SaintShidiq

It was a warm morning when someone knocked on the door. I was alone in my apartment, waiting for my cup of coffee ready. I thought it was the apartment manager who occasionally sprayed bugs and pests. Without hesitation I opened the door. It was a man, an old man, standing with his walking stick. I was startled thinking he was a homeless person begging for food and money. 

“Oh, hello.” I greeted with a smile. Even if you are scared, try to look brave — my wise words. 

“Do you see my poodle?” he said with an unclear tone. 

“Sorry, what?” apologize that my listening skill is not that good to hear casual conversation.

“Poodle. This size.” he stretched his two hands, visualizing the size of a shoe box. 

Oh, I understand, he was looking for his dog, a poodle, a small dog. 

“I’m sorry I don’t.” with a regretful face I said I didn’t. I was ashamed of thinking he was homeless who was bothering people around. “Do you have his photo?” I asked for a picture, thinking maybe I could help him find his dog. 

“I don’t.” he pulled out something from his jacket pocket. “Call me if you see it.” giving me a small piece of paper containing his name (I assumed) and phone number. 

“Sure.” I accepted the hand-written ‘card’. “I’m sorry for your dog. I’ll let you know if I see it.” I promised him. He then continued walking to the next door, knocking it, and I bet asking the tenants about his missing dog. 

The simple card he gave 

I closed the door but I could not stop thinking about him. He was an elderly, barely able to walk, had no dog pic, yet still pushing himself to find his entire love. As an animal lover, I was like him. No matter how mellow the story, if it is about a pet and its owner, I will cry a river. I don’t remember when I ever had no pets, if any. Since I was a child, I have always had cats. Now I feel how much I miss them because of my studies. I sighed and put the name card on the table, just below my cat’s photo sticking on the top drawer. If I ever lose you, I will find you just like what the man just did. I said to the photo, reassuring my love for him, my cat. The short encounter with the old man reminds me that true love crosses boundaries. We might not have much but together with someone we love, we will feel enough.