It was now Monday. Two days after MacKenzie had started to live in the Heeler household. Bluey and Bingo were gone as they had to go to school. Calypso decided that it was too soon for MacKenzie to go back to school. She had decided that he at least needed two more weeks of rest. Then after those weeks she would give him private lessons at home to let him catch up with the important things he missed and maybe and only if he was doing and feeling better then he would return. So that could easily be another five or six weeks.
She, with the approval of MacKenzie, also would tell his classmates what happened and that he was now basically a orphan and now lived alone. Most kids by now knew this because they either heard it from Rusty, Jack or Bluey. But Calypso decided that it should come from her and that she would tell the truth so no one could make up stories.
It would also mean that MacKenzie shouldn't have to deal with it by telling it himself whenever he returned. One part of him was happy he was still free from school, but another part of him missed his friends and the distraction school gave him normally.
In the Heeler household he tried to help wherever he could. He wanted to make a contribution to the household as a way of saying thank you to Bandit and Chili for taking care of him, but also to keep himself busy. Sitting still and doing nothing is just simply not something a Border Collie can do. But whenever he tried, Bandit and Chili would tell him to take it easy and that he shouldn't. They were more than happy to help him out and he shouldn't feel guilty about it. This was much to his dismay (and Bingo's jealousy). He tried to help once by cleaning up the dishwasher as a surprise and to prove that he was able to do things. But when he was bending over to grab a plate from the rack, the pain in his back returned causing him to drop the plate. Chili didn't mind about the plate at all and cleaned up the shattered plate and told him to just take a seat and watch some television. He apologised like ten times but she said that he shouldn't feel bad about it. But he felt really guilty about it.
This particular morning he was eating breakfast with Chili. Bandit was bringing Bingo and Bluey to their school and they were already away when MacKenzie woke up. Bluey wanted tried to wake up MacKenzie earlier that morning so they could have breakfast together, but Chili stopped her as she thought he needed some more rest and granted him some sleep. What made Bluey a bit jealous. When he woke up, Bandit had just left.
MacKenzie was starting to relax and be more open to Chili after she shared her story with him. He felt like she understood him with his situation and he felt like he could trust her. During breakfast he talked to her about his feelings and that he found it difficult to deal with them. And she made him feel better again by telling him he was doing great and that he never should feel alone. It helped him for now. After breakfast was over, they talked about her job as a customs officer at the airport. MacKenzie always had seen those officers every time he and his parents used to travel, but never knew what they really did and why. He only knew his father wasn't too keen on them because he was always being searched when they traveld. She told him precisely what the rules were and why the existed.
She explained her job and the fun parts and weird things she encountered, but also the annoying aspects of her job. Like aggressive people, sad situations or even dogs being exploited. She was twice featured in a episode of the real-life series 'Border Security: Australia's Front Line' and she showed him one of the episodes in which she featured. In the episode she had to search the baggage of a dog and she found drugs in his suitcase. MacKenzie was very impressed by what he had seen and had learned what she did and what the job meant.
He thought about it that maybe this could be something he wanted to do in the future.
When Bandit returned, it took him longer as he decided to go for a run after dropping of his children, they all went into Bandit's car and the three of them drove away. They were heading to Brisbane International Airport. Today was the day that his aunt, her kids and two uncles would arrive. His aunt Mabel was first planning to arrive on Sunday, but because her brother would be flying over from Greece, she decided to wait a day so they would arrive together because by coincidence the flights from New Zealand and Greece would land five minutes apart from each other.
Mackenzie's grandmother had decided not to come to her daughters funeral. Not because she didn't want to because she was devastated when she received the news, but because her health prevented her from flying. Her doctor even told her it would not be recommendable to do. She would watch the funeral via a livestream, together with her husband, Mackenzie's, grandfather, who also couldn't make the trip because of bad health.
The day before he had a long, emotional talk with her via the phone. He was happy that Bluey had stayed the whole time with him to emotional support him. He was happy to talk to his nan, but he wished he could have seen her.
