‘Winter’s just around the corner and this will keep you warm at night,’ I barked.
Boris looked at the blanket in amazement. ‘But that’s yours. Javier gave you that, don’t you want it to remember him by?’
‘I want you to have it as something to remember me and our friendship by,’ I woofed truthfully. ‘It’s time for a new start, for all of us.’
I pressed my body against the sheet of cold, clear glass that separated me from the outside world and watched the comings and goings of the shelter. For the past two hours, I had carefully observed every car that had pulled up outside in the pouring rain, my fur standing on end in excitement as I waited expectantly for Gail.
Kelly told me yesterday that she had visited Gail’s family and thought their home would be perfect for me. Since then I had been unable to stop thinking about my new family and had spent most of the night curled up in bed feeling excited one minute and anxious the next about my new life.
Now, as I watched a woman that definitely was not Gail get out of a red sports car, my heart banged against my chest in fear. Where was she? What if Gail had changed her mind? What if she no longer wanted me after all? I let out a growl of anxiety, waking Boris from his slumber.
‘They’ll be here, stop getting so excited,’ he barked sleepily.
‘But what if they don’t come?’ I asked in panic.
‘What would happen between yesterday and today to make them decide they don’t want you any more?’ Boris asked sensibly. ‘Now settle down so you’re all nice and relaxed when they come to get you.’
I knew Boris was right, so reluctantly I returned to my bed, shut my eyes and tried to focus on anything else apart from going to a new home. But every time I tried to distract myself by thinking about my favourite things like chewing tennis balls or eating cheese, I imagined what it would be like if it was Gail throwing me a ball, or Gail feeding me treats. It was no good, my mind was in overdrive, and lying still was unhelpful. I got up from my basket, scampered back to the window and pressed my face against the glass – at least this way I felt I was doing something.
Suddenly, a silver car pulled up outside the front of the shelter and a middle-aged man wearing a green parka and jeans got out of the passenger side. Aside from his salt and pepper hair, I could just make out what looked like a pair of kind chocolatey eyes as he quickly walked to the rear car door and opened it. As the door swung open, a small girl, with pale skin and long dark brown hair that hung to her waist, clambered out, holding on to the man for support. Peering down, I saw she was the spitting image of Gail and held my breath. Was it them? Had my family come for me? I shuffled my paws in eagerness, my claws tapping on the cool ground as I waited for the driver to reveal themselves.
I did not have to wait long, as the door opened and a woman with soft, wavy brown air emerged – Gail.
‘They’re here, they’re here,’ I yapped, shuffling my paws even faster against the ground as I drank in my new family. One thing was certain, they looked happy to be here. The little girl, Jenny, was smiling and chattering away excitedly as she looked around at the shelter, while Simon looked animated and engrossed in everything his daughter was saying. As for Gail, she looked lovelier than ever, dressed simply in jeans and boots, and her now-familiar red-wool coat, buttoned to the neck. She put her arm around her daughter, smiling broadly, and kissed her hair. Gail then raised her head from Jenny’s and lifted her face to meet mine. Catching sight of me at the window, she waved and smiled, then nudged Jenny and Simon. They followed her gaze and, when they realised it was me, Jenny did the same as her mother, and I jumped up and down, wanting to give them my own version of a wave.
Watching them hurry through the rain towards the door to come and get me, my heart swelled with affection for this lovely new family that were going to be all mine.
‘Told you they’d come,’ Boris said sleepily. ‘You worry too much, Percy.’
‘I wasn’t worried,’ I barked, scampering my way back to the window that separated us.
‘Course you weren’t,’ Boris teased as I scampered around my room checking I had all my belongings together.
Hearing the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor, I hurried towards the door waiting for it to open. Within seconds, I heard the familiar squeak of the hinges against the door jamb, and then Kelly’s smiling face appeared.
‘Look who I’ve brought to see you.’ She walked towards me, grinning, and picked me up in her familiar way for a cuddle.
Holding me tightly in her arms, I caught the scent of her floral perfume as she turned me around to greet the family standing in the doorway. My eyes jumped from one face to the next and I didn’t know which one to lick or bark at first. Thankfully Jenny made the decision for me as she rushed across the floor towards me.
‘Mum, he’s so handsome,’ Jenny cooed, raising her hand to pat my head, before hesitating. ‘Is it okay?’ she asked Kelly, clearly not wanting to take anything for granted.
‘Of course it is,’ Kelly replied. ‘Our Percy loves a good stroke, don’t you, boy?’
‘Absolutely,’ I barked encouragingly, craning my head upwards to meet Jenny’s palm.
As she affectionately placed her fingers on my head and ruffled my ears, I raised my big brown eyes to meet her smaller blue ones. Just like her mother, love and warmth radiated from every inch of her, and as she beamed at me, I hoped we would be the best of friends.
‘Come on then, Jen, don’t hog Percy all to yourself, I want to say “hello” to my new mate,’ Simon said, appearing at Jenny’s side.
Just like his daughter, he had a welcoming, warm way about him, but his eyes had a spark of hesitation in them. I wondered if Simon was shy and, wanting to say hello, I pushed my face into his warm, calloused hand and let him tickle my neck.
‘Welcome to the family, Percy,’ Simon whispered. ‘It’s about time I had another man in the house – these women are always ganging up on me, so us fellas have to stick together.’
‘You can rely on me,’ I barked earnestly, as I pulled my snout away. Looking happily up at him, my heart lurched with joy, as a familiar face appeared at his side. With her beautiful chestnut mane and happy grin, I knew I was where I belonged.
‘Hello, you,’ she whispered. ‘I’ve been so excited about bringing you home today I haven’t stopped talking about you.’
I nuzzled against her, and remembered the simple pleasure of her warm fingers against my fur. I barked appreciatively. Gail was everything I remembered her to be.
‘He’s all yours now,’ Kelly said gently, as she stroked the top of my head and kissed my fur. ‘Let’s get him downstairs for a last check-up, and then you can take him home.’
Kelly placed me in Gail’s warm arms and I felt my brown eyes moisten as I glanced up at Kelly. She had been my lifeline here and I would never forget the care and kindness she had shown me.
‘Thank you,’ I yapped at her quietly.
‘You’re welcome, Percy.’ Kelly smiled, her eyes meeting mine as she kissed my black fur one final time.
Safely stowed in Gail’s arms, I gave my room one final glance. Catching sight of Boris, who was looking at me with joy in his eyes, I barked my goodbyes.
‘Take care of yourself,’ I told him. ‘Stay strong, and remember your family are coming for you.’
‘I will, Percy, and you,’ Boris barked in reply. ‘Keep in touch.’
Outside,