It's a Dog's Life (a romantic comedy with a canine sidekick)

by Mayer, Dale

  "Sure." Even as she said that, Stuart pulled into his driveway. He pushed a button on his visor and the garage door lifted. Pulling in, he parked and hopped out while she was still looking for the seatbelt release. Getting out slowly, she waited for Stuart to open the house door. As soon as he pushed it open, dogs swarmed in. Another one, smaller, something like a dachshund, only white, ran out.

  "That one is Goober." Stuart hit a switch inside the garage wall by the door, closing the garage door. "He loves everyone, but he gets so overexcited when I take him into the center that I usually leave him home."

  "Hi, Goober. I don't remember seeing him last time." Ninna couldn't resist bending over to scratch the wiggling white bundle as it did its best to trip her up. Maybe she was loosening up a bit...at least around the small breeds.

  "Come inside."

  Stuart held the door open for her. Ninna followed him inside. Once again, she was hit with the sheer vastness of the house compared to her nugget. She loved hers, but it was on the snug size. Jane was right. This place would hold three houses like hers.

  "Sorry if the place is messy. I've been rushed to get ready for my trip. Normally I bring the housecleaning service in on the weekend, but I didn't want to leave that as yet another job for you to look after."

  Housecleaning service? Was he nuts? No, just single, male and with a hell of a lot more money than she had. And, she had to consider, with all the animals and this being his brother's house, maybe it was just plain sensible.

  Stuart led her into the kitchen where he handed her a list of instructions. While she read, he rattled off them off the top of his head. "The dogs get fed twice a day. There's dry kibble here in the pantry." He opened the door and showed her. "Once a day I open a can and split it amongst their bowls. Put the dry kibble in first, then the can, then add some water and stir everything up. That way they'll lick the bowl clean. Not that it's much of a problem with dogs. You can see on the paper, I have down two amounts here. One amount for the larger two and a smaller amount for the rest. Don't worry if one doesn't clean it all up. I can guarantee you that the other dogs will finish it."

  Ninna tried to file his words away, knowing she'd forget the minute he left the responsibility in her hands. How hard could this be?

  "Not. Just don't forget my double portions. I gotta keep my figure."

  Ninna refused to face him, trying to focus on Stuart's rapid fire instructions.

  "Now for the two kittens-"

  "Two?"

  "Yes, there's Blackster here and his new friend..." Stuart picked up a tiny kitten sleeping in a cushion type of basket she hadn't even seen. "This guy is Tiny. He's another runt and exceptionally small for his age. He's doing fine though, so with a few months of good food, he's liable to outgrow his siblings."

  Ninna couldn't resist, she cooed over the tiny bundle. She'd never seen anything so adorable. Not black, not brown, but some mottled mix of colors. On top of that he had huge eyes. "He's gorgeous." She placed the list back on the counter and reached out to take the little kitten. "You're making me realize how much I've missed all my life."

  "Every child should have a family pet. It's an American tradition."

  Ninna laughed. "That was the problem, then. My parents were killed in a small plane crash, so I lived with my aunt from the age of six. She had allergies. More than that, she was very stern and strict. Animals would never have been allowed inside."

  His grin widened. "Now you have all weekend to make up for it. And decide what you'd like to have in your own home."

  Ninna smiled, a warm spot in her heart growing as Tiny yawned and she was invited to view the same mottled color inside his mouth. "This guy is definitely adoptable."

  "All kittens are. Our problem at the center stems from having too many cats. They're old enough to have lost their cuteness, but young enough they have a lot of years of love left to give. It's this age group that can fill a shelter. Then there are the old timers. Cats that are over 8 years old that still have years left but no one wants because they are older."

  Ninna dropped a gentle kiss on Tiny's head and returned him to Stuart's hands. After that, it was a fast trip though the house including the two birds in a cage, and... oh gross, a snake. Ninna stared at the reptile in a glass cage from the doorway and refused to enter the room.

  Stuart laughed. "I just wanted you to know this guy is here. He's been fed and is good until I get back."

  Ninna tilted her head as she stared at the sunning snake with revulsion. "Good thing, because I'da been outta here, otherwise."

  "He's got a cut on his back. It's healing but I had this perfect window with a great balance of sun and shade for him."

  "Lucky him," she muttered, backing up and out of the room.

  With a chuckle, he grabbed her arm and urged her toward the staircase. "Upstairs is your bedroom. Look on this as a weekend away."

  Ninna refrained from answering. At the second floor, Stuart opened a door to a large guest bedroom. Huge windows overlooked the street. She had to admit, sleeping higher than ground floor level would be nice, for a change. Then again, how would she manage to go back to her house again, if she let fear beat her?

  "And what's wrong with a mini holiday?"

  Recognizing the voice, Ninna hunched her shoulders. At least she had the foresight to not answer.

  "Everything you need should be here. I've put several towels on the dresser for you." He checked his watch as he finished speaking, concern wrinkling his features. "I'm sorry, but I have to run to catch my plane. The seminar is over Sunday afternoon, so I should be back by nine that night. I promise. I'll get home as fast as I can."