MacKenzie had told the Heelers all about his family the evening before so that there would no surprises and that they would know how and who they were, but he was still nervous. He was always feeling nervous when he would see his overseas family, but the occasion why they were here now was a other kind of nervousness.
When they arrived and parked, they walked to the arrival hall. MacKenzie was nervously waiting at the terminal behind a fence. Every dog that walked out of the sliding doors could be his family every moment right now. He hadn't seen them in five months and he wouldn't see them in another two if his life had stayed normal. How would they react seeing him? Would they be happy? Sad? Angry? How would they react to Bandit and Calypso as his caretakers? Would they say he was betraying his late parents?
And more.. when would they leave again and will they take him with them? That last part was what eating him the most from the inside. Because in his mind and to his feeling, he knew that as soon as they would go back, he had to go with them. They would take him with them to live with them. In a strange town and a strange house. He would have to say farewell to everything he loved. He would leave his school, leave his friends behind, leaving a city and environment he knew and…oh. He would never see Bluey again probably. That was maybe even the worst thing he could think off for some reason.
Bandit was standing next to him and saw how much MacKenzie was pacing around and looking worriedly.
Bandit placed his hand on his shoulder. ''Don't worry so much mate. Everything will be fine. They will be here any second''.
And as soon as he finished saying that they heard a voice yelling out a name in the terminal at them: ''MacKenzie!''
They all turned around and saw a group of border collies walking in their direction.
In front walked Mackenzie's aunt Mabel. A Blue Merle Border collie who was the same height as Chili. She was wearing a black bandana with a silver fern pattern on it. Next to her stood her three children. Rupert, the oldest and eleven years, one year younger then MacKenzie. Rupert was a small, thin New Zealand heading dog like his dad. Then there was Mary, a rounder nine year old Slate Merle Border collie. And then there was Wallace (or Wall as everyone called him), the youngest and seven years old and a blue merle like his mum.
Behind Mabel walked a brown/white border collie who looked a lot like Mackenzie's mum, although his fur was cropped short around the head as well the patch of fur on his chest. He was wearing a grey flat cap hat. Behind him walked his wive, a small white Greek Kokoni dog with brown spots.
MacKenzie runned up to his aunt who kneeled down and held her arms wide open for him. He tightly embraced her as she was the first family member he had seen in ages. They hugged for a while. His uncle came down and petted him on his head.
''MacKenzie, my little dag. It's so good to see you again…although i wish it was under other circumstances of course. How are you doing dear?'', followed by his uncle: ''Hey little bro. Long time not seen. How are you hanging in there?'' his uncle asked with a soft expression.
''I'm doing ok. I just wish…well that it..was…everything was different''. MacKenzie said a bit sad. His aunt hugged him again. ''I know. Just know that were are her for you now.''. She gave him a small kiss on the cheek and looked up. ''Are those the Heelers that are looking after you?'' she asked. MacKenzie nodded.
Mabel and her brother walked up to Bandit and Chili to meet while MacKenzie went on to greet his cousins.
'''Kia ora, the name's Footrot. Footrot Collie. Nice to meet ya'' he said as he shaked Bandit's hand. ''This is my wive Athena'' as he introduced his wive.
''Hi folks. Welcome to Australia'' Bandit said.
''It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Chili, and this is my husband Bandit.'' Chili continued.
''Indeed. Hi Bandit. Hi Chili. It's so good seeing and meeting you in person after our phone call. I can't thank you two not enough for taking in and caring for MacKenzie'' Mabel said.
''Hard out! It's terrible what happened to the little lad. So incredible sad. And ofcourse his parents….* he swallows* i..i..i just can't believe she is gone my little sister'' Footrot said with a deep sadness in his voice while looking down. His wive patted him on his back for comfort.
''Is Calypso also here or will we meet her later?'' Mabel asked to Bandit and Chili.
''She is at work right now, but will come over for dinner at our house tonight so we can all meet and talk'' Chili explained.
''You sure you all want to stay at the hotel? There is plenty of room in our house and your welcome to stay over. I can also bring you to your sisters home so you can stay there.'' Bandit said.
