For BazPhotogirl - Part 65

Charlotte's quick errand to the shelter took up the afternoon. For after they picked up Kaylie, they had to get a crate, collar, leash, food, bowls,and Lovie insisted on picking play toys. As they walked up and down the aisles, Charlotte watched as the sparked dim in her mother's eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Just getting tired."

"Do you want to wait in the car with dad and Kaylie?"

Her mother smiled. "No, I enjoy watching Lovie picking out things for the dog. She's such a wonderful little girl." Then touching her daughter on the shoulder she added, "You've done a great job with her, with all your children."

Tears welled up in Charlotte's eyes, "Thanks, Mom."

Just as the tears were really going to flow, Lovie interrupted the moment. "Can we get this? Jackie's dog has one."

Charlotte chuckled. "Well, if Jackie's dog has one, then Kaylie better have one too."

Then with a puzzled look on her face, Lovie asked, "Should I get two?"

Both women burst out laughing. "No," Charlotte added, "I meant to say we should get one also."

"Oh," with that Lovie tossed her find into the shopping cart and announced she was off to find more treasures.

"Someday you're going to have to reign her in," commented Debbie.

Still smiling as she watched her daughter clawing through the bin of Christmas doggy toys, Charlotte murmured, "Yeah, someday."

When they pulled into the driveway, Sam's car was gone, and there was no one home. There was no note on the table. Strange, thought Charlotte, usually he is very good about saying where and when he going... While Debbie rested, Charlotte's dad carried all the heavy dog paraphernalia into the house, and Lovie helped by unpacking all the toys and splitting them between the dog bed and crate.

"Should you leave some of that for Jenny?" asked Charlotte.

"I'll let her be the first to fill this one with peanutbutter," announced Lovie holding the toy up like a trophy.

Charlotte shook her head in agreement.

While all the unpacking and setting up was going on, Kaylie was about her business, sniffing everywhere and everything. First it was the mudroom, then the kitchen with a brief stop for a drink in the bathroom toilet. "Gross," screamed Lovie, who happened upon the scene. "Mom, Kaylie's in the toilet!"

Just like having a baby, things would have to change, like no leaving the toilet lid up. And remembering not to let the dog lick you on the face. A shudder traveled through Charlotte's entire body when an image of a toilet licking her flashed in her mind. What had she done?

It was close to dinner time when Sam with the two other girls pulled into the driveway. Charlotte saw the car, but then returned to getting the dinner going with the help of her dad, who was lifting everything heavier than a coffee cup. Basically she was sitting in on a kitchen stool and gently advising him about.

When Sarah and Jenny came in from the mudroom, their faces were pinched with a secret.

Detecting a crack in their resolve, Charlotte asked, "What's up with you two?"

Sarah immediately answered, "Don't go in the mudroom?"

Her next question, why, didn't have to pass her lips. The ruckus of dogs barking answered it before it was uttered. Bursting in through the kitchen door, a collie mix in tow, was Sam looking a bit frazzled. "I guess we both had a great idea today. Meet Gussie."

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