Harry the Homeless Puppy

Chapter Six

Maya and her sister were waiting outside for Grace when she and Danny and Mum arrived on Saturday afternoon. Maya was going to stay for a couple of hours and then her sister was coming back to pick her up. Grace was delighted to have someone to show round, and Maya loved meeting all the dogs. They were just saying hello to Jake, the Westie, when Grace heard a familiar yap from the next pen. She turned slowly to look. Could it be…

“Harry!” Grace cried, and he bounded up to the door of the pen, leaping and barking delightedly.

“Oh, it’s really you, what are you doing back here, you lovely boy?” Grace murmured, stroking him through the wire.

“He seems very pleased to see you,” said Sally, coming up behind Grace. Sally was smiling, but she didn’t sound too happy, and Grace suddenly realized that if Harry was back, it meant his new owner must have been a mistake. “Did the people not want him after all?” she asked, gazing fondly at Harry.

Sally sighed. “Harry didn’t settle very well, unfortunately. I’m sure he would have been fine, given time, but the husband turned out to be allergic to dogs, too. Poor Harry, back here again, aren’t you, sweetheart?”

Grace looked at Harry lovingly. She slipped into his run, and sat down, letting him climb all over her, and lick as much of her as he could. She was so glad to see him again. But then a horrible thought struck her. Harry hadn’t settled at his new home – was that her fault? Because she’d been spending so much time with him? If he was too fond of her, he might not want to go to a new owner.

“What’s the matter?” Maya asked. “Aren’t you pleased he’s back?”

Grace sighed. “I am pleased. But Sally said he didn’t settle at his new home. What if that’s because he’s spending too much time with me?”

Maya looked confused, and Grace tried to explain. “He’s going to be rehomed again – what if I spoil another new home for him, too? Maybe I just shouldn’t see him any more.”

Harry lay blissfully in Grace’s lap, his paws folded on his stomach, eyes closed. The only thing that could make this better would be some food. He was fairly sure dinner would be here soon…

“Harry… Harry…” Grace was whispering to him. “I’ve got to go, sweetie. It’s time for you to be fed.” She lifted him gently off her lap.

Harry slid sleepily off, and looked up at her, puzzled. She was going? Again? But she’d only just come back! Grace was opening the door of his pen, and he flung himself at her, howling. No! He didn’t want her to go, she might not come again!

Grace shut the door of the run, her fingers trembling. Harry was howling so loudly, everyone in the shelter was looking round, wondering what was happening.

Sally walked quickly towards them. “Don’t worry, Grace, I’ve got some food for him; hopefully that’ll help calm him down. You go. See you soon, OK? Don’t worry about Harry, he’s just had a hard couple of days.”

Grace nodded, blinking back tears. It was really hard to leave him when he was so upset. Maya and Danny were hurrying up the corridor towards her, looking worried.

“Maya told me Harry was back. Was that him howling?” Danny asked.

Grace nodded and sniffed. Danny gave her a hug and they headed for the door. Mum was waving to them from reception, telling them to hurry up.

Maya had just opened the door when there was a sudden crash, and they turned back to see that Sally had dropped Harry’s food bowl. It looked like he’d jumped at the door of the pen as she’d opened it, and knocked into her. Now he was racing down between the pens, barking madly, with Sally chasing after him.

Harry settled at Grace’s feet, his tail wagging desperately. Other people were allowed to take him home. Why couldn’t she? She was the one he wanted to go home with!

Hopefully, he held out one paw, the way she’d been teaching him. Grace’s eyes were full of tears as she crouched down to take it. Harry gave a triumphant little bark. He’d done it right. There. Surely she couldn’t send him back to his run now.

Grace picked him up, and rubbed her cheek against his smooth fur. Then she handed him back to Sally, and ran. She couldn’t bear to see him like this.

Danny, Maya and Mum found her outside the shelter, leaning against the wall and crying.

“Oh, Grace…” Mum said worriedly. “I’m sure he’ll be all right in a minute.” Grace gave her a disbelieving look, and Mum sighed. “Well, maybe not straight away, but I’m sure he will get over it.”

“But it isn’t fair!” Grace sobbed. “He’s always having to get over things. His first owner had to leave him, and now this one’s given up on him, and he just wants to be with me and I can’t have him!”

Mum put an arm round her shoulders comfortingly, and Danny asked, “Mum, isn’t there any way we could have him? You know how hard Grace has worked.”

“I do know, and I’m really proud of you, Grace. But Harry needs lots of space to run around. And he’d hate being shut up while we’re all out during the day. I’m sorry, Grace, I wish things were different, but you know we can’t have a dog at the moment.”