Family gatherings were the worst for Lara, especially since her sister, Emily, began to make fun of her love life, or lack thereof. Determined to sit through her father’s birthday dinner, Lara decides to hire a boyfriend for the night. Little did she know that a romantic comedy would play out.
I love my family, but family gatherings used to be a nightmare for me. Every single time we got together, my sister Emily would find some way or the other to poke fun at my single life.
Last Thanksgiving, she took it too far and even set a place at the table for my “imaginary boyfriend,” complete with a hand-drawn face on a napkin. Everyone around the table laughed while I forced a smile.
“It’s funny, Lara!” she would say whenever I brought up the incident.
It was anything but funny.
Now, my father’s birthday is coming up, and of course, it was to be celebrated with a family dinner.
“There’s no way I can sit through another one of those events with my family,” I told my friend, Kate, when we met for coffee.
“I’m telling you now, Emily probably has something up her sleeve already,” I grumbled.
“Then just hire someone out for the night!” Kate chuckled, adding sugar to her coffee.
“Hire a man?” I exclaimed.
“Yes! My sister did it through an agency. She didn’t want to go to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding by herself, so she found the agency. Look, it’s all above board and the guys do exactly what you need them to do.”
“It’s not… sleazy?” I asked, trying to think of a better word.
“No, Lara,” she giggled. “And you know my sister. She’s so prim and proper! She wouldn’t have gone ahead with it if she didn’t think that everything was legitimate.”
Which is how I ended up hiring a date to the family gathering. I found Jake through the same agency that Kate’s sister used. He was charming, easy to talk to, and seemed to understand exactly what I needed.
We met a few times before the dinner to get our story straight, because the last thing I wanted was Emily to get wind of something fishy.
“So, the story is that we met at a mutual friend’s party, hit it off over their dog, and have been dating for three months,” Jake said, grinning. “Sounds about right.”
“Look, any story involving myself and a dog are winners,” I replied, opening our Chinese takeout for dinner.
“And I’m an architect with a passion for cooking, right?” he confirmed.
Heartbreak for Dog Surrendered to Shelter
Dog ownership is a lifetime commitment, but regrettably, a lot of people give up their animals for meaningless reasons or with no regard for what becomes of them. This terrible tale is but one instance of such callous abandonment.
Recently, a 7-year-old male canine was turned in to the Greenville, Texas, Animal Control Shelter. The cause? Because they were expecting a child, his owner thought they wouldn’t have enough time for the dog.
Having been taken from the only house he had ever known, just think of the bewilderment and grief this poor puppy must have felt. In addition to the uncertainty of not being able to find a new home, he ran the prospect of being put to death at the overcrowded shelter.
Fortunately, the Lone Star Dog Ranch & Dog Ranch Rescue intervened and covered the adoption price of $17 in order to save this adorable dog. They posted on Facebook to express their dismay and anger with the owner’s decision, unable to contain their annoyance.
In a touching article, the rescue questioned the owner’s conduct and pleaded with them to take into account the emotional toll it inflicted on the dog. Was it really so simple for them to give up a faithful friend of seven years? Were they regretful of anything while they stood in line at the shelter? These inquiries served as a sharp reminder of the effects that this kind of neglect has on defenseless creatures.
The dog, now known as Rooney, exhibited resiliency and a compassionate demeanor despite considerable bodily discomfort from the turmoil. He slowly began to acclimate to his new surroundings while he stayed in solitude and tried to come to terms with being cast aside.
Rooney needs a loving permanent home where he will be adored for the rest of his life, and Lone Star Dog Ranch & Dog Ranch Rescue is committed to finding him one. They want to put him with a family who will never desert him because they know what it is to be truly committed.
Though it pains us to think that Rooney had to endure such a horrific event, we find comfort in the knowledge that he is safe and in the capable hands of the rescue group. Let’s help Rooney find a new home where he will be accepted and loved for who he is by spreading the word about him.
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