Puppy Called Dez. John Tovey
a few days later the examiner let me try again. The second time, I slowed down because Vicky had told me to.
‘But, Violet—’ I argued.
‘Don’t believe a word she says,’ Vicky warned. ‘She’s out to try and ruin things for you. Just do as I say, be yourself and you’ll be fine.’
And I was. At one point when I was heading into the tunnel I tripped up, but as I stumbled, I remembered what Vicky had said, stopped and took a deep breath. Then I set off again, only this time a little slower. Thankfully, the rest of the exam went fine and I passed. I even remembered to answer to my posh boy’s name – Valdez. I didn’t care what the examiner called me, so long as I didn’t put a paw wrong.
When I’d finished, I got a well-earned pat on the head. As I turned my face, I noticed something written on a piece of paper in the woman’s hand. It was the list of puppies to be re-tested and there, right underneath my name, was another – Violet. I wanted to ask her about it, but Violet refused to speak to me because Vicky had told her off over the nasty tricks she’d played.
‘I didn’t mean to get her into trouble, Vicky,’ I sighed. ‘I’m sure she was just trying to help.’
‘No, Dez,’ Vicky insisted. ‘Violet knew exactly what she was doing. There’s only one dog Violet is interested in and that’s herself. Besides,’ she added, pulling something out from behind her back. ‘Look what I found hidden in her bed.’
‘Mr Roo Roo, erm, I mean Rupert!’ I gasped.
It was my special teddy. I’d had him since I was born but I thought I’d lost him. I ran over, grabbed him from Vicky’s paws and gave him an extra-big cuddle.
‘But what was Mr Roo… I mean, Rupert, what was he doing in Violet’s bed?’
Vicky sighed. ‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Violet realised just how much you loved Rupert so she hid him from you. That’s what she’s like, Dez, can’t you see? She’s horrible!’
‘But I don’t understand. Why would she do that to me?’
‘Look, Violet wanted you to fail, but you haven’t, have you? That’s because you’re special, just like Mum said. You watch, one day you’ll outshine us all.’
‘Do you really think so?’ I asked, Rupert dangling by one arm from my mouth.
‘Yes, I do. Now, stop worrying about Violet because she’s not worth it. Instead, think about what you need to pack because we’ll be leaving in a few days.’
My stomach somersaulted with nerves. I’d completely forgotten – it was almost time to leave my puppy family and go to my new home with my new family. They’d be my puppy walkers for the next year. That night, once the others had fallen asleep, I pulled out Rupert and cuddled him. I thought no one had seen me, only I was wrong.
‘You found Mr Roo Roo?’ Mum whispered, looking down at me. ‘I thought you’d lost him. Where was he?’
But I didn’t want to get Violet into trouble, so I told a fib.
‘Vicky found him,’ I explained. Then I changed the subject because I didn’t want her to ask me any more difficult questions. ‘Do you think they’ll be nice, my puppy-walking family?’
‘Of course.’ Mum smiled. ‘They’ll be lovely! The people at Guide Dogs pick out families who love animals.’
She stooped down to give me a kiss. Her long, gravelly tongue felt warm and comforting against the soft, puppy fur on top of my head.
‘Now go to sleep,’ she said, nuzzling the side of her nose against my face.
I shut my eyes, but try as I might, I couldn’t sleep because I just couldn’t imagine life without my puppy family. The following day, I was still anxious as I packed my suitcase for the trip.
‘Do you think my new mum will love me as much as you do?’
‘Yes, because puppy walkers love all dogs, especially cute little ones like you.’
‘Even pups with big ears?’ I smirked, giving them a shake.
Mum laughed. ‘Especially pups with big ears! They love them the most.’
‘But I’ll miss it here. I’ll miss you, and Star – I’ll miss you all.’ My voice tailed off as an awful thought popped into my head. ‘What if I don’t like it? What if I don’t fit in there?’
‘Dez, have you packed Mr Roo Roo?’ Mum asked, interrupting me.
‘Shush!’ I whispered, putting a paw to my mouth. I looked over my shoulder to check no one had heard.
‘Oh, Dez!’ sighed Mum. ‘It’s okay to have a favourite teddy. All children have them, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.’
‘I know, I’ll take him. Just don’t tell the others, please!’ I begged.
I could just imagine what Violet would say if she knew.
‘Okay, and what about your favourite blankie?’
I felt the blood drain from my face.
‘What?’
‘Your special blankie, your own special snuggles.’
‘Mum!’ I sighed, rolling my eyes because she was talking to me like I was still a baby, ‘I’m a big dog now, I’ll be fine without it.’
‘Okay, but you better take it, in case of emergencies – in case you feel a little homesick.’
But I shook my head. ‘No, I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve got to be brave and strong if I want to become a guide dog. I bet guide dogs don’t have teddies and blankets.’
‘I bet they do.’ Mum smirked. ‘Here,’ she said, passing me the knitted blanket. ‘Just pop it in there,’ she added, her paw pointing towards a gap at the side of the case. ‘It won’t take up too much space.’
‘Okay,’ I whispered. ‘But promise me you won’t tell the others.’
‘I won’t,’ Mum whispered, holding up a paw, ‘guide dog promise.’
My suitcase was quite full, but it had everything I needed, including a photo of Mum and Dad. My father was already a fully qualified guide dog, but he lived and worked away with his owner so I’d never met him. But Mum had sent him photos of us all.
‘You will tell Dad that I passed my test, won’t you?’
Mum nodded.
‘And you’ll text me, promise?’
‘I promise. Now, are you sure you’ve packed everything?’ she said, checking my case over one last time. ‘Here,’ she whispered. I watched as she dug her paw beneath her back legs and rooted around for something underneath her blanket. Moments later, she’d pulled out a packet of dog treats. ‘Here’s a little something for you, but don’t tell the others, and don’t eat them all at once because they’ll make you sick.’
As I took the packet from her paw, I nuzzled into her side. I gave her a cuddle, although inside I felt scared and teary. Now my case was packed, it meant I was even closer to leaving home. I was frightened because I didn’t know when I’d see my lovely mum again.
How would I cope?
‘I love you, Dez,’ she said, wrapping her front paws around my shoulders.
I nuzzled into her and smelt her lovely thick, warm fur. It stuck out and tickled my nose and I felt the urge to sneeze, but I didn’t want Mum to let go, not ever, because I felt safe.
‘You’re