It all started in Avenue Boyacá. I was with the man that had taken care of me since the last time I saw my mom. My mom was the most beautiful maltese I had ever seen, but I’m sure that if I’d seen every single one on this planet, she would still outshine them all. She had her eyes like the purest honey that anyone could ever see.  Her beautiful hair shined with light, and whenever she saw anyone, a smile formed upon her face.

            My dad’s another story. I never really met him, but my mom mentioned him a couple of times; The first time they met, how they fell in love, but then left, blah blah blah… I never found him much interesting. He was just a simple, white poodle. Plus, he never even tried to know who I was.

            According to the dog that was with me, another crossbreed of poodle and maltese, the man who had taken care of us, would kill you if he didn’t sell you. I didn’t really believe him, but it always wondered my mind. So the day he took us in his two arms, I was nervous as could be. I kept looking at the cars pass, too quickly for me to even see who was in them, so I could maybe just work the smile my mom told me, always lightened a heart. When some cars started to slow down, I could’ve sworn they had done it just for me. My “owner” knocked on car windows and offered me and the other dog away. Everyone seemed to ignore him, except one man in a bright yellow car.

            From all I heard, my “owner” kept saying that he would sell me for $280. But the man in the car always bounced back with, “No, I’ll give you $80 and these new designer glasses.” I was feeling the most nervous I have ever felt in my life, as my “owner” seemed to squeeze me a little more every time the other man argued back. I could see a red light suddenly go off, then a yellow one brightening up, all seeming to go in slow motion.

            “Okay! Fine! I’ll take the money and the glasses. Just take the dog,” said my not-so-anymore “owner” as he handed me to the man in the car. And at that same moment, the yellow light turned off, and a green one turned on. The car suddenly accelerated; and me, I was in the man’s lap.

            “Hey there little buddy! Aw you are so cute. My wife is probably going to love you more than she loves me! My name is Mario. What should your name be?” He said all of this as the car kept moving, which frightened me even more. He seemed to notice this, for whenever I get nervous I start wagging my tail uncontrollably. “Aw, don’t be scared. Everything’s all right. I’ll take very good care of you.  So, let me see, are you a male or female?” Mario examined my tummy. Of course I’m a female! Right?

“A beautiful girl. Huh, interesting. Now, maybe we can name you Piggy, like the pig from the Muppets who is in love with that frog… but you’re a dog, not a pig. How ‘bout Peggy? You like that name?”

I wagged my tail in approval. “Then Peggy it is” Mario said with a confidence that he knew I could understand everything he’d told me. I’m going to like this new life.