(New Family Member)
The next morning, Daniel had come back to the house to look after Kaiden and I. He opened the back door and let both of us outside. They yard was fenced in, so I couldn't get out.
"What do you think the baby's gonna look like, Rose?" Kaiden asked, rolling around in the the grass to scratch his back. "I don't know, Kaiden. I know it's gonna be small, like how my puppies were small when I had them," I said, laying down in the grass on my belly, my forelegs in front of me and my hindlegs behind me with my tail resting on them.
"Speaking of, how are they since you last saw them?" Kaiden asked me, rolling over onto his side. "They were rambunctious, just like Dodger and us when we were that little. But, I can't imagine how big they are now," I replied, dropping my ears.
Kaiden sensed my dismay and made his way to me, licking my pointed ear in a comforting way. I nuzzled him back, whining softly.
Kaiden rested his head on my neck, over my blue bandana. "I miss them so much, Kaiden. I can't rely on these humans to take me to them. I need to make it there on my own," I say to him.
"I know. If you want me to, I can come with you. Live with your gang," Kaiden suggested. "No, Kaiden. I want you to be happy. These people gave you a home, a place where you can be happy. My home is with Fagin and the gang. They need me there," I say.
Kaiden was quiet for a moment before he stood on his paws and he walked on the opposite side of the yard. I watch as he started to dig under the fence. "Kaiden, What're you doing?" I asked, looking over at him.
"Giving you a paw. We dig it out deep enough, you'll be able to slip out and go home. Sound like a plan to you?" He asked, turning around with his semi-flopped ears raised up a bit.
I smiled at his idea. He always knew how to help me out. "Yes, it does. You always come up with the best plans," I said, standing up and trot over to him, my tail wagging a bit.
I had spotted a rock big enough to cover that hole so I pushed it with my muzzle to cover it. "There, we can use this rock to keep it covered," I said, tilting my head a bit.
"Smart. Very smart," Kaiden said with a smile. Just then, Daniel opened the door, getting our attention. "Come in, dogs. Come meet the new member of our family," he said, waving us in.
We perked up at this, our excitement coming out. But we had to keep it calm because they would be much smaller than us.
We walk in and see Jessica sitting on the couch, holding the baby in her arms. The baby was wrapped in a blanket. She smiled at us and waved at us, gesturing for us to come closer.
I walk closer and see the tiny human in her arms, sleeping soundly. My heart raced when I saw him for the first time. "Rose, Kaiden, meet Samuel Patrick," Jessica introduced in a soft voice.
I jumped on the couch and rested my head on her lap, wrapping my tail around my hind legs. Kainden sat down next to her and started licking her hand.
"Good dogs. Look, Daniel, they're so gentle with Samuel," Jessica said, petting both of us. I felt happy here, much more happy. But I knew I couldn't stay here for much longer.(August 1989)
Two more months pass. Each day, Kaiden and I dug that hole deeper and deeper until it was deep enough for me to dig through. During my stay, I grew closer with little Samuel. He was so sweet and I treated him like he's my own child. Kaiden got to be an uncle again, which he was happy about.
He reminded me of my own puppies and how little they were when they were first born. I can't believe they're almost adults now. What do they look like now? Did they leave the gang and start gangs it packs of their own? I don't know if I'll ever see them again.
But tonight was the night that I leave. It hurt me to know that I was leaving because I was comfortable here. These humans gave me a nice home, they treated me right, fed me and gave me a comfortable place to sleep. Kaiden helped me so much while I was here.
I loved him so much. He's the best brother I ever had, and I wouldn't trade him for anything.
After everyone was asleep, I walked into Samuel's room, my nails clicking against the hard wood floors. I hoist my front half of my body on his crib, letting my forepaws hang over the edge.
I looked down at the little baby sleeping so peacefully. Leaving him and Kaiden would hurt me the most.
Samuel woke up and saw me hovering over him. "Hey, buddy… go back to sleep, okay? I know you don't understand me but…I'm going away for a while. Kaiden will take care of you while I'm gone. I'm gonna miss you so much," I say, licking him gently.
The baby cooed and reached out for me. I nuzzled his little hands. That made me think. Maybe I can give him my bandana so he'd have something to remind me by.
I know I said I wouldn't give it up, but this little baby found a special place in my heart. I reached over my shoulder and took my bandana off with my teeth, pulling it off my neck.
I place it in Samuels' crib, covering him up with it. "Here you go. I want you to have this. That way I'll be apart of you," I say, sadly wagging my tail.
The baby looks up at me as if he understood every word I said. "Goodbye… I love you," I said, licking him once more before getting down from the crib.
I trot out of the bedroom, hearing the baby fuss. I wall towards the back door, going through the doggy door. Just as I walk outside, I hear Kaiden walk behind me. "You leaving already?" He asked.
I turned around to face him, ears raised. "Yeah. I have to go," I say, turning around completely. He noticed that I wasn't wearing my bandana.
"Where's your bandana?" He asked me. "I gave it to Samuel. I wanted him to have something to remember me by. Take care of him for me, will you?" I asked him. "I will. Don't worry about it," he answered with a half-hearted smile.
I stared at him for a minute, seeing just how grown up he had become. His blue eyes really sparkled, giving me hope that things will be alright. I took a few steps towards him and tucked my head under his chin, lowering my ears.
Kaiden licked my neck in comfort. "Make it home in one piece, okay?" He said softly. "I will, don't worry," I reply, feeling myself getting teary-eyed. We pulling away from underneath his chin.
With one final smile, I turn around and squeeze myself under the fence, seeing the mountains and the forest in front of me. Looking back, I looked at the house one last time, seeing Kaiden looking out of the kitchen window at at me.
I smile and look forward, ready to continue my journey back home. I sped my pace up to a gallop, towards the mountains.