A Forever Home for Pip

by Linda Chapman

  He nodded and she knew he was thinking the same. The farm would make a perfect home for Pip!

  The words tumbled out of Grace. “Pip, the puppy we’re looking after at the moment, is a Border collie. He’s always trying to herd people and animals. Could you give him a forever home? He’d need to be trained, but you seem to know loads about animals, I bet you could do it.”

  “We’d have to ask you some questions first and do a home check,” Jack added. “But I’m sure you’d pass them easily.”

  Grace brimmed with excitement. She could hardly believe it when Ben shook his head.

  “Thanks, but Winston’s too old to have a puppy bothering him.” Crouching down in front of Winston, Ben stroked his smooth black head and along his back. “And I love Winston too much to love another dog too.”

  Ben sounded very sure but Grace wasn’t ready to give up. “You could at least think about it…” she began persuasively.

  “Leave it, Grace,” Jack whispered, seeing Ben shake his head. “Let’s talk when we get home.”

  “All right,” said Grace reluctantly. She crouched down beside Ben and Winston. “Well, if you change your mind just let us know.” She fished a Forever Homes business card out of the pocket of her coat. “Here.”

  “Thanks,” he said, pocketing the card. “But I won’t change my mind. Winston’s definitely the only dog for me!”

  After visiting the cows, Grace and Jack’s class went to the lambing barn and had a wonderful time feeding the lambs bottles of milk. After lunch they petted goats, piglets and chickens, and at the end of the day their team won a quiz about farm animals.

  “That was the best school trip ever!” shouted Grace as they burst in the front door. “Pip would love living on that farm.”

  They went to find the little puppy. He was in Top Dog’s playroom nosing a ball around. He bounded over and plonked the ball at Grace’s feet. Grace rolled it across the floor for him to chase. “It’s so annoying that Ben doesn’t want another dog,” she said.

  “I know,” agreed Jack. “I bet he’d love having two dogs despite what he says. It’s like having kids. There are four of us but Mum and Dad love us all the same.”

  “Well actually, they secretly love me best,” said Grace, with a wicked grin.

  “No, me!” Jack grinned. “But, seriously, I’m sure Ben could love two dogs and I think Winston would like to have a puppy to play with.”

  “Hello, twins, how was the farm?” Mum asked, coming into the room.

  “Brilliant. I held a baby chick,” said Grace.

  “I cuddled a piglet,” said Jack. “It almost weed on me but luckily I’d just passed it on to Freddy.”

  “Not so lucky for Freddy,” said their mother.

  Jack chuckled. “Suppose not. Mum … do older dogs usually cope OK if their owner gets a puppy?”

  “It depends,” said Mum. “Why?”

  Between them, Grace and Jack explained about Ben and Winston.

  Mum listened carefully. “I’m sure having Pip wouldn’t make Ben love Winston any less and Pip might also be very good for Winston. Studies have shown that a puppy can give an older dog a new lease of life.”

  Grace was pleased. “So Ben could give Pip his perfect Forever Home. We’ve just got to convince him!”

  “It does depend on the dogs,” Mum warned. “Some older dogs can feel threatened if a younger dog comes along. You’d need to introduce them carefully and see how they got on.”

  “Why don’t we take Pip to visit Ben and Winston at the farm?” said Grace. Then her face fell. “Oh, I just remembered. Dogs aren’t allowed to visit the farm.”

  Jack thought for a moment. “What if we ring Ben’s mum and ask if she would let us bring Pip to see the animals? We could say that we want him to get used to them because we’re hoping to find him a home on a farm.”

  “That’s brilliant!” Grace exclaimed. “But we’d need a grown-up to take us there.” She turned a winning smile on Mum.

  Mum chuckled. “Are you quite sure the farm is the right home for Pip – and Ben the right owner?”

  “Yes,” said Grace and Jack together.

  “All right, if Ben’s mum agrees to the visit then I’ll take you.” Grace and Jack leapt on her for a group hug. “That’s if I’ve got any breath left!” gasped Mum.

  First thing on Saturday morning, Grace and Jack loaded Pip into a crate in the back of their mum’s van.

