Chapter 1
Nelly
It was just two years ago and I was only eight. My mama sent me outside to get milk from our cow, Jenny. I called for our dog, Nelly. “Nelly, oh Nelly,” I called. There was no answer. I called again, “Nelly, here girl, here girl.” Still no reply. I looked around in all her favorite places, the corn fields, by the pond, and in the barn, no Nelly. I started to get frantic. I was starting towards the house when I saw a brown lump laying in the field. I got closer, it was Nelly, and she wasn’t breathing. Nelly was dead.
“Amy, I’ve finished my chores first so you have to milk the cow,” nagged Reece
my older brother. I looked up, I‘d been thinking of my old dog Nelly. She died two years ago. “Great, now I have to wash the dishes, clean the floor, and milk the cow,” I complained. You see I live on a farm with my mom and dad and my brother Reece. (Unfortunately) Reece and I had equal amounts of chores but there was always one left over. The person who finished their chores first didn’t have to do it. I usually finish last. I headed to the barn, it smelled of old hay and food. I sat down on the old stool to the side of our cow, Jenny. “I hate milking the cow. It always takes forever and it’s lonely here all by myself,” I complained. Jenny let out a long moo as if saying she was there too. “I know you’re here Jenny, but I wish Nelly was here too. She would stay by my side the whole time,” I said. As I finished I looked up at Jenny but she was already in the field grazing. “Unlike you,” I joked. Jenny just let another long moo form a distance.
After cleaning the floors and washing the dishes I rushed inside and looked in the mirror. (I had to do my hair) All I saw was a little red-headed girl with skin so pale that her freckles looked black, that girl was me. I looked out the window; the sun was just coming up. “Time to go to school,” I exclaimed. I always wake up early; you had to on a farm. “Reece, Reece time to go to school,” I called. Reece stormed downstairs and out the door. “Wait up,” I cried.
“For you, why should I,” said Reece jokingly but not slowing down. I heard a noise, I looked behind me and saw little Cindy and her dog Ginger. Cindy had short blond hair that swayed when she walked; so did Ginger. Cindy also had a high happy voice that sounded fake with a little exaggeration, and was always present in any situation. I really don’t like Cindy, but I really don’t like any one with a dog.
“Hi Amy,” said Cindy, “You know our teacher, Mrs. HoneyBee. She’s letting me bring in my dog Ginger to class, isn’t it Fantabulous.”
“Cool,” I said, lying of course.
“Well got to go,” said Cindy. I watched Cindy go. I wished I had a dog. The cold nose on your face, the sincerity, the protection; I missed it all.
Chapter 2
School
“Listen up class, the principal said that because our school mascot is the Dog that I have to give you a lesson on dogs,” said Mrs. HoneyBee in a grouchy voice. “I’m a cat person so I’ve asked Cindy to bring in her dog, Ginger; and explain about dogs. Cindy will you come up and talk about your dog,” said Mrs. HoneyBee.
I was now at school, sitting glumly in my chair. “Why did Cindy have to bring in her dog,” I thought. I just looked away. “Amy pay attention, you don’t want to miss this,” said Mrs. HoneyBee.
“Yes I would,” I said to myself.
Cindy stepped up. “Thanks for letting come up Mrs. HoneyBee,” said Cindy, “This is my dog, Ginger. Ginger’s a Golden Retriever.” Cindy took something out of her backpack. “I found a list of all the dog breeds. Here’s the Affenpincher and the Akita and the… I didn’t care about any of those dogs, only one caught my eye. It was the most beautiful dog I ever saw. It had white, short hair with brown and black spots, and was a hunting dog. In other words it was perfect. It was called a Foxhound, I had to get one.
Chapter 3
Needing a Dog
“Please, please, please let me get a dog,” I begged back at home.
“Honey we can’t afford a dog right now, let alone feed it and care for it. You know that sales are low this year and we can barely afford food, plus dogs attract the wolfs, we just can’t do it,” said Mama. I considered the thought, the wolfs lived in the nearby mountains and they did come up to the houses with dogs, and I was scared to death by them, but nothing would change my mind.
“Please, you know how much I want and need one,” I begged again.
“No,” said both parents sternly. I stormed out the room and out past the corn field and through the reeds and arrived at R. J. Skipper Pond. I started to climb the nearest tree. I was determined to reach the top, even when I scraped my knee on a branch.
