The Red Ball

    After a long day at school, I walk to my room and throw my books and coat onto the end of my bed. I greet my dogs by calling their names in a friendly voice, and scratch them behind the ear. I walk from my room down the short hallway to the living room. My dogs follow me. I fall into the easy chair and pull my legs up, curling them beneath me. I grab the remote and turn on the tv, searching for a show to watch. 

    As I flick through the channels, Brandy jumps up in my lap and begins to lick the side of my face. I laugh and rub her ear, giving her the attention she wants. She settles down and sits beside me in the chair. I finally find a show. 

    After a few minutes, I hear a whine. I look around. Shiner is sleeping in her bed, and Brandy is sitting in my lap still. It's Gunner. I immediately know where he is. I know what he wants. My head falls back hitting the cushion behind me. I close my eyes. I sigh. 

    Without even getting up, I can picture him by the bar. He is sitting between the couch and bar.  His eyes are big and he is looking up at the sink to the bar. His short tail is wagging back and forth quickly against the carpet. His heart rate is increasing a little, and if I don't get up soon, he will whine again. If I wait a few minutes, he will walk around the end of the couch and stare at me. He will look at me as if he is a child on Christmas morning waiting for his presents. If I wait even longer, he will run from the bar to me. Even after that, he will not give up. He will begin to whine louder as if I do not hear him already. Then, he will bark. If all else fails, he will walk over, jump on my lap and stare at me straight in the eye. He will not give up. He will not give in. He will have his way.

    I sigh again before getting up. I walk around the couch to see Gunner sitting by the bar like a dog begging for a treat. He is not begging for a treat though. He could care less about treats. He wants his ball. Not any ball, his red ball.

Gunner sleeping after a long night playing with his red ball