Dog for Sale

Brönsweir's Folly

Mom held up her work shoes. They were torn to shreds. She looked down at Brönsweir, the dog, and frowned as he wagged his tail. This was the last straw. It was also her last pair of shoes. Something had to change, and fast. Mom called to Tess from the kitchen.

"Tess! Get up here right now!"

Mom tapped her bare foot impatiently and winced as she heard Brönsweir pee on the tile. A few minutes later, Tess shuffled in, her eyes focused on the Nintendo DS in her hands.

"Put that thing down and pay attention to me, young lady," Mom griped.

"I'm listening," Tess mumbled. 

She didn't look up from the game. Mom snatched it from her, waving it in the air as she gestured toward Brönsweir and his puddle.

"You have got to get this dog under control. We have had this conversation a hundred times before. I just do not know how to get through to you."

Mom rubbed her forehead while Tess gazed longingly at the game in Mom's hand. They both ignored Brönsweir as he jumped onto the counter top and tugged at Mom's purse.

"You told me you could handle having a real pet, but I do not think you're really committed to this. Do you even care that I am going to have to go to work barefoot?"

Mom raised her foot up and hit her heel on the counter. Tess held her nose.

"Just borrow my shoes," Tess suggested. "I don't need them."

That was true. All she ever did was sit around at home and play Nintendogs. Mom was all too aware of this.

"Oh, right," Mom snapped. "You mean the ones your dog chewed up yesterday? Or maybe you're referring to the pair I found buried in the yard last week?"

"Like I said," Tess shrugged. "I didn't need them."

Mom glared at Tess who still hadn't broken eye contact with the DS.

"Listen here, young lady," Mom hissed. "If you can't get this dog trained by the time I get home, I'm putting up an ad for him on Craigslist."

She leaned in toward Tess and whispered aggressively.

"And I am a master at online sales."

Mom finally had Tess' attention. She took a step back as Tess made her case.

"That's not fair! He's not a bad dog. He just has a weird thing about shoes."

Mom and Tess both jumped as Brönsweir pulled the purse off of the counter and shook it, spilling its contents across the floor. He dragged Mom's purse into the hallway and sank his teeth into the leather. Mom yelled and ran after him, snatching her purse as she reached to open the front door.

"I get home at five!" Mom called. "You and your dog had better start training."

Tess stepped out into the hallway as Brönsweir jumped on her. She held out her hand.

"Sit," she said.

Brönsweir peed on the floor.

"Crap," Tess mumbled.

Brönsweir obeyed.