QUITE A FRIGHT

I have a friend who is a healthcare worker from Kenya. He is a well-educated, strong and savvy man with an extensive resume and an uplifting sense of humor. One day, I read him a poem I had written about a puppy. Our conversation turned to the subject of dogs. I asked him if they have pets in Kenya. He told me they only have big dogs that live exclusively outside to protect them from intruders. This tough and fearless man then told me a story that made me laugh until the tears rolled. The narrative went like this:

“When I first arrived in the United States, I was driving very carefully to one of my first assignments. I was concentrating and keeping my wits about me because in Kenya, like England, we drive on the other side of the road.

"I safely arrived at a formidable home. The lady of the house greeted me warmly and introduced me to the elderly person who needed my help. I was going about my duties when a strange looking creature darted into the room. It erratically zipped around my feet in a frenzied attack and retreat manner. I must have let out an exclamation of distress (kind of a yelp!) because the homeowner immediately appeared. She corralled the creature and approached me with it. It was a Chihuahua - something I had never seen before and I thought was a rat! From that day forward, if I ever had a minute to sit down, the creature, full of licks and love, was on my lap looking for a tummy rub.”

A gentleman, frenzied and fretting

Found himself in a frightening setting.

What he thought was a rat

Was a little dog that

Was bent on some serious petting.

Pat D'Amico of Kirkland is a frequent contributor to Northwest Prime Time