Jess the Lonely Puppy

Chapter Six

Grandad came over the next day to look after Chloe while Mum and Dad went to the hospital, and as soon as they’d shut the front door behind them, Chloe pulled him over to the kitchen table to sit down and talk.

“What’s the matter, Chlo?” Grandad grinned at her. “You’re looking very serious.”

Chloe huffed out a sigh. “It is serious! I’ve tried everything, but Jess can’t stop getting into trouble. Mum’s really cross with her and I’m worried she might take her back to the dog breeder.”

Grandad looked down at Jess, who was fighting with her stretchy rubber bone under the table. “I’m sure your mum wouldn’t do that. She hasn’t said anything to me. What’s Jess been doing?”

Chloe explained about the cereal, and the plants, and her knee, and then the stolen biscuits. It did sound rather awful when it was all in a long list, she realized.

Grandad nodded slowly. “I didn’t know she was so upset with Jess, but I can see why… It’s been really hard for her and your dad, you know, worrying so much about Will. And they’re worried about you too, Chlo. Your mum thinks it’s really spoiling your holiday.”

“If I could get Jess to behave well and go for walks without being afraid of what she might do, I’d be having a brilliant summer,” Chloe replied.

“But you’re already making a big difference,” Grandad pointed out, reaching across the table to cover her hand with his. “Think back to the day of Will’s accident – just think about how you were with Jess. I felt so sad, watching you. It looked like you secretly wanted to play with Jess and Will, but you couldn’t make yourself. And now look at you! I know the walks didn’t turn out too well, but at least you went! And you haven’t given up on Jess, even after she’s got you into trouble. I’m so proud of you.”

Chloe went pink and looked down at the table, feeling embarrassed. Dad had spotted her cuddling Jess the day before and told her it was great that she seemed to be getting on so well with the puppy, but no one had said it as nicely as that before.

“But it isn’t making her any better behaved, Grandad. I just don’t know what to try next.”

Grandad hugged her. “Honestly, your mum won’t send her back. But we don’t want her getting any more stressed out than she is already.” He nodded thoughtfully. “What that dog needs is a training class.”

“Oh yes!” Chloe bounced in her chair. “Will was going to take her, but it clashed with football. He was planning to do it in the holidays instead, but then we all forgot about it after the accident.”

“How about it then? You, me and Jess. Let’s find ourselves a trainer. Come on, Chlo, show me some of those computer skills. Let’s go and see what’s on round here.”

Ten minutes later, Chloe and Grandad had found a training class that was being run in the church hall round the corner. “Look, there’s a class starting this Tuesday,” Grandad pointed out. “Perfect. Something fun for us to do while Maddy’s away, stop you feeling too sad about that pony club thingummy.”

“Pony camp.” Chloe giggled. “Can we call now, Grandad? I hope they aren’t full up.”

Luckily, they weren’t. Grandad put down the phone, looking very pleased with himself.

“We can go?” Chloe asked eagerly. She was standing next to him, with Jess waltzing excitedly round her legs. Jess could tell that something good was happening. Chloe sounded so happy.

Grandad nodded. “And when I told Mike, the trainer, that Jess was a Border collie, he mentioned that he does agility sessions too. So I’ve signed us up for a taster in a few weeks’ time.”

“What’s agility?” Chloe asked, stooping down to hug Jess and ruffling the fur round her neck. Jess looked up at her adoringly.

“Haven’t you ever seen it on TV?” Grandad replied. “It’s a bit like show-jumping, but for dogs. Jess isn’t old enough for real agility classes yet, but he thought she’d enjoy the taster session.”

Chloe beamed. “Jess would love that.”

“I’m sure she would. Mike said it’s great for collies; it works off loads of their energy. I thought it sounded like just what we need!”

Chloe was rather nervous about the first training session. What if Jess didn’t behave? It would be really embarrassing if she just wouldn’t do as she was told. And Chloe was a tiny bit worried about all those other dogs too. She wasn’t scared of Jess any more, but she wasn’t sure how she’d feel about a hall full of dogs.

Luckily, there were only five in their class, and they were all puppies too. Two Labradors, one black and one chocolate, a cocker spaniel, and one breed that Chloe didn’t recognize. His owner said he was a mixed bag.

Jess adored the class. Everyone fussed over her and said how beautiful she was, and Chloe spent ages telling her she was a good dog, every time she did as she was told.

“She’s doing really well.” Mike, the trainer, crouched down by Jess and patted her gently. “Let’s see you walk up the hall, turn at the end and come back. Don’t pull her, and walk slowly, OK? Lots of praise.”

Chloe looked down at Jess lovingly – “Come on, Jess, walk,” she said, keeping her voice gentle but firm, like she’d been told.

Jess showed off happily, trotting along right next to Chloe and turning perfectly, without Chloe having to pull her.

“Great. Give her one of your treats, Chloe. She’s a natural.” Mike looked really pleased.

“You are such a clever girl, Jess!” Chloe said, holding out a dog biscuit.

Jess gulped down the delicious meaty biscuit, wagging her tail happily. She loved dog training!

At the end of the class, Grandad walked over. He’d been watching from the back of the hall, and Chloe had asked him to take some photos to show Will when she went to visit.

“We were so lucky there was a course starting this week. Jess seemed to really enjoy herself.” Grandad smiled. “I’m sure she’ll love that agility taster session, too.”

On their way home, Jess walked close to Chloe, feeling happily tired after the class. She wanted to go home and curl up in her basket, then later maybe Chloe would play those fun games with her in the garden. There might even be more of the yummy treats.

Chloe’s mum was delighted that it had gone so well. “I’m going to have to come and watch one of these classes,” she suggested. “It sounds as though you and Jess are doing brilliantly.”

“We’ve got beginners’ training on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next four weeks,” Chloe explained.

“Are you coming with me to see Will?” Mum asked.

Chloe nodded excitedly. “Yes, I want to tell him how fantastic Jess was at the class. He’s going to be so proud of her! I didn’t tell him we were going, in case Jess behaved really badly.”

Will was watching a DVD on the screen above his bed, but he turned it off as soon as he saw Mum and Chloe. “Wow, it’s good to see you,” he said, grinning. “Mum, have they said how much longer I have to be in for?”

Mum shook her head. “I’m supposed to talk to Dr Bedford today. Hopefully not much longer, now you’ve started physiotherapy.”

Will made a face. “It’s good being allowed to move, but I’m so slow! It’s going to be ages before I can go for runs in the park with Jess. How is she?”

Chloe beamed at him and pulled out her camera to show him the photos Grandad had taken. “She’s brilliant! Look!”

Will stared at them, frowning. “You took her to dog training? But I was going to do that!”

Chloe looked at him in surprise. She had thought he’d be pleased. “I know, but—”

“I was really looking forward to it!” Will said angrily. “She’s my dog!”

“Actually, Will, she’s a family dog,” Mum said gently. “I know you’ve spent the most time with her, but Chloe’s been looking after her really well. You’ll be able to go to the classes too when you’re better.”

But Will was still scowling, and he hardly spoke to Chloe for the rest of the visit.