I rise from my dog bed as I hear my owners open the door and excitedly walk into the hallway to greet them, immediately backing back into the living room as they pass carrying shopping bags. Curious I follow them into the kitchen, immediately being stroked on the head before they return to unpacking as I watch curiously. As they pour crisps and other small snacks into bowls I look on hungrily, my owners occasionally throwing a crisp onto the floor for me to eat, while they line up bottles and cans of drink on the worktop and heat up food. Is something special happening tonight?

I look up as one of my owners lowers themselves down to me and strokes me lovingly, causing me to pant happily.

"I'm sorry but tonight is new years and you'll have to be shut in the spare room tonight while we have guests." I give a small whimper, they'll be lots of new friends to make and delicious food to eat but I have to spend all that time locked alone.

"Don't worry, we'll save you lot of treats and you can sleep with us tonight, but you have to be a good boy, no barking or stretching at the door, you have to remain quiet." I close my eyes as I'm scratched behind the ear, of course I'll be a good boy for my owners, as much as I dislike it I'm sure there's a good reason for what they tell me to do, even if I don't know it, they always look after me and know what's best.

"Now then I better take you outside before we shut you away for the party." I lift my head as my leash is clipped on and obediently follow him outside to the back garden, stepping into the dark cold. I quickly find a good spot to pee and relieve myself onto the damp frozen ground, hoping to finish before I begin to shiver in the freezing air.

I shiver slightly as I stand indoors and the warmth of my home flows over my now cold skin. I feel a tug on my leash and follow it upstairs, I'm rarely allowed upstairs, only for baths and when I sleep on my owners bed, but tonight I'm to be left up here alone. Reaching the top of the tall staircase I walk into the spare room and my owner hooks the loop of my leash over the bedpost, securing me as he leaves. I wait in the dark room, the only light coming from the landing as it shines in through the open door. I watch as my owner returns with my dog bed and litter box, then my dog bowls, before unhooking and unclipping my leash. As he leaves I follow him, not wanting to be left alone, but he turns and holds up a finger.

"No. You stay here. Stay. Be a good boy." With that he closes the door and leaves me alone in the dark room, lit dimly by moonlight through the wondow, casting strange shadows. I lower my head and let out a sad whimper, before moving over to my bowl and eating the food they'd left for me and laying down in my bed, waiting for them to return for me and let me out.

I awake with a start and look around in the dark as I hear the front door shut and voices talking, they sound familiar. I rise to all fours as I hear footsteps on the stairs. Is it over? Are they coming to let me out? As the door opens I'm surprised and happy to see Rex.

"You two stay in here and keep each other company." With that the door is shut and locked again, now leaving both myself and Rex alone. Rex looks and sniffs around unsure of his surroundings before excitedly coming over to me and licking me, I return his loving affection with several nuzzles, seeing that he is still excited to see me I lower my front body and head and raise up my ass for him, quickly feeling his warm weight on top of me and hearing his loud panting, as we do as we're told and keep each other company as the party guests begin to arrive downstairs.

The sound of voices echo through the floor.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six." What are they counting down to? Is it anything that I should be prepared for?

"Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New year!" I here several small bangs and cheering, as Rex looks scared and tucks himself into the corner of the room. I jump as I hear several loud bangs and colourful lights flash around the room. Looking out of the window I see loud and beautiful colours explode against the black night sky. Is this what Rex is frightened of? The big softy. I walk up to him and give him a reassuring nuzzle. Maybe I can help take his mind off of it? I turn and lean forward, raising my ass in the air invitingly and wait. It takes a few moments but I hear him move behind me and smile as I feel his warm body on my back, happy to help him not be afraid.

I awake laying next to Rex as the door opens and light shines into the room. Blinking, my eyes focus and get used to the light, as my owners and Rex's owner step into the room and give us plenty of fuss, as if to make up for shutting us away.

"You were such a good boy! Did you keep Rex company and keep him calm during the fireworks?" I pant back, both from the strokes and seeing my owners again and pride at being such a good boy and helping Rex. I watch as Rex's leash is attached and I give him a goodbye nuzzle and watch sadly as he is led out of the room and one of my owners leaves to let them out.

"Time for bed. Do you need the toilet?" Knowing that I'll be stuck on the bed for the rest of the night I move over to my litter box and relieve myself in front of my owner.

"Good boy, come on then." I excitedly follow him out and across the landing to the bedroom, sleeping with my owners is a rare treat and I love being with them in their big, warm and soft bed, knowing that they're so close to me.

As I curl up on the end of the bed my owners give me one last stroke before climbing into bed and switching the lights off. I still don't know what all the noise was about or why I was shut away but it doesn't matter, I had fun with Rex and get to spend the night with my owners rather than alone downstairs, everything worked out just like I knew it would if I trusted my owners. I yawn as I drift off into a peaceful sleep, my mind dreaming of what tomorrow might bring.