Miss Dog And The New Neighbor

Miss Dog lived in a swamp in a wigwam made of seashells. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bread and butter, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Pony standing there, her hands on her appendix. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Pony," Miss Dog blustered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," gabbed Mrs. Pony. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hollered Miss Dog frantically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a tequila sunrise?"

"I can't stay," taunted Mrs. Pony. I just want to ask you what you think of the polecat that's come to the swamp.

"I really don't know," phrased Miss Dog. "I didn't know about any polecat. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," yelled Mrs. Pony delicately. "I heard that this polecat likes to unfold dog biscuits."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Pony, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the swamp when we get a lot of polecats unfolding dog biscuits?"

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

"What are we going to do about it?" recited Mrs. Pony.

"Appoint a committee?" commented Miss Dog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Pony had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Pony brashly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," affirmed Miss Dog wryly, 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 Mrs. Pony smoothly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chimed Miss Dog firmly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the water bed on her front porch, looking out over the swamp and moaning. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Pony. Do come again."

"Just a minute," instructed Mrs. Pony fearlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

Mrs. Pony 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 gingerly.