PUTTING BACK THE COLOUR

Part 1

“The rainbow’s got no colour!” exclaimed Zahli, her eyes looking Heavenward. Just as the Lhasa was mulling over the whys & wherefores, a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo sitting in the Gum tree, began what some would say, was squawking. Thankfully though, Dandy the Cockatiel who used to share the house with Zahli, had taught her the bird language well. “Oh that is just terrible!” the little furball cried, her eyes becoming misty. “Something has to be done” she said, as she ran off to round up her canine friends.

“So what you’re telling us, is that the bird reckons that the sadness & loneliness in the world, has caused the colour to disappear from the rainbow” Jack uttered. “That’s it in one” answered Zahli.  “I don’t like grey!” exclaimed Amy, looking down at her bright pink carryall. “I want to see proper rainbows again” shouted Billy. “And I want something to eat!” Desmond cried.

As the pooches went in search of the missing colours, they noticed that an elderly man had been sitting on his front porch each time they passed. His eyes were always fixed on the photo that he clasped in his feeble hands. Never was a smile seen on his face. Never did he greet the passers -by. “I think this is a job for us”, Zahli said with a sigh, nudging Ginnie with her nose.

The little Lhasa & her furry friend pushed the gate open. The old man’s eyes shifted to them as they bounded up the steps. Zahli stood in front of him, looking appealingly into his weather-beaten face. “You won’t find anything here! Away with you! Go on! Home you go!” the man snarled as he motioned towards the gate with his hand. Undeterred, Zahli & Ginnie placed a paw each, on the gentleman’s knees. Did they see some light in that man’s eyes? In one movement, Zahli jumped at him, landing squarely on his lap. Then after turning twice, she settled herself comfortably & closed her eyes. Meanwhile the Yorkie girl draped herself across the chap’s feet. Teddy, who’d been observing from the bushes, charged straight up those steps, bounced off of Ginnie & flattened Zahli! Before she could utter a bark, Teddy had sprung off her & was now draped around the back of the elderly one’s neck. A chuckle escaped from the lonely one’s mouth as a smile spread from one ear to the other. “Well I guess you’re here to stay then” exclaimed the man happily.

“This is Lily!” he said, turning the photo for them to see. “She was as sweet as apple pie” he added. The thought of hot apple pie had Zahli & Teddy drooling uncontrollably. “Ooey gooey!” cried Ginnie, who was on the receiving end. The new-found friends sat silently until the cool air began to make them shiver. “You will come again, won’t you?” asked the elderly one as the trio headed for the gate.

Over the weeks the dogs visited Joseph many times. He always treated them to bowls of water & lots of chicken. This time, as Zahli, Meg, Daisy & Dakota trotted up the steps they were greeted as usual, by Joseph. The difference was that a Scottish terrier proudly stood beside him. After witnessing the strength, courage, graciousness & lovable antics of the pack of pooches, Joseph had decided that he needed such a companion to share his life with. So when he saw the straggly Scottie (so badly in need of a loving home), in the rescue centre, he had no hesitation in adopting him. They enjoyed regular walks, always mingling with others whom they came across on their travels.

“So we have witnessed one very happy ending” Zahli said to the gathered pooches. “Oh look what’s happened” cried Meesha. They followed her gaze upwards. “The rainbow’s got a stripe of red!” she added. “Is that…..? Yes, there is a feint hint of orange next to the red” exclaimed Cheyenne, excitedly. “Our work is not finished then” declared Zahli. “And neither is my dinner” declared Dakota.