Word Count: 1166

Contact Nancy Quinn

A Little Dog Named Shoo: A Children's Story

by Nancy Quinn  
2/07/2008 / Short Stories

Shoo was a little dog. He had brown hair, and black hair, and a white tummy. Shoo lived in a narrow alleyway in a big city. His home was a cardboard box near a restaurant doorway. Everyone seemed to know his name because everywhere he went; people called out "Shoo!" and waved their arms at him. Shoo had one unlikely friend. A gray rat named Jenkins who helped Shoo since he was a puppy. Jenkins taught Shoo to know how to find food and safe places to sleep. And most importantly, he taught Shoo how to avoid the dog catcher who drove around in a big white van.

Shoo heard a gentle scratching and opened one eye. Outside his cardboard box bedroom, Jenkins was wiggling his whiskers and scratching on his doorway (that's how a rat knocks, you know). Shoo yawned and listened as Jenkins told him they would need to hide today. Jenkins heard from Moose the Mouse that the dog catcher was in their neighborhood already.

Shoo and Jenkins lingered in the alleyway by the back door of the restaurant. There was always leftover bread and spaghetti from the night before the owner always left out for Shoo. The owner couldn't have a dog in his apartment, but Shoo almost felt like he belonged to Mr. George. Although Mr. George didn't know the little brown dog's name, he never called him Shoo and didn't seem to mind Shoo sleeping near the back doorway. Shoo sometimes wondered about the cardboard box appearing with an old blanket in it near the doorway one day, but was happy for a safe and dry place to sleep at night.

A sound startled Shoo and Jenkins in the middle of breakfast and Shoo turned his head quickly as a net came down on him. The dog catcher had him. Shoo wiggled in the net and turned his head to see Jenkins peaking from behind a garbage can. The doorway to the restaurant was empty. Oh, where was Mr. George? Shoo put his head down sadly. No rescue for Shoo. What would the pound be like? He'd only heard stories from the dogs who had somehow escaped from there.

The howling and barking of the narrow hallway filled with cages scared Shoo. He had heard Mr. George say "God bless you" to Shoo each day when Shoo was leaving, and Mr. George always prayed to God to keep Shoo safe and bless his food before he ate it. Maybe God would help Shoo. He wasn't sure how to pray, but bowed his little head and told God that he was scared, and asked if God would send Mr. George to rescue him. Shoo yawned and lay down on the corner of the cold floor. With his head between the bars, Shoo looked down the hallway and patiently waited for God to answer his prayer.

The clattering of pans meant dinnertime at the pound, and the big, gray dog in the cage beside Shoo explained that. The food was good and it was nice to have fresh water too. With a full stomach, Shoo took one last look down the hallway - just in case and then lay down to sleep. The room gradually grew quiet again and the sunlight faded from the windows. Shoo started to get lonely for his friend Jenkins, and prayed that God would keep his little friend safe tonight.

The next morning the gray dog told Shoo that sometimes people come through the big metal door at the end of the hallway to adopt you. Shoo watched the door that day. A few people came in, but only the puppies in Cage #2 got to leave that day. As dinner approached, the big metal door slowly opened. Shoo heard a familiar voice. He looked and joined in as the other dogs barked out "Adopt ME!!!!" It was Mr. George. God answered Shoo's prayer! He may not see me, thought Shoo, and began jumping up higher in the cage. Mr. George went straight to the cage. As he held Shoo's paw, he said let's go home Chester. Shoo liked his new name and wagged his tale as the dog catcher opened the door, his door to freedom and his new life.

Shoo, or now Chester, laid on the couch as Mr. George told him the story. Chester liked this story and hoped Mr. George would tell him often.

Mr. George said he had gone outside the restaurant door with more spaghetti for him when he saw the dog catcher's truck door slam shut. He ran down the alleyway, but the truck had pulled away. So Mr. George prayed for Shoo's safety and decided to rescue him. First, he had to get permission from the landlord of his apartment for a pet. The landlord liked dogs, so he agreed to let Chester come live with Mr. George.

When he called the pound that afternoon, someone by mistake said the little brown dog wasn't there. So Mr. George didn't give up and called the next day too. Sure enough, a dog fitting his description was there.

Mr. George said that God answered his prayers and kept Chester safe and helped him to find his friend again. The apartment was cozy and the couch was soft. Chester stretched out as Mr. George rubbed his tummy and he was thankful that God answered both their prayers. And as Jenkins was peeking through the apartment window and waving to Chester, he knew God kept his friend Jenkins safe too. Chester had a lot to tell Jenkins when he would get to go outside for his walk that afternoon, and he was hoping they would get spaghetti for dinner that night!

Did you know that God loves you very much too and hears your prayers? God even loved you so much that He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins. So all you have to do is pray to God the following prayer and really mean it, and Jesus will become your best friend.

Dear God, I know I am a sinner. Please forgive me. I believe that Jesus died for me on the cross and that He arose from the grave so that I can live with Him in Heaven someday. I am now trusting Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for loving me and saving me. Amen.

Shoo was never alone when he lived in the little cardboard box by the restaurant. God watched over him by sending him good friends like Jenkins and Mr. George who fed him. And God watches over you too! Even though Shoo was sometimes cold and hungry, God did not forget him. And just like Shoo got a new name and a new place to live, if you prayed the above prayer, then you are new inside. You are now a Christian! And it means you will have a new place to live someday too a wonderful place called heaven!

May God bless these words as I strive to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Please contact me if you would like to request a specific lesson that Lucy Mouse can teach your children or if you would like a coloring page to be sent to match the story!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Nancy Quinn

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer