Read Online A Christmas Howl by Laurien Berenson - Free Book Online Page B

my fingers beneath her chest, lifted slightly, then dropped her front legs into a square stance, she raised her head and held the position. I picked up the scissors, ran the long blades lightly up the puppy’s leg to lift the hair, and began to trim.
    â€œI agreed to go back to work at Howard Academy as a teacher,” I said. “Not a circus ringmaster.”
    â€œWe’re talking about a few booths in a school auditorium, right? How bad can it be?”
    â€œHave you ever been to the Howard Academy Christmas Bazaar?”
    â€œHeck, no. Why would I want to do that?”
    â€œIt’s mayhem. Out-of-control chaos. A veritable zoo.”
    Bertie, busy popping the rubber bands that had held the Toy Poodle’s long topknot hair up and out of the way, thought for a minute then said, “Luckily you’re very good with animals.”
    â€œThat’s not funny,” I grumbled. “But it does segue nicely into my next point.”
    â€œWhich is?”
    â€œOne of the attractions is a Santa Claus and Pets Photo Booth. The school has hired a photographer and students have been encouraged to bring their dogs and cats to the bazaar to get their pictures taken with Santa. Mr. Hanover’s secretary is already working on the arrangements but he wants me to help out, too. He thought it would be right up my alley.”
    â€œI can see that,” said Bertie. She turned on the water in the big, utility sink and checked the temperature with her fingers. The Toy Poodle was about to have a bath.
    â€œThe pictures will be uploaded on the spot and parents will have the option of having them turned into Christmas cards,” I said, raising my voice to be heard above the running water. “It’s a great idea and I’m hoping that the booth will be a big moneymaker. I thought I’d walk around the shows this weekend and try to drum up business among the exhibitors.”
    Bertie wasn’t the only one who’d be spending the next several days driving back and forth to the “Big E” Exposition Center in Massachusetts. My son, Davey, had his Standard Poodle, Augie, entered in the dog shows as well. The big black dog had spent the previous five months away from the show ring, growing hair—enough to balance out his new continental trim. Davey was delighted that his pet was finally ready to make his adult debut.
    â€œYou’ll be swamped,” said Bertie. “Especially if you have to oversee that booth and everything else.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m thinking.”
    â€œYou ought to tell Hanover that you need some help.”
    â€œI already did.”
    Bertie was bent over the sink. She had one hand covering the Toy Poodle’s eyes. The other held the nozzle and directed the spray toward the loose topknot hair. She looked back over her shoulder at me and frowned.
    â€œNo,” she said firmly. “No way.”
    â€œIt will be fun,” I told her brightly.
    â€œNo, it won’t. It will be chaos. You just told me as much. Besides, I’m busy next Saturday.”
    â€œNo, you’re not. I looked at the calendar. It’s December. There isn’t a decent dog show within two hundred miles.”
    â€œI’m sure I must be doing something.”
    â€œYou’re not,” I said. “I even checked with Frank. He told me you were free.”
    â€œFrank’s a traitor,” Bertie muttered. “I wouldn’t believe a word he says.”
    Funny thing about that. I’d felt the same way about my feckless younger brother for years. But meeting Bertie was the best thing that ever could have happened to him. Not only had she become a steadying influence in his life, but it also turned out that Frank’s desire to live up to his wife’s expectations was the impetus he’d needed to finally outgrow his irresponsible ways.
    â€œCome on,” I said. “Give me a hand. It’s for a good