Mabel and Footrot both shook their heads. ''Very kind of you Bandit, but we don't want to be a bother to your or your family. And we don't want to stay at Charlotte's house. To many memories and to confronting.'' Mabel answered as her brother agreed with her.
MacKenzie was in the meantime catching up with his younger cousins. They had learn about their aunt and uncle's demise but didn't quit understand the meaning of death yet, except for Ruper. So they were just talking to their favourite, and only, cousin just about anything. About their trip to the southern island and what they did on school. They also wanted to know a lot about him. What he has been up to and how school was for him in Australia and what he thought of the cricket matches on television. For MacKenzie it was a great distraction and he enjoyed seeing them and talking to them.
They even brought a present for him. They handed him a big plastic bag completely filled with typical New-Zealand candies like kiwifruit cakes, jaffas, pineapple lumps, crocodile liquorice, black knights, glo-harts and more. He wagged his tail hard and started to lick his lips. Although he felt like a Australian, these candies were some of his favourites and he was more then happy to receive them.
Footrot had rented a car at the airport where he, Athena, Wall and Mary took place and would drive to the Heeler home after getting directions from Bandit. Mabel, Rupert and MacKenzie all sat in Bandit's car. They couldn't check in, in their hotels until 10pm so they would spend the rest of the day at the Heelers.
When they were seated Bandit drove away and suddenly thought of taking a short cut. When he left the parking place of the airport he drove past by the provincial road that he recommended to Footrot and instead drove up the highway when leaving the airport. He thought that would get him home sooner, but he immediately rode in to a traffic jam and got stuck.
While Bandit was cursing and Chili making fun of him, Rupert looked out of the window.
The last time he came to Brisbane was two years ago and the world looked so differently it seemed. In his life he never travelled outside from New-Zealand, except Brisbane that he had visited three times before and only remembered the last two times. He looked his eyes out as everything was new again for him. Bandit was driving on the right side of the road, hoping to avoid the lorries. And thus he was driving past the guard railing. At a certain moment they stopped once again because the traffic jam did not go smoothly. Rupert was still looking out of his window while his mum was busy talking to MacKenzie and Chili.
Suddenly Rupert noticed a big dent in the side of the guard rail. There were also signs of orange paint, like something orange crashed in to it and flowers were placed on top of the dent. He also saw a candle burning underneath the rail. Rupert also noticed some skid marks on the tarmac of the road.
''Mummy, what happened here?'' he asked while pulling on his mother's bandana.
''Hmmm, it looks like a car collided here dear. And looking at those flowers, I'm afraid the driver did not survive''. She said.
''Wait… what?'' said Chili shocking as he looked at what Rupert was looking at.
''Does that mean they are dead like aunt Charlotte and uncle Josh?'' Rupert asked.
''Rupert! Ssshhh. You can't say that like that'' she hissed while pointing at MacKenzie.
She looked over at her nephew and gasped. Within second MacKenzie's body posture had changed radically. He was full of life just seconds before, but was now sitting scared stiff and looking pale, deeply sunk away in his chair, gasping for air. He hadn't seen the place or dent with his own eyes.
As a fact, when his aunt said that it looked like a car collided there, his brain heard enough and shut itself down. After that he did not hear the rest as his guts and whole body were protesting that he was here on this place and near a place where people died. He didn't even realise it was the place his parents died. It just felt like he shouldn't be here although he did not understand why.
His guts were just telling him that he should go away from here as soon as possible. Bandit and Chili just turned their heads to him to check what was happening when MacKenzie's logical thinking totally left him and his emotions got the better hand of him. He needed to get out and that is what he tried to do. He unbuckled his seat belt, bend for over and opened the door to escape.
He already had a leg outside when a car that was passing by honked his horn to warn that he was coming. Just in time his aunt stopped MacKenzie, pulled him back in the car and closed the door before the other car would hit it.
''What's going on?'' Bandit asked with a panicked voice while looking at the backseat.
''It's MacKenzie. He is out of control and not feeling well for some reason'' Mabel said back with a worried expression while holding on to him. He was only shivering and still gasping. Rupert looked worriedly at his cousin.
