by Holly Webb
Just then, he heard the rushing sound of the stream, and he trotted forward, peering down the steep bank at the water. They had come over the stream, and that had been before Anya had fallen over, he remembered.
He sat down at the top of the bank. Should he cross over again or not? He whimpered miserably, wishing he had run back to Ruby when she called him. No. He wouldn’t cross over again. Ruby would wait for him where he’d left her, he was sure. By those big trees, where Anya had fallen over. He only had to find them. He turned away from the stream, and nosed along, trying to find the path. But so many dogs had walked through the woods that he was quite distracted, and kept losing Ruby’s scent.
It was starting to get dark, and the woods were gloomy, and full of strange noises, rustlings and odd bird calls. For the first time, Toby began to wonder what else might be in the woods, as well as that grey creature he’d chased. He wondered if there was anything bigger.
The late afternoon shadows meant that Toby didn’t even notice when he pattered over the stream further along its course, where it ran under a fence in a huge metal pipe. Toby was small enough not to pay much attention to the fence, he simply went under it, and he didn’t see the pipe buried in the bank. So he was surprised to find himself almost back at the road.
He came around a corner of the path and pulled up short, staring at the wider verge at the edge of the little lane that led into the woods. He knew this! He was sure of it, even though he hadn’t crossed the stream again. This was just a little way along from where they had left their car. But the space they had parked in was empty.
They had gone without him!
Chapter Five
Toby sat down on the path, miserably. He’d been about to find Ruby, he was sure of it. But it looked like she’d left without him. He couldn’t understand why she would go away and leave him. Didn’t she want him back? Was she cross because he’d frightened Anya?
He whimpered, staring across the lane at the space where the car should have been. Then he whirled round, his tail tucked in, and a tiny growl beginning in his throat.
Behind him was a tall man who’d come jogging down the path, his big white trainers shining, even in the gathering dusk.
“Hey, it’s all right. I almost trod on you, didn’t I, poor little thing? Sorry, I didn’t spot you there. I was just running, and not really looking.” The man crouched down, panting, and stared at Toby, smiling. “You might just be the smallest dog I’ve ever seen.”
Toby glared back at him suspiciously, remembering the lady who had told him off before.
The man held out a gentle hand, and Toby sniffed at it. The man smelled of another dog, which wasn’t good, but apart from that, Toby felt as though he could trust him. And he didn’t know what else to do.
“Who do you belong to? Hey? You’re not a stray, you’re too well-looked after. Lovely shiny coat, and you’re not skinny, even if you are a tiny thing. Where’s your collar? I bet you’ve slipped your lead, haven’t you? Little devil. Someone’s going to be really worried about you.”
Toby backed away slightly as the man’s hand went to his pocket, but all he did was pull out something in a crinkly wrapper and open it. He broke off a piece, and held it out to Toby.
“It’s not really the best thing to give a dog, but a little bit won’t do you any harm. You try it, pup. It’s good. I like them anyway, when I’ve been out for a run. Energy bar, that’s what it is.”
The thing smelled sweet and sugary, and it was making Toby hungrier than ever. He darted forward and snapped it out of the man’s hand, bolting it down in one gulp.
“Nice, isn’t it? Want some more? I wonder who you belong to. You must have come here on a walk with your owners, there’s no houses close by, and you’re too little to have come far.” The man looked around thoughtfully. “So where are they, mmm? I wouldn’t leave you galloping about the place on your own, and it’s starting to get dark.”
He stood up again and looked around. “Hello! Anyone lost a dog?”
The shout echoed through the trees, but no one answered. The only sound now was a light pattering, as it began to rain.
“We’re going to get soaked.” He looked down at Toby, who was shivering and pressing himself back against the bushes. “Sorry, pup. Did I scare you, shouting like that?”
