Dogwinks

Chapter 1: Ruby 1 RUBY
A blue pickup truck drives into the Rhode Island SPCA parking lot, pulling into a spot adjacent to a wire fence. The sign on the truck's door, "Lazybones Dog Training," helps identify the driver.

Out hops an attractive woman in her late thirties who heads into the building. Minutes later, we see her behind the wire fence.

She is Pat Inman, a dog trainer, who donates some of her time every week to the SPCA, helping dogs get ready for their critically important adoption interviews with potential families. She teaches them basic manners. In other words, she is helping them to put their best paw forward.

"I'll be right with you, Ruby!" she shouts to her favorite canine student, who is dashing around the enclosure. "I just need a minute to get ready."

Ruby, seven months old, is a frisky, long-haired, black-and-white pup, preoccupied with running back and forth like she's out of control.

Is she?

No, that's just the nature of Australian shepherds and border collies. Ruby's a mix of both. The breeds have nearly duplicate characteristics: very bright, highly active, and loaded with mischief.

Ruby stops, looks back to see if her friend Pat is watching. What's this? An unguarded moment? She bolts.

Pat, getting her long auburn hair under control for her training session, has placed her pink ballcap on the bench beside her as she pulls her hair into a ponytail.

In that moment of distraction, Ruby loops around, playfully snatches the ballcap, and zips off, carrying it in her mouth like a prize.

"Ruby! Come back here!" shouts Pat, laughing at the same time. "Ruby! Bring it here."

Ruby obeys, heading back. She likes to please Pat. Most of the time. Anybody else would have had to chase her till exhaustion before getting that hat back.

She trots to the bench, dropping the ballcap at her teacher's feet. Pat good-naturedly strokes Ruby's neck and hugs her warmly.

In her canine business, as well as her

SQuire Rushnell was an executive at ABC TV for twenty years. He is the author of LITTLE DAVID'S ADVENTURE, a children's book he created based on the animated television show. He has appeared on TV programmes in the US such as NBC News, CBS This Morning and Good Morning America. Louise DuArt costarred with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in sold out performances for fifteen seasons. Clean and funny, Louise executes fast-paced conversations between herself and Bart Simpson, Judge Judy, Barbra Streisand, Hillary Clinton, and dozens more. She was a popular Women of Faith speaker and has coauthored three books with her husband, SQuire. She hosted a popular daily talk show on the ABC Family channel for eight seasons, Living the Life, and has starred in various Broadway productions, garnering rave reviews.

"Joyful...These stories will make you want to give your pup an extra biscuit and a hug." -Washington Post