Just The Facts

She stopped the squad car on the
highway shoulder. The small white
bundle of fur wagged its tail and
she scooped it onto the passenger seat
informing the unfazed little animal
that he was her gift, an appeasement
offering for the little old look-alike
that broke her heart, an incurable
wanderer who has never come 
back, lost forever. Her five-year-old
would have faith in her mother
restored, and she would herself
regain a warm cuddly dependent.
It was clear the sweet creature
sitting trustfully beside her had no
objections. As an officer of the law
she had ruled; love begets trust
and trust engages love. So be it.
No harm done. And everyone gains.
With the possible exception of a
young woman returning home 
for the holidays in a school break
from her studies, anxious to be
reunited with her companion dog
who had ventured out in search
of the very soul yearning for him.