He broke off another piece of the cereal bar, and this time Toby nibbled it out of his hand, and let the man stroke his head and pet his ears. “Yes, you’re a lovely little boy, aren’t you?” He sighed. “What are we going to do with you, that’s the question. There’s no cars left, and I can’t hear anyone else around. I can’t just leave you here, all on your own. You don’t look to me like you’ve got any road sense at all…”
He stretched out his hand again, and this time Toby sniffed it eagerly, hoping for more food. But the man picked him up instead, very gently, but firmly enough that Toby didn’t feel as though he was going to be dropped. He snuggled against the man’s warm hoodie, feeling a tiny bit better. Of course, the man wasn’t the same as Ruby, but he was warm, and friendly, and the sugary stuff was very nice.
“Come on then. You’d better come home with me, while I ring up the dog shelter.” The man tucked Toby in the crook of his arm, and set off down the lane.
Toby stared back at the trees, and the greenish gloomy darkness that was settling between them. He didn’t like it here. But what if Ruby came back for him and he’d disappeared? He wriggled in the man’s arms, and howled. He had to stay and wait for Ruby! Surely she was going to come back? And now he wouldn’t be there for her!
“Ssshh, ssshh, I know. But I can’t leave you here, pup. Don’t worry. We’ll find your owners, I promise.” The man frowned. “Well, I hope so, anyway…”
On her way back to the woods with Dad, Ruby peered anxiously out of the car window. She’d read so many stories about dogs finding their way home that she half expected to see Toby trotting down the road towards them.
“Dad!” She pointed to the grass verge. “We parked here, and went up that path.” She looked at her watch. It had been an hour since they’d left. She’d had to wait for Dad to get home, and then they’d driven all the way back. Toby had been missing for two whole hours now.
Her dad parked the car. “Come on then.” He got out, and peered into the darkening wood. “Don’t worry, Ruby. He’s probably just hiding from the rain.”
Ruby shivered. Somehow the wood looked much less welcoming than it had straight after school, when the autumn sun had been bright and friendly. But she straightened her shoulders, and marched determinedly up the footpath, calling for Toby. He had to be here somewhere.
“Can you remember where Anya fell?” Dad asked, rushing after her. “He might have had the sense to go back to where you left him.”
“I think so. It wasn’t far from here, just the other side of the stream.” Ruby hurried on, crossing over the bridge, and looking anxiously from side to side, calling until her throat started to hurt.
“I can’t understand why he isn’t coming,” she told her dad, stopping at the top of a little slope, and staring around them hopelessly. “I know he’s naughty, but he usually comes if I call him in the garden. He knows I’ll give him treats, and cuddle him. Why doesn’t he want to come back to us now?” She leaned against her dad, trying hard not to cry. If she started, she knew it would be hard to stop.
“Ruby, don’t worry. This place must be full of amazing smells for a dog…” Dad hugged her. “He’s bound to be off chasing a squirrel or something. And remember what he was like when we met that German shepherd in the park. He might have chased off after another dog.”
“We did hear another dog barking.” Ruby nodded. “But it sounded a long way away. Dad, he could be anywhere,” she added. “What if he ran on to the road?” she whispered.
Her dad sighed, and hugged her tighter. “I don’t think he’d do that, Ruby. He’s never tried it before, has he?”
“He’s only been on a couple of walks,” Ruby poi
nted out miserably. “And if he saw another dog he might.”
Her dad shook his head. “There’s no reason to think he went on to the road. He’s probably sitting under a tree waiting for you. He’ll be cross that you left him, knowing Toby!” Dad was trying to be cheerful, Ruby knew, but it wasn’t really working.
She kept walking and calling, but still no Toby, or even an answering bark.
“Hey, what’s that?” her dad asked, pointing at a flash of blue amongst a mass of twisted roots.
“His lead! That’s Toby’s lead!” Ruby’s heart jumped wildly as she scrabbled for it, hoping that she might find Toby curled up fast asleep at the other end. He did sleep very deeply sometimes; he might not have heard them calling.
But all she found on the end of the lead was Toby’s collar.
“Oh, Toby…” she whispered.
“He must have slipped it off,” Dad said grimly. “Oh well, at least we know he was here. Come on, let’s keep looking. We’ve got about another half-hour before it’s completely dark.”
