The day started just like any other since I’d come home with Nathaniel and Hannah. I waited eagerly in my crate, for Nathaniel to let me out He usually came downstairs as the sun began to shine through the curtains across the room. Today was no different.

Until it wasn’t.

Nathaniel got home from work early. My tail wagged in excitement as I ran toward him, but he ignored me, and quickly ran upstairs where Hannah had gone awhile ago. I whimpered. He’d forgotten to greet me.

So I hopped up the stairs best I could. The air felt tense as I walked into their room. There was a sort of unspoken excitement. But why? I’d never seen them this excited since the day they’d gotten me. The most important day of our lives.

A thought popped into my mind. They weren’t getting another dog were they? Or maybe a cat. I didn’t know much about cats, except that the ones in our neighborhood ran away every time I walked by. They seemed like stuckup creatures.

A fly in the corner of the room caught my eye, and for a moment, I was distracted from my humans, and went to chase it.

When I ran back, proud of myself for catching the fly, I finally got Nathaniel’s attention, but I soon regretted it, for he pointed to the door

“Downstairs Roxy.”

I turned and sadly obeyed him. I wanted to stay and see what all the excitement was about.

A few minutes later, Nathaniel came over and closed me in my crate. Oh well. I guess it was just time for bed after all.

I grew worried when they didn’t come back home by dark. But my little puppy eyes were tired, and I found myself falling asleep.

——

Two days later

——

My ears perked up as I heard someone pulling in the driveway. Was it Nathaniel? Or was it someone that didn’t belong here. I’d bark just to be on the safe side.

“Rrrff grrrfff! Get out of here stranger!”

A key turned into the lock and I saw Nathaniel open it.

“Nathaniel! Hi! hi! Welcome home!” I barked a happy greeting

“Arf arf! What took you so long?”

Nathaniel came over with a laugh “Poor Roxy, did you miss us.”

“Of course I did.” I said dashing out and running circles around him.

“I hope you didn’t mind old Mads letting you out yesterday instead of me.” He said with a laugh

I hadn’t. Mads was Nathaniel’s sister. I liked her enough, but she of course didn’t replace _my people _

__

“Come on old girl.” Nathaniel said and walked over to the living room where Hannah had sat after coming inside. I ran over to greet her, and stopped in my tracks, my nails slipping across the wood floor. Something was different. A different smell. What was it?

Then I saw it, the little squirmy thing in her arms. Another puppy? No. It didn’t look anything like my brothers and sisters. I carefully crept closer, and raised my head up for a better look.

It was a little human puppy!

I wagged my tail to show it I was friendly,

Nathaniel laughed “Be gentle Roxy.” He said proudly, and set me up on the couch beside Hannah and the new human puppy.

“This is your new brother Jack.” Hannah smiled softly

“Jack.” I smelled him and then sat down contentedly. I liked this new puppy Jack. And I’d do whatever it took to keep him safe.

Suddenly I saw a cat on the dining room glass door, and jumped off the couch to bark at it. I wouldn’t let any cats or anything close to this new Jack.

I ran back and proudly wagged my tail, before looking up eagerly

“Well I’ve seen the puppy Nathaniel.” I said “Now can I go outside?”

Nathaniel laughed and I wagged my tail. We were all a perfect family. Roxy, Nathaniel, Hannah, and Jack. Maybe today was even more special than the day I joined the family.

Maybe this was the most important day of our lives.