You Can’t Tell a Dog by It’s Collar
Description
A Gift Few Can Comprehend

Who is the nicest?
The story begins with Jack and Jill arguing over a young rescue Labrador that they have just adopted. They both assumed that the pup had not been named yet and it was up to them to name him.
For days, the couple had been debating the right name for their pup. Jack was keen on bestowing upon him a brave
name such as Max while Jill preferred something softer, such as Angel. The arguments seemed pointless as neither of them seemed to be willing to compromise.
Finally, on a rainy Saturday afternoon, Jack and Jill were surprised to find the active pup snoozing in a chair in the sitting room. It was then that they noticed the small ID tattoo from which, with a little additional research, they learned that the pup had already been given a name: Quincy. The couple looked at each other and sighed.
Of course, neither of them had known ahead of time that such a beautiful name had already been bestowed upon the pup.
Quincy was the perfect name – a balance of strength and softness that Jack and Jill had been arguing about for weeks.
Quincy stirred and looked up at the couple with his big brown eyes. His name was now cemented. At that moment, Jack saw the pup’s intelligence and declared Quincy was the nicest amongst.the three of them. Jill disagreed, and thus, the debate for the nicest began.
Little did Jack and Jill know that this silly debate would lead to a mystery of the greatest proportions.
The Mysterious Disappearance
Weeks had passed since the naming incident, and Quincy had settled into his new home with Jack and Jill. The couple had put their argument about who was the nicest on hold, focusing instead on their adorable Labrador retriever. Quincy had quickly become the center of their world, bringing joy and laughter into their lives.
One sunny afternoon, Jack and Jill decided to take Quincy for a walk in the nearby park. As they strolled along the winding path, Quincy’s tail wagged with excitement, his nose sniffing the air for new scents. The park was bustling with families and their pets, creating a lively atmosphere.
Suddenly, Quincy’s ears perked up, and he pulled on his leash, leading Jack and Jill towards a secluded area of the park.
They followed curiously, wondering what had caught Quincy’s attention. As they reached a small clearing, they noticed a peculiar sight.
A leather collar lay abandoned on the ground, its metal tag glinting in the sunlight. Jack bent down to examine
it, his curiosity piqued. The tag read, “Max – Beloved Companion.” Jack’s heart skipped a beat. Max was the name he had initially wanted to give Quincy.
Jill’s eyes widened with surprise. “Do you think this collar belongs to one of Quincy’s former mates?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder.
Jack nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. “It’s certainly possible. But why would someone leave it here?”
As they pondered the mystery, Quincy began to sniff around the collar, his tail wagging furiously. He seemed to be urging them to investigate further. Intrigued, Jack and Jill decided to follow Quincy’s lead.
They ventured deeper into the park, Quincy leading the way with his nose to the ground. The path grew narrower, and the trees loomed overhead, casting long shadows. The atmosphere became eerily quiet, as if the park itself held its breath, waiting for the truth to be revealed.
After what felt like an eternity, Quincy abruptly stopped in front of an old, dilapidated shed. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. Jack and Jill exchanged nervous
glances but pressed on, their determination fueled by Quincy’s unwavering confidence.
As they cautiously stepped inside, their eyes adjusted to the dim light. The shed was filled with dusty crates and forgotten belongings. But what caught their attention was a faded photograph hanging on the wall. It depicted a Labrador retriever, identical to Quincy, sitting proudly beside a man with a warm smile.
Jack’s heart skipped a beat once again. “That’s Max,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.
Jill’s eyes widened with realization. “Could this shed have belonged to Max’s owner? And why did Quincy lead us here?”
Their questions remained unanswered as a sudden noise startled them. Quincy growled, his protective instincts kicking in. They turned to see a shadowy figure emerging from the darkness, his face obscured.
“Who are you?” Jack demanded, his voice filled with a mix of fear and determination.
The figure stepped forward, revealing themselves to be an
elderly man, his eyes filled with sadness. “I am Max’s owner,” he said, his voice trembling. “I lost him some time ago, and I’ve been searching for him ever since.”
