The morning after her birthday, Freya wakes up with Poppy curled up beside her. The golden puppy opens one eye and sleepily wags her tail. Freya gives her a gentle cuddle, feeling the warmth of Poppy’s fur. As she sits up, she remembers two things – puppies need a wee as soon as they wake up, and today is a school day.
Freya quickly takes Poppy into the garden.
The morning air is cool and fresh, and Poppy sniffs around curiously.
“Oh, Poppy,” Freya says when they come back into the kitchen, stroking the puppy’s soft fur. “I don’t want to leave you at home.”
At breakfast, Freya tells Mummy that she is worried about leaving Poppy.
She already misses Poppy at the thought of leaving her behind.
“What if she’s lonely?” Freya asks. “What if she’s bored without me?”
“Don’t worry, she’ll be fine,” Mummy reassures her. “Puppies are like babies. They sleep a lot. She has a nice basket and a soft blanket. I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re at school. And, if you like, we can stop off at the pet shop on the way home, and you can choose a few toys for her.”
“That would be great! Thank you, Mummy.”
Freya feels a lot better. She gives Poppy a big cuddle before heading out of the door.
“Be good, Poppy. I’ll bring you a surprise!”
At school, Freya’s best friend Annie is waiting by the classroom door. Of course, she immediately wants to know what Freya got for her birthday.
“Guess what!” Freya says, beaming. “I got a puppy for my birthday!”
“Oh, wow!” Annie gasps. “What kind of puppy?”
“She’s golden and fluffy, and she has floppy ears,” Freya says proudly. “I absolutely love her! I’m calling her Poppy.”
Annie smiles. “She sounds adorable. Milo isn’t a puppy anymore, but I’m sure he’d love to meet her! Maybe, when Poppy’s a bit older, we can take them for walks together.”
Freya’s eyes sparkle at the idea.
“Yes! They can be best friends, just like us.”
All day, Freya can’t stop thinking about Poppy.
She draws a picture of her puppy and writes a story about how she got her for her birthday.
During lessons, she finds her mind wandering, imagining Poppy playing with the new toys she’ll bring home.
When the final bell rings, she dashes out of the classroom, waving goodbye to Annie. She can’t wait to get home and see Poppy.
She runs over to Mummy.
“Mummy, can we go straight home?”
Mummy smiles.
“I thought someone wanted to buy a surprise for a little puppy.”
Freya laughs.
“Oh yes! I nearly forgot!”
They stop at the pet shop, where Freya quickly chooses a squeaky toy and a chew ring for Poppy.
When they get home, Poppy whines excitedly, her tail twirling round and round like a whirlwind.
Freya drops her backpack and scoops Poppy into her arms.
“Did you miss me? I missed you so much! But look what I’ve brought for you!”
She shows Poppy the squeaky toy and the chew ring.
Poppy immediately falls in love with the squeaky toy.
Later, as they sit together on the sofa, Freya tells Poppy all about her day.
“Annie and I are planning a walk for you and Milo,” she whispers. “But you’ll have to grow a bit and learn to walk on a lead. Then we can go exploring.”
Poppy tilts her head and wags her tail, as though she understands.
Freya smiles.
“I’m so happy to have you, Poppy.”
Tomorrow will be another school day.
But now Freya knows that Poppy will be waiting for her when she comes home.