As I was reading this, I started to cry & then I felt a head on my leg, it was one of my "boys" (lab/collie mix) coming to check on me...they are so sensitive. Fiction or not, I agree, it's just a reminder of how many animals are in the shelters & need love. The idea of paying money for a pure bred or whatnot just eats me up...there are so many that need adopting from the shelters. Thanks for taking the time to type all of that out & for sharing.