Mum, Im already ten, arent I? I said out of the blue, just as I came back from school.
Well, yes. So what? Mum stared at me in surprise.
So what? Did you really forget what you and Dad promised me once I turned ten?
Promised? What did we promise?
You said I could get a dog.
No! Mum cried, clearly startled. Anything but that, darling! How about we buy you an electric scooter? The fanciest one we can find. But only if you never bring up the dog again.
So thats how it is I puffed my cheeks, feeling deeply betrayed. And you call yourselves my parents Always telling me to keep my word, but when you make a promise its like it just slips your mind Fine, fine.
I went straight to my room and shut the door. I stayed there, not budging, until Dad got in from work.
Dad, do you remember what you and Mum promised I began, but he cut me off.
Mums already called me, son. She told me whats on your mind! But I just dont get it. Why do you want a dog so much?
Dad, you know Ive been dreaming about having a dog for ages!
Yes, yeswe know. All those stories youve read about boys and their dogs, and here you are carrying on like a little child. You know, the dogs you want are expensive, right?
I dont want a pedigree dog! I cried. Just any dog would do, even a stray. I read online about abandoned dogs recently. They seem so sad and alone.
No! Dad interrupted. What do you mean, a stray? Why would we want one like that? Theyre not even good-looking. Ill tell you what, Oliver: if you manage to find a young, beautiful, pedigree dog thats been abandoned and is wandering the city, then perhaps your mum and I will relent. But it needs to be pedigree and young, all right? Just think about ityoull train her, take her to dog shows An old mutt cant be taught anything new now, can it?
Reallymust it be like that? I wrinkled my nose.
Yes! Dad shot Mum an amused look and gave her a quick wink. So, find a lovely abandoned pedigree puppy, and we might say yes.
Alright I sighed, feeling hopeless. After all, Id never come across an abandoned pedigree dog wandering the streets of London. Still, hope is the last thing to die, and I resolved to try.
That Sunday, I rang my mate Charlie, and after lunch, we set out on our quest.
We covered half the neighbourhood on foot til evening, but didnt spot a single abandoned pedigree dog. There were loads of lovely dogs out and about, but every one had its owner and a lead attached.
Thats it, I said when my feet hurt too much to keep going. Told youtheres just none out there
Why dont we visit the shelter next weekend? Charlie suggested, trying to cheer me up. They have pedigree dogs sometimes, Ive read about it. We just need the address. For now, though, lets just have a sit and a rest.
We found an empty bench, threw ourselves down, and started picturing ourselves bringing home a gorgeous dog from the shelter and training it together. We daydreamed a bit, caught our breath, and then wandered back towards our road.
Suddenly Charlie tugged at my sleeve, pointing up the street.
Oliver, look.
There, stumbling along the pavement, was a tiny, grimy white puppyclearly lost and alone.
Its just a mongrel, Charlie said with certainty, whistling softly.
The pup perked up at Charlies whistle, and with unsteady legs, bounced our way. But as soon as he got about a metre from us, he suddenly stopped dead.
He doesnt trust people, Charlie muttered sympathetically. Someone mustve frightened him bad.
I slowly crouched down and whistled softly too, holding out my hand. The pup sniffed the air and, when I drew close, wagged his muddy tail cautiously rather than running away.
Lets get going, mate, Charlie urged, sounding uneasy. Why would you want a dog like that, anyway? With a pedigree, you can give it a posh name. This one shed suit something like Buttonnothing fancy about her at all. Charlie turned and strode off.
I gave the scruffy pup a last gentle stroke and, with a heavy heart, shuffled after Charlie. The truth was, Id have gladly taken that little dog home with me.
Suddenly, behind us, a startled yelp rang out.
I froze in my tracks. The little puppy whimpered miserably.
Charlie stopped too, and whispered, Oliver, come on, hurry! Dont look back. The way she watches you
How?
Like youre her personand youre leaving her behind. Lets get away.
Charlie broke into a run, but my feet felt like they were rooted to the spot. When I finally managed to move, something soft tugged at the hem of my jeans.
I looked down and met a pair of earnest black eyes.
In that instant, all my doubts vanished. I bent down, scooped her up, and pressed her to my chest. My mind was made up: if Mum and Dad said no, Id run away that very eveningwith her.
As it turned out, my parents had kind hearts too. The next day, when I got home from school, it wasnt just Mum and Dad waiting for mebut a clean, snow-white, bouncing Button, too.
