Read Online Chez Stinky by Susan C. Daffron - Free Book Online

head down between her shoulders. The determined look on her face suggested that the dog had no interest in visiting the great outdoors.
    With a sigh, Kat sat down on the floor in front of the dog bed, still holding the leash in her hands. She gazed at Chelsey, considering her next course of action. Food, or more specifically the treats Kat had with her, didn’t seem to be enough of an enticement to get Chelsey to move. And she certainly wasn’t one of those dogs who yearned to please humans. Kat didn’t think the dog was scared, but she couldn’t figure out what was going on in that little furry brain.
    Kat looked up at Larry, who was still standing, surveying the proceedings. “I’m running out of ideas. I’m not convinced I can ever get her out of there. Any thoughts?”
    “I saw her a few times when Abigail was alive. She behaved quite differently then. Maybe something happened?”
    “Abigail died, for one thing. Maybe Chelsey wonders where mom went. But it’s not like I can explain it to her.” Kat sighed again and faced the dog’s grumpy stare. “Maybe the poor dog is just really confused.”
    Kat had read somewhere that exercise was supposed to be good for depression. “Maybe I can make the walk sound like more fun. If she’s sad, she should feel better after the walk.” Kat scanned the basement for something that might seem fun to an unhappy dog. She spotted an old towel hanging on a rack and reached over to grab it.
    “Okay Chelsey, check this out!” she said in an overly happy voice, waving the rag in front of the dog. “It’s a big snake. Let’s play! Go get it.”
    Chelsey raised her head, showing mild interest in the odd human behavior. Kat threw a treat down on the ground, which landed next to the bed. Chelsey reached her head over, ate the treat, and then stood up and grabbed the towel.
    “Yay, Chelsey! Let’s GO!” Kat shouted with glee as she scooped up the leash and skipped toward the door. Apparently deciding that the human was losing her mind, the dog stepped out of her bed completely, dropped the towel, and looked up at Kat expectantly.
    Kat tossed the dog another treat, tightened up the leash, and walked out the door with Chelsey trotting along next to her.
    Larry, who had been largely motionless while watching Kat leap around the room, said from behind, “That was intriguing. I thought the dog was scared and might bite you.”
    Kat looked back and said, “I didn’t think of that. Maybe this is one situation where the old saying ‘ignorance is bliss’ comes in handy.”

    Kat, Larry, and Chelsey walked toward the trail into the forest behind the house and were soon joined by Linus and Lori. Where did the dogs disappear off to? They seemed to be allowed to roam wherever they pleased. That was one of those mysterious canine things she’d have to figure out. Now that Chelsey had been mobilized, she seemed content to walk and relieve herself like any other normal dog. Maybe this was part of the routine Aunt Abigail had gone through with the dog every day. There was no way to know.
    Kat’s canine ruminations were interrupted by Larry, who said, “This is pretty back in here.”
    “Yes, I remember walking on this trail with my aunt when I was a kid. She knew all about all the plants that grow around here. I wish I could remember what she said. It all just looks like a bunch of green stuff to me. Speaking of things I don’t know, is there a library around here? I need to get some books about dogs and training if I’m going to be able to stay here and deal with Tessa and Chelsey. They seem like serious canine problem children. I need to get a book on canine aberrant psychology.”
    “Yes, there’s a library on the way back to the Enchanted Moose, past the Kmart.” Larry cleared his throat. “I was wondering, after you’re done here one evening next week, if you’d like to meet me for dinner.”
    Kat’s jaw dropped and she glanced at him quickly. Was he asking her out?