  “Have you got the lead?” Jack said. “Ben’s mum said Pip must be on a lead at all times.”

  “Quite right, too.” Mum started up the engine. “An untrained dog can cause a lot of harm running loose among farm animals.”

  “Lead and harness, tick,” said Grace, waggling them both at Jack.

  “Let’s go before the farm opens up to everyone else.”

  Half an hour later, they arrived in the car park at Apple Tree Farm.

  Jack looked round. “Where’s Ben? He was supposed to be meeting us here.”

  “Maybe he’s busy with the animals,” said Mum. “Leave Pip with me and see if you can find him.”

  “Let’s try the barn first,” said Grace as they walked towards the deserted farmyard. “Ben might be feeding the piglets.”

  Ben wasn’t in the barn though. Nor was he in the milking parlour. Suddenly Jack spotted him by the farmhouse. He was kneeling and talking to something beside him.

  Grace and Jack ran over and saw that Ben was talking to Winston, who was sitting next to a bowl full of food.

  Ben looked up, and Grace saw that he looked sad. “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  “Winston won’t touch his food this morning. He normally wolfs it down. Come on, boy,” Ben encouraged the dog. “Try some breakfast.”

  The Labrador looked at him and gave a friendly huff but didn’t take a bite. Ben sighed sadly. “Maybe it’s because he’s getting old,” he said.

  There was a small silence, then Grace broke it. “We’ve … um … brought Pip to look round the farm. Our mum’s looking after him in the car park but we can go home if it’s not a good time.”

  Ben swiped a hand across his face. “No, it’s fine. Let’s go and get your puppy and see what he makes of the animals.”

  Pip greeted Grace and Jack as if they’d been gone for years, his whole body wriggling as his tail wagged wildly from side to side. He yapped loudly.

  “Hello, you must be Ben,” said Mum, raising her voice to be heard over Pip’s excited barks. “I’m Sarah. Thanks for letting Pip visit your farm.”

  “Pip, you silly thing,” said Grace giggling as she took him from her mother. “Your tail’s wagging so hard it’s making your bum wiggle.”

  “He’s pretty cute,” said Ben, managing a small smile as Pip greeted him with the same enthusiasm. He bent down to ruffle Pip’s neck, his smile widening as Pip licked his nose then his hands. “You’re a friendly pup, aren’t you?”

  “Pip loves people,” said Jack.

  “And animals,” put in Grace.

  Pip rolled over on his back, showing his pink tummy. Ben tickled him. “Do you like that?” Ben said softly as Pip wriggled in delight. “Yes, you do, don’t you? Winston was like you when he was a puppy…” Ben suddenly broke off and stood up, clearing his throat. “Right, we’d better get started. My mum said she’d love to meet you,” he added to Mrs Taylor.

  “That’s very kind. I’d like to meet her, too,” said Mum.

  Ben led them back to the farmhouse, ushering everyone in through the kitchen where his mum was rolling out cookie dough. “Hello, Mrs Turner,” the twins called as they trooped in.

  “Hello, everyone. Is this Pip? Well, aren’t you gorgeous?” Wiping her doughy hands on her apron, Mrs Turner bent down to say hello. She laughed as Pip wriggled around. “So you’re trying to find this little chap a home?”

  “Yes, on a farm!” said Grace eagerly.

  “His mum and dad were both working sheepdogs,” said Jack. “And he’s got way too much energy to be a ho
use dog.”

  “He looks just like my first dog – Zak. He was a working collie too. He was the cleverest dog I’ve ever known – collies are more intelligent than us humans, sometimes!” Ben’s mum laughed as Pip jumped around her legs. “You know, maybe we could have this little one here. We could do with a young dog around the place.”

  Grace’s heart leapt. “That would be wonderful!”

  But Ben was shaking his head. “We don’t need another dog, Mum. We’ve got Winston and he wouldn’t like it.”

  His mum sighed. “OK, I won’t get another dog if you don’t want one, Ben. Why don’t you kids take Pip round the farm. Have a seat, Sarah. I’ll pop the kettle on.”

  Ben nodded. “Winston can come with us.” He glanced around. “Where is he?” he said, his eyes falling on the empty dog bed.

