Page 35 of Love It or List It
They pulled in all of their new purchases and set up a cozy little den with some of the old wool blankets they’d found in the house.
In one corner, Pepa lay in her new nest, and spilling out around her were more soft things—blankets, stuffed toys, her other bed.In the neighboring corner were her food and water.Austin took the bowls inside to wash and dry them while Joe set up the stand, then turned to the other side of the room.He’d set down the puppy pads, a just-in-case move, when Austin returned with water and food.
Per Linda’s instructions, the bowl was pretty empty, but if Pepa was able to keep those bites down, they’d give her as much as she wanted later.
Not that Pepa was showing much interest in food.She was alternating between staring into space and wiggling and grunting in her nest.
Joe took a video of one of her doped-up wiggles—her face was burrowed in the soft fabric, and she was letting out happy little “grrr-ump” noises while her tail wagged her lumpy lopsided butt.
Then, on impulse, he sent the video to the family group chat.
Figuring he should probably do something productive before his kids took over his life, he switched over to his contacts and called Greg.Joe was supposed to meet his crew on a job later to help out, but he knew he could trust Greg to make sure everything was done right and on time.They didn’t need him today, and he told Greg there was a family emergency keeping him away.
“Hope the kids are all right, man,” Greg said kindly and promised Joe didn’t have a thing to worry about.
“Thanks,” Joe said wryly, and hung up.
The kids, human and dog alike, were going to be just fine, judging from the way Pepa melted into her nest under Austin’s belly rub and the way the family chat was blowing up.
OMG DOGGY!
its so cute!
Whose dog is it?
Joe???
DAD?!
DID YOU
GET
A DOG?!?!
JOE!
I’m coming over right now
WE are coming over
JOE!
Just so you know, I have already named it, and I’m severely emotionally attached and will be scarred for life if we don’t get to keep it.
Joe snorted.
Noted, Will.Though, fyi, she’s already been named.
He snapped another picture, this one of Austin kissing the top of her head as she snuggled into him.
Meet Pepa.Stealer of mac and cheese and fighter of coyotes.
WHAT?!
COYOTES?!
GAVIN, YOU’RE TAKING US TO DAD’S AFTER SCHOOL SO WE CAN INTERROGATE HIM IN PERSON!
