It's here. The dog is inside of me, and it tickles! It seems to be trying to stay low and sneak around. It looks very afraid. It's following Charlie everywhere. When Charlie went upstairs to turn on my lights and fans, the dog wouldn't follow her up the steps. She carried it up and it ran around with her up here, but then it wouldn't go down the steps. Who hasn't seen steps? Maybe it's a stupid dog. Maybe all dogs are stupid?

This dog, uh, Jack, is stuck to Charlie like a shadow. It's black like a shadow too. It's sleeping now, like it has done for most of the day. It's sleeping under a display table, way under, on a cushion that Charlie put there with a small note above him "I'm Jack. Please pet me." I'll bet he hates that note! He doesn't look like he wants anyone to pet him.

Whenever Jack passes the balls of yarn and skeins of wool in the yarn room, I see him glance at the fuzzier ones. Charlie hasn't noticed it yet, because the dog is always behind her when he looks. He does the same thing with Sebastian, the bear that sits on the entry table with the fancy candles and the note about kids. The note says that unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy. This morning Charlie crossed out the puppy part.

Oh no! Charlie just went into the restroom, and Jack didn't follow her in. He looks lost and frightened. He looks like he's going to pee on my floor. No, no, bad dog. Wait, he's going for his little bed under the table. Oh phew. My floor is safe. Wait, Jack has stopped to pick up Sebastian in his mouth, carefully. Now he's carrying the stuffed bear over to his bed. Oh look, he has the bear curled up under his paw and chin. I'll bet Charlie's going to give him a scolding!

Here she comes.

"Oh, say. There you are you silly dog!"

She petting him! That's not the way to train a dog.

"Look at you! You got yourself a bear. Sebastian is pretty slobbery now. I think he's yours. But no more shopping, please."

Jack looks like he understands her, but I'll bet he doesn't. I'll bet the yarn is next. Still, it's awfully sweet the way he looks at Charlie with such trust.

And the bear suits him.