Page 39 of Pretty Puppy

Love.

A gentle hand stroking his head. A soft voice whispering what a good boy he was. A warm lap to lie on, and a strong body to snuggle with.

Champ whimpered.Master. Need Master.

An excited yipping sounded next to him, and Champ’s eyes flew open. He scrambled off his bed, placing his front paws on the top of the metal gate between his pen and the next one to see what was happening. He swung his hips back and forth, tail wagging at Marty, the Great Dane he loved playing with.

Marty sat up then rolled over, clearly putting on a show for the smiling Master who had just patted his head. Champ fell back on all fours, jumping around in circles, his favorite thing. He spotted his red ball, peeking from inside the toy bag. That was his favorite too.

Champ scurried over to the bag, pawing at the ball. He batted it around then got too enthusiastic with the bouncy object and it went sailing out of the pen. He barked, but no one paid attention. Champ made a low whimper then pounced on the toy bag.

His pink piggy with no stuffing, but extra-long legs and arms, poked out of the top. That was his favorite too! He grabbed it between his teeth and gave it a vicious shake, growling low in his throat, showing piggy who was boss.

Bad piggy, bad piggy. Kill! Destroy!

Champ shook his head several more times until he was dizzy and out of breath. He dropped the toy, licking his dry lips a few times. He paused to lap at the water in his bowl, then went back to torturing piggy. He chomped on piggy’s feet, setting off the squeaker.

Chomp, chomp, squeak. Chomp, chomp, squeak.

Soon, other squeaky toys joined the chorus, and the racket made Champ want to jump around more. But his pen wasn’t nearly big enough to truly romp. Champ huffed. Thirsty. He lapped up more cool water from the bowl, then sat back on his haunches.

Hungry.

Champed searched the room. Where was his red ball? Other dogs couldn’t have it, that washistoy. He’d bite the bad dog who stole it.

“How’s my pretty puppy?”

Champ yelped in surprise, whirling around.Master!He rushed to the side of the pen, pushing his head into the open palm of his wonderful, amazing, awesome Master, rubbing against it unashamedly, begging for his attention.

“That’s my good boy. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, but I had to pick up something very special.”

I’m a good boy, I’m a good boy. Master wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t a good boy.

Master cooed and praised, scratched behind his ears and petted his head over and over. The moment he paused, taking his hand away, Champ whimpered— a low plaintive sound that begged for Master to keep touching him.

“Now, now, Champ. Give me a second. I have a present for my sweet pup.”

Champ tilted his head. Something new? He loved new toys. New toys were his favorite. He watched, curious, as Master took a box out of a bag. The box was smaller than his bed but bigger than his bowl. Master removed the lid then lifted the item that was encased in some crinkly wrapping. Maybe Master would let him pounce on the crinkly stuff too.

The moment the collar came into view, Champ’s lower lip trembled.His. Belong to him. He screwed his eyes shut then opened them in a flash. The collar was still there, the same black leather as Master’s clothes, with silver studs and small spikes like the ones he’d seen on the collars he’d always envied.

Master unbuckled the collar and held it open. “Can I put it on you? That is, if you want me to.”

Champ let out a series of excited barks, the loudest ones he’d ever made, and bounced on his front paws. Master laughed, leaning over the pen and carefully buckling it around his neck.

Ash groaned, Champ drifting away as the intensity of the moment took hold.

“Daddy…”

Lee tugged on the collar, placing two fingers beneath the stiff leather, undoubtedly checking that it wasn’t too tight.

“How does it feel?”

Ash sighed. “So incredible. Just as if you’re holding me right now.” He gazed up at Lee. “Thank you, thank you so much.” He swallowed past a lump in his throat. “Does this mean I’m all yours? For real?”

Lee cupped his chin. “You already were. But I want the world to know and to make my commitment official.”

Ash ran his fingers over the hard bumps decorating his beautiful new collar. “I was worried you wouldn’t be here in time for the bidding. I only ever want to be yours.”

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