For Pam and Dave Mason hosts with the most who seem to prefer sharks to dogs Another story for another time And for Tom and Dov as always
Chapter one I Josh Bernstein Want a Dog There’s this old movie on television called Lassie Come Home That’s how I get the idea for us to buy a dog We have a goldfish Lox and a cat Creamcheese It only makes sense to get a dog Right My little sister Becky likes the idea Even my parents are on board Mom says Good idea Josh Sniff sniff She’s crying and smiling at the same time Lassie Come Home is one of those happy sad movies After the kid actor Roddy McDowall says his line You’re my Lassie come home Mom blows her nose into one of Dad’s big handkerchiefs 1
But we’ll get a dog from the shelter It’s a good deed to rescue a dog Dad agrees Josh is almost nine That’s a good age to get a dog I’m five says Becky That’s a good age too Yes it is says Mom Becky wants to help me take care of the dog I’m not so sure she’ll be much help I’m the one who changes the water in Lox’s bowl when I remember Becky tried to help me once She pulled the plug in the sink too soon Lox nearly went down the drain I’m also the one who cleans out Creamcheese’s litter box maybe not as often as I should When Becky helped me she spilled litter all over the carpet Becky’s not a big help But Dad insists You and Becky can walk the dog together and take care of it Do we have a deal Do I have a choice Deal I say Deal says Becky I love my sister but 3
