Right at the entrance of the underground station, near the “M” sign, a woman was selling puppies. A cardboard sign displayed their breed and price, along with a note saying “looking for loving homes.” In the days before online marketplaces, this is how it was done.
While dashing into the underground, I briefly caught sight of three adorable floppy-eared faces peering out of a basket.
Four hours later, I was on my way home, emerging from the station, and saw the same woman but with only one puppy left. It seemed she had managed to sell two.
I approached to take a look, even though I wasn’t planning on buying a puppy.
Standing beside the woman was a young boy, around 12 years old, clutching some crumpled notes. Next to him stood a man in dark glasses, wearing a sharp suit and an expensive watch. He seemed to be in a hurry.
“I’ll give you more than he will,” the man said to the puppy’s owner, nodding towards the boy. “Twice as much. It’s for my child. I forgot the gift…”
I realized both were interested in the puppy, and if it were a bidding war, the man would definitely take it home.
The boy rummaged through his pockets, pulling out everything he had, mostly small change, and said, “I broke open my piggy bank. This is all I have. My parents said they couldn’t help with money. I even borrowed from friends. This is everything…”
The seller looked at the man in glasses and said, “I’m sorry, but I will give the puppy to the boy. It’s important to me that it goes to a good home. I can see he will truly love the puppy. He’s ready to give everything he has for it today…”
She handed the puppy over to an absolutely delighted young boy. He gently held it, almost trembling with care, as if afraid to hurt it, while the puppy shivered, likely from fear or stress. Happiness can be stressful, too.
“Oh, the money! The money!” The boy hurriedly tried to offer it, hugging his new companion with one arm while reaching into his pocket with the other. “Keep your money,” she said. “Use it to buy everything your puppy needs—good food, a nice lead…”
“Really? You’re sure? You won’t take it?” The boy was nearly in tears. He tucked the puppy inside his jacket to keep it warm, and it was clear they even looked a bit alike.
“I won’t. Take care of each other,” the woman smiled and waved them goodbye.
“That was wonderful of you not to take his money,” I said, observing the scene.
“I haven’t taken any money from anyone,” the woman replied. “I list prices just to see if someone is genuinely prepared to spend on a dog, if they have the means for it.”
“I’m leaving this town for good, and I can’t bear the thought of my beloved dog’s puppies ending up on the streets with owners who realize too late that they’re not ready for the responsibility. I’ve given them to those who won’t… betray them.”
