Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 95 - Forest

The intervening weeks between the Abernathys' visit to the Kearnsey Farm and Kennels, and the designated day to bring Forest home went by quickly for Greg and Susan. Not so much for the youngest children. Matt and Zack were generally busy, so they didn't mind quite so much, but Jessie and Melody were very impatient to bring the puppy home.

Susan spent the time preparing to have the puppy living in their home. She involved the girls in the activity as much as possible, with everything she did. Together they visited a pet supply store to look for the things they would need. They bought a crate, found a place to put it at home, and some bedding to go in it to line the bottom. They bought food bowls, and puppy food according to the breeder's recommendation, and decided where Forest would be fed. They bought the equipment necessary to clean up after him, a collar the appropriate size for a puppy, a leash, and a few toys.

Zack and Matt tried to be involved too, but they both were so busy with school, their jobs, and other activities, they were hardly home during the week. Consequently, most of their available time was on the intervening weekend.

Zack was preparing to graduate from high school in less than a month. He and Kelly went to the prom the weekend in between the family's visits to the kennel, giving him little time to think of much else.

Matt and Ashley seemed to work more hours than usual during those two weeks, but Susan didn't discover until they were on their way to pick Forest up why.

"We wanted the whole weekend off to celebrate my birthday and to spend time with the puppy," Matt explained during the ride.

"I never got around to asking what you wanted to do for your birthday," Susan remarked. "I suppose I should have."

"This is it, Mom. Spending the day picking up Forest and bringing him home is great. Ash and I are going out to dinner tonight ... you can join us, but that's what we wanted to do," Matt explained.

"Thank you for the invitation, but I thought we'd probably eat at home tonight. It doesn't seem like a good idea to leave Forest alone so soon after bringing him home. Remember, he's never been away from his brothers or sisters before, and I suspect he's never been alone," Susan said.

"Oh. I didn't think of that," Matt said with a frown.

"We could bring dinner in, Matt, so we could be there too," Ashley suggested.

"We could," Matt said.

"I suppose that isn't a very special way to celebrate your 21st birthday," Susan said sympathetically.

"No, but this is, Mom," Matt said.

"We could barbecue, Susan," Greg suggested.

"I have that good marinade we could use," Ashley suggested to her husband.

"Do we have all the ingredients?" Matt wondered.

"We can go to the store after we get home," Susan assured him. "Ashley, maybe you and I could make supper together."

Ashley grinned. "That would be wonderful, Susan. Thank you."

By the time the family's plan for how to celebrate Matt's birthday that evening was decided, Greg was turning into the drive leading to the Kearnsey Farm & Kennel. They weren't the only family there. Apparently today was the day all nine of Bella's puppies would be going to their new homes. As soon as they arrived in the parking lot, they spotted a little girl trying unsuccessfully to lead a puppy on a leash through the parking lot. The puppy had no concept of the limits provided by the leash, nor of the girl trying to lead him. Instead he wandered here and there, eager to investigate the area outside the kennel building where he's spent most of the eight weeks of his life.