Aint too proud to beg sfdg-1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

inform them of that development when Genghis lunged toward a little sheltie with a dripping tongue and Ginger decided she wasnt quite done.
    I hate to bring this up, Josie, but just last week you said youd do the dirty deed with any halfway decent-looking dog groomer whod cut Genghiss hair for free.
    Josies mouth hung open as she struggled with the leash. How could Ginger take that comment out of context like that? I was talking about the Celestial Pet grooming giveaway, which I won, by the way, though no one asked. And it was a joke, Ginger. You seemed to possess a sense of humor last week. Any idea what happened to it?
    I dont know! Gingers arms went flailing. She jerked the leash around so much that poor Heather-Lynn looked like she was on a bichon carnival ride. Maybe my sense of humor has flown out the window along with everything else I once had! Right along with my happy family! My dreams!
    My perfect skin! My estrogen!
    Here we go, Bea said.
    I dont need a man in my life to be happy. Ginger suddenly pulled herself taller. I want to establish that right here and right now. I, Genevieve Renee Michaels Garrison, being of sound mind and body, declare that I do … not… need… a… man… in… my… life..
    . to… be… happy.
    Men are lowdown dirty dogs, Roxie said.
    Watch your mouth, Bea said.
    I mean, reallywho needs a man when you have a dog? Ginger said.
    Josie stared at all of them. They were bitter and angryfor good reasons, she supposedbut she didnt share their convictions. Josie wanted a man /and/ a dog. Was there anything wrong with that?
    Bea suddenly shoved her outstretched hand into the center of the circle of women, palm down. Pile on, girls, she ordered.
    Ginger looked a little wary of the command, but Josie knew what Bea meant because shed played high school softball. So Josie slapped her hand on top of Beas. Roxie followed suit. Ginger tentatively placed hers on top, manicure gleaming.
    The apologies erupted from all of them, almost simultaneously. The smiles followed. Ginger looked like she was about to cry. Josie felt relieved, and figured this was the perfect time to tell them about her strange encounter with Mrs. Needleman, the list, and Rick.
    Roxie barged in before Josie could open her mouth.
    Repeat after me, Roxie said. We pledge to be at peace without men in our lives.
    Everyone echoed that sentiment and Josie was about to remove her hand and go ahead with her announcement when Bea said, We are whole, powerful, and single pet owners by choice.
    Everyone repeated that, too.
    Thats when Josie began to get nervous. Apparently, everyone was going to be required to say something profound and profoundly antiman, which had to be a cover for how, in their heart of hearts, each of them wanted a man more than anything. Except maybe for Bea, but even then Josie couldnt be sure. All she knew was that /she/ did! Josie wanted a man!
    And as of yesterday, she knew there was one out there for her!
    We dont need a man to tell us we are beautiful and fabulous. That was Gingers addition, and the group repeated it with fervor.
    All eyes turned to Josie. Genghis began tugging at the leash again, intrigued by a pair of Pekinese. She felt pressured. Later, shed wish shed said something elseanything elsebut this was the pledge that good old go-with-the-flow Josie made for the entire world to hear: /We hereby vow to lead full, happy lives in the company of our dogs!/ The women pumped their hands in unison and reached to the sky with a great /whoo-hoo/ of empowerment. Lilith frothed at the mouth. People stared. The yelling frightened HeatherLynn so much she peed all over Gingers shoe.
    Josies heart was quite heavy by the time they reached the coffee shop.
    Shed lied to her friends. The truth was that in a perfect world, Josie would be leading a full, happy life in the company of her dog /and/ Rick the dog groomer.
    So much for all the whoo-hooing.

CHAPTER 4
    T he hot wax felt soothing as the aesthetician applied it