Chapter 3
After what seemed like ages, Dave came home. The Chipmunks had agreed that they would hide Rodney from Dave until they felt it was the right time to ask him. They tied Rodney to the side of the house and prepared themselves to meet Dave.
"We should go now," Brittany said reluctantly. "Bye, Rodney." She caressed him lovingly, her attitude entirely different now, thanks to Rodney.
"I hope Dave lets you keep him."
"I do too, Jeanette."
"Don't worry," Alvin said confidently. "One look at his face, and it'll melt Dave's stone-cold frozen heart."
"Don't exaggerate, Alvin," Simon scolded.
"I'm not! I'll bet his heart's so cold that penguins and polar bears dream of visiting it." Simon rolled his eyes.
"Let us know what happens," Eleanor said.
"We will. Thank you all for your help," Theodore replied.
"You're welcome. Bye!" They waved as they walked home.
"Hello, boys!"
"Hi, Dave!" They called back to him and ran over.
"Boy, am I tired!"
"I'm sorry, Dave." Theodore gave him a hug.
"Can we do or get anything for you?" asked Simon.
"I'll put your briefcase upstairs for you." Alvin took it from him and brought it inside, where he laid it on the staircase.
"Thank you, boys. I just want to go inside and relax. I'm also a little hungry too."
They followed him into the kitchen like a shadow. "So how were you while I was gone?"
"Oh, we were fine." Simon said.
"We were angels, Dave. We didn't do a thing wrong. Well, Simon and Theodore had wanted to go to the park, but I told them, 'No. Dave wanted us to stay home. I won't allow your disobedience.' "
"That was very good of you, Alvin." he sat down at the breakfast nook with some leftover chicken fingers. The Chipmunks looked at each other, and Theodore went outside.
"Boys, is there something wrong?"
"Well" Simon said, slightly nervous. "There is something we need to talk to you about."
"Actually, show you." Alvin pointed to the back door as Theodore walked in holding the dog's makeshift leash.
Dave nearly choked on his food when he saw the dog. "What is that, and what's he doing in the house?!"
"It's a dog. I'm not sure what breed he is. It could be a mix between a Labrador, an Australian Shepherd, and some kind of Spaniel. We found him- or rather-Alvin found him in our backyard."
Theodore said excitedly, "He was all dirty and smelly when we first saw him."
Alvin butted in. "But we gave him a bath and groomed him. Chipettes helped a little, but I did all the hard work."
"The Chipettes know about him?"
"He has an extremely amiable countenance."
"Yeah," piped up Theodore, "and he's really friendly too! His name is Rodney."
"You named him too!" Dave exclaimed.
"Yes! It was a tough decision, but Alvin named him after Rockin' Rod, the guy who first let us play our music. Well, not really 'let us'."
"It doesn't look like he belongs to anyone," coaxed Alvin, "and guess what? He's already trained! He can sit, stay, lie down, and everything. Now we don't have to worry about that, and there's no chance of having to give him up like we had to do with Lily. He's perfect!"
"Can we keep him, Dave?" asked Simon.
"Please?" Theodore pleaded.
"No."
"Why not?" they whined.
"Because… because.. I don't think it's a good idea."
"What's not a good idea?" Alvin protested.
"I know he's going to be neglected, and that's not fair to- uh"
"Rodney," Alvin finished for Dave.
"We promise we'll give him the upmost care."
"We'll take him for walks, feed him, groom him…" Theodore pleaded.
Alvin started slowly, "Even though I hate picking up dog messes, I think I could put up with it, if it meant keeping him."
Dave stopped to think over the situation a little more carefully. He had never expected to come home and see a dog in his kitchen or see his boys so determined to take care of a creature they had just met, yet already seemed to love so much.
"He does look sweet, and the boys do seem like they're really going to take care of him. I suppose I could get something to treat my allergies."
Dave looked over at Rodney. He was wagging his tail happily. When he saw Dave, he walked over to him and licked his hand. There was something about this dog that was captivating.
"Boys," he spoke slowly, "I think before we make any decisions we should have a vet look at him, to make sure he's healthy and doesn't belong to anyone."
"And if the vet gives him the okay?" Alvin asked.
"You have to promise to train him, take care of him every day (Dave looked at all of them), clean up any messes he makes, pay for any damages he causes, keep him out of my bedroom and the Music Room, and keep him off the furniture in the living room."
"We promise!" they answered eagerly.
"Then.. You can keep the dog."
"Yay!" Simon wore a huge grin as he eagerly pet Rodney's head. Theodore jumped up, did a little dance, then hugged Rodney around his neck. Alvin smiled wide, pet Rodney, quickly ran over and hugged Dave, then went back over to his brothers.
Rodney seemed to know that there was a reason for him to celebrate too. He wagged his tail nonstop, and it looked like he was smiling.
"Can we tell the Chipettes?" Theodore asked.
"After we go to the vet."
Dave hesitantly helped Rodney into the back of his car for the ride to the vet. One secret reason that Dave had always avoided getting a dog was because something had happened to him when he was a young boy. He was helping his father on their farm when one of their animals escaped, and Dave offered to run after it. As he was chasing it, he ran right into a huge sheepdog. Its owners had mistreated it, and it lashed out at Dave. It scared him so much that he ran all the way home. Ever since then, he had always been apprehensive. Rodney would have to earn Dave's trust.
Simon sat in the front seat. For once, there was a fight for who would sit in the back seat, only because Rodney was there. The boys planned excitedly about all the things they would buy and do for their new dog. Alvin talked about training him to win first prize at the dog show and all the fame that would bring them. Simon dreamed that he could help him in his lab. Theodore thought it would be perfect if Rodney could help him in the kitchen.
At the veterinarian's office, Dr. Kelley announced that he didn't find any microchip in the dog. The Chipmunks cheered like it was New Year's Day. Then, after Dr. Kelley meticulously inspected the dog inside and out and from head to tail, he gave him a clean, expensive bill of health.
"What's the dog's name?" the receptionist asked them when she scheduled his next appointment.
"Rodney," they proudly stated their new dog's name.
"Dave, what are we going to do about providing for our new pet?"
"What do you mean, Simon?" Dave helped Theodore into the car.
"Rodney is going to need food, dishes to eat off of, and some toys."
"Could we get them now, Dave?" Alvin asked excitedly.
"I'm too tired to go shopping. Maybe you can ask the Chipettes to go with you."
"Yah, we have to tell them the good news!" Theodore could not contain his excitement. "I'm sure they'll go with us."
"Here's the money you'll need."
Alvin stared blankly at the money Dave handed him. "Is that all?" I could keep some of the extra change.
Dave sighed and handed Alvin another twenty. "That oughta do it. Thanks. Let's go." Alvin hummed "Let's Go" and did air guitar motions on the way home.
