The Mystery of My Love Allie

I hate birthdays. Always have. In fact, I hate my own birthday so much that I never celebrate it. No one even knows when my birthday is except for my immediate family. My ex-wife's s mother used to hate the fact that I not only didn't celebrate my birthday but wouldn't tell her when it was.

So imagine my surprise when I opened the front door of my condo last Thursday and saw a package with a big red bow on it sitting on the step. It was early in the morning, and I hadn't even thought about the fact that it was my birthday, my fortieth no less. Then I saw the package and did a double-take.

The box had several two inch holes on the top and seemed to be fidgeting.

I lifted the lid to find the cutest Alaskan Malamute puppy you've ever seen. It was love at first sight!

I took the puppy inside, and we spent the morning getting to know each other. She was so sweet. I named her Allie, and she seemed to know instantly that it was her name.

Before too long, I really started wondering where this puppy had come from. I really couldn't imagine. I began to think that maybe it was a mistaken delivery, and it was really intended for someone else. Everyone who knew me though knew how much I loved dogs, and the dog I'd had for my whole adult life had died just after my dad passed away last year. And after all, it was my birthday.

I picked up the phone and called the one person who knew for sure it was my birthday.

"Hi, Mom."

"Eddie, what a surprise to hear from you? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Mom. I just wanted to call to say hi. How are you?"

"Well, I'm ok. My arthritis is acting up, and I miss your father terribly, but other than that, I can't complain. So why are you really calling?"

"I really just wanted to say hi. It's my birthday you know."

"Of course, I know. I'm your mother. I thought we weren't supposed to acknowledge it though." The sarcasm was thick.

"Yeah, well, I just thought you might have decided to break with tradition."

"After what happened on your 25th birthday? I won't make that mistake again."

"I'm sorry, Mom. You're right. I'd rather we not talk about my birthday. Something weird happened this morning though," I said and proceeded to tell her about the arrival of Allie, while she licked at my ankles, which tickled so much that I laughed out loud.

"That's just great, Eddie. But it had nothing to do with me. Do you have...a new girlfriend by any chance?" she asked hopefully.

"No, ma. OK, I have to go now. Good talking with you."

"I love you, dear. And happy...Thursday."

"Right, Mom. Bye."

So now what? I asked around to see if any of the neighbors had seen someone drop off the package. Joanna next door said that she thought she'd seen a delivery truck from the pet store at the mall.

I looked up their number online and gave them a quick call.

"Hi, my name is Eddie Robbins, and I found a box with an Alaskan Malamute puppy in it on my doorstep this morning. I wonder if it might have come from your store."

"Umm...hold on while I get the manager."

I was put on hold.

"Yes, sir, you were calling about the Malamute puppy?"

"Yes. Did it come from your store?"

"It did indeed. I'm happy to tell you that you are the new owner of a purebred Alaskan Malamute. Quite a valuable little puppy."

"She's really adorable, but I'm calling to see who bought it."

"Well sir, it was an anonymous gift. We were given strict instructions not to divulge the details."

"Even if I beg?"

"It's really out of my control. We hope you enjoy your puppy though."

"I'm sure I will. Thanks."

Very unsatisfying, but Allie was so playful that she took my mind off the mystery of how she'd come to me.

When I went to move the box she'd been delivered in, a small folded card fell out. It read as follows:

"I hope you like this puppy and imagine you are wondering where it came from. I'm sure you won't remember me but you showed me a great kindness last year, and I wanted to do something nice for you. Thank you, your anonymous friend."

In my work as a pediatric nurse, I come into contact with literally thousands of patients a year. It was impossible to even guess who this was from.

How this person knew what a perfect gift this was for me was beyond me. Certainly, none of my patients, nor even my co-workers, knew that it was my birthday.

My dad always used to say that the world is a mysterious place. It sure seemed to be that day. But maybe it was a day to celebrate after all.