Carlos Walks a Dog

Carlos the Boogerhead was on his way to Alfonso’s house when Mr. Pedigree yelled out to him, “Carlos, do you have a minute?”

Carlos smiled and walked across the street, “Sure, Mr. Pedigree.”

Mr. Pedigree smiled, “I was wondering if you would mind walking March.”

Carlos agreed, and Mr. Pedigree thanked him and grabbed the leash. Shortly later, he comes back with a dog the size of a horse. “Just around the park and back would be fine, Carlos. Thank you.”

Carlos took the leash and walked March to Alfonso Fonzio’s house, who was washing his car, like he does every Friday morning. “Hey Carlos. What are you doing with March?”

“Mr. Pedigree asked me to walk him,” Carlos explained. “We’re going to the park. Did you want to come?”

“Sure,” Alfonso said, tossing his sponge in the bucket. “Let’s go.”

Carlos and Alfonso turned the corner and walked into the neighborhood park. Children were playing on the monkey bars and the swings, eyes wide open when Carlos walked the horse, er dog, past.

“That sure is a big dog,” a seven year old boy said bravely before running away.

Carlos agreed that March was a big dog. He felt the pull of the leash as March wanted to sprint and play. But, Carlos held on tight as they walked past the see-saws, the flowers, the trees, the…

MEOW! HISS!

March’s ears shot up and bolted, dragging Carlos behind him. Carlos ran and ran faster than he has even run before as March tore into the bushes, through be flowers, around the see saw. Carlos watched as they got closer and closer to the children on the swing set and imagined running into them. “No March, NO!”

March didn’t listen. He kept running. The cat he was chasing saw his chance and jumped over the swing. Carlos closed his eyes as he saw the swing get closer and closer until he heard a loud, piercing whistle.

“March! No! Bad boy!” Alfonso called. Suddenly, March stopped and whimpered as he watched the cat scurry away up in a tree. Carlos collapsed on the ground and watched Alfonso take the leash from his hand. “I guess Mr. Pedigree didn’t tell you March likes to chase cats.”

“N…n…no,” Carlos said breathlessly.

“We better take March home. He’s had enough fun for one day.”

Carlos nodded and got up. As they walked home, Alfonso showed Carlos how to stop March from chasing cats the next time. When they reached Mr. Pedigree’s house, Alfonso handed Carlos the leash and Carlos brought March to the door. Mr. Pedigree opened the door and smiled at his happy dog that walked through the door. “Thank you so much, Carlos. Did you two have fun?”

Carlos didn’t know what to say, so he nodded and handed Mr. Pedigree the leash.

“Maybe you can take March on a walk again sometime,” Mr. Pedigree said.

Carlos nodded slower, “Maybe.”

Mr. Pedigree told Carlos to wait and came back with a crisp five dollar bill. Carlos gladly took it and met Alfonso back on the sidewalk. “Well, I got five dollars. Guess I can get some candy. Want to come?”

“I can’t, Carlos. Maybe next time.”

Carlos pocketed the money. “Ok! See you Friday.”