Well it turned out that somebody had a lot to lose if Molly didn’t get groomed like a show dog That somebody was me It all started on a Friday The day had started out normal At about seven o’clock I banged on my dog shaped alarm clock to make it stop barking I leaped out of bed and raced to get ready for school I had to beat my sister Alfreeda She makes everything into a contest See she always acts like alpha kid around our place Top dog in every way The fastest The smartest The strongest The bravest It drives me crazy But that day I had her beat in two departments dressing and grooming At alpha-guy speed I grabbed jeans and a Hound
Hotel T-shirt off my floor and tugged them on I dashed to the bathroom and bumped Alfreeda away from the mirror Hey cut it out she yelled Before she even had a chance to shove me back I rubbed my teeth with a finger of toothpaste I gave it one good rub Then I ran my fingers through my hair It just took one fast tug Done I said and jumped to the doorway Beat you Alfreeda rolled her eyes Alfie she said in her tired-teacher voice When will you ever get it Mom will just make you do it again Or she’ll take over and do it since you’re so helpless Like she always does I crossed my eyeballs at Alfreeda Doubt it I said
Don’t doubt it she said Suddenly I saw two sisters standing in front of me No one needs two sisters So I uncrossed my eyeballs and flew downstairs In about four seconds flat I poured a bowl of cereal and headed for the kennel building It’s at the end of our long driveway past the apple trees and chicken coop I wolfed down my breakfast on the way I don’t waste time with spoons not when I can be playing with dogs down at the kennels And I only got a little milk on my shirt Okay a lot I threw open the office door and yelled Mom I’m up and ready Oh good Come here Alfie she called from down the hall Her voice sounded even more cheerful than normal
I headed through the office past the laundry room and past the storeroom She was all the way back in the grooming room The grooming room has a table that moves up and down depending on the size of the dog We have a big washtub for the baths Next to the tub is a shelf with tons of dog shampoos and lots of Hound Hotel towels And then there are the grooming tools Mom puts on her finishing touches with shavers clippers and blow dryers Is the Westie here yet I asked No Mom said and smiled at me Molly will be here when you get home from school Did any other dogs check in I asked Not yet More are coming around dinnertime Mom
