Finishing breakfast.

Lucy decided she'd had enough dog food for now. After using her hand to wipe the crumbs and water off her chin, she crawled to the table and butted her head against Abby's side. Abby reached down to stroke her hair and Lucy sighed happily, then rested her head on her sister's thigh.

Abby smiled as she continued eating with one hand, the other caressing Lucy's cheek. "This isn't so bad, is it?"

Lucy looked up at her, not sure what she meant.

"I don't know what you went through at college, but being a pet doesn't have to be a bad thing. All it takes is the right owner."

Lucy hugged her sister's waist and nodded as Abigail continued. "I'm going to do my best to be that owner for you. I'll win dad over, and mom too. I won't let anything bad happen to you."

Lucy wanted to express her gratitude somehow. She considered mouthing 'thank you' but thought doing something that close to speaking wouldn't be appreciated. Her mouth still opened, and before she could close it Abby had pushed the last bite of her toast between Lucy's lips. Then she gently pushed Lucy's head away and stood up. "Well, lets get your bed upstairs. But first, I'll take you outside to do your business."

There went Lucy's good mood. Still she started crawling in the direction of the back door, hoping to cut off any thought of being made to pee in the front yard where anyone could see her. Luckily the back yard was mostly private, and luckily she only had to pee.

Once again Lucy made a mess that Abigail didn't complain about wiping off her legs and privates, though she did comment about hoping the vet would have a suggestion for how to keep her clean. Then they went back inside and Abby carried the dog bed up to her room, or rather their room if they were both going to sleep there from now on.

Then Abby made herself comfortable on the bed and Lucy laid down beside her, and they watched cartoons until their dad called for them to come downstairs.