Hello. Let me introduce myself. My name is Reggie and I am the luckiest and happiest dog in the world. Please read my story and find out why I am saying this.
I have been living with my “foster parents” Anthony and Susan in Toronto for a couple of weeks.
I am beginning to trust humans again. I really like Anthony because he is so kind and gentle and like Anwar he watches BBC news every day. You know I understand so much English because of all the BBC television my executed master Anwar and I watched. Anwar was a well-known journalist who wrote articles critical about the Egyptian government. The army came in the middle of the night and arrested him and then executed him. I know enough to say Egypt is not a democratic country. You shut your mouth if you are unhappy with the government and you live. You speak out and you may be killed! Is Canada a democratic country?
I hear Anthony and Susan talking about “Reggie” and adoption. I do not understand what adoption means as my understanding of human society is based on the BBC Anwar and I watched… I do not know what the word adoption means!
What I do know is that Anthony and Susan are taking so very good care of me. You know I will NEVER EVER FORGET Anwar but these people are so nice to me.
One day on our daily long walk in Sherwood Park in Toronto on the unleashed dog trail I met Fay and Bob and their dog Dillie who is a hairy Scotch dog called a West Highland Terrier. Yes I know about these white West Highland Terriers. They are from Scotland. I think the Queen of England has a big palace there called Sandringham. West Highland Terriers were pack dogs that chased foxes. They were very brave like me in the streets of Cairo.
I liked Dillie. We sniffed each other and wagged our tails. It is so nice to have a dog friend that is not fighting with you for food. And Bob shook my paw and introduced himself. How did he know Anwar taught me to shake a paw! Fay also was so nice as she patted me and massaged my cheek just like Anwar did. I like Canada. All the dogs and people are so nice and after being a street dog in Cairo this is taking me time to understand.
Anthony and Susan are “assessing me”. I am not sure what this means. They make sure I understand it is good to poo and pee outdoors which Anwar taught me but after living on the street for months my potty training has become a bit weak. But we are working on it and it is working.
They also put me in a crate when they leave the house. I am very upset about this as I never experienced this. I get very frightened with this crating as I wonder if Anthony and Susan will return and let me out of the crate or will they disappear like Anwar? But when they are not with me I am beginning to feel safe in a crate. It is like my own little home. I can’t escape but neither can I be attacked or threatened by other dogs or humans.
My tummy is feeling good with this “kibble” they feed me. I think it is chicken kibble. They tried salmon and beef kibble but that made my skin itchy. So I eat chicken kibble and I love that and I have a bowl always full of fresh, clean and cold water.
Anthony and Susan are very nice to me. They teach me new tricks. I let them hug and hold me and they say nice things to me. They do not hit me. They speak to me nicely even if I lose my temper. They take me to places where I meet many dogs and see how I am with them.
I want to stay with Anthony and Susan for the rest of my life. For the first time since I was on the streets of Cairo I feel safe and loved. Oh please as the blood of the ancient pharaohs runs in my veins I pray to them for safety and love of these wonderful people Anthony and Susan.
I now feel like Reggie a loved and cared for dog and no longer a street urchin. Is this too good to be true. In my dreams I ask Anwar am I finally safe?
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