How Margie Got Her 'Benji'

"You're right," I told the couple who'd dropped in to buy a 'friend' to entertain their daughter, who had just turned 5 years old, "Tiny ones like that one there can pass for newly-borns...and runts, in puppies, tend to be among the first ones sold. "They don't require a lot of food, they're quickly potty-trained...they're really good at learning tricks - they're playful - and they're smart, And seldom does a stronger bond exist than that between a child and dog it raises...once they've won each others' heart." "Our daughter has a favorite film," the mother would explain," about a dog she's made it clear she'd very much prefer, And being it's meant to be her friend - regardless of its price - whatever we decide to buy, it must appeal to her." "So...what breed are you looking for," I curiously implored, "if I don't have the sort you need I'll find someone who does." The father quickly filled me in, "Her favorite film is 'Benji', but we're not all that sure about the breed he actually was." "I hate to disappoint you," I reluctantly replied, "but when they made those 'Benji' films they always used...mixed-breeds, Which actually makes it easy to come up with what you want - it's looking like a look-alike is all your daughter needs." "That's correct," the couple chimed, "and something that could pass for one of Benji's siblings would quite likely do the trick." "I've got some mixed-breed rescue dogs...one's the Benji type...an' five 'll get ya' ten," I chirped, "he'll be the one you'll pick. "There's one back there that's still a pup who'd pass for Benji's clone, and, having had the shots he needed, could be sold today. I'll let you take him home with you to see what Margie thinks, and give the two a couple weeks to horse around and play. "Once they've spent some time together all of you will know if indeed they match up well and - what you'd like to do. Margie 'll need to really love him, as I'm sure she will, but you - who'll be attending to his needs, must love him too." Running the gamut fairly fast, learning cage by cage that most were either far too large, too hyper, or too old, The happy couple chose the one I knew they prob'ly would, and the tiny - very grateful - little look-alike was sold! They passed on taking trial time to check their child's response, but each of us is tickled pink with how this story ends - The small and rather straggly dog was just what Margie'd wanted, and as we'd all been hoping for...they're now the best of friends.