Summary: There’s nothing better than a new friend during the dog days of summer.

Rating: G, Word Count: 1216

A Boy’s Best Friend

Hoss and Jimmy were walking around the fields to check on the fences when a stray dog joined them.

“Hello, pup. Where did you come from?” Jimmy asked kneeling to pet the dog.

It was a mix breed with wiry fur.

“He doesn’t have a collar on him,” Hoss said.

“Do you think my parents would let me have it?” Jimmy asked.

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to ask. Let’s finish checking the fences and we’ll head back home and see what they say.”

They had gone down a way when they heard a rattle. Jimmy and Hoss stopped and looked around and saw the snake was near Jimmy’s foot. Jimmy stood still and held his breath. Hoss started to pull out his gun when the dog ran up and grabbed the snake and played with it. He flung it around and finally killed it. Jimmy breathed and Hoss took his shoulders before Jimmy could fall down in relief.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I think so. That was so scary, Uncle Hoss,” Jimmy replied in a shaky breath.

The dog trotted over and licked Jimmy’s hand.

“We have to keep him, Uncle Hoss. He saved our lives.”

“He saved your life. That snake was near you. Let’s go talk to your parents,” Hoss suggested.

Jimmy nodded and they went back to the horses. The dog followed.

Jimmy and Hoss went back to the Ponderosa and explained to the family about the dog and the snake.

“Well, I don’t know. Will you take care of him, Jimmy?” Emma asked.

“Yes, Ma, I will. He could be a good watch dog and help around the house,” Jimmy said.

Emma looked at Adam and he at her. They silently communicated.

“All right, Jim. But you must take care of him,” Adam said.

“Thank you, Pa. Thank you, Ma,” Jimmy said hugging both parents.

Mary was petting the dog.

“I’m so happy for you, Jimmy!” she said.

“Thanks, Mary. You can always play with him too,” Jimmy replied.

She smiled.

“What are you going to name him?” Hoss asked.

“I think I’ll name him Buster.” Jimmy replied.

Buster and Jimmy became inseparable as time went on. Buster ran and took care of the cattle and even the family.

There had been animals coming around to get the chickens and Buster would chase after the foxes and other predators. Jimmy had done as he promised and took good care of Buster. Adam and Emma had asked those around Virginia City if anyone lost a dog. They had wondered where he had come from and thought perhaps someone lost him. Nobody had lost a dog and they decided to let it drop and enjoyed the dog.

Jimmy decided to ride around the Ponderosa. Buster followed and ran ahead and then waited for Jimmy to join him. Buster was always careful around the horse. They had gone up a few canyons. Jimmy loosely tied his horse up to some brush and went hiking. Buster followed and sniffed around for anything harmful. A low rumble sounded and Jimmy looked at the sky.

“We’d best get back, Buster,” Jimmy said.

They started hiking down to the horse when the heavens opened and rain poured down. Jimmy tried to get down as fast as he could but he slid down the side and landed on his left leg but only spraining it. He cried out in pain. Buster whimpered and licked Jimmy. Jimmy tried to drag himself to a cave he had seen when going up the hill but couldn’t move. The pain shot through him when he tried to move. Thunder cracked above loudly sending Jimmy’s horse running. Jimmy watched his horse run away and he groaned. Buster sat next to him whimpering.

“It’s all right, boy,” Jimmy assured the dog.

Though he was more trying to assure himself that things would be all right. Suddenly, Buster ran off.

“Buster, come back! Please come back! Don’t leave me!” Jimmy’s cries were drowned out by the thunder.

He flinched as more lightning and thunder cracked loudly overhead. The lightning flashed quickly showing the running dog. Jimmy started to cry. His best friend was gone and now nobody would find him.
Buster ran to the Ponderosa and started barking as he got to the house. Adam walked outside to see what the noise was about.

“What is it boy?” Adam knelt to pet the dog.

He then saw Jimmy’s horse.

“Pa, Hoss, Joe, come out here!” Adam called out.

The three men and Emma came out.

“What is it?” Ben asked.

“Jimmy’s horse is here and Buster is too.”

Buster started spinning around and barking.

“I think he wants us to follow him,” Hoss said.

“Please bring him home safe,” Emma pleaded.

“We will,” Adam promised.

The three men ran back in to gather their guns, hats and jackets. They followed Buster to the canyon.
Rain hit against their faces as they raced to the canyon following Buster.

“Jimmy!” Adam called out as they got closer but every time he’d yell it would thunder.

He grew frustrated but then heard a small cry. They went on and stopped where Buster stopped and barked at them to follow him. They got off their horses and followed the dog and could hear Jimmy yelling. They found Jimmy curled up shivering. Buster was by Jimmy licking his tear stained face. Adam took his jacket off and wrapped Jimmy in it. Though it was wet, Adam thought there might be a little warmth inside.

“Are you all right?” Adam asked.

“I sprained my ankle coming down the side. I was going to go home when I heard thunder but the rain came so fast I couldn’t make it and my horse ran off,” Jimmy explained.

“He’s at the Ponderosa,” Adam replied.

They got him on Adam’s horse. Adam got on behind and they headed for home.

When they got home, Emma had been boiling water for Jimmy to get in a bath. It was still warm when they got home.

“I am so glad you are all right, Jimmy,” Emma said as she hugged her boy when they got in the house.

Adam was still holding him and went into the kitchen where the bath was. Adam took care of Jimmy getting him warm. Emma got his pajamas. They had always kept an extra set of clothes at the Ponderosa in case they ended up having to stay there. After Jimmy was dried and in the living room with the others, Buster jumped on the settee and laid on Jimmy’s good leg. Hoss had bandaged Jimmy’s ankle. They would call the doctor in the morning to check it out. Jimmy noticed he was clean and dry.

“I gave him a bath in the bunk house,” Mary said.

“Thank you, Mary,” Jimmy said.

“We sure have a good dog,” Emma said.

“We do. I’m glad he found us. He’s been a good dog for the whole family,” Adam said scratching Buster’s head.

“I hope you’ll be more careful when you go in the canyon, young man,” Ben said pointing his pipe at Jimmy.

“I will.” Jimmy promised smiling.

Jimmy hugged Buster. Buster licked Jimmy’s face which made the boy smile.

 

 

 

From the Brandsters.  The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.  Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.