Charlie's Rules: Hush, Puppy

Charlie's Rules: Hush, Puppy — page 3 — Hi she said to the man Do you happen to have a dog I’m starting a new business Dog walking I need to earn money for my mom’s birthday present Just this cat he said with a tight sad smile He rubbed the cat’s head I think she has a tumor I’m so sorry to hear that Amy said Dr Dembinski is the best You and your cat are in good hands She marched over to where Charlie sat behind the counter The clinic had just opened for the day and Selena was already in surgery at the back of the building doing a hip replacement for a German shepherd Since it was summer break Charlie and Amy worked mornings in the clinic answering the phone and taking questions from anyone who came in 2

Charlie's Rules: Hush, Puppy — page 4 — with a sick animal In the afternoons Charlie built doghouses to sell on the clinic’s website Amy’s doghouses didn’t look quite good enough to sell Amy dropped a sheet of paper on the counter and pointed What do you think Instead of answering Charlie stood and walked to the window that overlooked the small parking lot Beside it was a driveway that led past the vet clinic to the ranch where he lived with his mom and dad and his baby sister Behind the house were three red barns and behind that was a long view to faraway hills Charlie loved living here From his spot at the window he could see the sign at the road DEMBINSKI VETERINARY CLINIC DR SELENA DEMBINSKI DVM Open weekends 3

Charlie's Rules: Hush, Puppy — page 5 — DVM stood for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Charlie was proud of his mom for that It took a lot of work and dedication to become a veterinarian The top half of the sign always stayed the same It was one of Charlie’s jobs to change the letters on the bottom half once per week With a new animal pun His mom liked puns Charlie not so much What he saw now was this What do you call 100 rabbits walking backward A receding hare line For a few more moments Charlie pretended he was looking for something outside Was it a car or a cat I saw he finally said Probably both Amy answered from the counter There’s a cat in here 4

Charlie's Rules: Hush, Puppy — page 6 — DEMBINSKI VETERINARY CLINIC DR SELENA DEMBINSKI DVM Open weekends What do you call 100 rabbits walking backward A receding hare line

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