A Paw-some surprise pet

WC:1036

It had been months since she last visited Aunt Cordelia’s place. Technically, they weren’t related by blood, but more like a sister her mother chose for herself. Ira found herself in Aunt Cordelia’s mansion for what was supposed to be a girls-only meet-up without kids. Well, that was her mother’s plan—just her and her best friend, no daughters in the mix. If that was the case, her mother should’ve planned it for a day Ira wasn’t around. After all, Ira had been eager to see her aunt after so long, and she wouldn't just pass it up.

Ira tapped her feet impatiently, her excitement building as she waited by the door. When it swung open, she couldn’t contain herself anymore. She let out a delighted scream and sprang forward to wrap her aunt in a tight hug. Her sister followed suit, and Aunt Cordelia, laughing, pulled them both into a heartwarming, laughter-filled group hug. Once released from the hug, Ira’s mom stood there, her mouth agape in exaggerated shock. With a playful shake of her head, she said, “What in Merlin’s name? You all never reacted to me like that!” Her teasing gaze landed on her friend, who chuckled in response. Before anything else could be said, Cordelia pulled Apsara into a tight, affectionate hug.

Grinning from ear to ear, they all strolled further into the mansion. Ira’s eyes darted around the hall before she turned to her aunt and asked, “Aunt Coda, where’s Sophie?” Sophie, Cordelia’s beloved dog, was always a highlight of her visits. Before her aunt could speak, a small puppy trotted into the hall, its little paws skittering to a stop when it spotted the strangers.

Ira’s eyes lit up when she saw the tiny half crup, its forked tail wagging hesitantly. It wasn’t Sophie; she was already bigger and much older by now. Moreover, the little one looked nothing like Sophie. Her aunt must have got a new dog.

Something about the tiny creature tugged at her heart. Ira gently crouched down, her movements slow and careful so as not to alarm the tiny one. "Hey there, sweetie," she whispered softly, watching the way the little ears twitched in response to her voice. She tapped her fingers lightly on the floor, staying just within reach but not forcing anything. The forked tail swayed, a sign that this little one had plenty of energy, and Ira was ready to let it come to her on its own terms.

In an instant, the puppy made a swift move to nibble Ira’s fingers. She yanked her hand back just in time, her laughter ringing out. The tiny creature didn’t give up, trying again, its tiny tail wagging furiously. "Nice try," she teased with a smirk, before launching into a full-on attack of belly rubs. Her fingers gently kneaded the soft fur on the puppy’s belly, and it wriggled in delight, clearly loving the affection.

Ira couldn't help but grin as she turned to her aunt, who was already sporting a huge, gleaming smile. "What's her name?" Ira asked, her voice light with amusement. Without missing a beat, her aunt replied with a wide, almost overzealous smile, "Rhythm." Ira blinked in surprise, her brow furrowing for a moment. Half-surprised and half-amused, "You named her Rhythm?" Ira asked with a small chuckle, remembering her own words about naming her imaginative puppy. "Guess Aunt Coda really does love me."

Throughout the day, Rhythm hardly left her side. She was either chasing Ira around the room, tugging at her dress, or curled up on her lap, demanding constant attention. Ira smiled, though her arms were getting tired from all the petting. Still, she wouldn’t have it any other way—Rhythm had already found her place in Ira’s heart.

Later, Ira went to show Sophie some love when the older dog finally woke up from a nap. The day had been a whirlwind of fun, and Ira would’ve crowned it the best day ever—if the evening didn’t mean leaving Rhythm behind. She felt a tug in her chest at the realization. As they walked to the door, Ira felt the weight of the moment settle in. Her aunt held Rhythm gently in her arms, and Ira stroked the puppy’s soft head with a sudden emptiness in her chest at the thought of leaving her behind. Offering a smile that was more for show than anything else, she hugged her aunt goodbye.

Just as they were about to leave, her aunt’s voice rang out. "You forgot your birthday gift!" Ira blinked, slightly caught off guard, then smirked. "Ah, thanks for the reminder," she said, squinting at her aunt with a playful smile. "So, where’s my gift?"

"Close your eyes and count to ten—very slowly," her aunt instructed. Ira rolled her eyes but counted anyway, giving in to her aunt’s antics. When she finally opened her eyes, her aunt exclaimed, "Surprise!" Ira blinked in disbelief, seeing Rhythm held before her. The realization washed over her like a tidal wave, and her eyes went wide. Ira’s mouth fell open, her hands instinctively covering her face as tears threatened to spill. "You're kidding me!" she said, her voice shaky. Her aunt chuckled softly, gently handing her the puppy and pulling her into a warm side hug. "You love dogs, and I love you, so here we go. This is the least I could do for my niece," she said, pressing a gentle kiss to Ira's head.

Ira shook her head, her lips twitching in an amused frown. "I can’t decide if I hate you or love you right now. You could’ve told me earlier, you know?" Her aunt shrugged nonchalantly, "Where's the fun in that?"

Ira then glanced at her ma, who stood with a raised eyebrow. Ira’s aunt’s smile was knowing as she added, "The gift included convincing your ma too." Ira smiled, though she knew full well that the conditions for keeping Rhythm would be laid out once they got home and she could easily guess it—no deterioration in grades and no distractions when it came to her schoolwork and that if her parents noticed Rhythm was making her less focused, the puppy would be staying home from next break on.

Easy peasy... She thought.

What animal do you wish to purchase? Wexford Half crup
What do you want to name it? Rhythm
Is this a boy or a girl? Girl
What is your pet's date of birth? October 26, 2024