Mum, Im ten already, arent I? said Charlie suddenly as he came in from school.
So what? Mum looked up at him, surprised.
What do you mean, so what? Have you forgotten what you and Dad promised me Id be allowed to do when I turned ten?
Allowed? What did we promise?
You said I could get a dog.
No! Mum burst out anxiously. Anything but that! Would you like an electric scooter? The most expensive one! Butand this is the dealyou never mention a dog again.
Oh, so that’s how it is… Charlie sulked, lips puckering. And you call yourselves parents Youre always telling me how important it is to keep your word, but then you forget what you promised Fine, whatever
He shut himself in his room and didnt come out until Dad got home from work.
Dad, do you remember what you and Mum promised he began, but Dad cut him off.
Mum already rang me, and told me about your big wish. I just dont understand why youre so set on this.
Dad, Ive dreamt about having a dog for ages! You know that!
We know, we know! Youve read too many stories about boys and their dogs. Everyone wants things they cant have. Do you know how expensive pedigree dogs are?
I dont need a pedigree, Charlie insisted straightaway. Id be happy even with a stray. Even a rescued one. I read online about abandoned dogs the other day. Theyre so sad.
No! Dad interrupted. What do you mean, a stray? Why would we want one? Theyre not even good-looking! Tell you what, Charlie. Ill agree to getting a rescue dog, but only if its young and definitely a pedigree.
Does it have to be that exact? Charlie frowned.
It does! Dad glanced slyly at Mum, giving her a secret wink. Youll have to train it, look after it, maybe even enter it in dog shows. You cant train an old dog. So, if you find a young, handsome, pedigree rescue dog somewhere in town, your mother and I will think again.
Alright Charlie sighed sadly, because hed never seen a pedigree stray wandering the streets. Still, hope lingers, and he decided to try.
On Sunday, Charlie rang his friend Tom, and after lunch they started searching.
They walked nearly half the town by evening, but not a single young pedigree rescue dog turned up. There were lots of lovely dogs about, but every single one was with its owner and on a lead.
Thats it then, said Charlie, exhausted. Lets stop… I knew wed never find one
Lets go to the animal shelter next Sunday instead, Tom suggested. Theyve got pedigree dogs too sometimes, Ive read about it. We just need the address. But for now, I just want to sit down and rest.
They found a quiet bench, flopped onto it, and dreamed about rescuing a beautiful dog and training it together. After a while, feeling more hopeful, they wandered back in the direction of their street.
Suddenly, Tom grabbed Charlies sleeve and pointed.
Charlie, look.
Charlie gazed where Tom pointed and spotted a tiny, grubby-white stray puppy hobbling down the pavement in a funny little trot.
A mutt, Tom declared, then gave a low whistle.
The puppy heard and ran happily over, but stopped a couple of feet away.
He doesnt trust people, Tom said. Someone must have scared him badly.
Charlie knelt down and whistled too, gently holding out his hand. The puppy crept closer, sniffed his fingers, and when Charlie edged nearer, he didnt run awayhe just wagged his dirty little tail, a bit shyly.
Come on, Charlie, Tom said hurriedly. Why would you want that kind of dog? Youre supposed to be looking for a pedigree. A pedigree gets a fancy name. All you could call this one is Patch or something. Tom turned away and strode off.
Charlie gave the puppy a gentle scratch, then, gloomy, wandered after Tom. Honestly, hed have loved to take that scruffy pup home.
Suddenly, he heard a yelp behind him.
Charlie froze. The puppy whimpered.
Tom stopped too, glancing back and whispering, Charlie, come on! Dont look round! That dog is staring at you!
How?
Like youre his owner and youre leaving him behind. Run!
Tom ran, but Charlie couldnt move his feet. He stood there, not daring to look. Then, just as he turned to leave, someone tugged at his trouser leg by his shoe. Charlie looked downtwo earnest black eyes looked up at him.
At that moment, Charlie forgot everything else. He scooped the little dog into his arms and hugged him close. Hed already decided: if Mum and Dad refused this dog, hed run away that nightwith the pup.
But it turned out his parents had kind hearts too So the next day, when Charlie got home from school, waiting for him werent just Mum and Dad, but a clean, fluffy, joyful Patch who’d found her new family.
