While getting a manicure I overheard another woman bragging about how she had solved the problem of the unwanted gift of an American Eskimo puppy. Her solution was to abandon her at a groomer. I asked her where. She told me and helpfully added that she didn't care what happened to "it". Later that night I telephoned the groomer. Eager to unburden herself, she told me to drive over, which I did, but the shop was locked and the puppy stood forlorn in a garbage strewn yard. I burst into tears. It was snowing. The puppy pushed her little front right paw through the chain link. Throwing off my wool coat, I climbed the fence and dropped into the yard. The puppy cowered (and peed) but let me pet her. I scooped her into my arms and climbed the fence to the other side. (It wasn't easy.) Gathering her into my warm car, I dialed the Franklin Lakes NJ Police from my cell and said that I had just stolen an abandoned puppy and if anyone wanted to press charges, here's my number. The dazzled dispatcher seemed baffled. Who admits to that? But she took my number and, no surprise, 12 years later, no one has ever called to complain.

Laura Wyckoff, New Jersey