Jack and Jill exchanged glances, their hearts filled with empathy. They had stumbled upon a heart-wrenching tale of loss and longing. And in Quincy’s quest to find hismate, they had unknowingly become entangled in a mystery that would change their lives forever.
The Hidden Connection
The elderly man, whose name was Mr. Thompson, sat down on a dusty crate, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and despair. Jack and Jill exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the weight of the situation. Quincy, sensing the tension, nuzzled against Mr. Thompson’s leg, offering comfort in his own canine way.
“I think I may never see Max again,” Mr. Thompson said,
his voice choked with emotion. “He was my loyal companion, and when he disappeared, a part of me went missing too.”
Jill reached out a hand to Mr. Thompson, offering him solace. “We understand how much Max means to you,” she said softly. “But how did Quincy lead us here? Is there a connection between them?”
Mr. Thompson wiped away a tear and took a deep breath. “Max and I used to come to this park every day,” he began. “We would explore every nook and cranny, creating memories that would last a lifetime. But one day, Max vanished without a trace. I searched high and low, put up posters, and even hired a private investigator, but all my efforts were in vain.”
Jack’s curiosity piqued. “And how does Quincy fit into all of this?”
Mr. Thompson smiled, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. “You see, Max had a unique ability. He could sense when someone needed help, and he would lead them to safety. I always believed that he had a special connection with the world around him.”
Quincy barked, as if affirming Mr. Thompson’s words. Jack and Jill exchanged a look of awe, realizing the significance of Quincy’s actions.
“Quincy must have sensed Max’s presence in this park,” Jill said, her voice filled with wonder. “He led us here to reunite you with your beloved companion.”
Mr. Thompson nodded, his gratitude evident. “I can’t thank you enough for bringing me here. I had lost all hope, but now, thanks to Quincy, I have a chance to find closure.”
Determined to help Mr. Thompson, Jack and Jill began scouring the shed for any clues that might lead them to Max. They carefully examined each crate, their hands trembling with anticipation. And then, hidden beneath a pile of old newspapers, they discovered a weathered journal.
As they flipped through its pages, they realized it belonged to a stranger. It chronicled Mr. Thompson’s adventures with Max, as if from a distance, capturing their bond and the joy they shared. But towards the end, the entries grew increasingly desperate, filled with heart- wrenching pleas for Max’s return.
“This journal might hold the key to finding Max,” Jack said, his
voice filled with determination. “We need to read it carefully and see if there are any clues.”
For hours, they delved into the journal, deciphering cryptic notes and piecing together the puzzle. And then, they stumbled upon a passage that sent shivers down their spines.
“Follow the path of the setting sun, where the shadows dance and secrets are spun. There lies the answer, where Max’s journey begun.”
Jack and Jill exchanged a look of excitement. The passage seemed to be a clue, leading them to the answer they sought. With Quincy by their side, the three dog lovers set off on a new adventure, following the path of the setting sun.
As they walked, the shadows grew longer, and the air grew colder. Quincy’s tail wagged with anticipation, his nose guiding them towards an unknown destination. And then, they reached a secluded spot, where the last rays of sunlight bathed the ground in a golden glow.
There, etched into the earth, was a paw print. Quincy’s paw print. And beside it, a matching print, slightly larger. It was Max’s paw print.
Tears welled up in Mr. Thompson’s eyes as he knelt down, tracing the paw prints with his fingers. “Max,” he whispered, his voice filled with love. “You are still out here, finding ways to help others like Quincy.”
In that moment, the mystery of Max’s disappearance was solved. Max had wandered off, following his instincts to help someone in need. And now, guided by Quincy’s unwavering loyalty, he had found a way to let Mr. Thompson know he is safe.
As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the forest, Jack, Jill, and Mr. Thompson knew that their lives had been forever changed. The bond forged with each other through their shared journey would remain unbreakable, a testament to the power of love and the mysterious connections that exist between humans and their furry companions.
And so, as they made their way back to the park, Quincy leading the way, they knew that their adventure was far from over. The myster





