What’s a Miracle?What’s a Miracle?

Adapted from Chicken SoupAdapted from Chicken Soup

One day, Bart decided To have a dog. Bart’s parents agreed to let him get a Dog from the animal shelter.

There were two dogs that Bart liked. Bart finally picked one. He named him Scruffy. Scruffy

was a small, terriertype with hair going in all directions. He was a very energetic dog, never still for asecond. He just wanted to playand run around.

Bart’s parents did not like Bart’s parents did not like Scruffy at all.Scruffy at all. He was not a good-looking dog. He was not a good-looking dog. They preferred the other pretty They preferred the other pretty dog, Lady. dog, Lady. Lady had quiet manners and Lady had quiet manners and was a handsome beagle. Since was a handsome beagle. Since his parents insisted, Bart agreed his parents insisted, Bart agreed to adopt Lady, not Scruffy.to adopt Lady, not Scruffy.

Bart held Lady all the way home. On the third day, tragedy struck. Lady quietly died in her sleep. Bart feltheartbroken. He cried and cried.

The next morning, Bart said, “Mom, Dad, I really liked the other dog, Scruffy. Can’t we go back and get him?” His parentstold him it would be too late.

“Too late? Too late forwhat?” he asked. They explained that theanimal shelter only keeps Stray dogs for three days. If they are not adopted, the shelter has to do something about it.

“Like what?” asked Bart. “They have to put them to sleep,” said his mother gently.

““There were just too There were just too Many dogs and cats in the Many dogs and cats in the city, Bart. The shelter only city, Bart. The shelter only has so little money, and so has so little money, and so few volunteers to take care few volunteers to take care of them. A veterinarian just of them. A veterinarian just puts them to sleep.”puts them to sleep.”

Bart said, “Let’s goback anyway. Maybe We can save Scruffy.”

Bart’s parents drovehim back to the shelter.They went directly tothe wire cage. It wasempty.

“Scruffy is gone,” said Bart. “Can I help you?” said a voice. “Were you looking for a dog to adopt?” she said. “Yes,” said Bart.

“I want the dog that was there, in this cage. The dog is gone. I want that dog.”

“The vet was lategetting here today because of car trouble. What you want is in that room over there.”

Bart raced through the door. In the middle of the room, on a cold steel table was Scruffy. He was strapped down. His legswere kicking. His big browneyes were wide with fear And his tongue was hanging From the side of his mouth.

Standing over him was the vet, and a needle in his hand. Bart jumped into the room.He screamed at the vet, “Stop!Stop, please,” said Bart. “I want that dog. Don’t kill him!”

Bart got his dog,and Scruffy still liveswith Bart today.

Do you knowwhat a miracle

is now?