''MacKenzie got sick when he looked to the flowers on the road because people died over there! I think he can't stand places where people died'' Rupert said. He said it in a serious tone and was answering bandit's question seriously in his mind. It sounded like bullying but it wasn't meant that way.
Bandit looked outside and saw that he once again was driving at the place of the accident. Those flowers were left for MacKenzie's parents.
''Owwhhh goddamnit BANDIT! Again? Seriously?!'' Chili said very irritated as she twisted some fur on his arm, causing Bandit to yelp a little in pain. ''This is the second time you drive here to this place with MacKenzie in the backseat! Why? You know he can't handle it and that he is sensitive around here!''.
''Sorry! I didn't mean to. I forgot. I was just looking for a quick way to get home.'' He said quickly as he tried to manoeuvre his way out of the lane they were riding, causing some other drivers to honk at them furious.
''We are so, so sorry Mabel. We didn't mean to. I was not thinking about that'' Bandit explained.
''What do you mean?'' Mabel asked.
''*sigh* MacKenzie has a small panic attack because that ..dent in the guard rail.. that was the place Charlotte and Josh died''. Chili said sombre. ''Look. We really didn't want to drive past it now, while you just landed. It was not intentional, it was an accident. We're sorry''.
Mabel just stared in a distance for a while with a sad face, then inhaled deeply and said: ''No.. no problem. Thanks. I was planning to drive to the place she died as i wanted to see it for myself. Now i have. I can only thank you for that. And i also now have seen what MacKenzie, despite him telling me that he is fine, goes through''. She kept stroking his head, calming him down.
''Is MacKenzie going to be alright?'' Rupert asked worriedly.
''Yes. No worry honey. He has to catch his breath and he will soon be good as new'' Chili said to Rupert, trying to ease him. Rupert smiled reassured back to her.
After a while MacKenzie indeed returned to his normal self and even forgot he had been hyperventilating and what happened. He continued talking with Mabel like nothing happened. They drove further and were almost back home.
But just before they reached the house MacKenzie suddenly realised something. And that was that he was missing someone. So he asked his aunt: ''Aunt Mabel?''
''Yes sweetheart?''
''Where is uncle Eddie? Why did he not come?''. MacKenzie asked for her husband, a New Zealand Heading dog.
Before she could answer, Rupert's shoulders started to sag and he turned his face away to the window and began to sob softly. Mabel quickly hugged her son.
''It's okay Rupert.'' she said.
For some reason MacKenzie felt bad. ''I.. ..ii'm sorry. What happened? Did i do that?'' he asked his aunt.
She looked at him a gave him a reassuring smile. ''No, sweaty. It's not your fault, don't feel bad. It's my fauly that…well that I haven't told you yet what happened.'' She sighs before she continues. ''I'm sorry to tell you this, but… me and your uncle Eddie have…well separated. We divorced three months ago. And Rupert, Mary and Wall are having it very difficult with that. But you didn't know so don't feel bad. I understand why you asked that''.
''oh..i'm sorry. So..ok. No uncle Eddie I guess. Did mum now about this?'' MacKenzie asked. His aunt nodded yes.
''Oh, i am sorry to hear that'' Chili said to Mabel.
''Well don't be, it's for the best. For us and the kids. We weren't really on good terms anymore. Our relation was stranded and we couldn't be long in the same room without starting a nuclear war. This was the best solution for everyone'' she said.
''No it wasn't! Dad shouldn't left us!'' Rupert said now angry, tears in his eyes.
''Rup. Your dad did not leave you'' Mabel said.
''Yes he did!'' Rupert sobbed angrily. ''He moved to Auckland and is now living with a other woman who already has a kid. He doesn't want to see me, Wall or Mary anymore. He traded you and us for them!'' he was now ugly crying. MacKenzie could tell his cousin was hurt by the events.
''Rupert, that is not true and you know that!'' his mum said reassuring. ''He still loves you and your brother and sister very much. And you live with him and see him every other two weeks for a week. He even brought us to the airport this morning. He gave you a big hug and told you to be strong for your brother and sister, didn't he? He wouldn't do that if he didn't wanted to see you no more, now would he?''