Ruby swallowed as she looked around at the massive, hulking trees. There were holes and hiding places all over the wood, and it was getting darker by the minute, the light leaking away. She was scared, and she was with Dad.
And if she was scared, Ruby couldn’t help thinking, as they hurried deeper into the trees, how frightened must Toby be, all alone?
Chapter Six
“I wish I knew what your name was,” the man said to Toby, as he carried him down the lane and back towards the town. “I suppose I’m going to have to keep calling you pup. I’m Jake, by the way,” he added, smiling down at Toby, who was curled into his elbow, watching everything they passed with anxious eyes. “And we’re going back to my place, just for a bit, and then we’ll take you to the shelter. Then hopefully your owners will come and find you…”
Toby glanced up at Jake’s face, his ears flattening a little. There was a worried tone to the man’s voice again, and he didn’t like it.
“Yes, I know. No one would leave you behind on purpose, surely…” He sighed. “Anyway, we’re nearly home. You’re going to meet Mickey.” He laughed. “Mickey’s going to get a shock when he sees you. I only went out for a quick jog.”
He searched in the pockets of his tracksuit trousers for the keys, as they came up to a little white-painted house. Toby leaned forward, listening intently. He could hear the clicking of claws on a hard floor, and a curious snuffling. There was another dog in there! It had to be the one that the man smelled of. He shifted a little nervously in Jake’s arms. Usually he barked and barked at other dogs, but then he’d been with Ruby. Toby wanted everyone to know that she was his, and he was looking after her and Anya.
As the door swung open, a golden-brown head peered slowly round it, and stared suspiciously up at Toby.
“Hey, boy. I’ve brought a visitor. Don’t panic, I don’t think he’s staying that long.” Jake tucked Toby tightly under his arm, and crouched down to make a big fuss of his old golden retriever, murmuring a stream of reassuring words.
“It’s lucky you’re such a good boy, Mickey. You’re not jealous. The pup’s lost, poor little thing. We’re going to help him get back home, that’s all.”
Mickey eyed Toby thoughtfully, as the dachshund puppy stared back. Then he wagged his long, feathery tail a couple of times, very slowly, and turned round, pacing back towards the kitchen and his cushion.
“You’re going to have to be gentle with Mickey,” Jake told Toby. “He’s an old gentleman. Twelve years old, and he’s a bit lame now. Don’t go teasing him!” He put Toby down, watching carefully to see how he and Mickey were going to get along. Jake knew Mickey was really gentle, but he wasn’t used to having other dogs in his house.
Toby looked around nervously, and then sidled after Jake as he headed into the kitchen, too.
“I know there’s a leaflet from Oakley Shelter here somewhere. I was going to send them some money…” Jake muttered, searching through a pile of papers. “And now I’m sending them a sausage dog instead!” He pulled out a leaflet covered in photos of dogs. “Ah, good. You two all right?” He looked down at Mickey, now curled up in his basket. Toby was sniffing thoroughly round the kitchen cupboards, and keeping his distance from the bigger dog. “OK. Let’s call them.” He tapped in the number, and then sighed. “I might’ve known. It’s six o’clock already. No one’s answering the phone.” He put the phone back in its cradle slowly, and stared at Toby. “Now what do we do with you, pup? We’d better feed you, I suppose. That cereal bar won’t keep you going for long.”
He fetched a small bowl out of a cupboard, and put it down a little way from Mickey’s big dog bowl, then poured food into both of them from a huge bag.
Toby flung himself at it as though he was starved, and gulped it down.
“Hopefully senior dog mixture won’t do you any harm this once,” Jake murmured, watching with a smile as Toby gobbled the dry food. “Let’s get you some water as well.”
Toby finished his food, and had a long drink of water. Then he watched Mickey, who was still slowly eating his bowlful. He edged a little closer, and Mickey turned round and gave him a very meaningful stare. Don’t come near my dinner.
Toby wriggled backwards on his bottom, and then scuttled under the kitchen table until Mickey had finished and paced back to his bed for an after-dinner snooze.
