Mister German Shepherd And The New Neighbor

Mister German Shepherd lived in a landfill in a chalet made of pillows. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cookies, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Groundhog standing there, his hands on his buttocks. "How nice to see you, Mister Groundhog," Mister German Shepherd preached, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," began Mister Groundhog. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" crooned Mister German Shepherd vigorously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a gin fizz?"

"I can't stay," reminded Mister Groundhog. I just want to ask you what you think of the zebra that's come to the landfill.

"I really don't know," yowled Mister German Shepherd. "I didn't know about any zebra. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," acknowledged Mister Groundhog awkwardly. "I heard that this zebra likes to dye buttons."

"Um, I don't know what to say," jeered Mister German Shepherd, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Groundhog, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the landfill when we get a lot of zebras dyeing buttons?"

"I can't imagine," called Mister German Shepherd.

"What are we going to do about it?" swore Mister Groundhog.

"Appoint a committee?" reacted Mister German Shepherd, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Groundhog had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Groundhog uselessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," bellowed Mister German Shepherd automatically, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding himself on this committee.

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

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," sniped Mister German Shepherd gently, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the sofa on his front porch, looking out over the landfill and breathing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Groundhog. Do come again."

"Just a minute," mouthed Mister Groundhog uselessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister German Shepherd thought he had answered, and was beginning to get impish. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Groundhog doing these days?"

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

Mister German Shepherd sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied craftily.