My Dog Skip Page #2

you're quite ready for a dog yet.

I am ready to have a dog. I'm 9.

Lots of kids younger

than me have dogs.

Ralph Atkinson. He's only 3.

He has two dogs, a cat and bird.

He can stick his head

in the dog's mouth.

That's impressive.

I can take care of a dog, Mom.

Really, I can.

You just be a big boy

about this, okay?

He'll be fine.

I don't think so.

You know...

...if anybody here

deserves to be angry, it's me.

You went behind my back.

You didn't give me any choice.

I tried to reason with you.

- That was dishonest.

- You want to talk about honesty?

Then you tell the truth.

- Why don't you want him to have a dog?

- I already told you.

He's a little boy,

and a dog is a big responsibility.

He's not a baby. He's a

responsible boy who needs a friend.

And what happens when

he becomes attached to that dog?

Learns to love it?

I thought that was the general idea.

Dogs die. They get sick.

They run away, get hit by cars.

They're a heartbreak waiting to happen.

He's not ready for that.

He's frail, he's sensitive

and he can't handle it.

How do you know what he can handle?

You don't give him a chance.

I know all about loss.

Experienced more than my fair share.

It's hard enough on an adult.

A boy shouldn't have to.

So you're gonna

shelter him from life?

For how long?

He keeps the dog.

For two weeks.

If there's a problem,

I'll take it to the farm myself.

Jack...

...Will deserves this chance.

He needs it.

Wait, ...

- I haven't agreed to that.

- I'm not asking.

Hey, boy!

What's the matter?

You miss your mommy and daddy?

Your brothers and sisters?

I'll take care of you.

Don't be scared.

I've got you.

I'm an only child...

...and now you're an only dog.

I met him on the day I turned 9.

He was just a trembling ball of fur.

Scared and shy as I was.

That night, lying in bed

before sleep...

...I felt the beating of his heart

against my body.

And though I didn't know it then,

he was to change my life forever.

My dog, Skip.

My best and most steadfast friend.

Skip and I instantly

became the best of friends.

He didn't mind that

I was scrawny and shy...

...or that I liked books

a whole lot more than football.

It was unconditional love

on both our parts.

You've grown almost 2 inches.

You could talk to him as well as

you could talk to many human beings.

And much better than

you could talk to some.

He'd sit down, look you

straight in the eye...

...and when he understood you,

he'd turn his head sideways.

I watched Skip grow from the puppy

who came to me from a farm...

...into a sleek and dexterous,

affectionate dog.

Skip became a true member

of the family.

We played games together,

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