Roy’s Redemption

Chapter 1

“Roy, come outside,” yelled his dad, Sam, through the screen door. 

The boy put down his book and ran to the door to see his dad standing there with a six-week-old puppy in his arms. Roy ran outside and asked, “Is that our new puppy, Dad?”

“Well, son, this is your puppy, but before I hand him over to you. I want to make sure you know the responsibility that comes with having a dog like this. It’s going to be your job to feed and take care of him. You will train him and make sure he listens. I’ll help you with him, but this is your pup, and he’s your responsibility. Do you hear what I am saying?”

“Yes sir,” replied Roy, reaching up to hold his puppy. “I promise I’ll take care of him, and he will go with me everywhere.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The dog can’t go to school with you, and he is going to live out here on the ranch.” 

“I promise I am going to take care of him. He’s going to be the best dog we have,” said Roy as he looked over at the dog kennels where their hunting dogs were. 

“So, what are you going to name him?” asked Roy’s mom Rose.

“I don’t know yet. I haven’t thought about it. But I’m sure something will come to me,” replied Roy as he put the puppy on the ground and started playing with him. Instantly, the dog started biting on Roy’s hands. His teeth were as sharp as razor blades, almost instantly cutting into Roy’s little hands. 

Sam walked into the house and grabbed a small ball that Roy used to play with. He tossed the ball out, and the puppy grabbed it and ran off to the yard. 

Roy tried to catch him, but it was no use. That little puppy was already faster than Roy was. After a minute or two of chasing the puppy, Roy stopped running and turned to his parents, “I’m going to call him Bandit; that’s his name.”

“I like that, son,” replied Sam. 

“Me too. He looks like a bandit.” 

“You stay out here and play with Bandit. I have some work to catch up on with those heifers in the pasture. But I’ll be back in a few hours. Stay out here and make sure he gets to know you. And get him some food and water, too. I’m sure your mom can find a couple old bowls inside for him.”

“Yes, sir, if you need some help, let me know, and I’ll be happy to go out there with you,” said Roy. 

“Not today. You need to play with Bandit,” said his dad as he took off for his truck. Before Sam started the truck, he rolled down the window and don’t make any plans for Saturday. I want you to start coming with me on the hog hunts. This weekend, we are going over to Babb’s place to see if we can put down a hog or two.”

“You’re going to let me go?”

“Yeah, you’re old enough now to start hog hunting. And I need all the help I can get,” replied his dad just as he started up his old Ford and took off. 

Roy sat on the front lawn and played with Bandit for the next few hours. Once the sun started to go down, he went inside and found an old pillow for Bandit to sleep on in his room.