The Bark Before Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

love him like crazy.
    â€œPekes,” Aunt Peg said thoughtfully. “Maybe Mr. Perkin likes hair.”
    â€œOr maybe he likes short legs,” Bertie guessed.
    â€œBite your tongue,” said Sam. Even lying down, Augie’s length of leg was evident. We certainly hadn’t brought Mr. Perkin that.
    Bottom line, it didn’t really matter what our new judge wanted. Having devoted several hours to grooming Augie Poodle and a couple more to driving, we were already committed. Davey would take his Standard Poodle in the ring regardless.
    Sam went off to park the car. I got Kev situated in a folding chair with a coloring book and a box of crayons. Davey opened up the tack box and began pulling out the tools of the trade. Making a row along the edge of the table, he lined up a slicker brush for Augie’s bracelets, a pin brush for his mane coat and topknot, a greyhound comb for smoothing through the tangles, and a spray bottle for misting away static.
    Meanwhile, Aunt Peg continued to mutter under her breath.
    Bertie, putting the finishing touches on a Finnish Spitz, regarded her with amusement. “According to the catalog,” she said, “Mr. Perkin comes from Arizona and he was hired to judge half a dozen Toy breeds.”
    â€œIf he was available to fill in at the last minute, that means he didn’t have a full slate,” Aunt Peg replied. “That can’t be good.”
    â€œThis will be his very first Poodle assignment,” Davey piped up. “Terry told me he just got approved.”
    â€œLord save me from beginners.” Aunt Peg rolled her eyes. “Well, there’s nothing to be done about it now. I guess we’re all going to find out what Bartholomew Perkin looks for in a Poodle at the same time.”
    While she was speaking, Aunt Peg sidled over and had a surreptitious look at Davey’s line brushing. Augie was lying flat on the table. His eyes were closed; he was totally relaxed. Brushing quickly and smoothly, Davey was doing a great job of working his way through the dog’s dense coat. Even so, I knew it was only a matter of time before Aunt Peg would begin to nitpick.
    â€œGuess what?” I said. “I have a job for you.”
    â€œOh?” Peg lifted a brow. “Do I need a job?”
    I heard Bertie smother a laugh. I ignored that and said, “I know how much you like to stay busy.”
    â€œAnd so I shall. Davey needs my help setting Augie’s topknot.”
    My son glanced up, caught my eye, and shook his head vehemently.
    â€œSam will do that when he gets back. And anyway, this is more important. I need your help.”
    â€œWell, that’s nothing new.” Aunt Peg gazed pointedly down her nose at me.
    Bertie, that traitor, wasn’t even bothering to hide her laughter now.
    â€œBut you’ll like this job,” I told Aunt Peg. “It’s for the Howard Academy Christmas Bazaar. There’s going to be a photo booth for people to bring their pets and have their pictures taken with Santa Claus. It’ll be great.”
    For eleven months of the year, Aunt Peg is one of the least sentimental women I know. But as the Christmas holidays approach, all that changes. The mere sound of Christmas music is enough to turn her all mushy and misty-eyed. I was aiming for her soft spot and I knew it. With luck, I’d hit a bull’s-eye.
    â€œThat’s not until next week,” Aunt Peg said. Sometimes I think she knows the details of my life better than I do.
    â€œIt’s never too soon to start getting the word out,” I told her. “And I can’t think of a better place to find the kind of people who would want to take their dogs to visit Santa Claus than right here. I figured you could walk around the show and tell all your friends that they shouldn’t miss it.”
    â€œThat sounds like an excellent idea,” Bertie offered from across the setup.
    â€œIt does,” Aunt Peg