Marge’s husband was the real hero of the situation. As soon as he realised what was happening he raced across and grabbed hold of the dogs. This was amidst of a lot of screaming, of which Derek realised, a fair proportion was coming out of her mouth. The man calmly separated the dogs and held them apart until Scruffy’s owner put a leash around his neck. The man then picked up Sonya and bought her back to Derek who had found her face buried in Marge’s breasts as the woman partially comforted her and perhaps was also trying to prevent Derek seeing what happened to her puppy.
Somehow the man had found Sonya’s leash (Derek must have dropped it) and put it on Sonya.
‘Don’t be scared little one’ Marge was talking in Derek’s ear. ‘Your puppy is not hurt. The dogs were just playing’
Derek knew better but didn't say anything as she struggled to regain her composure. She really was behaving like a 7 year old. She needed to get Sonya home and changed back into human form.
She finally squeezed out of Marge’s embrace ‘I need to take Sonya home’
‘That’s a good idea. I suspect she has had enough fun for one day. Would you like us to drive you back? It would probably be a good idea for us to speak with your Mummy’
‘No I’ll walk. We live close by’
‘I think we need to tell your Mummy what happened. Sonya might need a visit to the vet’s and have an operation’
‘I’ll be fine. I will let her know what happened. I will keep her Sonya away from other dogs. I don’t think I should have come here’
After saying that Derek took hold of Sonya’s leash and fled the scene. She heard Marge telling her husband ‘We need to follow her home and speak to her mother’ as she exited the dog park. As she hurried back to Sonya’s house, she observed the couple getting into their car, began to follow her at some distance. After turning the corner into Sonya’s street, Derek ran the rest of the way home. Sonya who had not seemed upset at all was only too happy to break into a run. The car turned the corner just as the little girl and dog turned into Sonya’s house. Quickly Derek retrieved the hidden key and they went inside.
‘Quickly. Get to your room and I will change you back’ Derek told the puppy. ‘They are going to knock on the door any second and I need an adult to be here’