Puppy Called Dez. John Tovey
‘Okay, I’ll try.’
Mum licked the side of my head.
‘Now try and get some sleep because it’s a big day tomorrow.’
Before I went to bed, I popped my head out of the front of the puppy pen and called Star’s name.
‘I guess this is goodbye then,’ I mumbled sadly.
Her head bobbed out to face me.
‘Why, do you leave tomorrow?’
‘Yep.’
‘And how do you feel about it?’
I shrugged my shoulders. ‘Dunno, I’m a bit scared, I suppose,’ I said, gazing glumly at the ground.
‘But your puppy walkers, you’ve met them already, haven’t you?’
I nodded my head. Niki, her husband Jon and their three children had already been in to say ‘hello’.
‘Yes, they seem really, really nice.’
‘So, what are you worried about then? You’ll be fine. Besides, it’s only a year before you’ll be back in training and I bet it passes like that,’ she said with a click of her claws.
‘Do you really think so?’
‘I know so, Dez. And don’t forget, I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back because I’m going to be a brilliant guide dog, just like you.’
‘Yeah,’ I said, brightening up a little. ‘So this isn’t really goodbye then, is it?’
Star shook her head. ‘No, not at all! Listen, I’d wish you luck, but you won’t need it because you’re going to be brilliant.’
‘Thanks, Star, and I promise I’ll text you when I get there.’
‘You better, Dezzy boy, otherwise I’ll come looking for you!’ she cried, pretending to growl.
‘Night, night, then.’ I yawned.
I lifted up my paw and we inched up to the side of our pens, enough that our paw pads were touching.
‘I’m gonna miss you,’ I said, the words choking in my throat.
‘Me too. But Dez…’ she murmured.
‘What?’
‘Thank you for being my best friend.’
I grinned as a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling melted inside my stomach.
‘No, thank you, Star! You’re right, you know. This isn’t goodbye, it’s just so long for now.’
The following morning, my sisters and brothers lined up, as one by one, we all took it in turns to say farewell to Mum. I tried to be brave but I’d already started to sob before I reached the front of the line. Mum hugged me so tight that I thought she’d never let go – and I didn’t want her to. After I’d dried my tears, it was time to say goodbye to each other.
‘Take care, mate,’ said Vesper, picking up his suitcase, fist bumping my paw as he passed.
‘You too, Vesp! And I’ll see you soon, when we come back for guide-dog training,’ I called.
Vesper smiled and nodded back at me.
‘You betcha!’
‘Take it easy, Vinnie,’ I said, stepping forward to try and hug him.
‘I don’t feel very well,’ Vinnie complained, backing away from me warily. He held a tissue to his nose and gave it an enormous snotty blow.
‘You’ll be fine,’ I said, trying to reassure him.
‘But I feel sick already, and I haven’t even got in the car yet!’ He panicked and turned towards Mum. ‘Did you pack my travel sickness tablets?’
‘Yes, Vinnie!’ Mum snapped, a little impatient. ‘Now, hurry up. Go and join Vesper because you don’t want to be late, do you?’
Vinnie nodded as I went back in for a big hug.
‘No, no, don’t get too close! I don’t want to catch any of your bugs. By the way, you are up to date with your inoculations, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, Vinnie,’ I grinned, grabbing hold of his shoulders before he could object.
‘Ooh, not too hard! Please don’t hug me too hard because it hurts. I think I’ve bruised a rib or something.’
I tried not to laugh because he never changed. Vinnie was a moaner, but I knew I’d miss him. Moments later, another figure appeared – it was Vicky.
‘Oh, Dez, what am I going to do without you?’ she said, beginning to sob. ‘I’ll miss you so much!’
‘Hey, don’t worry about me, just take care of yourself, that’s what you told me! Remember?’
Vicky stepped forward and hugged me so hard, I thought she’d break my ribs.
‘Ooh, not too tight!’ I gasped.
Vicky wiped her tears and began to giggle.
‘Don’t,’ she sniggered, ‘you sound just like Vinnie!’
‘I know, but that’s quite a strong hug you’ve got there.’
We both stood for a moment, neither of us knowing what to say. Out of all my family, besides Mum, I knew I’d miss Vicky the most. Finally, after what seemed ages, my voice broke the silence.
‘Thanks, Vicky.’
She looked puzzled. ‘What for?’
‘Thanks for everything. You know, helping me pass the test and everything.’
But Vicky waved her paw in the air as though it were nothing.
‘Don’t be daft, you passed it yourself, Dez. You just needed to believe in yourself, that’s all.’
I looked at the ground, because we both knew it was untrue. Without Vicky, there was no way I would have got through it.
‘I’m so lucky to have a big sister like you.’
‘Nonsense!’ she said, giving me a playful push. ‘Now promise me you’ll text and let me know you got there okay? You’ve got my mobile number, haven’t you?’
At this I nodded. I was just about to reply when Violet zoomed into view.
‘What mobile number? I haven’t got your number,’ she said, both paws resting on her hips. She turned to Vicky, waiting for an answer.
‘That,’ said Vicky, poking Violet hard in the chest, ‘is because I. Don’t. Want. You. To. Have. It.’ She said each word with a prod of her paws.
‘Why, are you frightened I’ll do better than you, or summat?’ Violet sneered.
I stood in the middle, not knowing quite what to do. Of course I hated seeing my sisters argue, but once they’d started I knew there was no stopping them.
‘And I found Dez’s teddy hidden in your bed! Why did you steal it?’ Vicky argued back.
‘Because teddies are for babies and he isn’t a baby anymore.’ Violet sniffed, looking back at me. ‘He’s supposed to be a guide dog, but that’s a joke because he’s nothing but a big, fat embarrassment.’
‘Violet!’
Mum’s voice came out really loud and it startled us all. It also stopped the argument stone-dead. She turned to Violet and ordered her to pick up her bag and leave.
‘I sincerely hope that they teach you some manners at your new home, young