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It’s a “Ruff” Life

It’s Christmas Eve and the Carter family is gathered in the living room enjoying fresh hot cocoa

and watching classic Christmas movies. The Christmas tree is twinkling and the presents

underneath are gleaming. You can still smell the homemade sugar cookies that the Carter’s have

set out for Santa. The fireplace is burning piles of wood, keeping everyone warm as they are

snuggled on the couch together. Their purebred poodle, Daisy, even has her own bed with toys

and blankets. Daisy is spoiled with love and always pampered- she is the pride and joy of the

family. Daisy has the best life a dog could ever ask for. She gets regular visits to the dog park, is

showered with treats and toys, and gets to nap whenever she wants. Little did she know that this

night would be her last night of doggy paradise.

The next morning the Carter family is up early and the children are eager to see what Santa has

brought them. Mr. and Mrs. Carter tell their children to wait by the tree and cover their eyes

because they have a huge surprise for them. Meanwhile, Daisy is on her comfy bed snoozing

away. The parents come back to their children with a mysterious-looking box and a faint

whimper can be heard from inside. The whimper grows louder and louder and whatever is inside

cannot wait to come out. The children are jumping up and down as they are shouting, “Mommy!

Mommy! Open the box!” As soon as Mrs. Carter opens the mysterious box a puppy jumps out

and greets the children with tons of kisses. Everyone is excited and spending time getting to

know their new addition to the family- well not exactly everyone. Daisy jumps up from her bed

and runs over to the new fur ball that the family is gushing over.

Daisy begins circling around the new puppy, sniffing and staring at him like she has never seen

another dog before. Daisy is confused why this scruffy, mutt-looking dog is taking all the love

and attention away from her. She lets herself become consumed with jealousy and has decided

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that the puppy will be her enemy and that she will do everything she can to make his life

miserable.

The Carters decide to name the puppy Scout and have set up his very own bed with blankets and

toys right next to Daisy’s bed. Daisy notices that Scout’s bed is brand new and twice the size of

hers, so she decides to claim it as her own. Next, Daisy takes Scout’s toys and hides them around

the house, making sure he will never be able to find them. Scout doesn’t seem to miss his toys

because he is constantly waking Daisy up from her naps trying to get her to play with him. He

playfully pounces on Daisy while barking and licking her face. If there’s one thing Daisy hates

most, it’s being woken up from her naps, so Scout’s playful efforts do not work. Scout

defeatedly returns to his bed and wonders why Daisy doesn’t want to be his friend.

Each day Daisy grows more envious of the attention Scout receives from the family. He is

constantly getting belly rubs, snuggles, and long walks. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have realized Daisy

and Scout have not become the best friends they hoped for and want to fix their relationship.

They decide to take them to the dog park because they know it is one of Daisy’s favorite places

and they are hoping it will give them the bonding time they so desperately need.

The Carter’s arrive at the dog park and Daisy’s eyes immediately light up with excitement. Daisy

leaps out of the car and races to the entrance of the park; tail wagging and ears perked. Daisy

hears the trees rustling in the wind, feels the breeze across her face, and sees endless fields of

luscious grass. She starts playing fetch with Mrs. Carter and the children and is enjoying the

affection she is getting from everyone. She finally feels like she is a part of the family again and

is so happy to see her old friends. Although Daisy is enjoying the attention, she can’t help but

notice Scout doesn’t seem to be having a good time. Scout looks scared of the other dogs and

isn’t being his usual playful self. Daisy begins to feel that she has been too hard on Scout and

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pretending like she is still the only dog of the house isn’t fair to everyone else. She realizes she

should work on her jealousy and teach Scout everything he needs to know. Daisy brings a toy

over to Scout and starts playing with him. Scout can’t believe how nice Daisy is being and is

eager to become best friends. Daisy shows Scout around the dog park and even introduces him to

her friends. The family is happy to finally see them getting along and they hope it continues.

After a long day of playing at the dog park, Scout and Daisy are exhausted and ready to go home

and take a long nap on their plush beds.

A few days have gone by since the dog park and Daisy is still making the effort to work on her

friendship with Scout. She even has returned his bed and given back his toys that she hid around

the house. They spend a lot of time running around in the backyard together and Daisy is

teaching Scout everything a puppy needs to know. Daisy realizes that this new addition to the

family isn’t so bad after all and she should never have been so mean. The Carter’s are relieved to

see Daisy and Scout spending time together. Mrs. Carter joyfully exclaims, “they couldn’t be

more inseparable! I love seeming the two of them do everything together.”

The Carter family celebrates this new-found friendship with another family movie night. The

smell of hot cocoa and popcorn fills the room; the fire is crackling and keeping everybody warm.

Daisy and scout are snuggling next to the fire, falling asleep together- a new doggy paradise

Daisy never expected.