Woof[/@ch_1], a well-groomed mongrel with a posh air, dances around Timothy’s feet in anticipation.] "Come on, come on, Timothy! Let’s go to the shops, hurry up, come on, the shops!" Timothy, a distracted but well-meaning boy of twelve, shouts up the stairs, his hand gripping the leash. "Mom, I am taking Woof to the shops!" A muffled reply floats down from Mother, his mother, who is always concerned for Woof’s safety. "Ok, make sure you tie her up securely!"

Woof[/@ch_1] paces by a sturdy streetlamp, her nose twitching with excitement and curiosity.] "Hey Timothy, how many of those shiny things did Grandma give you? What are we getting from the shops? Tell me it’s strips of meat in a foil wrapper, no, no, tell me it’s cheese strings and cheese triangles, tell me it’s something gooood?!" "Woof, Nanny gave me some pocket money to buy whatever I want. I’m going to buy cheese strings, pepperoni, and bread to make a sandwich!" "Yippee, I knew you would get cheese strings. Oh, a butterfly!" Timothy kneels down, securing Woof’s leash with care. "Now Woof, I am going to tie you up here outside the shops. No yelping—be good, I’ll be back in a minute." "Ok, go get my pepperami and maybe a brown stick of chocolate, I know they aren’t good for me but please, oh please, get me a treat!" "Woof, no yelping, be good. Back in a minute." The automatic doors slide shut behind Timothy, leaving Woof surrounded by the blur of shoppers.

Woof[/@ch_1]’s tail droops with each passing minute.] "Boy dog wee, yuck, boy wee. You could tie me somewhere without wee, Timothy? Ooh, who is this, a new guy?" A scruffy, confident mutt lumbers by, tail wagging, nose twitching. Pound Dog, a recent arrival to the neighborhood, halts beside the lamp post. "Hi Gorgeous! I’m new around here, just got out of the pound three weeks ago. These people, Grandma and Uncle Pete, have had me quarantined. I’ve been dying to see the new neighborhood." "Great, a Pound Dog," Woof mutters, eyeing him warily but with a hint of curiosity. "Oh, hello," she offers politely as he sniffs her rear. "Excuse me, I am a Lady."

Woof[/@ch_1] sits quietly now, her eyes searching the glass doors, ears pricked for any sign of Timothy.] Shoppers pass, some offering a sympathetic glance, others pausing to scratch Woof behind the ears. But none are her boy. Distant laughter and the scent of food waft from inside, but time feels heavy, stretching on and on. "Did you forget me, Timothy? Have you gone home without me? Maybe you traded me for cheese strings," Woof wonders, her worry growing with every tick of the clock.

Timothy[/@ch_2] is caught up in conversation with Helen, his friend, as they wander from shop to shop. The bright lights and endless shelves are a world away from the lonely streetlamp outside.] "So, what did you get with your pocket money?" "Cheese strings, pepperoni, bread—oh no. Woof!" Sudden panic flashes across Timothy’s face as he realizes how long he’s been gone. He abandons his shopping bags, racing for the exit, heart thudding with guilt and worry. The automatic doors whoosh open, spilling golden light onto the sidewalk.

Woof[/@ch_1] lifts her head as Timothy bursts out of the mall, calling her name. Relief floods her eyes; her tail wags like a banner.] "Woof! I’m so sorry, girl, I didn’t mean to leave you so long. I got distracted, but I’ll never forget you again, promise!" "I knew you’d come back for me, Timothy. Next time, maybe just cheese strings and no girlfriends, please." Timothy kneels to untie Woof, hugging her tight, the bond between boy and dog stronger than ever beneath the fading daylight.