The man with the blue hands lifts my leg. He examines it and feels it. I hang my head. I'm not happy on this table. It's cold under my paws. It brings back too many sour memories. The man is here with me. I feel a little better.
"I'd say he's using this leg pretty well considering it's weaker than the others."
I wish he'd put my leg down. There's nothing wrong with it. It's just a little short.
"Ya' think there's anythin' wrong? That needs fixin', like?"
"Hmm...not at the moment, no. It's sure to give him trouble when he's older but that's a given."
I tuck my tail between my legs. This place is awful. I want to go home. He finally sets my leg down and gives me a few pats.
"He's been lickin' at it more lately an' I jus' don't want it botherin' him."
"The x-rays look good right now, the development of the bone is as good as it can be. He's using it, and that's all that matters. If he refused to walk on it, that would worry me."
"He's good to go?"
"I'd say so."
The man lifts me off the table and sets me on the floor. I wag my tail! He's saving me! He's getting me out of here! The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a treat! I snatch it with no warning! I'm too quick for him! It's mine and it's delicious!
**********
The baby walks on all fours. She doesn't do it quite as well as a dog but I admire the technique all the same. I'm able to sniff her better and she's unfortunately able to grab my ears and tail better. I limp away from her and she crawls after me squealing. She's loud! I can't possibly be that loud! I'm as quiet as a mouse, animals don't ever hear me coming!
I have to weave my way around tables and chairs to get away. She can't follow me very well. Ha! Try grabbing my tail now!
"Linda? Ya' think the place is too small?"
"It seems alright to me."
"But Cara's growin' so fast an' I'd like Charlie to have a yard....you've seen him at the park, he loves to run."
"Are you saying you want to buy a house?"
I sniff the baby's fingers from my hiding place. They smell like spit and milk and whatever mushed up food they feed her. And...my dog food? Has she been eating my food?? The audacity!!!
"I'm sayin'....I want to find a house in Australia."
The woman lunges at the man and he picks her up! They stumble this way and that kissing all the while. Meanwhile the baby grabs at my nose and hits my snout. I back up. This pack is crazy! I'm never this nuts!
**********
More boxes! Filled with our stuff! There must be a million of them! We must be going on a trip! Maybe we're going home!! I'm so happy, I wag my tail and smack all the boxes with it! I can't wait, this is going to be so fun! I have the best owners ever!!
"I feel bad stickin' him on another plane."
"Hopefully this will be the last one."
I run in circles around the baby! She squeals and waves her arms! She's excited and I'm excited! She's so excited she falls over! I lick her face and she starts crying! I lick her tears away!
"Hey, Charlie, you're makin' Cara's makeup run." The man picks me up and pets my fur. I pant and drool and large drops splash on the floor making a whole river. It's great! The humans love it when I drool! The baby drools a lot too and they always coo at it. They're sure to coo at me! "Oh, that's disgustin'. You're a right slob, my boy."
