( the morton family had reared hunting dogs on and off throughout the four generations they had occupied on a comfortably large estate with a few heavily wooded acres serving as a backyard. while her father had lost interest in the hobby by the time she was older, the aging hounds had still greeted her with wagging tails and lolling tongues like she hadn't just been away at university for months on end. that's why she doesn't worry all that much about her poodle growing bitter while couped up at her over priced doggy day care. )

I'm sure he misses you as much as you miss him, ( roxy reassures, sincere but off hand as they hit their first little bit of highway conjestion. the windshield whipers beat rythmically as the rain picks up, and she leans over the wheel to peer through the rain to try to see just how far ahead the traffic stretched. )

Guess it's a good thing we'll never have children. You can't exactly kennel them while you're away.