Ann and Harold

Shirley Conner Cogdal

Ann had a way of finding things. Whenever Daddy's car keys were missing, or Mommy's purse, or Sara's notebook, the call went up, "Get Ann—she can always find everything!" And so, it seemed, she could. The family got used to calling on Ann. Even when the neighbor's cat disappeared, Ann was called to the scene and located him in a matter of minutes.

She and her sister Sara loved animals. They had an assortment ranging from a shaggy dog and a couple of cats to a family of hamsters. Ann's mother loved animals, too, but when the litter of baby hamsters had arrived she said, "You'll have to take the litter to the pet shop when they're old enough to be weaned." Ann begged, "Mother, may I keep just one of the babies?" and her mother smiled and said, "Just one—that's all!"

Ann chose one and named him Harold. He liked to work out on the exercise wheel, and he grew into a beautiful little animal. Harold was tan and white with bright brown eyes and dainty little feet and long, soft fur. He loved being held and petted and would snuggle under Ann's chin after exploring her shoulder.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

For many years I was troubled by a disfiguring...