Moving Day, Natascia Flasch [best beach reads .TXT] 📗

I looked around me. All my brothers and sisters were gathered around the food and water. There was newspaper lining the floor of the kennel that all 7 of us somehow managed to fit in. Although it was small and smelled like pee, it was my home as far as I was concerned. There were two strange people looking at me. They smelled funny, almost like they had just showered. It was a peculiar smell, since I was so used to the dirty smell of my kennel. I had never seen these people before in my life. Without warning, my owner, Plumpy, picked me up in her arms and handed me over to the one that smelled like fruits. I didn’t like it much; I didn’t even know who this was! She smiled at me and caressed my soft fur. I heard her mutter some words to Plumpy, and the next thing I knew, I was getting nail polish put on my pretty little head of fur. I quickly dismissed it, and went back to playing with my siblings.
A couple of weeks later, the two strange people who smelled clean were back. Only this time, they brought two more people with them. They looked at all the puppies and then picked me up. Maybe they saw the nail polish on my head. The girl who smelled like fruits picked me up in her hands and started taking me out of the house.
“Wait, I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye,” I whined.
Shaking and trembling, I prepared myself for anything and everything I could. The girl who smelled like fruits sat me down on her lap in the middle of her two friends in the backseat. I decided to name her Fruity. I had no idea where I was. All I knew was that it wasn’t my kennel. I looked out the window and my home started disappearing. The place I was in was really bumpy and I felt nauseous. I could hear the engine purring and I felt some air come straight at my face. I also wasn’t aware that for the next two hours I would be passed around as if I were a new chicken-flavored bone that everyone wanted to play with. I didn’t even have time to go to the bathroom before I left, and I wasn’t very good at holding it. Hopefully these weird people wouldn’t mind too much if I had an accident or two. Fruity and the other person who came a couple of weeks ago began conversing. I kept hearing the word “Bailey.” Every time these people said “Bailey” they looked right at me. Was that my new name? I wasn’t fond of it. It sounded weird. But at least it was better than being completely nameless.
As the car ride became longer, I became more scared. Where were these people taking me? I wished I were still with my siblings. They were always so fun to play with.
Suddenly, Fruity handed me over to one of the other people who came to kidnap me. This one smelled like another dog. At least it was a scent that I was more familiar with. She didn’t know how to handle me properly though. She started picking me up and shaking me as if I were a chew toy that she just intended to break. Then, she stuck her finger in my mouth! What was going on? I definitely didn’t deserve that. Oh no, I thought to myself. She must have hit a gag reflex or something, because I felt sick to my stomach. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help it and I puked all over the one who smelled like dog. I expected to be scolded, but instead Fruity took me back in her arms and kissed my head while telling me that it was okay. She and the other person whom I hadn’t met yet were laughing hysterically, while the one I puked on was just glaring at me. What did she expect?! She was the one who stuck her finger in my mouth. But I didn’t know what was so funny about all this. After all, I still felt sick, and on top of that I got queasy on long car rides.
All of a sudden the bumpiness stopped. The air stopped hitting my face, and the people opened the doors. Were we at our final destination? I had never been anywhere but my owner’s house so this was all new to me. Fruity picked me up and brought me into a strange building. What was this place? It had so many distinct smells. I could smell dog food, dog treats, other animals, and other miscellaneous scents I had never experienced before. And there were other dogs there and friendly people who just wanted to pet me and play with me. I hoped this was my new home; I could definitely get used to it. The two people who made Plumpy put nail polish on my head picked out a collar and a leash for me. They set me on the ground. What did they expect me to do? I didn’t know how to walk very well and I sure wasn’t going to walk while they were holding on to me. I was more of an independent puppy. Plus I wasn’t willing to do anything nice for these people because they just kidnapped me and they didn’t even give me a chance to say goodbye to my family. Fruity picked me up again and carried me out of the store, back to the space that was bumpy and uncomfortable.
Several minutes later, the bounciness stopped. Again the doors opened. Maybe this was finally my new home. It was pretty, I suppose. It was a nice blue house with a random white fence in the front yard. It was gigantic though. I had never been to such a big haven. Fruity carried me inside and handed me over to another stranger. He smelled like sweat and bread. It wasn’t a pleasant smell, but then again neither was my old kennel and I still liked that fine. He smiled and held me gently. Who was this kid? Why am I here instead of at my old home? There was what looked like a bed set up in the middle of the living room floor for me. I lied in it for a couple of minutes because I definitely could have used some rest. Man, I really had to go to the bathroom. I hadn’t been in what seemed like forever. Well, they seemed to be enjoying their food more than enjoying me, so I decided to pee right on their carpet. It felt so good to relieve myself. They just petted me and cleaned it up. Was it always going to be this easy to get away with stuff? Just then I had another urge. This one wasn’t going to be pretty. I went again on their carpet, only this time I didn’t just pee. Again, my new owners just came and cleaned it up.
After the dinner festivities, some more people came to this new home of mine. I didn’t know why, but I think it was to see me. They all smiled at me and picked me up. I like being held, but it was getting kind of old. I was so exhausted that I just let them play with me as much as they wanted without whining. These new people were so strange; they loved me regardless of my mischief and they all loved to just sit there and play with me. Maybe it was a good strange. Yeah, I definitely could get used to it.
At the end of the night, after everyone had left, my new owners tucked me into my new bed. I was just so worn out. After reviewing the exciting events that had happened that day, I came to the conclusion that this new place wouldn’t be so bad. I had new owners who loved me and thought that I was adorable. I even decided to forgive them for kidnapping me. I was still confused as to why I couldn’t be with my siblings, but it didn’t really matter to me anymore. This was a new adventure, and I am an adventurous puppy.

Publication Date: 01-14-2010

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