It was now nearly two o'clock in the afternoon and an incoming message was appearing on the wall monitor in the library. Kurran's Father and Uncle stopped their conversation and turned towards the monitor to see what the message was about. "Ah, finally ready" Kurran's Father said aloud. The local breeder had sent word that all procedures had been completed and pickup had been approved for today. Kurran's Uncle asked if he could tag along on the pickup, as he was interested in talking to the breeder about what pet species were available and how long would it take before he could get one for his family. Off both men went to the kitchen to notify their wives of breeder's news and let them know they wouldn't be back for a least an hour or more.
On the way to the Breeder's facility, Kurran's Father explained to the Uncle that these adoption requests sometimes take up to 10 years or more, as supplies are limited and those who hold a position in high office or are wealthy have first pick, but being a local Administrator himself, he would see if he could help get their petition ranked at a higher priority level, once they filed it. Parking near the pick up doors, the men entered the building and were greeted by the compound director. "There has been a development and I need to talk to you before we go any further in the pick up process", the director stated. "You see, your selected breeders have produced two pets, not one as usually happens, and we need to know if your going to take both?" the director asked, "take a moment and think about it, this is a permanent decision as you well know". After only a couple of moments, Kurran's Father said "Yes, I'll accept both pets, as we have the room and means to take care of them, and my Son will be so delighted with this development". The men then followed the director back to the holding cells for the requisite inspection and paperwork signing. Next the pets were each put in a separate holding container for transporting, and loaded into the back of the family vehicle. It was a quiet trip back to the residence. The Sun had been beating down all afternoon on the dry, barren red landscape and without any air moving or rain falling, the heat felt at times as though one was being cooked alive. Back at the house, the children had already been brought inside to clean up for the impending dinner. Kurran's Mother had seen the men pull in to the driveway and had sent the children off to the library to watch programs on the monitor. Quickly, the men unloaded the containers from the vehicle, and whisked both pets into the kitchen. "What do you think of these this? We received two pets instead of one!" Kurran's Father said to his Mother. Both his Aunt and Mother were intrigued at first sight of the pets and then broke into smiles. "Oh, they are exactly the kind he said he wanted if he got a pet for his birthday" Kurran's Aunt mused, "He is going to be so surprised!"
Quickly collars were put on each of the pets, and then they were hidden in the pantry, while the children were called into the dining room for the evening meal. Soon, everyone had finsihed their meal and were sitting there waiting for cake and ice cream to be served and the customary "Happy Birthday" song to be sung. Kurran looked at his Mother and Father, and they knew it was time to unveil the big surprise. Kurran's Father told him to close his eyes and don't open them until I tell you! He walked over to the closet and led the pets to the table where everyone was sitting. Cousin's oohs and Aahs filled the air, as Kurran squirmed in his seat, his eyes tightly scrunched closed. "Alright, it's time to see what your present is" his father said. Instantly, Kurran opens his eyes and gasps "Oh wow, you got me two Earth boys instead of one, and they are exactly like the ones in the catalog I showed you. Pale skin with blond hair and old enough to play with me. "Thanks Mother, thanks Father, your the best" Kurran said. "Now Kurran, you must understand it will take a couple of weeks for them to adjust to you and their new home, but if you feed them twice a day and brush them, and put them in their pet shelters each night so they won't be out in the Martian dust storms, they will stay in good health. The breeder also gave them all their shots already and trained each one to play several of the games you like, indoors and out. You can teach them any they don't know" Kurran's Father said.
As Kurran, his new pets and his cousins ran outside to play once more, his Father commented to the others seated at the table, that the quality of breeders the government had been shipping here from Earth the last few years were much higher quality than in decades past. They all shook there heads in agreement as they sipped wine from the Red River Valley.
