As a child a habit that involved sticking my little nose in closets and under beds in search of possible gifts sometimes got me into trouble. Always knowing what kind of presents I would receive before I got them was fun when I found them. This habit caused me not to be surprised when I received gifts, but one day I truly got a surprise.
             I remember that day pretty well. The weather had just stated to get hot, so it must have been late spring or early in the summer. My mom and I, studying a second grade spelling test that I didn't do so hot on, heard the garage door go up. The back door opened and I heard a voice, "Drew close your eyes I've got a surprise for you." Right away I knew the voice. It belonged to my dad. He came home from work with things that my grandparents would send to us all the time, so I didn't get too excited. I heard him as he moved toward me, cush, cush, it sounded like something rubbing cardboard. Dad set the box on the floor at my feet. "You can open your eyes now," he said as he stepped back. I looked down and between my feet was a small cardboard box. When I heard a whimper I quickly opened the box. In-between my feet sat a scared little beagle looking up at me. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. "Is he mine!" I asked my dad trying not to cry. Overwhelmed with joy, I picked the little dog up and hugged him up; I could do nothing but smile.
             The next day I named my puppy Rascal. At the time I just liked the name, but he has since lived up to the name. When just a puppy Rascal would dig holes twice his size all over the yard, so he had to be tied up. Rascal soon learned he could chew through rope and back to digging he went. Finally my dad and I built Rascal a Kennel, it wasn't long before he found a way to get out.
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