Samantha's Talent by Darrell Bain, Robyn Pass Page B

growing up.
    ***
    Betty opened the door just wide enough to let Samantha inside. She saw the dachshund Tuffy just behind her, probably waiting to streak past her and get outside, she thought. At the sight of Shufus, however, Tuffy backed away with a low growl. Shufus looked up at Samantha for direction.
    "It's okay, Shufus," she said. "I don't think he really wants to fight. His name is Tuffy. Betty, is it okay if Shufus comes inside?"
    "So long as he won't pee on the carpet or fight with Tuffy, I guess so. Be careful, though. He might bite."
    "It's alright, Tuffy. Shufus doesn't want to fight you or hurt your people. And Shufus, be nice. We're guests here," Samantha said. The belligerent little dachshund stopped growling. He sat back on his haunches and cocked his head at an angle, clearly puzzled at the new human child who could talk to him and have him understand.
    She and Shufus entered the small home. Samantha immediately caught the smell of animal waste. It was just as Betty had said. Tuffy had been going inside the house. She went over to Tuffy and bent down to rub his ears. "There, doesn't that feel good?"
    Tuffy closed his eyes for a moment then opened them in order to sniff noses with Shufus, who had joined her. The two dogs exchanged doggie greetings in the manner of strangers meeting of the first time but there was no animus, not with Samantha soothing Tuffy's resentment of strangers entering his home.
    Betty joined them and soon all four were seated on the floor playing. In a moment Betty asked, "Can you really stop him from doing his business inside the house? He's got a big back yard but Dad doesn't want him to go out there unless he's on a leash and he doesn't like to do anything when he's restrained."
    "I'll try," Samantha said. "Come on, Tuffy, let's go outside. But you have to promise not to run away. Okay?"
    "Erf. Woof." Tuffy made other doggie noises of agreement and promised to stay. Samantha clearly understood him, just as Tuffy had comprehended what she said to him.
    "We can go outside now. He won't run away."
    "Are you sure?" Betty asked doubtfully.
    "Uh huh. Come on. Come, Shufus. Come, Tuffy."
    In the back yard she talked to Tuffy and led him to a far corner of the yard. "Now, Tuffy, this is where you should go. Shufus, show him so I'll be sure he understands."
    Obediently, Shufus cocked his leg and urinated a small amount.
    "See, Tuffy? If you go here, the big human and your little human won't be mad at you. You're not supposed to go in the house."
    She and Betty stayed outside for a bit longer then went back in. The two dogs played together while they did some homework, then Samantha looked at her watch.
    "I have to go home now but let's take Tuffy outside one more time to make sure."
    The little dog followed the girls and Shufus happily. It was nice to be understood and to be able to make a human understand him. He used the backyard as a potty again.
    "Good dog, Tuffy. Now when you need to go, you bark or scratch at the door so the humans will know you have to go outside. And don't run away any more. Okay?"
    "Woof!" Tuffy barked. Sammie heard it as Yes. Be good dog.
    Tuffy asked if Samantha and Shufus would come again.
    "We'll come back, Tuffy. Now you be a good dog."
    "Woof!" Be good.
    ***
    Samantha and her classmates were surprised the next day. Just before the last class was dismissed the teacher, Ms. Smithers, made an announcement. "Class, every year the school schedules two field trips in order to help you learn about the city of Lufkin and some of its facilities. The Saturday after this coming weekend we would like to take you to the zoo." She paused and smiled as a buzz of excitement overcame the students, causing them to momentarily forget the no talking without permission, then she continued. "However, we will need some adults for chaperones to make sure you stay together and help me in other ways while we're there. Now I'm going to hand out permission slips for you to take home. It has