  She trailed behind him downstairs, only now seeing the packed suitcase by the front door. He went over the simple security system then turned to face her.

  "You'll be fine. What's your cell phone number?" He pulled a pocket sized leather notebook out and used a small pencil to write it down as she reeled it off. "Good. I'll call you in the morning." On a second sheet, he wrote something down before ripping it off and giving it to her. "This is where I'm staying and this is my cell. Call me if you need me. If I can't answer right away, I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

  He studied her for a brief moment. He must have seen the panicked look on her face, because he said, "You'll be fine. Honest."

  With that he was gone. Ninna stood in the doorway with the dogs milling around her legs, until Stuart reversed down the driveway and took off around the corner of the block. The garage door closed automatically, giving an added oomph to the sense of loneliness to the huge house.

  "Great. So now what? A walk? A brushing? I know, how about some dinner?"

  Ninna glared down at Mosey. "How about none of those? How about I go back to my place and try to forget about you guys for an hour or so, huh? How does that sound?"

  "Sounds cowardly to me." With those words the oversized Mosey did his famous slumping act to the tiled floor. "Oh, I'm so hungry. Feed me! Feed me!"

  ***

  Walking into her own home a good half hour later, Ninna dropped off the lunch containers she had stashed in her oversized purse. Her house appeared to be a miniature replica of Stuart's - only much more cramped. A good night's sleep was very tempting. And true enough, the dogs probably did better with company. After all, she did, so it made sense they would, too.

  Changing into jeans and t-shirts helped her relax and slip into the whole I'm-home feeling after a day at the office. As grateful as she was for the job...it was still a job. Grabbing her latest mystery book from the library, she threw together a small overnight bag, then locked up her home and headed to Stuart's house. He had a huge TV, comfy circular couch and animals for company. She'd be stupid not to take advantage.

  Crossing the road, she was amazed at the view from his side of the street. From her side, she could only see the large wealthy homes. Once on that side of the street, looking across at her house and neighbours was like that old saying of living on the right side of
the tracks. Her house, small and cute to her, was wedged in between several older houses in need of repair. Not deserted or unloved, she knew. The owners on one side had lost their jobs and were living on their tiny interest payments. She'd been out of work for months and had been lucky enough to buy when prices were low, and never a spendthrift, had put something by.

  The dogs started barking as she walked up the driveway. Even though she knew how many and what dogs were inside, their barks made her steps falter. She couldn't imagine an intruder thinking Stuart's house was worth the trouble, when her side of the street offered so much easier access. Then again, her side of the street probably offered less in profits.

  Unlocking the front door and actually getting past the wiggling bodies was another trick. The dogs were hungry and probably needed to go for their walk by now. She shouldn't have drawn out her visit home.

  "Ya think? The next time you need to go to the bathroom, we'll make you wait another hour before you get to go outside."

  Flushing at being chastised by a talking dog, she headed into the kitchen and the food dishes. Opening the kitchen door, she let them out into the backyard while she sorted out their meals. Grabbing her instruction list, she doled out the food to the dogs, then the cats, then the birds. She refused to open the door to the room that housed the snake. When she was done, she walked experimentally into the spare bedroom. There was an attached bathroom and a Jacuzzi tub.

  That was it. Decision made. She'd holiday here for the night.

  Hours later, she realized going to sleep wasn't a problem, but getting back to sleep after waking up proved to be. Ninna checked the MP3 player she'd brought to Stuart's house along with the rest of her stuff. Just after 2 in the morning. She groaned. "I hate waking up in the night. Hate it, hate it, and hate it!"

  She rolled over and pulled the covers up over her shoulders. The downside of the huge house was the chill factor. It might be summer, but the nights were cool. In her little house, the heat stayed fairly constant. Lying there, she realized another problem. She had to go to the bathroom. Damn.

  Hopping up, she raced to the bathroom. When she finished, she raced back just as quickly. Almost to the bed, she realized the moonlight, peeking through the clouds, was shining down on the street. Walking to the window, she studied the area and picked out her own little house on the right. She smiled. It looked cute like that.

  Then she saw it.

  Movement.

  Around the front of her house, a shadow slid along the wall to where her bedroom window was. Her heart pounded. Shit. Was that an intruder? Was her house being broken into just because she'd decided to spend the night here?

  "Boy is you stupid. Did you consider that you might be home right now? He could be watching you sleep, instead."

  Ninna spun around to see Mosey standing in her doorway. "What do you mean?"

  "What if he's not trying to break in?"

  Ninna shook her head. As she watched, Mosey lifted a back leg and scratched his rib. And lost his balance. "What do you know? You're just a chubby dog."

  "A chubby watch dog, thank you."

  She glared at him. "The only thing you guard is your damn food dish."

  "Go ahead and make fun of me. See if I care. The intruder isn't walking around my house and looking for me."

