There's something different about the woman. She's...bigger...but only in the front. I try sitting on her lap and there's no room for me anymore! She sits a lot more now and the man is always rushing around to bring her things.
"This really isn't necessary, Malcolm."
"Like hell it isn't. Ya' thirsty at all, or hungry?"
"I'm fine for now, sweetheart."
"Anythin' ya' want, jus' say the word."
**********
"How's it going, Malcolm?"
"Jus' fine, love...."
I watch my owner sigh and shake his long fur. He's surrounded by pieces of wood and little metal things that he keeps taking away from me. He's looking at a piece of paper.
"Ya' wanna build this for me, Charlie?"
I watch him put the pieces of wood together. He's making something! Something for me? It must be for me! It's just my size! A new toy, perhaps? Or a new bed? But I like our bed. I don't want a new one! What if they're building me a new house so I can sleep outside?
Don't make me sleep outside, please! I'll be a good dog! I whine and whine!
"Let's hope this baby comes before the tour starts...don't wanna miss it."
It's not a little house, it's a bed! But....I've never seen a bed with wooden bars on the sides...I really hope it isn't for me. Please don't trap me! Don't put me in a cage! No more cages for Charlie!
"Your old man's not a bad shot, eh, boy?" He pets me and rubs my fur. I sniff the large bed carefully like something might spring out of it. "All finished, love! The kid can come out now!"
The woman comes out. She looks over the bed and the man smiles a lot. "Aw, Mal, you're so clever." Do they ever get tired of kissing? "But I don't think this kid is coming out anytime soon."
"I'll bring it to the bedroom. Ya' want it on your side?"
Where is he taking it? He drags it toward the room where we sleep! Oh no, it is for me! They got me a new cage to sleep in! I bet they're kicking me out of bed to make room for the woman! She's gotten so big there's hardly any room for me! This is horrible! I can't believe it! I watch him and whine. I follow him and watch him struggle to get the new bed in. It's large and takes up so much space on the floor. How could they do this to me?
**********
"Ya' comin', Charlie?"
I stand at the foot of the bed and whine. My owners are all tucked in and comfortable and they haven't put me in the cage yet. They pat the bed and I tilt my head. I know their little tricks. I'll jump on the bed and they'll toss me into the cage. I won't fall for it!
"I'll get him." The man gets out of the bed and picks me up. He's sticking me in the cage! Help me! I look to the woman for one last chance of being saved! And the man places me on the bed between them. "There ya' go. Now goodnight."
I lie there confused. Why didn't he stick me in the cage? Is this another human trick? Have I been bamboozled? I wait for someone to realize their mistake and stuff me in the bed. But nothing happens. They both roll over and go to sleep! I'm saved! I wag my tail and get comfy. Charlie's here to stay!
I look at the bed sitting by the woman. It's very large and takes up so much space. Bit of an eyesore, really. But humans are funny. Maybe they think it looks good. As long as it's not for me, I'll live with it.
