A dog (Lucky path)

The sun beats down on the bustling streets of St. Louis, and the air is thick with the smell of exhaust fumes and sweat. As I step out of my apartment building and into the chaos, I feel a pang of loneliness. I'm still getting used to my new life in St. Louis, and I don't know anyone yet.

As I walk down the street, a small, white dog sitting on the sidewalk catches my eye. It's dirty and skinny, and it looks so lost and alone. My heart goes out to it, and I can't help but stop and crouch down next to the dog. "Hey there, buddy," I say softly. "What's your name?"

The dog looks up at me with big, sad eyes. It doesn't have a collar, and it doesn't seem to be owned by anyone. I wonder how long it's been out here, fending for itself.

"Don't worry," I reassure it. "I'm not going to hurt you." I reach out and gently pet the dog's head. It immediately licks my hand, and I feel a sense of connection. "Come on, let's get you some food."

Realizing I don't have any food at my apartment, I head straight to the nearby convenience store with my new four-legged friend. As we walk in, the dog sniffs around, visibly excited to be in a new environment.

At the counter, I pick up some food for both of us. The friendly older clerk can't help but comment on the dog. "What a cute dog," he says. "Is he yours?"

I hesitate for a moment, then reply, "Not exactly. I just found him on the street a little while ago."

The clerk nods, understanding. "Ah, I see. Well, you're doing a good thing by taking care of him."

"Thanks," I say, feeling a sense of responsibility for the dog's wellbeing. "I just couldn't leave him there."

We chat a bit more as the clerk rings up our items. I ask him if he knows of any good vets in the area. He recommends a clinic just a few blocks away, mentioning that the vet, Dr. Harper, is a beautiful and talented woman.

After paying for the food, I take the dog outside, and we sit down on a bench to eat. The dog gobbles up his food in no time flat, and I can't help but smile. "You must have been starving," I say, petting his head.

Later that day, I take the dog to Dr. Harper's clinic. She's indeed a beautiful woman, but her kindness and gentle touch with the dog impress me even more. After a thorough examination, Dr. Harper confirms that the dog is healthy, which brings me immense relief.

As we leave the clinic, I look down at my new companion and finally settle on a name. "You know, I think I'll call you Lucky," I say, watching as his tail wags in response. "It's been quite a day for both of us."

As the sun sets on my first day with Lucky, I realize that even though I'm still getting used to my new life in St. Louis, having him by my side makes everything feel a little more like home.