“Finally I’m up.” I said at the top of the tree out of breath. I looked out onto the horizon; I saw a mix of colors, red, pink, orange, and yellow blurring together and making a sunset. I always come up here, when I’m sad, angry, or overcome with joy; it just calms me. The thick smell of pine and the lovely views. I looked as far as I could see; all I saw was the town of Cedar Oaks. A small town, so small that if you sneezed while driving by you would miss it, that’s what people from big towns say. Its bigger then our little town of Rolling Pines, all that’s got is a grocery store, a Sears catalog, our schoolhouse, and a phone to call the doctor. That’s when it hit me. “Cedar Oaks! There’s bound to be a Pet Store there,” I exclaimed.
I climbed down and went to Cedar Oaks.
Chapter 4
Cedar Oaks
I’m scared of the town of Cedar Oaks; it’s said to be haunted. Mama and Papa said that the town was built right after a fire, and that the souls lost in it still haunt this town But Mama and Papa say lots of things. Despite of my fear I walked on, passing a bar and clothing shop. Passing the bank, department store, and the Hospital and finally made to the Pet store.
I walked slowly inside as if I made a single sound it would all disappear. It smelt of pets though there were none there at the moment. On the wall hung a clock and a poster with a dog on it. Besides food, treats, toys, and flea away it was empty. “May I help you,” said the little old lady at the counter.
“Yes I would like to buy a dog,” I said.
“Oh would you, well which dogs, there are so many,” said the lady.
“I would like to buy an American foxhound please,” I said proudly.
“Oh dear, as you can see we don’t have any of those, or any other dog. Everyone wants pets and us little town pet stores can’t afford to bring in dogs and no one buying them so we’ve have to order them specifically for the buyer. Here why don’t you look at this catalog, it shows all the dogs that we can ship in and their deadline,” said the lady.
“Deadline,” I said confused.
“Well yes, there’s a deadline to when they can still ship the dog. This company is going out of business and well once all the dogs are gone, no more Cedar Oaks pet store. You’ll have to go all the way to Oklahoma City,” said the lady. I needed that dog, deadline or not I was going to get it. I grabbed the catalog and started looking.
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American Foxhound
110.000
May 11 |
Australian Shepherd
230.00
August 26 |
Beagle
130.00
June 8 |
Page one |
“Ok lets see, today is December 11 and the deadline for the Foxhound is May 11 and I need 130.00. I make $2.00 a month doing chores so that gives me ten dollars. Great I need one hundred more dollars I’ll never do it,” I said glumly. I walked out of the store and sat on a bench. “How will I raise one hundred dollars? A boy might go out and hunt, but a girl I don’t think so. Hmm I can sew, but I’m not that good. I couldn’t think of anything else. I guess I’ll go with sewing,” I said doubting my abilities. I walked all the way home and onto our porch. Mama and Papa weren’t home yet. “Good,” I said to myself, “If Mama and Papa aren’t home then I can sneak in and take some needles and yarn. I walked so high on my Tipp toes that I felt like I was going to fall over. I walked through our living room and through our dining room and made it to the kitchen.
“What do you think you’re doing,” said Reece standing in the doorway.
“Getting yarn,” I said slyly.
“Yeah, and sell it. Probably to raise money for that dog you wanted,” said Reece.
“How did you know about the dog?”
“I overheard you talking about it.”
“Please Reece don’t tell Mama and Papa.”
“Fine but you have to let me take the dog hunting once.”
“Deal, I knew you wanted a dog too.”
“Well hurry up and get out of here, I’m busy,” said Reece. I raced to the cupboard and grabbed two needles and some purple and pink thread. I stormed outside and out to R.J. Skipper Pond.
“Weave out, weave in, weave out, weave in,” I hummed to myself. I wasn’t good at sewing but I did know how to do it. I started out with the top pink and purple in the middle then pink again. Then I threaded pink thread through the purple and purple through the pink. An hour went by and I had myself a messy scarf, but it looked kind of good. I was thinking about going back to town and selling it but it was getting dark and Mama and Papa would be getting home soon so I headed home.
“So want did you do today,” said Papa at home during dinner. Reece gave me a promised look as if saying he wouldn’t tell.
“Oh I went down to the pond,” I said.
“Honey you know me and papa don’t want you at the pond without supervision,” said Mama.
“Mama may I be excused,” I asked when I was done.
“Yes you can, good night, me and Papa will check on you later,” said Mama.
I raced up stairs and as soon as my head hit the pillow I was fast asleep.
Chapter 5
50 Cents
I woke up the next day to put on my clothes and realize it was Saturday. I didn’t have to wake up so early on Saturdays but instead of putting away my clothes away and jumping into bed, I marched downstairs. I finished all my chores before Mama even stepped foot downstairs. It looked like Reece was getting the extra chore today. I was so excited that day that nothing could stop me from going into town. “Mama, mama I’ve finished my chores and I’m going to take a walk for a while is that ok,” I asked the half asleep Mama upstairs. Mama moaned a yes. So I walked downstairs and into town.
