A Doggy Has to do .....

It took less time for Rina to settle into her new home than anybody had expected. And she was exceptionally attentive towards Helen. Whenever Helen was sitting on the floor, playing with her toys, Rina would be there.




Sometimes she'd growl and whine about not being able to go past, but Brosie and Ginny knew she was only demanding Helen's attention.



And when Helen was taking her nap, then Rina would occupy herself with all the normal doggy duties that a dog would do.

Like ... guard the house, whilst looking cute as a button....




... and dutifully ignoring the stray cat that keeps sleeping on the front porch occasionally ....



Gnaw at her chew toy.




Dig up the garden.




Oh, and when everyone else is fast asleep in bed, she's to be found asleep in her favourite spot.




On the bottom bunk of the bunk beds in Helen's future bedroom.




Oh yes, this was the life.



She especially loved to parade around, showing off her brand new yellow collar.




After all, it was chosen by none other than Helen. Because she said so!!!

Helen and Marina

Whilst Ambrose was away at the party, and Ginny was busy making dinner, Helen had time to get to know Marina ..... and vice versa.

At first, she didn't know what to make of this large furry four legged creature.



Nor did Marina either. This was a Sim, but in miniature, with a completely new language she had to learn. Baby babble wasn't in Marina's vocabulary.



When Helen got a little too close to Marina whilst she was eating, Marina growled low, as a warning.




"Marina!" Ginny called out from the kitchen, "stop that!"

Marina's ears flicked backwards and she stopped immediately, but still continued to guard her food, whilst watching Helen shuffling along on her unsteady feet.



Helen opened her mouth. Then shut it, as she tried to pronounce Marina's name. She frowned, whilst Marina sniffed at her hair.




Then her eyes lit up, she clapped her hands and then reached forward to plant both hands either side of the dog's head.




"Rina!!!" she exclaimed.

Marina panted in her face and wagged her tail vigorously.




"Rina!!!"

And so it came to pass that Marina DID actually change her name. Only because Helen said so.

Settling In

Brosie hurried out of the hospital. He'd had to work a little longer, due to there being an emergency in the ER. His stomach was growling, he felt stinky, but exhilirated also at the fact that Marina would be there at their home.

"See you all tomorrow!!!" he yelled to his colleagues, "got a new arrival coming today!"

"Not another kid on the way!" someone yelled back.

"Nah, but it's for my little 'un Helen," he replied, "I got a dog from the shelter. It's her first day today and I want to see her to make sure she's settling in fine."

"Don't forget my bachelor party tonight!"

"What?"

Oh crap. Brosie had forgotten he'd agreed to go. And he couldn't back down now, it was a bit too late. The only thing he had to wear, was his wedding tux that he'd picked up from the dry cleaners the other day and forgot to put back in the wardrobe back home.

"Well, I'll pop in briefly," he said, slipping on the waistcoat, "can't let everyone down now, can I?"

Dashing home, he only had time to fill the dog bowl, before changing into his tuxedo.



"I'm off to a party hunny!" he hollered, "I won't be too long!"

"I'm just about to get Helen up!" Ginny replied, "then I'lll make a start on dinner. What would you like?"

"How about Autumn Salad?" Ambrose said, grinning.

"Gah, you know me too well!" Ginny said, winking at him, "sooner or later I'll get the hang of this oven. Then you'll be getting hot meals. You'll see."

True to his word, he stayed only an hour before grabbing a taxi back home. There, as he walked through the door, he beamed at the sight of Marina standing there wagging her tail.




"Aren't you a gorgeous girl?" he said, patting her head, "have you met everyone yet?"

Marina wagged her tail and yawned widely.




"Think it's been a long day for you my girl! Want to check out your new digs? Just wait until I've had my dinner first."

Ambrose grabbed a plate of salad and started to tuck in. Marina's tail and head drooped as she told him in her own way, how she disapproved of this cold, calorie free meal.




"Yeah," Brosie sniggered, "fraid there's no leftovers tonight. That's all she can manage at the moment. Guess I didn't marry her for her cooking skills huh????!"

"I heard that!" Ginny said, from reading Helen a story.

"C'mon lass, let's show you your new bed."

Marina barked, wagged her tail even harder then she followed Ambrose to the still unfinished, makeshift study room, where there was a gigantic lime green doggy bed. Marina sniffed it, crept gingerly into the middle, turned three times then flopped down. Within minutes she was fast asleep.




"Tomorrow, we'll get you a new collar." Ambrose said as he closed the door ever so gently, with just enough room for her to let herself out if needed be.