  “I thought he was with you,” said Mrs Turner in surprise.

  “He was but he seemed tired and wouldn’t eat so I thought he had gone back to his bed,” said Ben, frowning.

  “He’ll be out on the farm somewhere,” said his mum reassuringly. “You know what he’s like. He loves wandering round. I think he feels it’s his job to keep an eye on things,” she explained to the twins. “I’m sure you’ll find him while you’re out with Pip. Go on, off you go!”

  Pip yapped with excitement, straining against his harness as Grace and Jack followed Ben outside.

  “Let’s start with the sheep field,” said Ben.

  They headed out of the farmyard and along a path between the fields where the sheep and lambs lived. Pip kept straining on his lead, pulling Jack towards a copse of trees at the far end of the path.

  “No, Pip, we’re going this way,” said Jack. “We’re going to see the sheep in this field over here.”

  Pip whined and pulled towards the trees again.

  “Heel, Pip,” said Jack firmly.

  Reluctantly, Pip gave in and walked alongside the children but he kept twisting his head to look behind him. However, as they reached the gate, he caught sight of the sheep and was immediately distracted, pushing his nose against the fence and yapping excitedly.

  The sheep nearest to the fence baaed in alarm and trotted away with her lamb at her heels.

  “Now now, stop that,” Ben said to Pip. “Sheepdogs mustn’t bark at sheep.” He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a treat. “Lie down,” he said.

  Pip flopped down. “Good boy,” said Ben, crouching down and giving him a treat. “You be quiet and just watch,” he said, stroking Pip’s back. Pip stayed lying down, watching the sheep with his eager bright eyes. A lamb wandered close to the fence. Pip started to jump up, but Ben corrected him instantly with his voice. “No, Pip! Down!” he said firmly. Pip glanced at him and then settled down again, his nose on his paws.

  “There’s a good pup,” Ben said, fussing him and giving him another treat. Pip licked his hand.

  Grace and Jack’s eyes met. Ben obviously knew exactly how to handle a working dog. He would be the perfect owner and Apple Tree Farm would be the perfect home. But how could they persuade him?

  “Pip’s one of the easiest puppies we’ve ever had in,” said Jack. “He’s really clever.”

  “He’s going to be a brilliant companion for someone,” said Grace.

  Ben looked at Pip for a moment and then his lips tightened. “You know, it’s strange we haven’t found Winston yet,” he said, getting up. “Let’s keep going.”

  They continued round the farm but they didn’t find Winston anywhere. By the time they got back to the farmhouse, a deep frown was creasing Ben’s forehead.

  “Where is Winston?” he said. “We’ve been round the whole farm.”

  Grace was feeling very anxious too. She’d been sure they’d find the Labrador somewhere.

  “We must have missed him. Why don’t we go out and look again?” she said.

  “Yeah, he’s got to be somewhere nearby,” said Jack. “We’ll help you find him, Ben.”

  Ben gave them a grateful look. “Thanks!”

  They set off again, calling Winston’s name.

  Grace, Jack and Ben retraced their steps, checking in barns and pens and under bushes. As they passed the path that led down to the sheep field, Pip started whining and pulling towards it.

  “No, Pip!” said Jack. “Not that way.”

  “Here, I’ll take him,” offered Grace as they continued on towards the cow fields. But as they swapped over, Pip leapt forward and the lead slipped through their fingers. The twins both tried to grab it but Pip was too fast. He took off, ducking under the barbed wire fence and racing across the field of young cows.

  “Pip, come back!” Jack yelled as the cows scattered in alarm.

  Grace’s heart banged painfully. “Pip!” she shouted, convinced he was going to be injured by the herd.

  “He’s heading towards the sheep field,” said Ben. ‘If we’re quick we can cut him off.” He started running back to the path with Grace and Jack chasing behind.

  Grace ran as fast as she could, her arms pumping. What if Pip got in with the sheep and chased them? It could really scare them.

  “There he is!” Ben shouted.

  Pip ran out of the cow field and flashed across the path ahead of them. Grace thought he was going to duck under the gate into the sheep field but instead, he veered left.

  “Where’s he going?” panted Jack.

