Jane Reid found the time to produce two free-standing, but connected, stories:-
Part I
FLORA TAKES CHARGE
Flora enjoyed being with Carlos. He gave great tummy rubs. He always had a treat in his pocket. And he allowed her on his couch, unlike Beulah, who objected to a black dog on her white couch. But now Flora was uneasy. She jumped off the couch and went to the door.
“Walk?” asked Carlos. She wagged. He snapped on the designer leash he had bought for her, and opened the door.
Carlos turned uphill toward the woods. But Flora had a different idea, and she was a big, strong Doberman. They went downhill.
Flora was going home.
Part II
BEULAH TAKES CHARGE
Even before the door opened, Flora’s sharp nose told her something was different.
“I, uh, brought Flora home,” Carlos said, and Beulah thanked him.
Flora kissed Beulah hello and hurried to the closed bedroom door, where she still smelled the stranger.
“I had looked all over town for Flora,” Beulah said. “I even visited the animal shelter. Did you know they’re looking for foster parents?”
Beulah opened the bedroom door to fetch a wiggly ball of yellow fluff. “She’s half Labrador retriever and half golden retriever,” she said, “Should have a wonderful temperament.”
Suddenly the ball was in Carlos’ hands.
Part I
FLORA TAKES CHARGE
Flora enjoyed being with Carlos. He gave great tummy rubs. He always had a treat in his pocket. And he allowed her on his couch, unlike Beulah, who objected to a black dog on her white couch. But now Flora was uneasy. She jumped off the couch and went to the door.
“Walk?” asked Carlos. She wagged. He snapped on the designer leash he had bought for her, and opened the door.
Carlos turned uphill toward the woods. But Flora had a different idea, and she was a big, strong Doberman. They went downhill.
Flora was going home.
Part II
BEULAH TAKES CHARGE
Even before the door opened, Flora’s sharp nose told her something was different.
“I, uh, brought Flora home,” Carlos said, and Beulah thanked him.
Flora kissed Beulah hello and hurried to the closed bedroom door, where she still smelled the stranger.
“I had looked all over town for Flora,” Beulah said. “I even visited the animal shelter. Did you know they’re looking for foster parents?”
Beulah opened the bedroom door to fetch a wiggly ball of yellow fluff. “She’s half Labrador retriever and half golden retriever,” she said, “Should have a wonderful temperament.”
Suddenly the ball was in Carlos’ hands.
