by Suzi George

Created on: July 06, 2009

When his mother brought the puppy home, he was less than thrilled. "Mom," he whined, "I wanted a chocolate lab, not..this," he pointed. The puppy was a cream colored spaniel looking dog with light tan markings that resembled nothing in particular.

"Son, I found him at the Texaco, he was the sweetest one. He kind of looks like that white dog in "The Neverending Story" doesn't he?" she smiled. The boy began to pet him then held him in his arms. The puppy looked up at him with soulful eyes and licked his face.

"Yeah, he kinda does. I guess he's alright. What are we gonna name him?" the boy asked.

"I don't know, he's your dog," his mother said as she put the groceries away. The boy lay on the floor nose to nose with the very calm puppy and stared at him. He tried to think of a name that fit his personality and came up with Duke, Samson, Scruffy and even Benji. His mother listened to the names he threw out and offered one of her own while she fixed dinner.

"What about Dusty? He is a little dusty colored don't you think?" The boy tilted his head and agreed.

"Dusty it is," he whispered to his new best friend. Dusty and the boy were inseperable. The first two weeks were fun fille days of running outside and chasing each other. The boy found out that Dusty's mother was a Brittany Spaniel and his father was an Australian Shepherd.

"Hey, I bet Dusty would e a great hunting dog don't you think?" the boy asked his mother.

"Hmm..I'll just bet he would," she told her young son. The next day, the boy ran to his mother with tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Momma, come quick! I thikn something is wrong with Dusty," he pulled her to the back door and pointed. His mother flung the door open and rushed to the small dogs side. He lay limply on the back porch, unmoving and breahing very shallow.

"I've got to get him to the vet, I'll be home in a bit," she said as she scooped Dusty up carefully.

"I want to go with you, please," her son was pleading and sincere. With some trepidation, she let him go with her. The vet gave the horrific news that Dusty had parvo and told them to take him home and let him die in peace. The little boy was devestated. His mother wiped her own tears, thanked the vet and headed home. Dusty lay in the boy's lap sleeping and content.

"Mommy, he isn't going to die. I'm going to save him," the boy suddenly announced. His mother swallowed a lump and nodded, unable to speak or respond. Over the next three days,

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