Read The Puppy That Came for Christmas for Free Online

puppy mum.
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    A quarter of an hour later, at the center, I had Emma in my arms. She wriggled sleepily and gave a sniffle that melted my heart. Below, in the crate, her brother was shifting sleepily on the small piece of blanket that had been cut from the one they’d shared with their mum and the litter only a short time before.
    The puppies had been donated to Helper Dogs by Guide Dogs for the Blind. All the assistance-dogs charities, in fact, tried to help each other out and share spare dogs if a litter came unexpectedly. Each one had its preferred breeders, known for providing healthy dogs with good temperaments, and would have a standing order to take whole litters at a time. Then if, for some reason, they didn’t need the dogs, they were loath to see them go to waste and would contact another charity’s trainer. Good puppies cost £500 or more to buy but would cost ten times that to train, so it was crucial to start off with the best recruits possible.
    I could hardly believe I’d soon be taking Emma home. That she’d be mine and Ian’s to love and take care of, our own little puppy-girl.
    A cloud passed in front of the sun and Jamie shivered.
    â€œThat’ll probably be the last of the sun for today. Let’s get the puppies inside. There’s a few bits and pieces I need to give you before you take Emma home.”
    In the staff room, with Emma back in the crate, Jamie started clipping sheets of paper into a folder.
    â€œYou’ll need a Helper Dogs manual,” he said, holding a thick booklet up. “Make sure you study it. It has all you need to know in it. And report forms—these need to be done every week for the first few weeks and every month from then on.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œThey learn so much so fast—you’ll be amazed.”
    He handed me a bag of dog food.
    â€œThis should last you until the next Helper Dogs meeting. Mix a little of this in with the brand her breeder’s been giving her when you give her her next meal, and then a little more of our food and a little less of the breeder’s food at each meal after that until she’s only having our food.”
    Helper Dogs provided all the basic food, but not treats, and they’d pay any vet’s bills. They also provided a crate for the puppy, and bedding.
    â€œAnd you’ll need a water bowl and a food bowl,” Jamie said, and went to find some. The Helper Dogs training center, being a regular dog-training center as well, had a range of dog items for sale.
    I looked at Emma’s brother, sleeping so peacefully next to her.
    â€œWhat’s going to happen to Emma’s brother?”
    â€œComing home with me and Frank tonight and then his puppy parent, Liz, will pick him up tomorrow.”
    â€œSeems a shame to split them up . . . I could—”
    Jamie looked horrified. “No, no, no—believe me, one puppy is enough for now!”
    Emma and her brother carried on sleeping. “And you’ll need to buy her a collar and lead—Helper Dogs will reimburse you. Make sure you buy a very soft one—the softest you can find.”
    He looked around, as if searching for something more to say or do, some more advice to impart to a novice puppy parent. Delaying the moment that I was both nervously waiting for and hoping would never come.
    â€œRight,” he decided abruptly. “That’s about it, then.”
    â€œI can take her home?”
    â€œYou can take her home.”
    I put the assembled crate in the back of my car along with Emma’s comfort blanket and a toy, and then I carried Emma over to the car.
    â€œThat’s it, there’s a good girl.”
    She was very calm, although her heart was beating very fast, and she didn’t wriggle as I put her into the crate.
    I turned into the main road and she started to cry. Immediately, I wanted to cry too. I couldn’t bear it. I’d have to stop but not yet: the road