Short Story ? Homecoming

Maisie and Josh were a happy pair! She was seven and he was five and they lived in a bungalow about a mile outside the town of Drumferlin. Their house was surrounded by rolling fields in various shades of green and they had a large back garden which they played in everyday after school and at the weekends. A happier brother and sister you could never hope to find. Maisie was desperate for a little baby brother or sister from the moment she could talk. So she was very proud when little Josh came along. Since that day, they rarely fought, and if they did it was usually because Maisie was mammying Josh a little too much by brushing his hair or telling him to tidy his room. Josh didn?t like that but he still loved his big sister because she was lots of fun to play with.



Maisie and Josh?s parents were a young couple and who wanted only the best for their little family. Emily was a stay at home mother and she worked hard every day, cooking, cleaning and looking after the children. It was hard work but it made her very happy. Sean worked hard too as a Supermarket Manager. The hours were long and his feet were always tingling with tiredness at the end of the day, but he loved his job too. He liked the variety that his day would bring and the different people he would meet as he dealt with the customers. However, the best part of his day was coming home. He would greet Emily with a kiss on the cheek. Then he would lift up the lid from the pot that was bubbling ferociously on the stove and draw in a lungful of steam before exclaiming ?Yum. That smells de-licious!? Then he?d kiss Maisie and Josh on the tops of their heads and produce treats from his pocket. They would clap their hands together with giddy excitement only to be told they couldn?t eat it until after their dinner. Sean coming home was Emily, Maisie and Josh?s favourite part of their day also.



One cold February evening, Emily and Sean relaxed in the sitting room and chatted about their day while they waited for the children to settle down upstairs. After a few minutes there was quietness. ?Phew, they?re asleep? whispered Emily. She took a big gulp of her warm mug of tea. ?My God we?re blessed with those two? replied Sean. ?We are. Things are good right now but….. they could be better!? ?Funny you should say that Em, I?ve been thinking the same thing. I?ve an idea I want to run by you.? Sean grinned. ?I have an idea to run past you too? Emily replied, giggling. ?We should get a dog? they exclaimed at exactly the same time. They pointed at each other and burst into a fit of laughter.



After a discussion they decided that their house was big enough to give a dog a good home. It would teach the children responsibility and compassion. Emily did volunteer work at the animal shelter so was keen get a rescue dog. The next day after dinner, they broke the good news to the children. Maisie and Josh couldn?t hide their delight. They jumped up and down, holding hands and singing ?We?re getting a doggy!? They were full of questions but were assured that they?d have to help pick up the doggy poop. They were none too pleased!



On Saturday they set off to the animal shelter. ?We?re going to see lots of animals today but we can?t bring them all home. OK?? said Sean in a serious tone. ?OK Dad? they replied, including Emily who was afraid that she more than the kids would want to bring them all home. The manager brought them to the kennels and left them alone while they looked around and made their decision. There were dogs of all types – big, small, old and young. It was very sad to see so many unwanted animals but Emily felt better knowing that she did what she could. ?Daddy? Josh pulled on Sean?s coat. ?Daddy. Me and Maisie want this one!? Sean walked over to the kennel and to his surprise they were looking at the scruffiest, shaggiest, mangiest, saddest little dog that he had ever seen. He read the notice over the door. Jack was a Cairn Terrier with only three legs having been hit by a car. He was about 5 years old. The manager returned and sighed, ?Poor Jack. We?re worried about him. He?s so quiet and isn?t the prettiest dog in the world so no one looks twice at him.? Sean looked down at the children with their big eyes pleading with him to take Jack home. ?He?s the one? Emily announced. ?Really?? asked the shocked manager. ?Yes? Said Emily with pride.



Then the strangest thing happened. As soon as the decision was made, Jack stood up on his three good legs and his tail wagged for the first time. He licked the children?s faces with pure happiness. It was like little Jack knew that he was going to experience the best homecoming a dog had ever had. They bundled him up to take him home to Drumferlin in the car. Maisie and Josh vowed that they would take really good care of Jack; they?d even pick up the doggy poop!

by Therese Brady

05/01/10