Miss Dog And The New Neighbor

Miss Dog lived in a pond in a house made of sweat and toil. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lasagna, when she heard a knock at the door.

She scooted to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

She was surprised to see Mister Garter snake standing there, his hands on his brain. "How nice to see you, Mister Garter snake," Miss Dog cackled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," comforted Mister Garter snake. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" analyzed Miss Dog sheepishly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of Sanka?"

"I can't stay," shuddered Mister Garter snake. I just want to ask you what you think of the garter snake that's come to the pond.

"I really don't know," railed Miss Dog. "I didn't know about any garter snake. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," inquired Mister Garter snake automatically. "I heard that this garter snake likes to grab yo-yos."

"Um, I don't know what to say," orated Miss Dog, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Garter snake, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pond when we get a lot of garter snakes grabbing yo-yos?"

"I can't imagine," groaned Miss Dog.

"What are we going to do about it?" smirked Mister Garter snake.

"Appoint a committee?" groveled Miss Dog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Garter snake had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Garter snake slowly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," questioned Miss Dog daintily, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Garter snake victoriously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fumed Miss Dog suddenly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bar stool on her front porch, looking out over the pond and clapping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Garter snake. Do come again."

"Just a minute," reacted Mister Garter snake automatically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Dog thought she had answered, and was beginning to get adorable. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Garter snake doing these days?"

Mister Garter snake would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"

Miss Dog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied dolorously.