Mum, Im ten now, arent I? Oliver suddenly blurted out as he got home from school.
So what? His mum looked at him, puzzled.
What do you mean, so what? Have you already forgotten what you and dad promised me for my tenth birthday?
A promise? What did we say wed let you do?
You said I could get a dog!
Oh no! Mum cried out, slightly panicked. Anything but that! Look, would you like an electric scooter instead? A really fancy one. But only if you promise youll never, ever mention a dog again.
So thats what youre like Oliver sulked, sticking out his lip. And youre always telling me to keep my word, but when its your turn, you just forget about it… Fine, whatever
He stormed off to his room and refused to come out, not even for tea, until Dad got home from work.
Dad, do you remember what you and mum said youd let me do when I turned ten Oliver started all over again, but his dad cut him off.
Mum already rang to fill me in! But honestly, Ollie, why do you want a dog so much?
Dad, Ive dreamed of having a dog for so long! You both know that!
Oh, we know, all right! You read a few books about boys and their dogs and now youre obsessed. Its not like your mum and I didnt have dreams as kids. Do you realise pedigree dogs cost a fortune?
I dont care about that! Oliver burst out. It doesnt have to be a pedigree. Even a stray is okayactually, I read online about abandoned dogs. They look so sad.
No, hang on! Dad jumped in. What do you mean, a stray? What do we want with a mongrel? Theyre not even nice to look at! Ill tell you what, Ollie, well think about a dog, but only if its a young, good-looking pedigree, abandoned or not. If you find one like that wandering around town, then maybe well say yes.
Thats what youd agree to? Oliver pulled a face.
Yes! Dad grinned at Mum and gave her a secret wink. Youll look after it and train it and maybe even enter it in shows, right? You cant do that with an old dog. So, if you find a young, beautiful pedigree stray in town, well think about it.
Alright Oliver sighed. Hed never seen a pedigree stray just wandering around, but he wasnt about to give up hope.
On Sunday, he called up his mate George, and after lunch, they set off around town on their so-called mission.
For hours they trudged around, searching all the parks and streets. They saw plenty of beautiful dogs, but every single one had an owner and was safely on a lead.
Thats it, Oliver groaned, worn out. I knew this was pointless. Were never going to find one
Lets try the dog shelter next Sunday, George suggested. I reckon they sometimes have pedigree ones too; Ive read about it. First well have to figure out where it is, though. But for now, lets just sit down for a bit.
They found an empty bench and flopped onto it, chatting about how amazing it would be to find the perfect dog in a shelter and train it together. After a bit, feeling a little better, they started heading back.
Suddenly, George tugged Olivers sleeve and pointed.
Ollielook.
Oliver turned and spotted a tiny, muddy white puppy tottering along the pavement.
Its just a mutt, George said, nodding to himself, and whistled softly.
The puppy perked up and pranced straight over, as happy as could be, but stopped short a couple of metres away.
She doesnt trust people, George said again. Bet someone scared her half to death.
Oliver crouched down and whistled gently too, holding out his hand. The puppy stretched her nose towards him, and as he crept closer, she didnt run but wagged her scruffy tail, though she still looked cautious.
Come on, Ollie, George said anxiously. Why would you want that sort of dog? Youre meant to be looking for a pedigree. You could give a nice one a really grand name. That one literally just looks like a Button, thats all.
He turned away and strode off ahead.
Oliver gave the puppy one last gentle stroke, then trudged after his friend, feeling downhearted. Honestly, if he could, hed have taken that wee dog home in a flash.
Suddenly, the puppy let out a whimper behind him.
Oliver froze. She started to cry softly.
George stopped too, lowering his voice, Ollie, just keep walking. Dont look back. Shes staring right at you.
How do you mean?
Like youre her owner, and now youre leaving her behind. Come on, lets run.
George ran ahead, but Oliver just stood there, rooted to the spot. He wanted to run, but somehow he couldnt move. Finally, as he was about to take off after George, he felt someone nudge him gently at his ankle.
He looked down and saw two bright, trusting black eyes.
And right then, Ollie scooped the little dog into his arms, clutching her tight against his chest. That was itdecision made. If Mum and Dad wouldnt let him keep the puppy, hed run away from home, taking her with him.
But it turned out his parents had bigger hearts than they liked to admit. Because the very next day, when Ollie got home from school, waiting for him wasnt just Mum and Dad, but a sparkling clean, bouncing Buttonwhite as snow, tail wagging frantically, right there at the door.
