Fiona Harrison - A Puppy Called Hugo

Simon chuckled, the frown lines on his face crinkling around his eyes. ‘I can’t say I’m surprised. Moving gets the best of all of us. No, I was just offering to lend a hand.’

‘That’s very good of you, Simon, but Hugo here has just been helping me sort through a load of boxes and we’ve got a lot done, haven’t we?’ Eric grinned, bending down and pulling a tomato from his pocket to give to Hugo.

I watched in amazement as Hugo ate the fruit greedily from Eric’s palm.

‘I didn’t know you liked tomatoes,’ I barked in astonishment from my position by the doorway.

‘Oh yes!’ Hugo yapped, licking his lips and looking up at Eric, clearly hoping for more. ‘Eric gave me one from the greenhouse yesterday and it was delicious. Today, he found another handful had grown overnight and fed them to me.’

I was barkless and at a loss to know what to do. ‘Just come over here,’ I ordered, as Eric pushed a mug of tea in front of Simon.

‘What is it, Dad?’ Hugo asked, nearing my side.

‘I want to know what possessed you to go running off like that,’ I yapped quietly.

‘I wanted to check on Eric and Doreen, Dad,’ Hugo barked. ‘I heard you bark you were worried about Gail’s parents. I thought I could come and help them for you.’

A rush of love surged through me, at my son’s thoughtfulness. With each passing day, I was beginning to see glimpses of the dog I knew he could become. But, as always, he hadn’t got it quite right. My mission to help him was far from over.

‘You can’t just dash off without barking something,’ I told him gently. ‘It was a lovely idea to help Gail’s parents but you’re too young to do these things on your own.’

Hugo hung his head in sorrow. ‘Sorry, Dad. I was only trying to help. But listen, I’ve got to tell you something. I think you were right about something being wrong with Eric and Doreen. He keeps forgetting things, Dad. Earlier on he kept saying to Doreen that he was going to go bowling and she kept telling him that he couldn’t do that any more as they didn’t live in Barnstaple any longer. He got so cross, Dad, he went out into the garden for a walk around the tomatoes and then he gave me some and then he seemed OK again.’

I shook my head impatiently. I realised Hugo meant well but the fact was that running off, causing people to worry, was not what a forever family would be looking for in a dog.

‘Hugo, I know that you acted with the best of intentions today so I don’t want to go on at you too much. But dog obedience is so important and it’s vital I start to see some from you. Do you understand?’

Hugo nodded. ‘But didn’t you hear what I said about Eric and how he forgot where he lived? It was a good job I came, Dad. I made him remember I’m sure of it.’

I let out a sigh. ‘Let’s just drop it, OK. Now not another bark, do you hear me?’

‘Yes, Dad,’ Hugo yapped forlornly.

‘Good, now let’s get ready to get you home. You need to rest after all that rubbish you ate yesterday.’

‘Yes, Dad.’ Hugo sighed again.

I rubbed my nose against his to show he was forgiven and then watched him settle at Eric’s feet. Surprise ebbed away at me that they had forged such a close bond already. Watching Eric reach down and fondle Hugo’s ears I felt a pang of regret. The duo seemed so close. What a shame he couldn’t do that with someone able to offer him a more permanent solution.

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