I passed many places but none what I was looking for. Finally I found the place, an old sewing shop where they bought and sold clothes. I walked inside, it smelt of fabrics and I could hear a lady sewing in a back room. “May I help you, said the lady behind the counter.
“Yes I would like to sell something,” I said. Pulling out my scarf.
“Oh how nice,” said the lady slowly, “I think we can buy that for a rough fifty cents.” Fifty cents isn’t a lot but that’s probably all I’d get so I said, “Deal.”
Chapter 6
Disappointed
So months went by and my scarf’s got better and better. My average sell was two dollars and I made so many scarfs’ I thought my hands were going to fall off. Every day I never had a single thought that didn’t involve my dog to be.
Finally the deadline day came. I only had one hundred including my chores money. But even prices didn’t stop my spirit. While I was walking I thought of all the possibilities. Maybe the price went down, or I’d find a ten dollar bill.
(How unlikely it may have seemed) Finally I made it to the store.
The price didn’t change and I found no dollar bill, it was over. “I’m so sorry sweetie,” said the lady behind the counter. But even her kind comforts wouldn’t cheer me up, only one place would.
So I raced to my favorite spot, R.J. Skipper pond. I climbed the big oak. It was a lot easier now that I was bigger. I sat up on top and started to cry. Some people wanted a dog, but I needed one. I couldn’t stand it any longer; I missed Nelly and having a dog so much that I wouldn’t be happy until I had a dog. Then I saw a light, shining down in front of the reeds. Like an angel come down. I heard a twig snap and a rustle in the reeds. Then it happened, a dog popped out.
The dog had a long coat of brown hair. It was so skinny that all of its bones showed. “Go away,” I shouted I wanted a dog but not that ugly one. The dog stayed put and wouldn’t leave. So I climbed down, I didn’t want to stay there with that dog staring at me. I started to walk home with that dog on my trail. “Go home,” I shouted again. Then I realized that the dog didn’t have a home, so I ran. I didn’t want that dog to think of me as its owner. Now I’m the fastest kid in my school and even faster then Reece and he’s fourteen and I’m only twelve but that dog was on my trail all the way home right by my side.
That dog wouldn’t leave, a week went by and it just sat on our porch looking around and doing nothing. Everyday it would follow me to school and wait outside until I walked home with it. Then one day I looked at the dog and how skinny it was, it was kind of cute how it followed me to school. “Fine come inside and get some food,” I said one day at home. I went inside and got a saucer of milk and left over roast. He gobbled it up so fast that when I blinked it was gone. So for about a week I fed the dog, he got much fatter and his hair grew too, he didn’t look like a stray anymore.
One day as I was about to feed the dog I heard something in the kitchen. “Hello,” I called no answer. I thought it was safe but boy was I wrong.
“Amy May Mirtog, what I are you doing with that mutt,” said Mama seeing me.
“Mama I can explain…” I said getting cut off.
“No need to, I see that the dog followed you in, get it out.” I followed her orders and went outside till dinner.
After dinner it was off to bed. But I was too worried about the dog, yes I said I never wanted the dog but now I want it with all my might. Scratch scrape rub I heard on my window, I got panicked what if it was one of the ghosts or…… I looked out and it was just the dog. I looked at his pitiful face, he wanted to come in. I walked over to the window and opened it up; he came bouncing in and onto the rug. He fell fast asleep. I left the window open incase he wanted to go back out.
I woke that morning; it all seemed like a dream. But the window was open and the dog was gone.
Chapter 7
Getting the Dog
So for many nights I opened the window and let the dog come in, no one knew, no one found out. But then I fell asleep, I didn’t even hear the door opening.
Mama walked inside, silent in the night. The dog was still there sleeping, half awake. It started to growl at Mama. “Help, help there’s a dog in here,” shouted Mama. I woke up immediately to see the dog jump out the window. “Honey, what was that,” said Mama.
“Mama that’s my dog,” said I.
“I don’t remember saying you can have a dog,” said Mama.
“I didn’t ask, but now I am. I found this dog and it followed me home and I just love it. Please let me keep it.”
“But we can’t afford a dog, you know that”
“But I have the money, I can pay it off. Consider the thought.” Mama looked at me, and then at the dog standing outside the window.
“Well I guess it’s going to need the name,” said Mama. (That’s Mama’s way for saying yes) I walked to the window and called the dog in; it came bounding in with joy. “Well what are you going to name it?”
“Skipper.”
