Disclaimers: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien does. The Sussex Spaniel and his name belong to me.

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In honor of my new Sussex Spaniel puppy. :)

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The bond between a hobbit and a dog is special. Farmer Maggot's three dogs – Grip, Wolf, and Fang – assist the farmer with his routine search, to find thieves and troublemakers in his field. Other hobbits love their dogs so much that they would do anything for them. What we are about to see is a hobbit who is in desperate need of a companion and friend.

This is his story.

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Frodo Baggins wandered through the market in Bywater, in search of foods to pick up and deliver to the Gamgee family. It wasn't for anything special, other than the aptitude for helping others, even when they didn't ask for it. He liked helping out people, almost as much as he liked staying close to his best friends.

And yet, his heart tended to stray away from dogs and focus on cats. This was all due to his troublemaking experience with being chased by Farmer Maggot's dogs. He vowed to never own a dog. That was an oath he chose not to break.

But getting back on track: Frodo approached the butcher, doing what he could to remain civil. The last thing he needed was trouble. So, why on earth was someone bringing their dog over to him?

"Milo!" Frodo retracted as Milo Burrow's dog barked at him. "Will you settle your dog down?"

"He's just showing his affection towards you. Here. Look!" Milo said, watching his Weimaraner leap onto Frodo, startling the poor hobbit. "Down boy! That's not very polite!" His dog finally leaped down from Frodo, jumping around everywhere. Frodo spits out some fur. Oh, how horrid! Milo told the gentle-hobbit, "He's very polite once you get to know him."

"Get to know him?" Frodo asked, his old fear returning to him.

"Why not? Don't you like dogs?" Milo asked, confused.

"I'd rather not have this discussion right now," Frodo said, unconvinced this was going to work out. He looked around, hoping no one else had seen this embarrassing display of doggie power. "Another time, perhaps." He looked at the butcher, who placed the meat into his basket. "Thank you."

"Now, if you're sure you won't need anything else—" The butcher asked.

"No, I'm good," Frodo said, shaking his head.

"Frodo, you look like you need to sit down for a while," Milo told the hobbit while petting his dog. "You're such a good boy!"

"I'll see you later," Frodo said, turning away and heading off to Hobbiton.

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The moment he arrived at Number 4 Bagshot Row, Frodo knocked on the front door. It opened, revealing Bell Gamgee, who was all smiles.

"Frodo, you look frazzled," Bell said. She pointed to the basket, "What's that?"

"Oh! This is for you!" Frodo passed to her the basket of meat. "I thought it would be a nice gesture. You know, no dogs to pester us!"

"Hamfast was planning on getting a dog," Bell said, taking the basket from him. "Thank you, Frodo. Would you like to come in?"

"No." Frodo shook his head. "I'd better get going. You know how Sam is, working in the garden."

"Oh, you're right! Well, take care now!" Bell said, closing the door after her. Frodo walked on, doing his best not to take in the Weimaraner scent that lurked on his clothing.

Bag End looked so lovely in the springtime. The fence and the mailbox stood out first, along with the two benches that stood above and below the estate's landscape. Stone steps led up to the porch, where the front green door lay. Next to the smial was a garden where Sam worked and tended the crops. Frodo sighed. If only he could help out, but Gaffer – Hamfast wouldn't allow it. What was wrong with working in his own garden? It didn't make sense! No sense at all!

"Good afternoon, Sam!" Frodo called out, smiling.

"Mr. Frodo!" Sam stood upright, trowel in hand. "How are you? Oh! I was going to finish that!" He said, pointing to a loose weed.

"Don't worry. I'll let you get back to work." Frodo said, climbing up the steps.

"How's your first year as Master of Bag End?" Sam asked, curious.

"It's interesting," Frodo admitted. "It'd be a lot better if I didn't have a dog in the house."

"Why? Dogs are sweet!" Sam said, cheerful.

Frodo grinned. "Yeah. Well, that's not going to happen to me." He opened the front door, stepped into the entrance hall, and closed the door.

Good! There was silence. No one to bother him…

"Bark! Bark!"

No. That high-pitched bark was nothing! Surely it wouldn't happen again.

"Bark! Bark bark bark! Awwwoooolll!"

"What was that?" Frodo opened the front door again. Sitting on the doorstep was a liver colored puppy with lop ears and a sweet complexion. No! It was a dog! The dog dropped a rolled-up parchment by his feet. Frodo picked up the slobbered parchment and unrolled it, revealing a note inside.

Dear New Owner,

This Sussex Spaniel puppy is alone and needs a home, but also a name, some food, water – all provided inside your house – and a companion to love. Treat him well and you should be fine.

Signed,

Bard

"Bard? What?" Frodo looked down at his feet. The Sussex Spaniel puppy walked right into his home. The puppy looked up again, whining and wanting a friend. Frodo couldn't stand this, but he was at a loss. Care for a puppy? He was no expert on dogs. So why would this puppy want his affection?

The puppy sat down, licking Frodo's hairy foot. Frodo laughed. "That's ticklish!" The hobbit knelt down, staring at the puppy. "All right, you can stay, but just for the week. Do you understand?"

The puppy whined, wagging his tail exuberantly.

The puppy needed a name. Frodo would have to think of something. Oh! What name could he give the puppy? The hobbit watched the puppy as he lay down, pressing his body against Frodo's foot. He was rather cute.

"Chester. That's what I'll call you. Chess for short." Frodo said, deciding that was the perfect name to call the puppy. The puppy yapped, wagging his tail again. It was a good name. Frodo stuck with it with a cheery smile. "Chester it is."

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Thanks for reading. :)