Rupert nodded silently as his mother wiped away his tears.
''Our divorce is hard for my children. Rupert is suffering the most from it.'' Mabel said to Chili in a whispering voice. ''But we will overcome it together, now won't we dear?'' as she put her arm around her son who nodded yes.
''Oh and Mack, he didn't forget about you either. He will call you tomorrow and he will be watching the live stream. He also gave me a letter and present for you from him. It's in my suitcase, so remind me to give them to you.''
MacKenzie was feeling sorry for his aunt and cousins. He didn't knew they weren't together anymore. He surely would miss uncle Eddie. Although Mabel just told him he would call him, MacKenzie had a nasty feeling that it probably would be the very last time they would speak to each other. And that was a shame. He always thought Uncle Eddie was a funny person who made him always laugh. He remembered that Eddie would took him and his cousins on trips to places in New-Zealand in his Land Rover. Eddie and his dad also got along well with each other. Always cracking jokes and talking about classic cars and competing who was the better BBQ chef. A hobby they both shared.
Bandit arrived at their house. The rented cast was parked in front of it as Footrot had already arrived. The children were playing hide and seek in the front yard, while Footrot and his wive were talking to Patrick who he just met for the first time.
''Hehehe looks like Bandit took his famous short cut again'' laughed Patrick with a big grin on his face when Bandit stepped out of his car.
''ha ha ha. Laugh all you want Pat. I keep telling you, without traffic jams, that route is faster'' Bandit defended himself.
''Just had a friendly yarn with ya neighbour. I was worried if i had driven to the right address'' Footrot said.
''Nah mate, you're at the right house. Just had a bit of a traffic jam. Sorry we're late''.
The adults walked in to the house and seated in the living room for a conversation and a cuppa. The kids went straight to the back garden to do something else.
''Do any of you want to play a game?'' Mary asked her siblings and cousin.
''Who wants to play a match of footy?'' Rupert said.
A light tud was then heard. The others turned around to Wal who was standing next to Jeremy the gnome. Jeremy was on the ground, his hat broken off. ''Oops. I have broken the gnome'' he said.
''Wal! Be more careful. We are guests here!'' Rupert scold his younger brother.
''Sorry'' said Wallace.
''Anyways, how about some footy'' Rupert continued.
''I don't like that. I want to play Rugby''. Wal said.
Mary disagreed with both her brothers. ''No. We should play cricket'' she said. ''How about you MacKenzie?'' she asked.
''Uh..I can't play all three of those games at the moment. Sorry guys'' as he held his broken arm up.
''Oh yeah. Sorry mate, we forgot'' Rupert said.
Eventually Mary came up with a game called Corn Hole Toss. MacKenzie could join in to as it wasn't difficult and he only had to use one arm. MacKenzie got some beanbags out the playroom and Bandit quickly helped Rupert setting up the board. The cousins enjoyed their time together and played while, laughing and cheering.
MacKenzie formed a team with Mary and Rupert and Wal were the other team. MacKenzie and Mary were winning and he forgot the time. It was a simple game, but still very enjoyable.
''Hello. What are you playing?'' he heard someone saying behind him. He turned around and saw Bluey standing behind him. She had a smile on her face and was curiously looking at the game the cousins were playing.
''Hey Blue! School's already over? We are playing corn hole toss'' MacKenzie answered her, smiling back and wagging his tail.
''corn…hole..toss? What kinda game is that?'' Bingo said with a frowning face as she also walked into the back garden.
''It's easy'' Mary said as she walked into the conversation. ''You form a team of two players and every team takes a turn throwing bean bags at the board. You get one point if the bags lands on the boards and three if the bag get through the hole.''
''Oh that sounds fun. Can i play to?'' asked Bingo.
''Of course you can! Sorry, i'm Mary by the way. MacKenzie's cousin. I just introduce myself as MacKenzie for some reason forget to do so'' she says while grinning at MacKenzie. Mandy gives Bluey and Bingo a handshake.