“That ain’t a name for a dog,” said Reece coming into my room.
“Well it is now,” I said joining skipper, who was fast asleep.
Chapter 8
The Hunting Day
“So what did you name that dog,” said Papa at breakfast the next morning.
“Skipper,” I said proudly.
“Don’t forget about are promise,” said Reece sternly.
“What promise,” said Mama slyly.
“Well Reece knew about me saving up for a dog but I ended up finding one,” I said.
“Well what’s the promise,” said Mama.
“Well she said I could take that pup hunting,” said Reece.
“Well hunting, a jolly old sport,” said Papa, “Well Reece when do you plan to go?”
“I plan to go actually tonight,” said Reece.
“You have to me with you,” I said.
“Honey you can’t go,” said Mama.
“Fine,” I said. I looked out the window and saw that the sun was coming up. “Bye I have to go,” I shouted. I stormed outside so fast that I didn’t even hear Reece calling for me to wait up. I went outside to see Skipper waiting for me. “Come on boy,” I said. We walked and walked till we came to a bench and rested for a while.
“Amy,” said Cindy, “I didn’t know that you had a dog.” I could tell that Cindy was hurt; most kids in our class didn’t have a dog so it made her feel special to have one.
“Yep, just got one,” I said, I liked Cindy now.
“Well is he a purebred like Ginger,” said Cindy braggingly.
“No but he’s mine,” I said walking off. Normally school was boring but today was not. Most schools have many days but my school did not and today was the last day, but like most things fun it took forever to get to summer.
“I’m going to miss you all so much” wept Mrs. HoneyBee in that grouchy voice before the bell. Three, two, one shouted the kids rushing out the door when the bell range; I got tangled in that mess and ended up right outside the door.
“Hey Skipper,” I shouted. I knew that this summer would be perfect.
Later that night, Reece and Skipper were in the woods. Hiding in the bushes, waiting. Finally something happened, a small badger like creature jumped up and began eating the bait. Skipper jumped up and attacked, “No boy,” shouted Reece but it was to late Skipper took a bite in the animals leg. But instead of running the animal fell, it was dead, because of Skipper.
Chapter 10
Summer Fun
Skipper didn’t go hunting much more, I wouldn’t allow it. He might have got hurt. But instead we had a joyous summer. Skipper and I headed down to the pond; Mama said it was ok for me to go swimming because I was going with Cindy, Megan, and Sandy three girls from school. Sandy had, well long sandy hair and Megan had long black hair, and they were sisters.
“Hey Amy,” shouted Sandy.
“Hi everyone,” I shouted back. They were already swimming.
“Amy, why don’t you go and tell skipper to lay down with Ginger,” said Cindy. Skipper went down and lay with Ginger who was resting under a big oak tree.
“We love your dog,” said Sandy and Megan in unison.
“Thanks, I found him a few weeks ago,” I said. We swam around and played Marco Polo, soon it got too dark to swim and we all climbed up the big tree and watch the sun set.
“What’s that,” shouted Sandy.
“It’s fire works,” I exclaimed.
“Wow,” we all said when the big ones started. Skipper and Ginger started to bark and we decided we would go so they wouldn’t cause a fuss.
“Bye,” I said leaving. Skipper and I headed home when a long howl broke out from the nearby mountains. “The wolfs,” I said. “Don’t go near them I,” I said to Skipper but instead let a long howl and began to have a conversation. “Stop that,” I said again and pulled him all the way home.
“Amy May,” shouted Mama, “Come in here this instant, can’t you hear the wolfs.” So I rushed inside with Skipper and Mama put me to bed, but I woke up every now and then to hear Reece fire his rifle to scare away the wolfs.
In a few days Mama sent me to get milk from Jenny, but she was gone. “Mama, Mama Jenny’s gone,” I shouted. I heard a long Moo from the distance, a help moo. “Jenny’s in trouble,” I thought. “Come on Skipper,” I said. We raced through the reeds and came to an open spot. There we saw Jenny being harassed by three wolfs. The wolfs looked at me then at Skipper and got a surprised expression on their faces. They barked and then Skipper barked, they were having a conversation. Right when I was about to go and pull Skipper from the argument the wolfs fled. “Come on Jenny,” I said pulling her home with Skipper helping from the back. There was something strange going on and I was going to find out.
