A new day dawned. Birds sang, their shrill chirps aggravating the cranky sheepdog's sleep.
The sun shined, and not even a helpful fringe of fur kept the bright light from disturbing the already fitful sleep of the sheepdog.
Dozens of different sounds, as well as smells, announced the arrival of a new day. A newspaper carrier in a vehicle with a noisy carburetor tossed the morning paper onto the front step. Although the sheepdog didn't see the event, the sound of the thud when the paper landed on concrete brought forth a grumpy growl.
The sheepdog retreated inside the doghouse, but the smell of the much-abused cushion disturbed its mind enough to let Jared break through to the surface like a drowning individual surfacing for a desperate breath of air.
The stained cushion provided ample evidence for how far he had lost himself to Shaggy's doggy instincts. He needed to do...something. He felt like time might be running out. What could he do?
The back door opened and Kevin exited the house with a plastic bottle. Jared scooted forward in the dirt to emerge from the doghouse and was on all four paws by the time his brother reached him. Kevin reached for the stainless steel water dish near the sheepdog's house. He poured out the stale water and then replenished the dish with the water he had brought in the bottle straight from the Webster tap.
"How you doing this morning, Shaggy?"
Jared whimpered. Shaggy wasn't his name. Why didn't anyone understand?
"What's wrong, Shaggy?"
"Jared," he barked sharply. "Me Jared."
Kevin stood, patiently, as the sheepdog whimpered and barked. "I know you want to go for a walk, but I have to go to school," Kevin said. "We can take a walk when I get home. Will that be nice?"
Jared didn't know. How long would Kevin be gone to school? He struggled to grasp at the concepts for words like book, lessons, and teachers.
Kevin petted the sheepdog's head.
Jared's tongue lolled from his mouth and already scattered thoughts grew even more erratic. The petting of his head felt good. Kevin's words made him feel better. Concerns melted like premature snowflakes.
"Be good, Shaggy," Kevin said. He ran back to the house to grab his backpack, but he returned with a surprise, giving Shaggy one of his coveted bacon treats.
The dog took the treat from Kevin's hand. Kevin didn't notice the ink pen that slipped out of a pocket on his haphazardly carried pack.
Neither did Jared, until somewhat later.