  “He’s heading for those trees!” said Ben.

  They all sprinted after the puppy, their breath coming in ragged gasps. As they reached the copse, Ben skidded to a halt. “Look!” he said, pointing. There was a hole in the fence’s wire netting. A few clumps of white fluff were caught on the edges. Near to the hole, a worried-looking sheep was standing with a lamb at her side. “I have to fix that hole in case a lamb escapes. But let’s get Pip first,” panted Ben.

  They ran into the trees. There was no sign of the puppy at all. Grace looked anxiously at Jack. What if they didn’t find him?

  “Pip!” she shouted. “Pip, come!”

  “Yap! Yap! Yap!”

  “Over there!” said Jack. He and Ben pushed through the trees and brambles.

  Grace followed them, not caring about the thorns that caught on her bare arms. The next moment, she saw Pip pushing through the undergrowth, coming to meet them. “There you are!” she said, throwing herself down on the ground to hug the excited puppy. He licked her cheek but before she could scoop him up, he turned and ran back through the bushes.

  “No, Pip! Come back!” said Jack. But the puppy carried on, looking round at them every few steps.

  “Wait,” said Ben suddenly. “I think he wants us to follow him! What are you trying to show us, pup?” He pushed through the bushes until they reached a small clearing. “Oh!” he gasped. A lamb was caught in a patch of brambles, the thorns tangled in her fluffy coat. Winston was lying beside her, keeping her calm. Seeing the children, he thumped his tail.

  “Winston!” cried Ben in relief. Pip bounced over to the older dog and jumped around him, licking at his mouth. Winston gently pushed him away with his nose and heaved himself up. Ben rushed over and hugged him. “Oh, Winston, you must have realised that a lamb had got out and come to find it. Were you then too tired to come and get me? Is that it? Thank goodness Pip found you!” Pip pushed his little nose under Ben’s arms and Ben gathered him up in the hug. “What a good puppy you are,” he said. “A great puppy. The best puppy. You found Winston and the lamb, didn’t you?”

  Pip wagged his tail proudly.

  “He must have realised they needed help,” Ben said, looking round at Grace and Jack. “Mum was right, Border collies are the cleverest dogs.” He untangled the lamb. “Come on, let’s take you back to the field, little one,” he said, picking her up. “Your mum will be very worried about you.”

  Grace picked up Pip and she and Jack followed Ben out of the trees, with Winston at their heels. Pip licked Grace’s chin and wagged his tail as she covered his head with kisses. She was sure he knew ju
st how clever he had been!

  When they reached the field, Ben climbed over the fence and put the lamb down with its mum and twin sister. The mum baaed happily, as both lambs dived underneath her and started to drink her milk, their little white tails waggling.

  “Safe and sound,” said Ben in satisfaction as he climbed back over the fence. He took some string and a penknife from his pocket and tied the hole closed. “That’ll do until I tell Dad and he can fix it properly. Clever dogs,” he said, stroking Winston’s head and then Pip’s.

  An idea suddenly came into Grace’s head as she looked at the mother sheep. “Do you think that mother sheep wishes she only had one lamb?” she asked Ben suddenly.

  He looked surprised. “Of course not.”

  “She loves both her lambs just the same, doesn’t she?” Grace persisted.

  “Yes,” said Ben.

  “Just like our mum loves both me and Jack equally,” said Grace, fixing him with a look.

  Ben stared at the sheep and her lambs and then his eyes moved to Winston who was lying on the grass and Pip who was still in Grace’s arms. “Are you trying to say that I could love a new puppy and still love Winston just the same?” he said slowly.

  Grace and Jack both nodded hard.

  Ben bit his lip. “But what about Winston? He might not like having another dog around.”

  “Why don’t we see?” Jack said.

  Grace put Pip down. He bounced over to Winston and yapped, sticking his bottom in the air as he invited the older dog to play.

  “It’s no good. Winston won’t want to play –” Ben broke off in astonishment as Winston gave a deep woof and bounced back at Pip.

  Pip leapt around in delight.

  “Wow!” exclaimed Ben in disbelief as the dogs frolicked together. “That’s the fastest I’ve seen Winston move in ages!”