Writer:- Crystal Lewis
Western Australia
THE BEACH
Aah, bright, sunny beach days. My favorite days.
I clambered back and forth over my brothers in the back of the car, sticking my head out of windows. I loved feeling the wind up my nose, ruffling my shaggy, black and white fur and floppy ears.
“Roscoe! Sit!” my older brother Dylan barked. I lolled my tongue out at him, then promptly sat heavily on his lap, laying my head on my other brother Tommy’s lap.
“Good boy,” Tommy said, fondling my ears.
Before long, I smelled that strong, salty smell that was the beach.
We arrived and everyone hopped out. I tore around on the hot sand, snapping at seagulls, sniffing all the strange smells.
“Roscoe! Come boy,” called Dylan, carrying his large flat board thing. All three of us liked sitting on that board, floating above the glistening water. He threw my ball and I tore after it. That always made them happy.
Anything to make them happy.
The hot sun tired us out. We had run, swam and surfed. As I paddled to shore, the water suddenly shifted. Something was wrong. I had to reach the shore.
I reached land then looked back at the strong waves. Dylan was back on land but my little brother…I began barking frantically as I saw him still out in the waves. I could sense the danger, could hear his shouts, fearful, frantic. I kept barking.
“Oh my god. Tommy!” mum shouted from behind me.
“He’s caught in a rip!” dad shouted. I kept barking. Why was no one helping him? I must save him. That was my job. Protect them.
I plunged into the waves, ignoring Dylan’s cries to come back. The strong pull of the water frightened me, but I could still hear Tommy screaming for help. I pushed on.
Finally, I reached him, panting, swallowing bitter water. Tommy saw me and grabbed onto me tightly. He was heavy, so heavy, and I was tired.
But I had to get him out of danger.
I began paddling back to shore but the pull of the water was tremendous. And Tommy couldn’t help.
I found that if I went slightly with the water’s pull it was easier to move forward, although it took me a long way from the rest of my family. Tommy whispered words of encouragement in my ear. We were both so weak, and so, so tired.
But I had to save Tommy.
Finally, finally, we reached solid ground. Exhausted, both of us collapsed on the damp sand. I lay my head on my paws, panting heavily, every bone in my body aching and cold.
“Good boy, Roscoe,” Tommy whispered, patting me weakly.
I managed to lift my head and plant a salty kiss on his face.
That night I slept on Tommy’s bed. I curled up next to him, exhausted, but waited until his breathing deepened. Only then did I lay my head gently on his chest and close my eyes.
My family was safe.