The Best Medicine

No Matter What

It had been hours before the car finally came to a stop. I was glad for that. I felt like I was going to throw up if we kept driving. I wagged my tail as I was lifted from the nice lady's lap and placed into a cage.

"Esmerelda! Esmerelda dear! Daddy has a gift for you!" The woman called as she got out of the car with my cage in her hands. So I'm a gift? I thought as I tried to keep my balance in the small cage. She faced the cage so that I could see the new world around me. My tail wagged furiously as I took it all in. There was a field-a beautiful field for me to run in! I yipped happily when the house came into view. An excited squeal broke out and before I knew it there was a girl excitedly running to me. She looked almost as excited as I was.

"It's a puppy! Thank you so much! I promise I'll take good care of it!" She giggled as she hugged both the man and the nice lady.

"You're welcome," her dad said with a smile as he took me out of the cage, "This guy is a German Shepard, Esmerelda, so that means he'll always be there for you. He'll also be a big dog in a couple of months so he can protect you from the monsters." He snarled and they all giggled at his goofy imitation of a monster. I wagged my tail with delight as he handed me to Esmerelda (who could barely hold me up). Esmerelda's mother put a Red collar on my neck and patted me on the head. Esmerelda and her parents started walking to the house. I wondered what was inside waiting for me. Hopefully not a cat...Once we entered the home Esmerelda put me down on the tile floor and sat on the ground. There were so many scents! I didn't know where to sniff first. I started wandering around the kitchen as her parents sat at the table.

"So, Esmerelda, what are you going to name him?" Her dad asked.

Esmerelda, who had been busy watching me, snapped her head to look up at her father. "Oh um...I'm not sure."

"What about Bandit?" Her mother suggested.

"No, he's not robbing banks," Esmerelda giggled at the thought, "I think I'll call him Ruger." I turned my head as she said this which made the family gasp. I wasn't quite sure of what I did but they seemed to like it. I wagged my tail and I walked to Esmerelda to lick her little fingers.

"I think he likes that name." said her mother. I did like that name. It sounded mighty and like I was a big tough guy. Esmerelda nodded and started to pet my black coat. A few minutes later, she took me outside and had a ball in her hands. My ears perked up as she raised it and threw it with all her might. I ran as fast as I could to get the ball. I wanted it to happen again so when I grabbed the ball I brought it straight back to her so she could do it again! We played with the ball until it was dark and her parents called us in. Esmerelda called it "Fetch" but I didn't really care what the game was called, I just thought it was really fun. Her father picked me up and he scratched my ear as they brought me to her room. Her room was a gentle purple and covered with stickers of butterflies; next to her bed was a large cushion just for me. He set me down and I jumped onto the cushion as Esmerelda did the same with her bed. Both of her parents kissed her goodnight then left to their room, closing the door behind them. I circled on my cushion four times exactly then laid down for the night.

"Ruger. Ruger," I heard Esmerelda whisper my name and I lifted my head to look at her, "c'mere boy," she patted the bed and motioned for me to come. I tilted my head a bit but then I got up. Her bed was ten times bigger than mine and it looked comfier. I jumped onto her bed and sat by her stomach. "Good boy," she said as she patted my head. My tail wagged sleepily as I circled four times then laid down. I liked this new place and these new people, especially Esmerelda. I remembered how her father told her exactly what my breed was made for. I will do just that. I will protect Esmerelda and be loyal to her. No matter what. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.