One day in late November a lizard lay basking in the sun. His name was George. He was enjoying the beautiful day at Spittal Pond when he heard a whimpering sound. It was coming from behind the bush he was lying near. At first he was scared but then he thought it sounded like a very sad sound. So George went slowly and carefully around the bush. At first he thought it was a big white and brown ball of fluff. George then saw it was a DOG!!! Before George could turn and run the dog looked at George. He said “Please don’t run away. I only want a friend.”“What is your name? ” asked George carefully.”

“My old owners called me Chocolate Chip, but I like plain Chip,” replied Chip. He had stopped whimpering by now and looked quite happy.

“My name is George and I am a Warwick Lizard,” said George proudly.

They sat in silence for a minute then George said “So what are you doing out here?

“It all started about a year ago when I was born. I was born Christmas Day and I was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks the next month. Life was good then.” Chip looked happy talking about that time. Chip continued his story then by saying “The Brooks son Jim was four years old then. He loved me!! I thought my life was the best! I was very wrong, but I did not know it then. Then first two months were the greatest. Jim played ball with me and Mr. Brooks took me on walks every day.” Chip sighed and watched the clouds for a minute before he went on. “It was the 23rd of March when my whole life changed. It was a rainy day and the Brooks where out. They had left me inside and said that they would be back soon. I was getting bored so I jumped on the couch and started to play with a pillow. I had the pillow in my mouth and I did not know that the stuffing was coming out. I thought that it was okay and I played with the other pillow too. The same thing happened. When I got tried of this I took a nap in an armchair. The Brooks came back an hour later. I was having a nice dream then. Mrs. Brooks walked in and almost screamed. She was so angry about me on the furniture and the pillows I had pulled apart. Mr. Brooks said to give me two months and then if I chewed up any more things they would think about sending me to the SPCA. I did not know what this was but I thought it did not sound too good.”

“The next week I was as good as gold. But one day I started chewing again. Mrs. Brooks got angrier and angrier but Jim still loved me and played with me. Exactly two months from the day I first started chewing I found a beautiful ball in Jim’s room. I decide to see what it tasted like so I tried to eat it. Just then Jim walked in. His face went bright red and he started to cry and scream. Mr. Brooks came in and said that I had to go. He put me out in the yard and was about to put me in the car and take me to the S.P.C.A., but as he picked me up and opened the garden gate I jumped out of his arms and ran as fast as my little legs could carry me. I heard Mr. Brooks behind me but I did not look back.” Chip looked gloomily at the dark sky and the setting sun. George asked “How did you survive the last six months?”

“I have eaten out of garbage cans, and wandered the streets looking for food and a dry place to sleep. I spend most days hiding,” answered Chip unhappily. Soon they both curled up under a brush and fell asleep. George had a funny dream that night. In it Chip was in a nice house. He looked so happy George knew that was what would have to happen.

In the morning George and Chip ate breakfast. George had flies and Chip ate an old sandwich he found on a rock. Chip said he was going to go explore Spittal Pond. When Chip left George went to look for a home for Chip. Every day for two weeks George would leave and look for a home for Chip. He came back in the evenings. Soon he found a perfect home. Chip had been living with George all this time and they had become good friends.

It was three days before Christmas before George told Chip about the house and his idea. Chip was so pleased about this he wanted to see it the next day. George agreed to show him. That night George told Chip all he had learned about the family who live in the house. He had learned that a little girl and her parents lived there. The girl’s name was Sally Jones. She was seven. She had long red hair and lots of freckles. George said she was adorable!! They said good night and George fell asleep. Chip could not sleep. He was too excited about the family he would soon be apart of. The next morning was December 24th. They set off to the Jones’ house at 9 o’clock. George was riding on Chip’s back so they could go faster. They stayed at the house for a short time and watched Sally play in the garden. They left the house and went back to Spittal Pond. They now had to find a way to get Chip in the house before Christmas. George decided the best way was for Chip to sit on the doorstep on Christmas Eve and whimper loudly. When one of the Jones opened the door to see what was going on Chip would put on a sad puppy face. George was sure this would work.

Chip thought the sun would never set that evening. When it final did he was so excited that he jumped up and ran to go see where George was. George climbed on to Chip’s back and the set off to the Jones’ house. When they got there the Jones were eating dinner. The clock in the kitchen said 6.15. After their dinner Sally went to bed and Mr. and Mrs. Jones sat down in the living room. At 8.45 Chip said a sad good bye to George. He thanked him for finding him a lovely family and wished him a very merry Christmas. They both promised each other they would stay in touch. Then George said his last good bye and wished him a merry Christmas and a great birthday. With that Chip walked up to the door and started to whimper. Mrs. Jones came to the door. She looked down on Chip with a heart warming smile and said “What are you doing out here on Christmas Eve? ” With that she picked him up and looked to see if he had a collar. Of course he didn’t. She then said “Tom come see what I have found.” Before she closed the door Chip looked back and smiled gratefully at George. The next morning when Sally came down for breakfast Chip was sitting in the kitchen with a big red ribbon around his neck. Sally was so happy she ran up to him and hugged him. That Christmas was the best any of them had ever had!!! George liked it too, even though Chip was not with him. He knew Chip was having the time of his life -- all because of him.