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"Millie's got a new dog!" said Zoe.

"Well don't think that you're going to get one" responded Dad.

"Why not?" questioned Zoe.

"They're noisy, they smell, leave hairs everywhere and have to be taken for walks every day so don't mention it again!"

That was over a year ago and now Fudge was about to have puppies. Every day after school Zoe would rush home with Millie to see if Fudge had had her puppies yet. Then one amazing April afternoon, the girls were met at the door by Millie's mum with her finger on her lips:

"Keep quiet and you can come and watch for a bit."

They ended up watching, enthralled, for over two hours; they saw all five puppies being born.

As the puppies grew, their individual characteristics and personalities started to become apparent: one was really noisy with a cry like a seagull, another was always escaping. The smallest would run up to Zoe and lick her hand every time she came to the house.

"I can tell that one's going to be yours" chuckled Millie's dad, Mike.

"There's no way I'll be allowed a dog; my dad doesn't like them" replied Zoe sadly.

"Nonsense," replied Mike "he had one when he was a boy."

 Back at home Zoe decided to tackle her dad, but first she needed to do a little research.

"Mum, did you know that dad had a dog when he was younger?"

"Yes, he had it when we were first going out" replied mum, "it was a cocker spaniel called Pickles. After Pickles died he vowed he would never have another dog, but he still keeps his old lead in the shed."

The next day was a Saturday and Zoe brought a cup of tea out to her dad while he was doing some gardening.

Thanks my darling" he said "this gardening is thirsty work; these weeds grow as fast as lightning."

"I know dad, and you're not as fit as you used to be. What you need is regular daily exercise. I think I know just the thing, Millie's dad said I......."

" -- We are NOT having one of the puppies!" exclaimed dad.

"But you had Pickles."

"That's none of your business" shouted Dad, "now get back in the house and do your homework!"

Zoe didn't have any homework to do, but she knew better than to push her luck so she turned tail and fled into the house.

Later, Zoe looked out of the window; she couldn't see her dad, but the shed door was ajar so he must be inside. She walked down the, now pristine, garden path and tiptoed softly to the door of the shed. She could hear her dad muttering to himself:

"If only I'd looked after him properly."

She peered carefully into the gloomy shed and saw her dad turning a dog's lead over and over in his hands.

"Mum said nobody could have looked after Pickles better. It wasn't your fault that he was run over and you even sold your bike to pay for medical care" whispered Zoe.

"Sorry for shouting at you." said dad.

"No it was my fault" responded Zoe, "I shouldn't have kept asking you for a puppy."

"No, you were right Zoe" we can't live in the past for ever. You shall have your puppy, I hear he has already adopted you anyway. Let's go and have a look at him."

"What shall we call him then, Dad?"

"Well, he's a lovely red-brown colour so we could call him Rusty, but you should never rush into naming a dog. He won't be ready for another two weeks so we have time to think about it before then."

Millie and Zoe decided to go to buy some sweets to celebrate Zoe's new pet. Just as they got back to Millie's, the phone rang - it was Zoe's mum asking her to come home for tea. So Zoe left her sweets in the corner and rushed home.

Zoe heard the beep of the microwave as she walked through the door.

"Just in time" said Mum.

Straight after tea, Zoe went back to Millie's house along with her dad who had brought his drill to lend to Mike. No sooner had they arrived when they heard Millie's mum cackle with laughter.

"Come and see your puppy, Zoe!"

The puppy's snout was covered in a white powder and he was licking his lips contentedly.

"I know just what to call him now" said Zoe, "his name is Sherbet!"

"That reminds me of how Pickles got his name" said Dad. "Sherbet must have his old lead."