The Dog

Shaun walked into the convenience store and went into the back.

"Hey James I'm here," he called out.

"Back here man. I got something to show you."

Shaun walked to the back where the voice came from and was surprised by what he saw. It was a dog. The dog sat there with mud clinging to its fur and its tongue hanging from its mouth.

"Dude why is there a dog back here" Shaun asked.

"He was in alley sniffing for food so I brought him in" James looked away from Shaun like a child who got caught stealing a cookie before dinner. The dog got up and walked over to Shaun and looked up at him. Shaun looked at it then squatted down to pet it. "What are you going to with him" Shaun asked while scratching behind the dogs ears.. "I don't know. I was going to call animal control but I didn't want the little guy being locked up. Plus it's a kill shelter what if no one adopts him in time." James said while looking at the dog sadly. The dog walked away mid head stroke and placed its head onto James lap. Shaun looked at them and thought about something then a customer entered. "We'll think of something ok James. For now you can leave him here and then at the end of my shift I'll take him home Ok." Shaun said while walking to the front of the store. James smiled and nodded petted the dog one last time and left.

Shaun worked through the evening occasionally checking in in the dog. Then his shift was over. "Hi Emily" Shaun greeted.

"Sup dude" she said as she walked into the office but stopped dead in her tracks when she's saw the dog.

"What's this" she asked

"A dog" Shaun said.

"I see that but why is it here"

"James brought him in"

"Why didn't he call the animal shelter"

"He doesn't trust them"

Emily slowly nodded. Then the dog ran uP to her and started liking her hand.

"So are you taking the dog with you" Emily asked

"Yeah I will" Shaun said while walking over to the dog. He started to stroke the dogs head "I'm going to give him a bath and maybe go somewhere to give him a haircut"

Shaun and the dog left the store and they went home. On the walk home he thought about how he was going to explain the dog but nothing really came to mind. He gets home and his sister is in the kitchen alrwady ready for school. She stops what she's going when the dog walks in behind Shaun.

"Um Shaun did you know that there's a dog behinfld you" she said pointing at the dog that was sitting behind Shaun with its tounge hanging out getting drowl all over the floor.

"Yes Spence I did know about the dog" he said laughingly while stroking the dogs head.

"Why is there a dog" Spencer asked.

"Well you know how you've always wanted a dog well here he is." Shaun said pointing at the dog.

"That's nice Shaun but he's all muddy so tell me why you brought his home."

"OK" he said rubbing the back of his head. " my coworker found him in the alley behind the store."he said as the dog started to lick the front of his hand.

"OK" Spencer said nodding and walked over to the dog to pet him. "We should give him a bath then before school."

They went into the bathroom and started the bath. The tub was filled with lukewarm water but the dog refused to enter the bathroom. The siblings tugged at him to get him in the tub and when they did the dog refused time stay still. The bathroom floor was covered in water by the time they were done giving the dog a bath and they were also going to be late for school if they didn't net ready. The kids were about to go out door when Spencer turned to her brother and asked "What about dad. What will dad think when he cones home to find a dog." Shaun thought for a second then said "Dad wont be home today he's going to be working late tonight o you'll be home before he is. Now let's go" they opened the door and the dog came running towards them almost knocking down Shaun.

"No bud" Shaun said holding the dog's head in his hands "you have to stay here but well be back OK" the dog looked at his sadly but sat down as the kids left.