Chapter 5: The Locket and the Leap of Faith

But he didn’t get the pampered life he’d dreamed of—no filet mignon, no doggie spa days. After moving into the mansion with Tyler, everything was strange. We’re just mutts, so even the house staff looked down on my brother.

The marble floors were cold, the rooms echoing and huge. My brother was just as lost as I would’ve been.

“Lord, what was the kid thinking, bringing home that mutt!”

The maids gossiped in the kitchen, their voices dripping with disdain. “Should’ve picked a golden retriever,” one sniffed.

“This dog’s so plain—doesn’t fit in with the Masons at all!”

The gardener shook his head, muttering about “keeping up appearances.” Even the UPS guy joked about the “homely new pup.”

“I’d kick him out if I could. Walking him is just embarrassing.”

Nobody wanted to be seen with him. They tugged his leash a little too hard, hurried him along.

Not only did people sneer, but the other dogs bullied him too. There was already a pet dog in Tyler’s house who made my brother’s life miserable.

Rocket, the border collie, ruled the yard. He’d snarl and snap, chasing my brother off every sunny patch.

“A mutt like you thinks you can be the master’s pet like me?”

Rocket’s bark was sharp, his eyes full of scorn. My brother tried to stand tall, but he was always outmatched.

When they went for walks, other neighborhood dogs ganged up to bully him, barking nonstop and nipping at his tail until it was bald.

Even the fancy poodles next door joined in, their bows bobbing as they nipped his heels. No peace, not even outside.

My brother couldn’t take the difference and got meaner. People keep dogs for companionship, but my brother just tore up furniture, peed and pooped everywhere, and turned the mansion into a disaster zone.

He chewed through shoes, shredded pillows, and left puddles in the hall. The staff grumbled louder every day.

The Mason couple regretted adopting him more and more.

They whispered late at night, thinking no one could hear. “Maybe we made a mistake,” Mrs. Mason said. “He’s just not the right fit.”

“Guess you really can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

Mr. Mason’s voice was heavy with disappointment. The house felt colder every day.