  "Looking for me?" Ninna spun to look back out the window, horrified at the concept. "It can't be. We've had a rash of break-ins in the neighbourhood. Everyone knows that."

  "Of course they do."

  "He'd have no reason to be looking for me. I'm nobody. I'm not even particularly good looking."

  "Well I know that."

  She gasped at the insult.

  "But you live alone and you're female. Bad combination."

  "What do you know? You're just a dog. And a big fat old lazy one at that." Ninna couldn't believe the words blurting off her tongue. She never talked like this. She always went out of her way to be nice.

  "Yeah, then you met me." If a dog could laugh, that's what he was doing now.

  Laughing. At her.

  She felt ashamed of herself. He was an animal. One she was supposed to look after. Not verbally abuse.

  "True enough. Best you make up for it before I tell Stuart. More food works."

  "Tell Stuart? You can talk to him, too?" Ninna brightened, loving the idea. How cool would that be if they could both talk to dogs?

  "Nah, not really. But he's really good at reading us. So we make out fine. Besides, it's not like you're talking to just any dog out there, you're talking to me."

  A loud crash sounded outside. Ninna raced back over to the window. The tinkling sound still rippling through the darkness as she stared out into the night. Mosey joined her at the window, jumping up so his big knotty paws landed on the window ledge. He woofed once - really loudly.

  She stared at him in shock. She didn't think he had it in him.

  "Told you." He woofed again.

  The house woke up as all the dogs came running. She'd left her bedroom door ajar, thinking it might help her to hear the animals if they were in trouble. Now her room filled as the other dogs arrived.

  She grabbed up her cell phone and dialled 911.

  "Gee, thanks. Like I needed all of you here," she muttered to Mosey as she waited for someone to answer. The dogs roamed the room, barking and sniffing at everything. "And how come they can't talk like you can?"

  He sniffed. She glared at him. He did it again. Like what dog could make a sound like a stifled sneeze moving through gravy.

  "Gravy? Yum, I love gravy. Can we have gravy for breakfast? Oh fun. Yum."

  "Hello, you've reached 911 Emergency services. How can we help?"

  Ninna quickly explained the situation. After giving her name, number and location, boy, she couldn't believe how long it took to make an emergency call, she hung up. Someone would come and check out the disturbance. She just hoped that someone came fast. What if she were in her own bed right now. A person could die while waiting for someone to 'check' this out.

  "Gravy. It's morning, right. Food time. Walk time."

  "No! It's not morning, it's not time for breakfast, and there's no way in hell you're getting gravy."

  "Gravy, oh I love gravy!" Mosey spun around in a circle of joy - and became sidetracked by his tail. Ninna laughed as he chased it halfway around her room. The boxer yelped. The big black three-legged lab took the opportunity to lie down beside the bed and go to sleep while the other doberman, and she had no idea what kind he was, woofed several times. The smaller white dog, Goober, persisted at the window, barking his head off at the moon.

  And why would she want a dog again?

  Off in the distance, she could hear other dogs picking up the serenade and howling together. Did they have doggie telegraph or something?

  Still there was no sign of a cruiser or the sound of sirens blasting out to scare off intruders. But did she want him scared off or caught? If not caught tonight, he'd just return. And probably when she was home alone.

  She winced, not liking the sound of that. After what she'd just seen, she might never sleep in her bed again.

  "Stay here, then. Move in with Stuart. A big happy family." Mosey panted at her feet, his chest moving so heavily she was afraid he'd have a heart attack.

  "I could get used to gravy for breakfast."

  ***

  Where was she? She should be here. That she wasn't made his skin run hot and anger burn deep inside. She couldn't have a boyfriend. Maybe she went out of town, but that would break the pattern he'd followed for months. She could have stayed at a girlfriend's house? That would make sense.

  Only not really.

  Anger built. Damn it. Why wasn't she here? He stood outside her bedroom window, the curtains partly open - enough to see the hastily tossed clothes on the undisturbed bed. She'd come home and left again - and wasn't sleeping in her own bed. He slipped around the back to her garage. Her car was there. Stumped, he leaned against the wall and considered the options.
She could have had a ride and stayed over. She could have walked to wherever she was. No way to tell.

  At least from the garage.

  He walked over to the inside door. Locked and secured; both he could disarm in ten minutes.

  Excitement rippled at the thought of going in and seeing how she lived. Her bedroom. The risks would be tenfold what he'd done so far. He didn't need that. He didn't want to go back to jail.

  But he wanted her. Ninna.

  ***

  The next morning, Ninna wondered about that whole concept of staying at Stuart's house to get a good night's sleep. After last night's excitement, it had taken forever to get back to sleep. And then all the dogs had slept with her. Not with her, but in the room with her. Except by the time she'd woken up, they'd somehow managed to hop up onto her bed. Like beside her, half on her, every square inch of the double bed was covered in a canine blanket. And what was with that? Even the little white barking thing, Goober, had taken up residence on her spare pillow. She tried to roll over and groaned. She couldn't budge with them holding the damn covers down.