Part 64

"I thought you said you wanted a small dog?"

For twenty minutes Charlotte and Lovie had been playing with a huge black Lab named Kaylie. The tag on her run said she was great with children and old people, but given half a second would steal the food right off the table. Not answering her father's question, Charlotte turned to Lovie and asked, "Are you sure this is the kind of dog you and Jenny were talking about?" The littlest informer shook her head.

Then turning to face her father, Charlotte asked, "Dad?" The full implied questions was clearly understood to be, would you please help me take this on?

"Why are you getting this dog?"

"Mother's guilt... and the fact that I almost lost her... and it's the last thing she would ever expect... something special for her."

It was now Charlotte's mom turn to chime in, "How can a dog be only hers; a nine year old?"

"I know this is one of those mine on paper situations. She'll love it, might remember to feed it and won't walk it after the first week, but it feels right."

"And what about Sam?"

The answer, Sam won't mind flew out between her lips, but deep in the recesses of her brain she really wondered if she should consult him first.

"So you get Jenny a dog, what are you going to get Sarah and Lovie?"

"From the pile of dog flesh and daughter came the answer, "I want a Barbie doll that dances on a stage."

Charlotte shook her head, and smiled.

"And Sarah, will she want a dog? You seem to be hyper focused on the one daughter."

Charlotte started patting Kaylie. "Sarah would love a dog. She's wanted one for years... this would be a good opportunity..."

"Then why not get Kaylie for the house and not just for the one."

Maybe that was a better idea. After all it would take everyone to take care of her.

The attendant, who had given them some space to become acquainted with Kaylie returned and commented, "Kaylie has been here for a while and I've never seen her get along with a new family before."

"Then we'll take her."

(23121)