''Oh yeah, i forgot to introduce my cousins to you'' MacKenzie said as he slapped his forehead. ''Sorry about that.. uh well, you have met Mary now. The young one over there is Wallace, but we call him Wall, and over there is Rupert, my oldest cousin. All from New-Zealand''. MacKenzie said as he took Bluey and Bingo over to Rupert and Wal to introduce them to each other.
Bluey and Bingo greeted the boys and introduced themselves to them. Mary and MacKenzie stood at a distance watching.
''So Mack…is she just a good friend or…?'' Mary said with a teasing tone to her cousin who gave her a frown. ''Or what?'' he said suspiciously.
''is she your girlfriend?'' Mary said teasing. MacKenzie eyes widened as he blushed. He looked mad at his Mary who was giggling at his reaction. ''No she's not!'' he hissed silently.
''Nah, no need to feel offended MaccieD. I'm just teasing you. But you two would make a lovely couple'' she continued. MacKenzie looked with a bit of panic on his face towards the rest to see if the others heard anything, but they hadn't. ''You only know her for like five minutes. Why would you say that?!'' he said annoyed.
''Because you talk about her every time you visit us. And now that I have finally meet her, i understand. She's nice and when she just said hi to you, you're whole attitude changed from tense to relaxed. You..got..a..cruuuusssh!'' she said with a big grin on her face while poking Mackenzie on his chest.
''No i have not.. .. are..best friends andnotithingmoreso… shaddup!'' MacKenzie said annoyed with a small desperate voice causing Mary to giggle more and causing her grin to grow bigger. ''Sure'' she finished. Before she could say something more Bluey returned to them. MacKenzie gave Mary a stare that clearly said that she should not dare to say anything more about this topic with Bluey around. Mary understood the assignment.
''So Bluey, you want to play to?'' she asked. ''Yes, i would like to try it.'' Bluey answered. ''Great! I will form a team with Bingo then.'' Mary said.
''Hey! Are you leaving me behind? Who should i play with then?'' MacKenzie complained. ''Well… duh. Bluey of course. You and her are a team now.'' Mary said as the grin on her face returned.
MacKenzie squeezed the bean bag, imagining it was her neck.
The game went on and MacKenzie had a lot of fun working together with Bluey. He was happy that were teamed up together, but not so happy with Mary and her comments. They lost eventually to Mary and Bingo who turned out to be a very competitive duo together and hard to beat. Wal and Rupert had left the game a bit earlier to explore the garden more and had met with Lucky and Chucky. Those four boys were now playing Rugby together in Patrick's garden. Bingo and Mary were getting along very well and after the game they went to Bingo's room to play something else, leaving MacKenzie and Bluey alone. They went to the swing bench and set up there. Bluey talked about her school day and what was going on over there. After that MacKenzie told her about the divorce between his aunt and uncle, and told her more about his cousins and the adventures they had together during his holidays when staying over with them.
They were happy to talk to eachother and were secretly enjoying each other's company.
A hour later Calypso came by to meet in person with MacKenzie's aunt and uncle. This to Bluey's dismay. She just found out that day that Calypso was also involved in taking care for MacKenzie along with her dad. She thought only Bandit was MacKenzie's caretaker for now and when she learned Calypso was too, she was at first again a bit angry that she was not told.
It also was weird she thought having your teacher as caretaker as well. But after giving it some thought, and not paying attention to the lessons, she forgave her teacher. Afterall, she was happy that people cared enough for MacKenzie to help him. But when Calypso said at the end of the school day that she would see her again at her house for dinner, Bluey felt a bit repulsed again.
She really liked Calypso, but having her over in her house for dinner felt not right. Teachers should belong and stay in their classrooms and not venture outside of their schools into the world. Especially not in her world! It were to different worlds and they should not collide according to her logic. The dinner went smooth and the atmosphere was great and fun.
MacKenzie was happy to see his family and finally relaxed.
