Dobermann Charlie was not coming back after Christmas.
Mum knew that.
She just couldn’t bring herself to tell her toddler, Tina.
The tiny two year old has never known life without their family dog.
She crushed his head in a hug,
Covered his snout in kisses,
Tickled his tummy when he rolled over,
Stood on his paw while playing dress-up in mum’s shoes.
Dobermann Charlie let Tina do whatever she wanted without a whimper.
At night, he lay by her cot as she slept.
Always watchful.
When out and about, he switched to ferocious guard dog
if it looked like Tina was in danger.
Once, the dog caught a frisbee and mashed it between his teeth.
Stopped the flying object before it hit Tina.
But, Dobermann Charlie got sick.
He never recovered.
Dad said, ‘It’s just as well.
Keeping a dog is expensive.
When they get ill, your bank account empties.’
Christmas night.
With Tina in bed, fast asleep,
strong discussions between mum and dad began.
Two hours later, dad finally agreed that
if they gave up Friday nights at the pub,
they could save on baby sitter costs, and
paying the obligatory two rounds of drinks for their friends - parasites.
That alone will cover food for the dog and contribute to vet fees.
Anything else they’d work out as they went along.
So, for New Year, Mum, Dad and Tina
welcomed a puppy into the family.
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