A Tale of Three Little Dogs

...There once was a little dog who belonged to one little boy. It was a gift from his great-grandmother, given to him on Valentine's Day when he was two. It was white, had a red collar and a heart on his eye. The poor dog was left alone for awhile, but one day, out of the blue, this little boy found it and it became his wonderful friend. He would sleep with it, take it places, and yes, sometimes even lose it. Most of the time, thank goodness, Little Dog would be found.

The little boy's mommy, thinking one day Little Dog would be lost for good, decided to order two more on the wonderful world wide web, just in case they needed a replacement. If not, she thought it would be a great gift for the little boy when he grew up and had children himself. (The mommy is such a nostalgic cheese ball sometimes.)

So, for two years, Little Dog would accompany Little Boy everywhere. Some nights the parents would look high and low for it, because, apparently, it really liked to play hide and go seek. One night, however, it could not be found. After searching for many minutes, the mommy decided to go get one of the replacements. Knowing she could not pull off "Here is Little Dog!" because he was so new and white (and Original Little Dog was no longer white--maybe a grey?) she said he was Little Dog's cousin. Little Boy agreed that Cousin Dog could stay.

A few days later, Little Dog came back. Much rejoicing was had at Little Boy's household. But, now, what to do with Cousin Dog? Never fear, Little Brother was here to take Cousin Dog, now named Little Dog, and love him like his own.

Two years later, two boys are growing up and, surprisingly, still love two Little Dogs. Not-quite-so-Little-Anymore-Boy isn't so attached anymore but still sleeps with his Little Dog. Growing-up-to-fast-Little Brother really loves his Little Dog. Unfortunately (did you see this coming?), one day, in the not so distant past, Little Brother's Little Dog decided to play hide and go seek himself. No one could find him. So, out came the Third Little Dog, looking new and white. This time, mommy said that this was her Little Dog, but Little Brother could borrow it until his Little Dog could be found. She asked that he take good care of it (because mommy still had her dreams of giving it to Little Boy and his child someday).

One month later, Second Little Dog was found stuffed in a shoe basket. Not-so-Careful-Little Brother rejoiced and gave mommy back "her" Little Dog. Unfortunately, the third Little Dog will no longer be given as a gift because his little nose has remnants of blue Spongebob band-aids that won't quite come all the way off.

Sigh.

And they all live happily ever after. Or at least until Little Dog or Little Dog decides to hide again.

The end.