10/16/2025
My Son Eli is ten, but he's got the gentlest heart I've ever seen. He thanks the bus driver every morning, waves at the trash guys, and carries beetles across the sidewalk so no one will step on them.
A few weeks ago, I noticed the peanut butter disappearing way faster than usual. Bread too. I figured growth spurt, right? But his lunchbox always came home spotless. Not a crumb left. Every. Single. Day.
Then one afternoon, on my walk home, I saw Eli take the long route. He stopped behind the old hardware store, knelt down, and unwrapped his sandwich. From under a dumpster, this scrawny little DOG crawled out — ribs showing, tail wagging like crazy.
Eli smiled and said, "Hey, buddy. I saved you some." Then he split his sandwich and even poured water into the wrapper. "Don't forget to hydrate," he told it. My heart just about burst.
That night, I packed him an extra sandwich, an apple, and a little jar of honey mixed with peanut butter. For his new four-legged friend.
Pretty soon, feeding that dog — Buddy, he called him — became their thing every day after school. Of course, small towns notice everything. People whispered. Kids teased him and called him Dog Boy. But Eli kept right on doing it.
Then one afternoon, I waited for Eli at that corner. He was there with Buddy when a shiny red SUV rolled up and stopped. A man in a gray suit got out fast, eyes wide, and ran straight toward them.
I was about to yell when he dropped to his knees, voice trembling.
"I can't believe this! Are you Eli? ⬇️
