So Lee (who’s off having a baby as we speak) tasked me with one million-billion a list of things to do during the MONTH OF MEL! Most of this stuff takes time and planning so it’s been a little difficult to wake up and blog…but today, since she’s off having a baby, I’m going to attempt to write a story starring my dogs (Ruby and Pete) and her farm dogs The Brood. (Lee is a Cocker Spaniel Rescuer…she has 3 dogs of her own, plus whatever semi-cocker spaniel-like beastie they bestow upon her. I can’t keep up with her three ‘real’ dogs, much less the billions of others she has at any given time.)

Ruby was a pug like no other. Solid black and sassy, and maybe just a wee bit spoiled. But spoiled was such an ugly word. She preferred to think of herself as being pampered at very high standards.

Ruby’s “Master” (that always makes her laugh. Like anyone was her master) was a woman named Mel. And she was pretty much perfect for Ruby. Mel knew where Ruby liked to be scratched, fed her on time, and was easily manipulated into playing with her. There was another dog in the house named Pete. He was big and hairy and kinda grumpy, but Ruby didn’t care. Ruby like biting Pete’s lip and making a funny growly noise until Pete would give in and play.

Ruby was the queen and Mel and Pete were her minions. Life was good.

One night, Mel got a call on the Red Phone. Ruby was a little freaked out by this because the Red Phone hadn’t rung once since Ruby had taken over the world come to live in Chez Francis. Mel answered and her eyes went wide: “It’s for you,” she said, handing the red receiver to Ruby.

Worry and panic seized Ruby. Had they found her? Surely not. It had been almost two years. She had started to relax. She was finally living her life as it should be lived…

She took the phone: “Hello.” Her voice was shaky.

She immediately recognized the dog’s voice on the other end. “Hello Princess Peaches. We’ve found you. It’s time for you to come home.”

Just hearing her old name made her want to vomit. She fought the urge to hurl, as the floor spun beneath her feet. Ruby had hoped they had given up. She should’ve known they would never give up…

[To Be Continued…]

Lee–I’m thinking about you today! Good luck birthin’ that nugget! Love you, girl.