[3/4]
The puppy loved the tall creature that she was bought for.
Sadie liked the dog that had moved in next door.
She liked the dog's human as well.
The dog had introduced herself as Cressida.
She was two years old.
Sadie liked her a lot.
She was more quiet than Sadie was and always well behaved.
They met each other through the gaps in the fence between their front gardens.
Sometimes Cressida's human - Eva - would be there too.
She would smile at the pair of them and reach her hand through the gap to stroke Sadie's soft fur.
Sadie would let her.
Her hands were different to Alyssa's - but welcome, all the same.
She gave Sadie the best treats as well.
When Eva wasn't there, Cressida would share her treats with Sadie.
She liked Cressida a lot.
Alyssa tolerated the fluffy abomination that her sister bought her as a house warming gift.
She always got up early to walk Sadie.
She clipped her dog's harness on before going down her usual route through the village.
She smiled as Sadie hurried her way through the park - sniffing at every tree and barking at every bird she saw.
Alyssa sat down on a bench nearby and unclipped Sadie's leash.
Sadie waited with her for a second, licking Alyssa's hands before she was off like a shot through the grass.
"I take it she likes it here."
Alyssa's head whipped around suddenly and she smiled shyly at Eva.
Cressida was at her side.
"Yes," She replied," She likes chasing the birds."
Eva nodded.
"May I sit with you?"
"Oh! Of course."
Eva smiled before she inclined her head to her dog.
"Cres," She said," Go play."
Cressida padded towards where Sadie was mucking around in the grass.
"She is very well trained," Alyssa commented.
"Yeah," Eva replied," My parents got her for me two years ago. I was up at MIT at the time so they made sure to train her for me. Her breed is known to be really smart so the extra stimulation is needed."
They talked for a while before Alyssa's phone started to vibrate - her alarm to end the walk so she could get to work.
She stood up and hollered for Sadie.
Eva stood as well.
"Cressida!"
Her dog was by her side in seconds with Sadie trailing after.
"Hey," Eva said, nervously biting her bottom lip," D'you want to, maybe, go out some time? Get a drink or something?"
"Yeah!"
Alyssa's voice went embarrassingly high.
Eva smiled at her.
"Excellent," She said," Come on, Cres, let's finish exploring."
Alyssa watched her go with a stupid smile on her face.
Sadie pawed at her ankle and Alyssa smiled down at her.
She crouched to the floor and allowed her puppy to lick all over her face.
"Yeah," She said," I know - the cute neighbour girl is actually into me."
Sadie barked at her happily and for once, Alyssa didn't care.
She put Sadie's leash back on and headed back home.
Alyssa liked the fluffy abomination that her sister bought her as a house warming gift.
The puppy loved the tall creature that she was bought for.
Alyssa came back from her date with Eva happy.
She walked in the front door.
She went straight to the sofa and screamed into one of the pillows in happiness.
Sadie wasn't usually allowed to be on the sofa but she jumped onto it without a care in the world.
Alyssa stroked her fur softly and she smiled.
"She is perfect," She whispered," Sadie - she is perfect."
Sadie's tail started to wag and she licked all over Alyssa's face.
Alyssa liked the fluffy abomination that her sister bought her as a house warming gift.
She hummed as she worked to clean up the living room.
Sadie was at her feet, following her around again.
She was almost a year old now and nearly full grown.
Alyssa didn't mind the way that Sadie followed her around.
She smiled as she bent down to rub behind her ears.
Sadie's tongue licked at her fingers in happiness.
Eva was coming around today - for the first time.
Alyssa had been to Eva's house countless times before but this was the first time that Eva was coming to hers.
She couldn't be more stressed but the comforting presence of Sadie was keeping her grounded.
"Okay," She said to herself as she smoothed out her clothes," I can do this. It is just Eva - just the prettiest girl in the world. I can do this."
The dog loved the tall creature that she was bought for.
Cressida and Eva had moved in with them.
Or, maybe, Sadie and Alyssa had moved in with them.
Either way, they had both abandoned their little cottages for a bigger house together on the outskirts of the village.
Sadie loved it, tail wagging as she explored with Cressida following behind her dutifully.
Eva and Alyssa were in the kitchen.
They were doing their silly human things again.
Touching their lips together.
Putting their hands in each others hair.
Sadie watched as Alyssa picked up Eva and placed her on the kitchen counter - murmuring something about 'christening the house'.
Cressida let out a huff from next to her and shepherded Sadie away.
They both knew to make themselves scarce when their humans got like that.
Alyssa liked the fluffy abomination that her sister bought her as a house warming gift.
She yawned slightly from her position on the sofa.
Cressida was lounging on the floor next to Eva's armchair and Sadie was curled up in her lap.
Eva was out for the night.
One of her friends - Julie, Ben's little sister - was in hospital and Eva had gone to visit her.
One of Alyssa's hands held a book while the other absentmindedly carded through her dog's soft fur.
Out of nowhere, Sadie started to whine and Alyssa hurriedly put the book down.
"Sadie," She called as she softly shook her dog awake," Come on, Sadie. It is just a dream - it is okay."
Sadie's eyes opened with another soft whine and she moved around on Alyssa's lap until she was staring at her owner.
"It is okay," Alyssa said again as her hand moved to gently pet Sadie again," It is okay."
Sadie rasped her tongue over Alyssa's face and she didn't bother to push her away.
Alyssa loved the fluffy abomination that her sister bought her as a house warming gift.
The dog loved the tall creature that she was bought for.
There was a small thing in Alyssa's arms and Sadie leapt onto the sofa to see what it was.
"Sadie," Alyssa said quietly," Meet Victoria."
The thing was sleeping and Sadie peered at it.
Cressida did the same from her other side.
It's small hand made a fist and it hit outwards - catching Cressida on the nose, making her sneeze.
Eva laughed as she arrived in the room, kissing Alyssa on the lips and the little thing on the head.
Sadie's tongue rolled out of her mouth as she watched her family.
She loved them all - the new little thing included.