Chapter 3: A New and Happier Life

Mrs. Forrester found a comfortable hotel to stay in while her little girl was healing. Even though pets aren't typically allowed in hotels, the hospital staff didn't have the heart to send Bolt to stay at the veterinary hospital while his owner was here, so they decided to let Bolt and his two friends stay by Penny's side, knowing that domestic animals can provide various forms of comfort for ailing patients.

For the next couple of days, Penny remained at the hospital. As the doctors predicted, she was off ventilation quickly and was breathing comfortably. Bolt didn't like the bandages on his little owner's legs, but Mittens explained to him that if the doctors were doing it, then it was necessary.

"Penny's going to be fine, Bolt," the little cat said with compassion. "Besides, you never were one to give up on someone you care about."

"Truer words were never spoken, my feline friend," Rhino added, still not losing his enthusiasm at being in the presence of his television hero. "Only Bolt would have the courage to run through a raging inferno to snatch his little owner from the fangs of death! For this act of love, Bolt the Superdog will be named the greatest hero the animal kingdom has ever known!"

Rhino burst out in laughter all over again and rolled about in his roller-ball, but his enthusiasm was brought back to a crawl when Bolt said, "Whoa, there. Take it easy, Rhino. I'm glad that I saved Penny too. But I don't think it's going to be quite that big of a hero's commendation thing."

"Well, even if it isn't, who knows? Maybe folks around the country will want to know about you saving your person's life," Mittens implied. "If Rhino's right about anything, it's that you are going to be called a great hero when this is over."

Two weeks passed since the disastrous fire at the studio, and with all the loving care that she received, Penny soon got better. The day the bandages finally came off her legs was the happiest day for both her and Bolt, for he yipped for joy as Penny set her feet on the floor.

"See, Bolt? I'm all better now," she cooed as she hugged him and scratched behind his ears. "But I really owe it to you, my good boy."

Bolt licked Penny's cheek and nuzzled her, and then Penny saw her mother arrive with the doctors who had helped her heal. The pediatrician who had been there when the matter began was saying, "We have good news, Mrs. Forrester. Your daughter Penny is back to her happy self. Her legs are fully healed and her lungs are functioning quite well. She should have no recurring damage whatsoever."

Penny's mother was smiling so happily as she took in this news, and when she saw her little girl on her feet, she broke into a smile and hugged her so warmly.

"Hi, sweetheart. Did you miss me?" Mrs. Forrester said sweetly.

"Uh-huh," replied Penny softly. "I'm just glad you're here to bring me home, Mom. Will I be home soon?"

Her mother smiled even warmer and told her, "Better than soon. You're going to be coming home today. And I've got a very special surprise for you."

Penny's eyes widened with anticipation as her mother said, "I've decided that we'll adopt Bolt's new cat and hamster friends. And then we'll be moving to a new home in the country, in a nice little neighborhood where you and I can live a truly happy life."

Penny gasped with happiness and said, "Bolt, too?"

"Bolt, too."


It turned out that the fire disaster at the studio did have a good outcome after all. Not was Penny released from the hospital that day, but only a few days later, she and her mother adopted Mittens and Rhino as their pets as well. Then came a day Bolt never dreamed he'd have in real life: the mayor of Los Angeles awarded him with a Good Behavior medal for "loyalty above and beyond the call of a pet's duty". By the start of the following month, Penny and her mother successfully purchased a new house in the countryside region of Tennessee and then moved in. And this was only the beginning.

Penny was outside playing with Bolt while Mittens and Rhino sunned themselves on the deck under the watchful eye of Penny's mother. To the ears of her mother and their new pets, nothing was sweeter than Penny's laughter as she tossed a Frisbee as far as she could and Bolt kept racing after it and catching it before bringing it back to his mistress. Then the next time Penny tossed the Frisbee, Bolt leapt up and caught it when he fell straight into Penny's open arms. The little girl was rolling with laughter as Bolt licked her face, and she said, "Silly doggy! Good boy! Good boy! Wanna try and chase me? Huh?"

Bolt and Penny immediately began a merry chase around their new yard and by the end of it, Penny didn't care how tired out she was. She was happier than she had ever been because she and Bolt had the opportunity to truly bond as pet and owner. There would be no crazy movie stardom to distract Bolt from living a normal life, and this time, Penny was sure that nothing would ever separate her or her beloved pet again.


A/N: I hope this fanfiction was satisfactory. Please feel free to write a review and give your honest opinion. I'll have something more up soon. See you later!