“You need to be a bit careful, pup,” Jake told him, stroking his head. “Mickey’s a lot bigger than you, and this is his house.”
But Toby was a naturally confident little dog, and he didn’t really understand how small he was, either. He was starting to feel a bit more at home now, and he pranced up to Mickey, and eyed the bigger dog with his head on one side.
Mickey stared back, his muzzle resting on the edge of his cushion. He was a beautiful tawny golden colour, but his coat was turning silvery now, all around his mouth and eyes. He yawned, showing his very large teeth, and Toby took a step back again, looking a bit more respectful.
Even the teeth didn’t stop him for long, though. Toby wasn’t used to being ignored, and he didn’t like it. He pattered right up to Mickey, and yapped sharply at him.
Mickey laid his ears back. The strange little dog was barking at him now, when he was trying to sleep.
Jake took a few steps closer. He trusted Mickey, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
Toby wagged his tail excitedly and barked again, even louder, wanting to get a reaction out of the bigger dog.
Mickey looked over at Jake, his eyes wide, as if he was saying, Rescue me from this thing! But Jake only watched, smiling a little.
Toby crept closer, head down with his front paws flat against the kitchen floor, yapping and whining, his tail wagging. He was starting to enjoy this now. Maybe the big dog was scared of him!
Mickey huffed out a deep, irritable breath, and stood up, towering over the cheeky puppy. He put out a massive golden paw, and stood on one of Toby’s too-long dachshund ears.
Toby wriggled and whined, but Mickey had him pinned. It was a clear message. This is my house. You do as you’re told.
The puppy rolled over – as far as he could with Mickey holding his ear down – waving his paws in the air to show he gave in, and at last Mickey removed his paw. Toby stayed on his back, showing off his tummy apologetically, until Mickey sat down in his bed.
Finally, Toby turned over and wriggled forwards, creeping closer to the cushion as Mickey watched him. At the edge of the cushion, the puppy looked up hopefully, and the old dog nuzzled him. With a pleased little squeak, Toby hustled on to the cushion, and sat down next to Mickey. He did keep glancing up at the big dog, though, making sure he wasn’t about to get the ear treatment again.
Jake laughed. “Taught him his place, have you, Mickey? Can he share your bed for tonight then?”
Mickey sighed, and slumped down on the cushion, squishing Toby up against the edge. But the puppy didn’t seem to mind. He closed his eyes, and snuggled himself
up to Mickey’s broad back, so he was half lying on top of the bigger dog – and then the pair of them went to sleep.
“Where’s Toby?” Anya asked, as Ruby pushed open the kitchen door, the lead dangling from her hand.
Her little sister was sitting at the table with their mum, eating a boiled egg and toast soldiers, her favourite tea. There was a big white gauze square over her grazed face, but she looked much more cheerful.
Ruby gulped, and then turned round and raced upstairs to her bedroom. She couldn’t face explaining to Anya. And then she was going to have to tell Auntie Nell that they’d lost her precious puppy, as well!
She sat down on her floor, leaning against the warm radiator and sniffing. Toby liked to snuggle up here, too. He wasn’t allowed to sleep in her room, but she carried him up to play sometimes.
Her bedroom door creaked open slowly, and Anya peered round it. “Are you cross?” she whispered.
Ruby shook her head. She hadn’t thought to be cross with Anya – her little sister hadn’t meant to fall over.
“Did Toby run away cos I fell over?” Anya said sadly.
Ruby put out her arms for Anya to come and hug her. “It wasn’t your fault. I should have looked after him better.”
“Oh, Ruby! You were helping me look after Anya.” She hadn’t seen her mum come in too. “It was just a horrible accident. I’m sure we’ll find him. Dad can take you back to the woods really early in the morning.”
Ruby nodded, but tears were sliding down her cheeks. “He’ll be scared out there, Mum. It’s so dark, and there’s street lights here, there aren’t any out there in the woods! And he’ll be cold and hungry.” She hugged Anya tighter, and her sister snuggled against her.