Coming Soon - January 2018 - IT'S HERE !
Noah
was eager to pick up his new puppy. He loaded up a shopping cart with books on
how to train a dog, how to take care of a dog, how to make sure a dog’s health
is up to par, and, last but not least, how to name a dog. That was just for
starters. He also bought dog toys, a doggie coat, boots, a leash, and lots of
dog food, including treats. He was prepared.
He
smiled as Jordy handed her over. “She’s a great dog. Enjoy her.”
“I’m
sure going to try,” Noah said, as he held her tightly to his chest. “Well, it’s
just you and me.”
The
car ride home was a little tricky, with slick roads and bad traffic, but Noah
lucked out. His dog appeared a lot calmer than he was. In fact, every time he
looked in the rearview mirror, it seemed as if his new dog was looking right at
him. He had never had a dog before, and assumed all dogs reacted the same way. All
he knew was he was a nervous wreck. He tried reassuring himself that he could
do this.
As
soon as they walked in the door, even before he unpacked all the dog supplies,
Noah sat on the couch and pulled his new friend up to sit beside him. “Hmm, got
to find a great name for you.”
He
picked up his phone and googled dog names. “Samantha, Jackie, Willow, Ramona,
Bella, Flora, Allie, Ellie. Nope. None of these seem like a good fit. Hold
everything. Let me get the book.”
Without
warning, his little dog looked at him and said, “Maybe I can help.”
For
a moment, Noah thought it was his imagination. “You didn’t talk, did you?”
“Sure
did.”
“Oh
my God, I’ve lost it.” Noah was beside himself.
“You
haven’t. Just hand over the book, and we’ll have a name for me in a minute or
two. Names are important. Don’t you think?”
“I’m
not sure what I think. Actually, that’s not true; I really think I’m going
crazy. My dog is talking to me.”
“Don’t
worry, you’ll get used to it.”
Noah
was silent for a minute or two. “So, I did hear you talk, right?”
“Yep,
no denying that. Why don’t you fix dinner while I check out some names? And,
while you’re at it, maybe you should fix yourself a drink. You look a little
beat. I hear wine is relaxing.”
“You
can read?”
“Sure
can. Rosetta Stone. Short course.”
“Okay,
maybe you’re right. I’ll have a glass of wine. Maybe even two.”
“Hey,
Noah, even if you drink the entire bottle of wine, you’ll find I really do talk
and you’re not crazy. When you come back, I’ll fill you in.”
“Okay,
I get it. Maybe.”
“Just
so you know, I can’t think great on an empty stomach. If you could put that in
your memory bank, it would be a plus.”
Noah
quietly watched from the doorway as his new dog glanced through the Name Your Puppy book. Noah was confused,
and thought he might need a vacation. It wasn’t possible that he had a dog who
could talk. No way; he was a doctor. Although, some of the kids that he took
care of believed animals really talk…
“Noah,
I can feel your eyes on me. Don’t worry; I’m fine. You can go fix dinner. I’m
real, not a figment of your imagination.”
“Got
it. It’s good that someone’s fine, because clearly I’m not.”
Please join Marsha and Leigh on Tuesday January 9 at 4 EST 3 CST 2 MT
1 PST for a great discussion about writing, publishing, and marketing
novels and audio books.
