AN: Yay! I pumped out two new chapters, one for today and one for tomorrow. Thank you everyone for following, favouring, and reviewing this story. Here's the next chapter everybody, enjoy! Don't forget to Review. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or it's characters.
Stray Dog
I was walking home from school and I heard a commotion going on in an alley. I decided to check it out and saw a brown dog stuck in a trash can and trying to wiggle himself out. He kept running into the wall and the big garbage bin while trying to get out.
I tried to get him out and I pulled the trash can off the dogs head. He shook his body and let out a small bark, which I assumed was a thank you. He came over to me and jumped up on to my shoulders. He licked me and I got doggy slobber on my face.
"Okay Boy. No need to thank me," I said.
The big dog sat down and rubbed his head that was almost as big as mine against my leg. I petted him and he rubbed up closer to me.
"Come on, I'll take you home with me," I said to him.
My aunt probably wouldn't be pleased with me bringing a dog into the apartment, but he's just so cute. My new companion and I arrived at my house and the first thing he did was jumped onto the couch.
"No down, my aunt will kill me if you get dirt and slobber on the couch," I said to him
He whimpered and jumped off the couch.
"I should give you a bath," I said to him.
I set up a bubble bath in the bathroom and waited for the tub to fill with warm water. Once it was finished, I pulled the dog into the bathroom and told him to hop in. He obeyed and jumped into the tub making some of the water slosh out and onto the floor.
"I should name you, everyone needs a name. How about, Dixon," I said while I cleaned him.
He let out a bark and wagged his tail, making more water splash around.
"Dixon it is," I said laughing.
I started cleaning him up and getting every spot I could reach. The dog started getting restless and he jumped out of the tub. I left the door opened and he bolted out running through the place soaking wet.
"Dixon, Stop!" I said.
He stopped all right and jumped onto the couch rolling around.
"I'm so dead," I said.
I tried to clean up the best I could but every time I finished one part, there be another. By the time my Aunt Kate was supposed to go home, the apartment looked like it was hit by a tornado. My aunt finally arrived and the look on her face as she walked through the door was not a good one.
"Um… I can explain," I said.
"Please do," she said looking around, assessing the damage.
"Dixon, was alone and I brought him home. Then I gave him a bath and he kind of tore up the place," I said.
"Who's Dixon?" my aunt asked.
Dixon barked and ran towards my aunt, jumping up on her and licking her face.
"Emily! You took in a dog," she said as she tried to push him off of her.
"Yeah," I said guiltily.
"He's going to the pound first thing tomorrow," she said.
"But Aunt Kate. If he's in the pound and no one rescues him, they'll kill him," I said.
"Not my problem, Emily. I cannot keep this dog," she said.
"No," I whined.
"It's final. Your helping me clean this mess up," she said.
I spent the whole night begging Aunt Kate to let me keep, Dixon. She kept trying to make me drop it, but I couldn't, I wanted him to stay. When she got a look at the bathroom and tub I was really in for it. She grounded me for a week and I was angry, but I guess I deserved it.
The next day, Aunt Kate took Dixon to the local pound. I gave him a big hug and long goodbye before she practically pried us apart and took him away. I spent the day crying that it wasn't fair. The whole day I ignored Aunt Kate and gave her one word answers.
Aunt told me I was being childish, but I didn't care, I practically am still a child. She sent me to bed after dinner and I sat in bed thinking about Dixon. Then it hit me, I could break him out. I got dressed and made sure I had my special bobby pin and wire to break into the pound. I snuck out my window and headed to the pound.
When I got there no one was there because it was closed, of course. I looked in the back of the pound, in search of a back door. I found one and started to pick the locks. I finally got it unlocked and opened the door.
Thankfully, the back door led right to the kennel and you could hear the dogs barking. I looked for a light switch and I found one which was lose to the door to the office area. Once the lights illuminated the room, I was able to see where Dixon was.
When I located his cage, he perked up and barked at me.
"Hey Dixon, I missed you. We have to leave because I'm pretty sure I set off an alarm," I said.
He barked again and I quickly opened his cage and had him follow me. We ran out of the building and back towards my place. There was no way I'd be able to get him up the fire escape, so I decided to break in through the front door, hopefully Aunt Kate is asleep.
I started picking the lock and the door opened suddenly. I looked up and saw Aunt Kate looking extremely livid.
"Um… I can explain, again," I said.
