Training animals is not what Karen would call her forte. It's not that she's incapable, it just isn't something that's ever been top of mind — Not when she was a kid, and not now, which probably makes it all the more helpful that the large, lazy dog she inherited had no doubt been given rigorous training before Karen ever arrived. Martha gets in her own way a lot of the time, and often acts more like an old woman than the older puppy she is, but she obeys quickly and stays diligently by Karen's side.
Which makes it all the more strange when the big, shaggy dog darts off ahead of her minder, bounding through the foliage in the direction of the spring. "Martha," Karen calls after her, although there's no real sternness to her voice — The dog probably spotted a squirrel.
Beside herself, Martha bursts through the underbrush and skids right up to the edge of the pool, dark tail wagging happily, paws dancing in the dirt in front of Frank.
"What's up with you? You've never been this excited for a bath—"
Halting at the edge of the treeline, Karen freezes, staring, the backpack in her hand slipping from her fingers to thud at her feet.
3
Which makes it all the more strange when the big, shaggy dog darts off ahead of her minder, bounding through the foliage in the direction of the spring. "Martha," Karen calls after her, although there's no real sternness to her voice — The dog probably spotted a squirrel.
Beside herself, Martha bursts through the underbrush and skids right up to the edge of the pool, dark tail wagging happily, paws dancing in the dirt in front of Frank.
"What's up with you? You've never been this excited for a bath—"
Halting at the edge of the treeline, Karen freezes, staring, the backpack in her hand slipping from her fingers to thud at her feet.
(I am 100% OK if you prefer to use brackets!)