Bambi and his bestie

Poppins could feel something tender and moist sniffing at her toes. It was Bambi, the adorable mess of a pup, who’d mastered the art of pawing his way into her room, no permission sought. Bambi would wait no more than a minute or two before getting on to the bed to wake up his bestie. Why it was already time to play fetch! 

The pawsome friendship began one summer noon. Poppins had just finished school and was tarrying at the gate, waiting for aunt Suzi who’d walk her home. Glancing at her watch, Suzi paced up to Poppins and greeted her with a quick cuddle. She removed the bunny bag from Poppins’s shoulders and took her little hand in hers.

It was a Friday, and a visit to the ice cream parlour was due. Aunt Suzi had promised Poppins her favourite gelato. A few steps out of school, something spritely bounced up behind the two. The little fella had clearly picked his favourite. Who else, but Poppins. Bambi circled around her, stomping at her feet, tailing her at every step, tripping her even. Poppings dodged for a bit, but Bambi snuggled around. The pup wore his heart on his forehead, a strawberry-shaped white patch right between two googly eyes. His body was all brown and the four white paws looked like he had the booties on.

When Poppins and Suzi entered the ice cream booth, Bambi parked himself at the door. He was happy to rest for a bit, his eyes pinned on Poppins. That afternoon he followed them home. And just like the gelato, Poppins’s heart melted. “Mumma, meet Bambi. Bambi meet mumma,” declared Poppins. The new member had to be formally introduced. “Bambi? Did we not meet him only an hour back? You’ve got him a name already,” exclaimed aunt Suzi.  Bambi stood there looking distracted, a little flustered and sheepishly meeting eyes with the adults in the room.

Bambi had to do little to impress. Poppins was adamant on having her new fried home. That evening, mumma and Poppins sat together to make Bambi his first toy, a colourful rope ball. 

(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge)