Cajun books by Lionel A. LaVergne			CLICK FOR HOMEPAGE
				RUSTY, A TRUE STORY
		Rusty by Lionel A. LaVergne  School had just let out for the year and I felt my usual jubilation.  Summers in Louisiana are hot and humid but I looked forward to spending the next three months enjoying my freedom.  That morning as I was walking I saw my friend Ferdy kneeling next to a cardboard box.  “Whatcha got?”  I asked.  “Puppies, my dog had four little puppies last night.  Aren’t they cute?” One rather tiny individual staggered up to me and began to industriously lick my hand.  I picked up the small animal and we stared at each other.  His pink tongue began washing my face in earnest and I laughed out loud, his ministrations tickled me.  “Looks like that one wants to go home with you, Lionel.”  Ferdy said.  “I wish I could take him home, I’ve always wanted a puppy, but you know I can’t.”  “Yeah, I guess so.”    “You know how mom dislikes animals, no dogs, not even in the back yard.”  I reminded Ferdy.   “How many can you keep?”  “One, if I keep one of the babies I have to give up Janie, the mom.” Hearing that made me feel very sad.  I put the puppy back down into the box and started to walk away when I heard whining and scratching noises.  I turned and saw the baby trying to get out of his prison and back to me.  Knowing it wouldn’t work but not being able to leave him behind, I grabbed the small tan dog and went back to the house.  There was no one home as my mom and dad were both working and my three siblings were all gone somewhere doing something.  I played with my puppy gave him water in one of mom’s saucers and fed him bits of cheese and meat out of the refrigerator.    I awoke to the sound of mom and dad having a rather heated conversation.    “I won’t have a dog in the yard, much less in the house, Amry.”  I heard my mom say.  “He gets to keep it, and that’s final.”  My dad said.  I did keep Rusty, as I named him, for many years.  One day I asked my dad why he had allowed me to have the dog against momma’s wishes.  We all knew mom was a very strong lady and although sweet, kind and loving, we were aware that when she made up her mind, dad never opposed her.  He answered.  “I came home before mom did.  You were asleep on the bed and the puppy was lying across your neck, curled in a ball sleeping with you.  You never ask for much and you’re a good kid.  I just didn’t have the heart to tell you that you couldn’t keep the puppy.  The two of you looked as though you had been made for each other.”  Since Rusty I’ve owned a lot of dogs or perhaps I should say they’ve owned me.  Unconditional love, that’s a puppy.