How Arty Got His Name

by Treanna

"Arty?" Everyone says. "Who is Arty?"

"Shall I tell you? Okay."

Once upon a time there lived a family called Belden. They lived in a little town called Sleepyside. One day disaster struck and their beloved dog Reddy was killed by a hit and run driver. The two youngest Beldens were certain that they never would ever want another dog. Because if the truth be known. There could never be another dog like Reddy.

Or could there?"

 

"Trixie, Bobby, sit down for a moment I want to talk to you about something."

"Sure, Moms," said Trixie as they both sat at the table.

"I had a call from Mrs Rogers today. As you know, she lives on the outskirts of town."

Both nodded.

"She told me something today and I wanted to run it by the two of you."

"I didn’t do anything." Bobby sat up straighter.

Moms smiled. "I know, Bobby. It is actually something that Reddy did."

She watched the pain flit across both their faces.

"Reddy," Trixie whispered, the pain still evident in her voice. "Didn’t you tell her that he died fourteen weeks ago?"

Moms nodded. "Let me tell you what she told me."

Both nodded.

"About two days before we lost Reddy, he went to visit the Rogers property. As you know she has a cute golden retriever called Caramel."

"She is a nice dog." Bobby smiled slightly.

"Well, evidently, Reddy thought so too because the last time he visited her he spent a productive hour with her."

Trixies eyes opened wider. "He didn’t?"

"Didn’t what?" Bobby asked.

Moms smiled. "He and Caramel made some puppies."

Bobby's eyes opened wider than his sisters. "Oh."

"So, what has that to do with us?" Trixie asked.

"The puppies are almost ready to leave mum and Mrs Rogers rang because she knew about Reddy and wanted to give us the first choice of a puppy if we want one."

Both the young Beldens stood up at the same time. "NO!"

"Sit down both of you."

"Moms!"

"Sit down."

Obeying, they sat.

"Now, children," she started, "I know how much you both loved Reddy. We all did. But these are his babies and I think we should at least give Mrs Rogers a chance to show us them. If you don’t want one, then so be it. But I told her we would be there this afternoon and we are going."

"I never want another dog," Bobby mumbled.

"Then let us just go and see what beautiful puppies Reddy made."

The two Beldens looked at each other and nodded.

"Good, we'll go now."

"What about Brian and Mart?"

"I rang Brian this morning at college and he told me that whatever you both decide will be fine with him. And Mart won’t be back from camp until tomorrow and I rang him and he said the same as Brian."

"And Dad?"

"Your father has missed having Reddy around too. I know he will be happy with any decision you both make."

Trixie stood up. "Let's get it over with then."

Moms smiled as she followed them out to the car.

As Mrs Rogers opened the door, Trixie and Bobby hung back slightly. But they followed her into the back garden where Caramel happily greeted them. Suddenly, from off the back verandah, a flurry of tiny feet arrived. They belonged to four of the sweetest puppies any of them had ever seen.

They were all the colour of Reddy, but some were lighter and one had a cream coloured paw. They circled the three Beldens, jumping up for attention.

"There should be another boy," Mrs Rogers told them. "He is the one that keeps escaping."

From under the verandah, a rather dishevelled puppy appeared. Covered in burrs and cobwebs, he ran towards them and then sat down and looked up at them as if to say, "So, who are you?".

Trixie felt the tears in the back of her eyes and she turned to see the same for her little brother. She watched as Bobby bent down while the little puppy watched him.

"Come here, pup," Bobby called quietly. Suddenly, the little pup launched himself into Bobby's arms, licking his face and wagging his tail in delight.

Bobby stood up and looked at his mother. And she understood.

She turned to Mrs Rogers. "We will take that one if it is okay."

Mrs Rogers looked surprised. "Are you sure? He is a little harum scarum. The others are much quieter."

Moms smiled. "But he is the most like his daddy," she said quietly.

Mrs Rogers nodded.  "Then you just go and take him right now. He is fully weaned and ready for his new family."

"Thank you, Mrs Rogers," Trixie managed to get out.

Bobby was speechless.

"As long as you look after him and love him as much as you did his daddy, I will be satisfied."

The Beldens walked silently back to the car.

On the way home, Moms turned to her children. "Have you thought of a name?"

"I thought of Reddy Two, but it is too long and I don’t think I could ever call another dog Reddy."

"How about R2?"

Trixie and Bobby looked at each other and laughed.

"Arty!" they both chorused.

"Arty?"

"Reddy Two has the initials R.T., but that is not what you would call a dog," explained Trixie.

"But Arty is," Moms finished.

Bobby looked down at the little puppy in his arms. "So, what do you think? Do you like Arty?"

"Arf, Arf," the puppy said happily.

Moms laughed and her chilfren laughed with her.

Bobby hugged the little puppy to himself.

"Thank you, Reddy," he whispered.  He was sure that in Heaven Reddy was smiling his approval.

ARF ARF

TBH Main