The New Dog

Lincoln crowded around his parents' car as best as he could. With so many sisters, he was used to having a hard time seeing, but today it was even worse. Everyone was excited because their parents had a surprise for them, and for once it wasn't a new sibling.

"Alright guys, come in close!" their mom called, taking the baby from Lori. "Now, we want you to look but not touch. Can you do that?"

"Yes!" they chorused, though Lincoln's was more of a groan. He wouldn't get close enough to touch whatever it was, and he probably wouldn't be able to look at it either. He'd agree, but only to fit in, as usual.

"Okay kids, here it is!" their father cried, slinging open the backseat to reveal a large pet crate with a tall Dalmatian inside, not that Lincoln could see it.

"Oh my god, it's so CUTE!"

"What's its name?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

Lincoln heard every question, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't see what the excitement was about. Feeling fed up, Lincoln shrugged and started walking to the house.

"Hey son, where are you going?" his dad called when he was three steps from the stoop.

"Inside. I'll get to see whatever it is later," Lincoln called back gruffly. He kept his volume low intentionally, and sure enough, his dad couldn't hear him over the cries of so many girls.

He approached his son and patted his shoulder, "I got this for you more than anyone else. Come on, where's the Loud fight in you, son? Push your way to the front and take a look at your new friend."

"What is it?" Lincoln asked, walking with his dad back to the hoard of sisters.

His father smiled, "I'll let you check it. Go on in there, push your way through."

Lincoln was shocked that his parents would let him push his sisters around for once. He did, and to his surprise, whenever they complained, his father told them to hush up and let him through.

When he got to the front, he saw the Dalmatian and smiled, "Wow, a dog! What's his name?"

"Well Spot, of course," his mother laughed. "And he's yours. Lincoln is the sole owner of this dog, and he will sleep with him. That means you also have to walk him and take care of him, but I think you can handle it."

"Hey, what about us?" Luna demanded to a chorus of "YEAH!" behind her.

"Spot is a part of the family," their father responded, "but we wanted Lincoln to take control. That power better not get to your head, son, or we'll change our minds."

"Yes Sir," Lincoln agreed.

The cage was opened and their mother put a leash on Spot's collar. Then she handed it to Lincoln, who got to give Spot his first walk around the block. It was a treat, and now his parents understood. The farther from the Loud house he got, the better he felt. Rather than just a friend, Spot was a friend AND an excuse to get away, plus he'd finally have another guy on his side.

It was a close bond, and while Spot went around to each person to get their own special version of love, he still returned to Lincoln and wagged his tail. And when night came, he didn't try to get into any other room but Lincoln's, where he slept on a dog bed under his desk like the good boy he was.

~End

Theme 304: Dog. For the complete list, see my deviantArt profile.

One-Shot 22 of 100 for 2017

Just a little one-shot for The Loud House. I started watching it when it came out, but I haven't really kept up with it. I barely know the names because there are just so. many. sisters, but I like the show. I think Nick really knew what they were doing (for once) when they made this show, and I hope it's a trend they'll keep.

Spot is an OC but I give permission to use him in fan works of any kind as long as you credit me:)