After dinner the children watched a movie in the living room while the adults were having a serious conversation in the dining room, sitting at the table. When the emotions got too high at certain moments, Bandit secretly turned the volume up on the tv. The only adult not taking part in the conversation was Athena. She felt like it wasn't her business to attend that meeting and therefore she offered to keep an eye on the kids. She sat on the cough, near the door watching the film. She would make sure they stayed glued to the film they were watching and that enough snacks and drinks were provided. Although Chili normally wouldn't allow and do this on a weekday, and certainly not on a Monday evening, she and Bandit wanted to make sure that the children would not hear anything from the conversation that was going on. And they knew that sending them to bed wouldn't help.
After the film was over the conversation ended to. Mabel and Chili were clearly upset and Bandit, Calypso and Footrot were tired. Calypso thanked the Heelers for the meal and left, even forgetting to say goodbye to the children. Mabel called her kids to come and together with Footrot and Athena they left to their hotel.
The Next day;
The next day mainly just consisted of only appointments MacKenzie had to attend. His first appointment was in the hospital where they would remove his plaster cast. It was early in the afternoon when he walked in the hospital with Chili, his aunt Mabel and Frisky, who had a day off and decided to hang out with Chili resulting in her coming with them.
At the reception he was redirected to room 154 where he had to wait on a where he had to sit in white a booth on a black stool. It was a small booth, with green curtains on both sides. One side where the patients would enter and leave and the other for the doctors or nurses. Chili and Frisky were waiting outside while MacKenzie and Mabel waited for the nurse to take off the plaster.
MacKenzie looked at it. It would be nice to see his fur underneath it again. He only was afraid it would smell terrible. He never payed any good attention to the plaster as he always tried to ignore it. It was a dark blue cast and not really clean anymore. Especially after he visited the creek last week. Some people had written their names on it with a kind message for him.
There were signatures of Bluey, Bingo, Jack, Rusy, his cousins, Lucky, Bandit, Mandy, Calypso, his aunt and uncle, Chucky, Patrick and Judo.
He was staring at it when Mandy, the black poodle nurse, walked in the booth.
''Hi MacKenzie! Good to see you again. How are you?'' she said with a smile on her face.
MacKenzie was glad to see Mandy again. A familiar face. ''Everything is oke-ish. And with you?'' he said. ''I'm doing very well thank you. Are you excited to get your plaster removed?'''.
''Yes! I can't wait to get this extra weight removed from my arm'' he said.
Mandy then introduced herself to Mabel and went to work. She got out the saw and started. MacKenzie wasn't really comfortable with a saw so near his arm. Luckily Mabel comforted him and before he knew the cast was gone. MacKenzie looked at his arm that he didn't see in ages. Unfortunately it was still damaged.
He could see bits of pink skin were fur used to be. The fur that was left was in a bad condition and matted and on top of that it smelled horrendous indeed.
''No need to worry about that MacKenzie. Just wash your arm and your fur will be growing back and heal within a couple of days. After a week you won't even notice it anymore'' Mandy said to reassure him. MacKenzie only hoped she was right. He then walked to a corner of the booth were a sink stood. Mandy helped him by gently washing his arm with lukewarm water and mild soap.
When she was done she dried his arm and then applied a healing ointment. It stung a little and he bit his lip. Then she gave MacKenzie an arm sling. Although he didn't need to wear his plaster cast anymore, Mandy wanted MacKenzie to rest his arm in a sling for at least two weeks.
He got instructions how to keep his arm fit and to heal. But between the arm exercises he should rest his arm in the sling so it would heal properly.
When it was over he walked out of the booth where Chili and Frisky cheered for him. Mandy gave him his cast plaster back to take it with him. He exactly didn't want that thing back but thanked her anyways as Chili placed it in a plastic shopping bag to take home. He thanked Mandy and they went on, leaving the hospital.
He wasn't wearing his sling right now. He would do that when they got home. For now he wanted to feel the wind on his freed arm and let it hang by his side like his other arm. It felt good and he felt a bit normal again. The only thing that still bothered him was the pain in his back.
They went to a cafe together for lunch where his uncle joined them. After lunch was over they had an appointment at the funeral director to discuss things for the next day. Chili and Frisky would wait and buy the flowers, while MacKenzie, Mabel and Footrot had to discuss with the funeral director the less flowery bits of the day.