The sky is getting darker. I limp across the road and straight into a dim and lonely alley for a rest. Feeling cold and hungry, I squat inside a dirty box, though I do not really want to do so, and it is the only shelter I can afford for myself, at this moment. I have seen better days, for I really live a dog’s life now. My name is Tobby, and this is my story.
My life with the James’s began when I was 2 months old, when little Adeline James went to the pet shop where I was kept inside a transparent kennel. She was wandering around, and she then begged her father, “I want that cute Golden Retriever, daddy! Please?” She pulled her father’s shirt with one hand, while pointing at me with another. In no time I was taken out of my kennel and into uncomfortable box. Panicky I scratched and slashed and bashed, until the box was opened and I jolted out as fast as I could. Amazingly, I was now at a total new environment, greenery and fresh air surrounded me. I feasted my hungry eyes around, waging my tail, barking with joy. “Welcome home, Tobby,” Adeline said, and this was how I got my name.
The following days I started to know my master and her family. Mr. James was a successful businessman who owned a huge company, and Mrs. James was a university lecturer. I hardly found them at home, so I spent my time mostly with my three-year-old master. Adeline never treated me as what I am; instead, she took me as her best friend. I watched her favourite “Flintstones” with her every morning, had lunch together and played Frisbee in the garden at evening. My youth days were filled with all sorts of enjoyment and fun; as I need not to hunt for food, nor learn to survive.
Years flew, and Adeline was to go to the kindergarten. My daily life changed since then. In the morning after breakfast, I crouched near the gate, alone, waiting for Adeline return. There, I met my same species from all walks of life. I met Lucius the Labrador of the opposite mansion, and enjoyed chatting about dog food when he was out for his leisure walk. Besides, Billy the Bulldog never forgot to pay me a visit after morning walk with his master. Wallace the wolfhound, on the other hand, was abandoned by his master. My heart burst with sympathy as he told me the life outside, which was torturous and hard. I did not mine sharing my food with him sometimes. He taught me a lot of living skills and exposed me to the outside world, through his real life stories.
One cloudy day, Adeline was sick and the maid was too busy taking care of her that she forgot my breakfast. I was not allowed to be with Adeline so I went outside to look for something. Luckily, Wallace passed and fetched me a freshly dead sparrow he had just caught. Feeling too hungry to complaint, I sank my teeth into it. Just then, I heard a loud crashing in the kitchen, and quickly dashed to there.
To my surprise, I saw Adeline, motionless on the floor, broken cup pieces spread everywhere. Her leg was badly cut by the pieces. As I try to pull her out, Mr. James rushed in and saw the tragic. His eyes fixed on the Adeline’s badly bruised leg, then to my bloody teeth, and back to her leg. “You bad creature, how can you hurt your own master!” Mr. James took a broomstick and whacked my back leg. I howled in pain. Why did he do that? I tried to safe her, not hurt her. “Whacked!” A few deadly blows landed on my head and my body. I whimpered away.
“Tobby!” Someone is calling me. I raise my dizzy head and stare around. It is Mr.James and Adeline! I back off with fear. “I am sorry Tobby,” Mr. James says. “I don’t know that Adeline hurt herself, not you.” Poor Adeline cries and sobs, Mr. James’ eyes bursts into tears. “Come on now, everything is fine now.” I shuffle towards Adeline and lower my head in her arms. She holds me still and gives out a loud cry. I feel so warm, and barely feel the pain that had been torturing me for a fortnight. My eyes close, feeling no longer painful……
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