Max the Missing Puppy (2 page)

Chapter Two

A week later, Molly and her parents were able to take Max home. He was eight weeks old now, and ready to leave his mother. Two of his sisters were about to go to new homes too, and Mrs Hughes said she was sure the others would find owners soon.

Molly still wished they could have Max’s brother as well, they were such a
double act that Molly hated to split them up. Then Max spotted Molly, flung himself at her, and nearly knocked her over, and Molly thought that maybe
two
dogs doing that all the time might be a bit much. But she was so happy that he remembered her!

“Hmmm. We’re going to have to take him to a good puppy-training class,” Molly’s mum said. “It won’t be long before he’s big enough to hurt someone by accident. We need to be able to get him to calm down.”

Mrs Hughes was nodding. “I can recommend a trainer local to you. Max’s just had his first shots, so you can take him to classes in a couple of weeks when he’s had the second set. It’s really good to start young.”

It was very exciting taking Max home, there was so much to show him. Mum and Dad had already spent ages fitting a dog-guard in the boot of the car so that Max had his own special place to ride. Mum had to keep telling Molly to sit still, as she just couldn’t help twisting round in her seat to check that Max was OK, all on his own back there.

At the house there was his new basket, his food bowl, and his lead for walks. Mrs Hughes had said to introduce him to outdoor walks gently, as he was only used to quick runs in her garden at the moment. Molly was really looking forward to taking him 
for walks on the beach, but they needed to wait until after Max’s booster vaccinations.

Meanwhile Max was loving settling in to his new home. He did miss his brother and sisters, but Molly was a new and interesting person to play with, and he had her all to himself. He didn’t have to share his toys either, and there were loads! Molly had spent all her pocket money on tennis balls, and a hard nylon bone that would be good for Max’s new teeth. They had a brilliant afternoon, playing new and exciting games. Max ran about so much he fell asleep in the middle of a game of Boo that they’d invented with the blanket from his basket. He suddenly stopped bouncing, and when 
Molly peered worriedly under the blanket to check he was all right, she found him flaked out with his nose between his paws, fast asleep.

Molly had begged for Max to be allowed to sleep in her room, but Mum and Dad said no. They knew it would end up with Max on Molly’s bed and not in his basket, even though Molly promised it wouldn’t. “It’s all very well having a puppy on your bed, Molly,” Mum explained, “but once Max is his full size, there’d be no room in your bed for you! You can’t let him on to your bed now and then change your mind when he’s bigger, he wouldn’t understand.”

So Max had to stay downstairs. Molly had given him her old teddy bear to snuggle up to, and a hot-water bottle, so he’d feel like he was curled up next to his mum, but it wasn’t the same. After all the cuddles and fussing, Max 
didn’t understand why he was suddenly all on his own. He yapped hopefully, expecting someone to come back and play with him, but no one came. He got up, and pattered round the kitchen sniffing, trying to work out where they all were. Earlier on Molly had played a game where she popped out from behind chairs at him – maybe this was the same? But she wasn’t behind any of the chairs.

Max trailed back to his basket with his tail hanging sadly. Where had they all gone? Were they going to come back? He snuffled and whimpered to himself for a little while, then the exhausting day caught up with him again, and he fell asleep, burrowed into his blanket. 

Upstairs Molly listened worriedly. It was so horrible hearing him cry, but Mum and Dad had explained that it would only upset Max more if she went down and then left him again. Her bedroom door was open, and she could hear the noises from the kitchen. She crept out very quietly, and leaned over the banisters. He sounded so sad! But he was definitely getting quieter, so perhaps he was going to sleep. Molly was tired herself from all the chasing around they’d been doing, so she sat down on the top step, leaning against the wall, and tried not to let her eyes close.

Molly’s parents had been watching TV in the living room. When they came upstairs a couple of hours later, Molly was fast asleep on the top step.

“Max…” she muttered sleepily, as her dad lifted her.

“He’s fast asleep in his basket, Molly, don’t worry. Go to sleep.”

The weekend just flew by. Back at school on Monday everyone was really envious when Molly told them about Max. She had a couple of photos that Dad had run off on the printer for her, and she showed them off proudly.

“Oh, he’s lovely, Molly! My brother has an Old English sheepdog, they make great pets.” Mrs Ford, Molly’s class teacher, looked at the photo admiringly as they stood in the playground before school. “You should show those to the class when we do weekend news.”

Molly didn’t normally like the class news sessions that much, as she never felt like she had anything very exciting to say! But today she couldn’t wait to tell everyone about her puppy. It was 
nice to have them all admiring Max’s picture too, as she was really missing him. She couldn’t help wondering what he was doing, and if he was missing her too. Mum had promised to make lots of fuss of Max, but she’d be busy doing stuff on the computer too, as she worked from home. Molly hoped she wouldn’t get carried away and forget about him.

Molly’s school was really close to her house, so she walked there with her mum, and they picked up her friend Amy, who lived three doors down, on the way. Then Amy’s mum brought them home. That Monday Molly hurried Amy all the way back to their road, and then she raced home and flung herself through the front door. 

Max jumped up and shot out of the kitchen to greet her. He’d been curled up in his basket, half-dozing, and wishing someone would play with him. He loved his new house, but it got very quiet without Molly there. Molly’s mum had tried her best, but she just wasn’t the same. With Molly he didn’t have to stand there holding his bone looking hopeful, she
knew
when he wanted to play. He danced round her, barking excitedly, and scrabbling at her knees. When she swept him up for a hug he did his best to lick her all over, wanting her to know how much he’d longed for her to come home.

“Ooooh, get off, get off, Max, not my ears, you’re really tickling!” Molly held 
him out at arm’s length and laughed at him. “I don’t need washing, anyway. Did you have a nice day? Was he OK, Mum? Did he behave himself?”

Her mum was leaning on the door frame and laughing. “Yes, but I think he really missed you. He looked all round the house several times, and he sat by the front door for ages. Why don’t you take him in the garden for a run about? I took him out quickly at lunchtime, but I’m sure he’d like to go out again.”

Max seemed to understand what “garden” meant. He dashed to the door, and jumped up and down, squeaking.

Molly giggled. “No, I think I need a rest after school … it’s OK, Max, I’m teasing! Come on, silly.” She grabbed his squeaky ball and opened the door, letting Max streak out in a
black-and-white
blur.

He loved to be outside!