America: 50☆Stars (Vol. 2)

Episode 43: National Dog Day

A brindle-coated dog of medium size hopped onto a couch, appearing aloof until it noticed the audience reading every move they did. "Arf! Arf! Arf!" Translation of they said: "Oh, hey. You seem pretty friendly, so I won't bite you." They barked some more. "The name's Barrett. I'm a Treeing Tennessee Brindle. I love hunting for squirrels, but my owner isn't here at the moment. Do you wanna know why?"

The dog sat in silence.

"... That's right! Arf!" They wagged their tail as they let out a celebratory cry. "My owner is bringing home a little sister! Arf! I can't wait to see her!" They suddenly stopped baying for joy. "I know something we can do while we wait for my owner and my sister to come home. How about I give my dogmates a call to tell them the good news?" They hopped off the couch and scampered off. "I don't have hands, but I'll find a way to make it work!"

☆☆☆☆☆

"Howdy, howdy, howdy, Lacy Blue!" Barrett greeted the Blue Lacy, a blue-coated cur from the Lone Star State.

She barked back, "Howdy, howdy, howdy, Barrett! How ya callin' me on this bright brick without your partner around?"

"I got the audience to help out," he barked. "So, how ya doing?"

"Alright. My partner isn't getting any better, yet she's working hard, helping people prepare for a big storm." She glanced out the window where her partner was packing supplies into her truck, getting ready for a long drive to shelters.

"I see. If it makes you feel any better about today, I have some good news."

"Let me hear it."

"This evening, my owner is bringin' home a little sister."

"Oh? Bark! That's fantastic! I can't wait to meet her."

"Me, too. I can't wait." He wagged his tail.

"So, do you know her breed?"

"My owner says she's a Bluetick Coonhound."

"Ah, I see. A coonhound like her should have a good nose. I bet she can smell ya a mile away before enterin' the house."

"Is that your way of telling me I smell?" He sniffed his coat. "That stupid skunk from three days ago is gonna get some teeth the next time I see it lurkin' around the trash can."

"Yikes. I rather deal with a bear than a skunk." She shook her head. "Anyway, I gotta go. Hope you and your new sister get along."

"Yeah. Stay safe, Lacy. It's nice talking to ya. Bye." He ended the call.

~ Howdy! ~

"I'm so happy for you and your sister," Pumpkin, a Chinook belonging to New Hampshire, congratulated him. "Hope all goes well between you two."

"Thanks. By the way, any advice on how to get along with her?" Barrett asked.

"Hm... I don't have doggy siblings, so I may not be the best dog to ask."

"Yeah. I guess you're right." His head drooped. 'I should've asked Lacy while she was available.'

"But if I were in your pawsition," she pondered, "I offer her my favorite treats."

"Ooh!" He lifted his head in excitement. "That's a great idea! She'll definitely like bacon strips!" He went away for a minute, coming back with a bag of Beggin Strips' in their mouth. "Do you think she'll like them?" he mumbled.

"I'm sure she will." She watched him shake the bag around.

"Grrrr..." He dropped the bag at his paws. "Why do humans have to put delicious food in things I can't tear apart? It's so frustrating!"