Mischief Makers: Barking Dogs

“Alright Glitter, what did you do with him?” asked Lil, standing under the Christmas tree.

“Who?” asked Glitter with wide eyes.

Nim laughed uncontrollably at the look of innocence on Glitter’s face.

Lil put her hands on her hips. She was starting to worry about the absent pup.

“Oh don’t laugh Nim,” she said, eyeing Glitter nervously. “What if she sent him to the cave?”

Nim suddenly sobered.

“Do you really think she could have done that?” asked Nim under his breath.

“I just don’t know, Nim,” said Lil. “I just don’t know.”

Everyone at the North Pole knew who lived in “The Cave”. Rudolph and his dentist narrowly escaped being eaten by the creature just a few years ago.

“Maybe we should check in with Rudolph tonight,” said Nim. “He may know how to–”.

“Ruff! Ruff!”

Nim and Lil both looked at the Christmas tree. A low whine came from one of the gifts. They quickly flew to the tree and waited to hear it again.

“Ruff! Ruff!”

“I think it’s that one!” said Lil, flying over to a present wrapped blue paper.

“Ruff! Ruff! Rrrrufff!”

“No,” said Nim, zooming in the opposite direction. “It’s this one over here!”

All of the sudden, the air filled with the whining and barking of what sounded like dozens of dogs. Glitter stood on top of the end table with her hooves on a remote control.

She shook with laughter.

“Glitter,” said Nim, looking at her in awe. “Did you do this?”

Glitter just nodded and her collar bounced and jingled.

Nim and Lil looked at each other and giggled with glee. They fell over on the floor while Glitter continued to stomp on the remote and wrapped boxes continued to bark and whine.

Once they’d gotten their mirth under control, Nim and Lil started opening presents in search of the real Barrel. When they found him, he burst from the box and tackled them both, panting and turning in circles.

“I think he liked that game, Glitter,” said Lil.

“Yep, you’ll have to try harder to provoke this fun-loving puppy,” said Nim scratching Barrel behind the ears.

“Oh, I will,” said Glitter with an unsettling grin.