But nothing strange happened, at least not for a while. It all started a beautiful summer morning, Mama told me to get some fresh air and take a walk through the forest. “Come on Skipper,” I said joyously. Skipper’s head popped up from the bushes. So we walked, and walked. We came to a stream and took a drink; Skipper opened his mighty jaws and caught a fish. “My goodness, we’re going to have a feast tonight,” I said rapping the fish with extra cloth. Skipper barked. “Yes you can have some, you caught it,” I said jokingly. But then I heard a growl and it wasn’t Skipper. “What was that,” I said. Out popped an six foot grizzly bear. I screamed and froze with terror.
I tried to run but couldn’t. “Help,” I screamed but the only one who could hear me was Skipper, and he was gone. The bear took a lunge towards me but stopped an inch away. He put his nose up in the air and sniffed, but then lunged for me again. I closed my eyes, a few minutes went by. I opened my eyes a crack and took a peep. “Am I dead yet,” I said. But I wasn’t, in the distance was bear, being herded away by Skipper! When the bear was gone I exclaimed, “Skipper you saved me!” Skipper looked proud and triumphant. I raced home with Skipper guarding me like a puppy. I didn’t tell Mama or Papa, but I did tell Reece. He said that he wouldn’t tell as long as I didn’t carry fish with me again, (though it was a good dinner) and promised I wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to have anymore adventures.
We did have many adventures that summer, so many that it would have took the whole summer to tell them all. We went swimming many more times, and we followed Reece when he went to work, and even went to the town of Cedar Oaks with Cindy, Megan, and Sandy. And at the end, I loved Skipper, needed Skipper, and wanted Skipper, it was just like Nelly. But at the end of summer, it didn’t seem that happy
I woke one Saturday morning, I did my chores, bothered Reece, and helped cook breakfast. (The usual) Mama told me to feed the chickens, I did. But something was missing, there was no Skipper trying to eat the chickens food! No skipper in the barn, by the pond, or even no Skipper in the house, Skipper was missing! “Skipper, Skipper,” I cried. No response. I called again, “Skipper, Skipper here boy.” Still no reply. I called the family from the house to look, still no Skipper. Skipper was gone.
Chapter 11
Missing
My life broke down, I didn’t go to the pond, I barley ate and slept, Skipper was gone. My life was ruined even when Mama said, “Honey he might come back.” But I knew he wouldn’t. Mama told me to take a walk, so I did. But even the cold mountain air didn’t help. But then I heard a growl, then two. Someone was coming closer, or something. Then, a wolf popped out then two then five. I was surrounded. “Help,” I screamed but no one heard, no one could. The wolves circled around me, closing in with every step. “Help,” I screamed again. I heard one of the wolves jaw snap down, I could smell blood in its breath. I fell down on my knees to avoid a bite, but then I had no place to go. “Help,” I screamed for the last time. Again, there was no answer. Then a long howl broke out, but it was not from any of the wolves. A figure was hiding in the rocks, letting out long howls whenever a wolf tried to bite me. Finally the wolves gave up and went to join the figure.
“Amy!” shouted Reece coming with his rifle “Are you ok?”
“Yes, oh thank heavens you’re here. How did you find me?” I shouted.
“I heard you scream,” said Reece now standing right in front of me. “Don’t you ever come back here again.”
“I won’t don’t worry.”
“Let’s go home before they come back.” So we went home and Mama threw a fit and made my favorite dinner, roast beef with mashed potatoes and apple pie. (Yum) Papa and Reece gave me a big lecture on never going back there, but I was. Yes it was risky but I had to go back, I had to find out what that figure was.
“Amy I’m not going in there,” shouted Cindy from afar.
“You don’t have to, I just needed you so I could convince Mama that I was going to the pond,” I shouted.
“Bye, see you when I’m dead.”
“Don’t worry; I’m not going to die.” But Cindy had already left. I walked into the little bowl shaped valley. The smell of dust filled the air. I was now standing in the middle of the mountain, waiting. I started to howl. (Well at least I was make a similar noise) Then footsteps echoed through the mountains and put popped ... Skipper!
He was dirty and looked like when got him. But then a wolf popped out next to him. It was amazing, for a second I couldn’t tell which one was Skipper. “Get away,” I shouted. I couldn’t have it hurting Skipper. But he didn’t, and he didn’t hurt me. Instead they sat down together, I couldn’t believe it. Then it hit me, Skipper was a wolf.
Skipper indeed was a wolf. He let out a long howl, and two puppies appeared at his side. “Oh Skipper, oh Skipper. I need you but I can’t pull you away from your family,” I said, “Oh Skipper.” Skipper understood, he came up to me, gave me one last sloppy doggy kiss, then howled and left with his family. That was the last I ever saw of Skipper. When I went to school the next day I told everyone the story, I always got the same response. “Well I guess it was a bad summer for you.” But it wasn’t, it actually was the best, I had Skipper.
