After a year living abroad I decided I needed a puppy. Walking downtown, I saw two young girls sitting on the sidewalk next to a box with a sign that read "Free Puppies" Peeking outside the box was an adorable little terrier mutt with strawberry blond hair and a pink bow. She was the runt of the litter and was so tiny she fit in my hand. I instantly fell in love, carried her home, and named her Chai. I took her all around Zanzibar. I brought her with me into malls, restaurants, and the university.  No one ever batted an eye except once when she let out a small yelp in the middle of a boring lecture. (Luckily I was one of five hundred students.)

Running out to the veterinarian one day I suddenly remembered I had a doctors appointment in five minutes. In Zanzibar it can take months to get an appointment and I certainly couldn't miss it. There was no time to take Chai home so I put her in my bag as usual and walked into the doctors office. Sitting in the waiting room were two elderly men conversing. Suddenly Chai let out a loud yelp and the men turned in my direction intrigued. As I was trying to calm the dog, one of the men walked up to me to see what was the commotion.  He introduced himself as Ombrose and asked if he could hold her. I obliged and we started chatting. I told him about Chai and that I was a student at the university and had an interest in the history of Zanzibar.  Ombrose told me he was a retired paleontologist and that his house was full of relics. He was charming and after hearing a few fascinating field stories my name was called to see the doctor. While I was gathering my belongings the nurse informed me that dogs were not allowed past the waiting room. I looked over at Ombrose and he assured me that he would take good care of Chai while I went in to see the doctor.  Normally I don't leave my dog with just anyone but Ombrose and his friend were sweet old men and they were waiting anyways because they had mistakenly gotten to the doctors an hour early.  I thanked the two men and followed the nurse.

When I came back to pay the bill Ombrose was gone but his friend was watching Chai. The friend told me more stories about Ombrose such as;  he was a world renown paleontologist, his many accomplishments, and his influential friends.   He told me Ombrose was having a small party with a few friends and colleagues from the university during the weekend and had wanted me to come and meet them. He added "You would be a fool not to keep this connection, not only will you gain a good friend but you will also be in the company of great people and make important future connections. Leave me your number, I will give it to Ombrose and he will call you with more details."  I obliged, thanked him for watching my dog, and said good bye.   As I opened the door to leave, I heard my name being called.  Ombrose rushed over to me. "Oh hello," I said.  "I was just leaving. Thank you for watching my dog. I gave my number to your friend and I would love to attend your soiree this weekend, just give me a call."  Ombrose held out a prescription he had just received and told me to read it. Strange, I thought, this must be Zanzibari culture to show people your prescriptions. I quickly glanced at the prescription and said, "That's nice"  "No, look at it," Ombrose demanded. I looked at the prescription closely and there written in bold letters was  VIAGRA 120 pills x100 mg. Ombrose flashed me a serious dashing smile, "So honey what are you doing tonight, I'm all ready now!"