to do.
Rosie says
May 27, 2009 at 9:51 amWhat a bum deal!!
Amy in NJ says
May 27, 2009 at 11:15 amPoor Dondi!
Momo Fali says
May 27, 2009 at 11:26 amUgh. The pain and heartache! Poor Dondi!
Caroline says
May 27, 2009 at 1:56 pmNooooooooo, Walt, noooooooo!
Damn frenetic wrestling. MENS! Grrrrrr.
foolery says
May 27, 2009 at 2:06 pmNo winners here, so sad.
Aside: was Dondi playing the part of Brigitta on that day? Because she looks just like You. Know. Who. (and they’re both so lucky for it). : )
Michele P says
May 27, 2009 at 2:27 pmSO sad! Same thing happened to my siblings and I as a kid. We lived for our dog Tania but she ate the wooden railing on our deck and she was gone when we got home from school. Awful!!
Fabs says
May 27, 2009 at 2:41 pmThat breaks my heart.
dalgal says
May 27, 2009 at 3:13 pmMy GOD! That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard! Can Dondi catch a BREAK already?
Deb on the Rocks says
May 27, 2009 at 4:15 pmI love your Family Tree. Love it.
Tami Wyatt says
May 27, 2009 at 5:55 pmMean ol Walt. I don’t think I like him.
cynthiagirl says
May 27, 2009 at 6:53 pmNO! This is a terrible chapter in Bossy’s family history. Dondi sure is a pretty girl, though. Although unfortunately that’s almost never of any comfort when things go badly, is it?
Chicky Chicky Baby says
May 27, 2009 at 8:32 pmDondi was right.
Dammit. Now I’m all weepy for Dondi and Pug.
Fer chrissake.
JK says
May 27, 2009 at 10:03 pmPlease don’t tell Mr. Lootiatoo this story….too scary!
Cupcake Murphy says
May 27, 2009 at 10:33 pmNothing worse than losing a dog. Its just a different kind of grief. Poor Dondi.
Happily Employed Susan says
May 28, 2009 at 12:06 amI’ve got a deaf, flatulent boxer for Dondi, I’m pushing her into my time machine now.
teri says
May 28, 2009 at 8:29 amand so the therapy sessions begin….
janny226 says
May 28, 2009 at 9:56 amI can’t take it!!!
Matilda says
May 28, 2009 at 12:22 pmWait, there’s snow. I thought they were living in Amarillo. Does it snow like that in Amarillo? There’s nothing really good to say about Amarillo is there?
Ginny says
June 1, 2009 at 10:50 amStupid Walt…
Erica (A Yankee in Jawja) says
February 2, 2010 at 9:25 pmPlease continue with the “Family Album with a Twist.” I miss the entries. :(((