Animal_Tales_-_February_2020

(Barry) #1

(^62) Animal Tales
overandover.
“Calledthatone,”Miasmirked.
Drewthrewherhandsupin frustration.“Thisis
exactlywhatmomwarnedusabout.”
Thatwastrue.WhenMs.Morsehadcalledthe
twins’hometoaskthemaboutwatchingBella,their
momhadtoldthemshewasn’tsure theyunderstood
whattheyweregettinginto.
“I don’tknowif youcankeepupwiththatpuppy,”
sheexplained.
“Mom,howcouldyousaythat?”Miaasked.
“WewatchBaileyforAuntAnnieallthetime,Mom,”
Drewdefended.
“Yeah,andhowmuchofthattimedoyouactually
spendplayingwithhim?Hedoesn’tneedtonsof
attentionbecausehe’sanelderlydog.He’s been
trained and he’smellowedoutashe’s gottenolder.”
“We still do stuff with him,” Mia argued.
“You let him out in the backyard a few times and
spend the rest of the afternoon taking cute pics of him
for your Instagrams.”
“We don’t watch Bailey just to take cute Insta pics!”
Drew was offended.
“I know,” her mom assured her. “I’m not saying you
two don’t care about him. I know you do, but you don’t
have to put in that much effort when you’re watching
him. And I’ve seen Ms. Morse walking Bella in the
neighborhood. She’s a puppy with a lot of energy, so
you’re going to have to play with her and keep an eye
onherat alltimes.Justrememberthat.”
Rightaboutnow,Miawishedthey’dlistened to
theirmom,especiallyafterreadingthenextline of
Ms.Morse’snote.“Uhoh,it sayslotsofloudbarking
usuallymeansBellahastogotothebathroom as soon
aspossibleandthatweshouldtakeheroutside.”
“Butshewouldn’tgooutside!”Drewcried.“We
triedgoingfora walk,andI openedthebackdoor to
seeif shewantedtogooutthere.Shelookedout and
justkeptbarking.”
“Thenotesaysshestillhasaccidents,”Mia began
topanic.“I donotwanttobewipingupdogpee,
Drew.”
“Meneither!”
“Wait,I thinkI foundsomething,”Miajumped up
anddown.“Atthebottomofthenote,it says‘I know
Bellacanbefussy,butI’velearned she’ll do just about
anything for the dog treats in the yellow box.’”
“OMG, I see those right there on the counter,” Drew
pointed. “Let’s grab the box and hope she follows us
outside if we’re holding them.”
Sure enough, Bella did. In fact, once Mia picked up
the box of treats, Bella turned into a different dog. She
followed the twins quietly, only pawing at them a bit as
they put on their coats.
As soon as she stepped into the snow-covered
lawn, Bella seemed to remember she had to go to
the bathroom. Much to the twins’ relief, she took a
moment to go. After that, she was raring to go again,
Story We ❤
“I can’t believe we were here for over an
hour before we found these magic treats,”
Drew shook her head.

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