Mom and Dad enjoyed morning coffee on the lanai before he left for work. Jared, still exhausted from not getting much sleep during the night, dozed just inside the nearby doghouse.
The strong scent of coffee wafted on the morning breeze, but Jared didn't find it particularly compelling. Right that moment, though, a cup of coffee might be just what he needed to rouse himself and resume his attempts to communicate his doggie dilemma to his parents.
Dad sipped his coffee. "I've been thinking," he announced. "Would you have time to call Dr. Brinkley today?"
Mom looked up in surprise from her coffee cup. "The veterinarian?" Mom asked.
"Yes," Dad said. "Shaggy was making a pest of himself last night with George Thomason's dog, and I'm thinking it's probably time to have him fixed."
Jared sat up and took notice, the threat of being neutered being far better than the caffeine from coffee to make him fully alert.
"Haven't I been telling you that for months?" Mom said in a teasing manner.
Dad took another drink of coffee and grinned. "We men are squeamish and sympathetic when it comes to this," he excused.
"Nonsense," Mom declared. "Shaggy will be happier and much better behaved once he's been neutered."
"My God! Mom! What are you saying?" Her son, albeit in canine form, thought in serious alarm.
"If you say so, dear," Dad said and finished his coffee. Standing, he announced he was off to work. "You'll call Dr. Brinkley?"
"Yes," she answered. "When do you think?"
"Wednesday afternoons are good," Dad said.
Mom laughed. "You are serious if you're giving up a golf game to take Shaggy to the vet."
Dad chuckled. "Forecast is calling for a rain this week," he said. "See if they can't work him in this Wednesday."
As dad took the walk to the carport, Jared left the doghouse to intercept him. The lead jerked him back before he could reach the carport.
Arf! Arf! Woof! "Dad, please! You can't do that to me!"
"What's got him stirred up?" Dad asked.
From the lanai, mom gathered the cups and coffee pot onto a tray. "Maybe he's begging you for a reprieve," Mom joked.
Dad laughed. "Sorry, boy," he said. "Have a good day, dear, and thanks for phoning Brinkley."
Jared watched his mother walk back inside the house.
His mind felt overwhelmed with cold, clammy fear. "Wednesday!" He thought. "Just two more days!"
He had to think of a way to get his human body back, and time was now of the essence.
Jared looked toward the house and saw Mom, phone in hand, through the kitchen window. He whimpered and whined, hoping she wasn't making the call that he feared she was making.