Dad Gives His Consent

When I was tiny we used to have lots of pets. Our house was overrun with birds, mice and even a mean ferret. We also once had a dog called Rocket. He was crazy. One day somebody fed him curry and the results were not pretty.

A few years ago we got a cat called Poppy from the pet shop and I was overjoyed. Then a while after that one of Callum's work colleagues gave us two more cats called Jenny and Sammy.

But since Rocket we have not had a dog. For some reason Dad didn't seem to want one. But Sophie and I always did.

Yesterday it was Callum's birthday and we were all in Mum's room chatting about dogs and how we always wanted one (Dad was at work).

"I love dogs," Sophie said dreamy eyed.

"Casey is trying to give away her moodle or her huskies," Callum said. Casey is Callum's girlfriend.

"We would need a fence to have a dog," Mum said. (Our garden doesn't have fences all the way around it.)

"I'd make one," Callum offered.

"You would also need Dad's consent," Mum said.

"We could make the fence first and then suggest we get a dog," Callum said.

"You would also have to suggest a kind of dog that Dad likes," Mum said.

"Easy, just ask him what kind of dog he would like," Callum said.

"You should also see how much this fence would cost," Mum said.

So Sophie, Imogen, Callum and I went to a warehouse to see what kind of fence we would need and how much it would cost. After trotting around a few warehouses we decided on a fence and went home to tell Mum.

"We think that we should get the colourbond one," Callum said.

"Okay," Mum said. "Now you have to tell Dad."

In the afternoon Callum's girlfriend came over and then we had to wait for Dad to get home. After what seemed like forever he finally arrived and we sat down at the table for dinner, trying to hide grins.

When we had finished eating Callum turned to Dad and said. "Today we have been looking at some fences and have found one that we could buy."

"Hmmm," Dad said suspiciously.

"Tomorrow I can start putting it up. It would only take three or so days," Callum said.

"This doesn't involve anything four legged does it?" Dad asked.

We exploded into laughter.

"How did you guess?" Sophie asked.

"WHAT?????? I was only joking," Dad said, turning accusingly towards Mum.

"Don't look at me. It was their idea," Mum said.

Dad's eyebrows hung low over his eyes.

"We have worked out the cost of the fence," Callum said.

"And I can give you some dog examples," Casey said.

"What?" Dad asked.

"Well I could give you a moodle..."

"What is a moodle?" Dad interrupted.

"It is a cross between a poodle and a maltese," Casey said.

"And what is the other example?"

"Two huskies," Casey said.

"How much does a husky cost?" Dad asked.

"Usually a lot of money but these ones are free," Callum said.

"Please," I said shooting Dad my puppy eyes.

Dad sighed and said he would talk about it with Mum.

After dishes Mum appeared and announced that Dad said we could have a dog.

I can't wait to see what we are going to get. Mum wants a dog she can take for a run with her. Imogen wants a German shepherd and Callum wants a pit bull but I don't think he will get it. Duncan doesn't want a dog.

I wonder if we are going to get a small dog or a big one?