HOUSE GUEST

“WINSTON’S HERE!” I called out as I saw the car pull into our driveway.

Winston is a little black Shih Tzu mix that was going to be our house guest for the weekend.

I opened the front door and watched as he scampered up to me wearing his little plaid coat. He stopped for a quick head scratch before coming in and exploring the house.

“Here’s some of his stuff.” Our friend Kathy said as she followed him in. “Riki has everything packed in there.” She handed me his overnight bag then went back to the car to get more of his things.

When she came back in we tucked his bed under the coffee table and set up his steps next to the couch.

“Be a good boy.” Kathy said as she gave Winston a few scratches under his chin before heading back to her car.

“Have fun!” I called as Winston and I stood at the door to say good-bye.

Once the car left the driveway I looked down at Winston. “Let’s get your coat off and get comfy on the couch. Doesn’t that sound good?”

Winston began wagging his tail. We’d had him as a house guest before and we knew as he was getting older he’d gotten more anxious when he was left alone. I was planning on spending a lot of time on the couch with him while he was staying with us. He was going to be my perfect excuse to lay around all weekend watching television.

I tossed a quilt on the couch and put most of his toys in the middle of it. I was holding his favorite well-loved bear that he quickly grabbed in his mouth and made his way up the stairs to deposit it in the middle of the quilt himself. Circling around a few times he settled in for a little rest.

I plopped down next to him and grabbed the remote. “So what are you in the mood to watch?”

He looked over at me gave a quick bark and went back to playing with his toys.

“My choice! Why thank you!” I began channel surfing.

A few hours in I realized I needed to run a few errands.

“Alex!” I called to my son. “Can you watch Winston for a little bit? I have to run out.”

Alex came out of his room. “Sure.”

I got up off the couch and Winston got up with me. “No. No. Don’t get up.” I said to him. “Alex is going to stay with you.”

Alex sat next to him and began giving him scratches while I went to grab a few things out of my bedroom.

When I came back I opened the hall closet to grab my coat and went to slip on my shoes, that had been by the front door, when I noticed one was missing.

“That’s funny.” I said as I looked around. “Where’s my other shoe?”

I could hear Alex laughing from the couch. “I think Winston doesn’t want you to leave.”

“What?” I went over to the couch and saw Winston sitting on the quilt with my shoe in his mouth.

“Oh my gosh. Riki says he does that to her all the time!” I went over to him to give him some kisses on the top of his head. “I feel so honored! I’m one of your shoe hiding humans!”

I took the shoe from his mouth and looked over at Alex. “Promise me you won’t leave him for a second.”

“Promise.” He said as he reached for the remote.

I slipped my shoe on and headed for the door. “I promise I’ll be quick!” I called as I closed and locked the door.

I could hear Winston barking as I walked to my car. While I was starting the car I looked back at the house and could see he’d climbed on the back of the couch and was looking out the window. “You shoe hiding little cutie! I’ll be back before you know it!” I called to him.