It was the night of the summer solstice, the longest night of the year. Dad hadn’t called to tell us he would be late, so we were a little worried. Just as Mom removed the casserole from the oven, we heard the door creak open. I leapt up from my chair, scurried past the credenza, and ran to the entryway. As soon as I saw what Dad cradled in his arms, I screeched! The puppy was white with black blotches. It was a Dalmatian! My sister and I had dreamed of having a dog for years. And now we had one of our very own. He was extraordinary, he was home, and I could tell he was hungry, both Dad and the puppy.