"In the apartment now!" she yelled at me.
I walked into the apartment with Dixon following behind me and waited for the lecture.
"Sit now," my aunt said, pointing to the couch.
I sat and Dixon stayed by my legs.
"I can't believe you broke into the pound. You're lucky no one caught you, Em. This could be on your juvenile record, breaking and entering, stealing. I'm really disappointed in you," she said.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Emily. You start to behave and then you slip up. You need to start being consistent and get your act together, before this starts catching up with you," she said.
"It's not fair," I said.
"Life isn't fair, go to your room. Tomorrow he goes back to the pound and stays," she said.
"Fine," I mumbled.
I went to my room with Dixon following me closely. I sat on my bed with Dixon and I held him close. I cried silently into his fur wishing I could keep him.
"We don't need to take this, Dixon. We can live by ourselves," I said.
I got my backpack and dumped out my school supplies. I grabbed some clothes and other things and packed it all up. I watched the crack of the door closely, listening and waiting to make sure Aunt Kate was asleep.
Once I felt all was clear, we quietly snuck out of the house. We walked down the street playing together and having fun. I found a small underpass where Dixon and I were going to stay the night. We sat together and I was cuddling with him.
I heard growls coming from deep within Dixon and I looked around, but saw nothing.
"What is it boy?" I asked.
Then two big dogs with sharp teeth came out of the shadows and snarled at us. I was frightened, but Dixon stood his ground and waited for the two bigger dogs to make their move. It was a long standoff, but one of the dogs finally made a move and lunged at Dixon. I tried to stay as far away as possible, but I wanted to help Dixon.
The other came up and started tussling with him two. Dixon was fighting them off pretty well though. I heard snarls, whimpering, and loud thuds while they fought. Eventually it ended and both dogs limped off and whimpered.
I ran over to Dixon and saw he was hurt too. He had blood on his coat which was quickly becoming a dark crimson color. He laid down and tried to lick his wound.
"Don't worry Dixon. I'll find some help," I said.
I climbed out of the overpass and looked for help. Then what I saw coming was both good and bad, my Aunt Kate's vehicle. She stopped her car once she saw me and quickly jumped out.
"Emily, are you okay, what's wrong?" She asked when she saw me.
"Dixon's hurt. He saved me from two big dogs and now he's injured," I cried.
"Bring me to him," she said.
I took her towards where we were and she gasped at the sight. He was panting heavily and if we didn't get him help soon he'd be dead.
"Help me take him to the car," she said.
I grabbed my backpack throwing it on and then I helped my aunt take Dixon to the car. We got him into the backseat and I sat in the front. We went to a close animal hospital that was open 24 hours. We rushed him in and they took him to an operating room right away.
Aunt Kate and I waited in the waiting room until sun up and by the time they finished it was 7:00 am. The doctor came out and said, "We have some good news."
"Really? Is he going to be okay?" I asked.
"Yep he's going to be just fine. Had a broken paw, deep gash, but he'll heal," the doctor said.
"Yay," I said.
"Come on Emily let go home. They'll find a nice home for him," Aunt Kate said.
"Yes we will," the doctor said.
"Can I at least say goodbye?" I asked.
"Okay, is she allowed?" my aunt asked.
"Yes you can say goodbye," the doctor said.
The doctor led me to the back and opened the cage up for me. I bent down and patted Dixon on the head. They left me alone so I could say goodbye in peace.
"Goodbye, Dixon. You're the best dog ever and a hero just like me. I wish I can keep you, but I can't. You're going to make a family very happy. Bye, Dixon," I said.
My Aunt was standing in the door way and smiled at me. I smiled back and walked towards her.
"Let's go home and sleep," she said.
The doctor went in behind us to close the cage door and we left the building.
On our way home we aunt Kate started speaking, "That was a very sweet goodbye Emily."
"Thanks," I said.
"I know you really liked him, but my apartment doesn't want dogs and I can't handle a dog right now. I can barely handle you, but I'm glad he protected you and you are safe," she said.
"I understand. Am I still grounded," I asked.
"Oh yeah. After these two stunts you pulled you're now grounded for a month," she said.
"A month," I whined.
"Do want to make it two?" she asked.
"I'll stick with one thanks," I said.
"Good," she said.
We got home and I quickly conked out in my room after the long day I had. Maybe one day I'll persuade my aunt into getting a dog.