12 Dog Days of Christmas Page #4

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make my Christmas.

Come on.

Hey, thanks a lot, man.

Yeah, don't mention it.

'Tis the season for giving

and all that mushy stuff.

Yeah, right.

So what's your name, kid?

Frankie.

Hi, Frankie, I'm Jack,

nice to meet you.

Yeah, I know.

I was always afraid

to talk to you before.

But what you did

was really nice.

Well, you know, next time,

I might not be here

to help you.

What you need, my friend,

is some real protection

'cause those bullies

are gonna be back.

What do you suggest?

Well, my friend, Frankie,

that is a fantastic question.

Frankie, meet Titus.

(dog barking)

Aw... buddy.

I'll take him.

(dog barking)

Good boy, good boy.

Very good, very good.

Well, have a Merry Christmas

to you too.

Hey, Blair.

Hey!

How are you?

I'm good, how about you?

It's good to see you.

Listen, I just came by

to check on Jack.

He's been great,

he's been helping us

clean up this place and helping

the last dogs get adopted.

Really?

And actually,

He came up with an idea

for a doggie adoption day

at the community center.

Well, what do you know?

I actually have

a juvenile probationer

who's doing exactly

what he was asked to do.

Will wonders never cease?

Honestly, I think the dogs

are finally getting to him.

Well, that's fantastic.

Well, I guess

I didn't have any cause

to worry about anything.

I'll see you soon, huh?

Yeah, I'll see you

at Christmas.

You better--

all right, honey.

Bye.

Bye.

before your parents split up.

Yeah, I did.

Her name was Jessie.

She was a big, beautiful

collie just like Lassie.

What happened?

My dad moved into an apartment

that didn't allow dogs,

so I had to keep

Jessie at my mom's

new boyfriend's house.

One morning,

he was late for work.

He didn't know

I let Jessie out.

He hit her from behind

with his car.

Mom came in, took his side,

saying he didn't mean to do it

and it was probably my fault.

I still can't talk to her.

Why are you so much

into dogs?

What's not to like

about a dog?

They're endlessly loyal,

always in a great mood.

Huh, Petunia?

They never,

ever leave you.

Hey, look,

I got an idea.

Almost.

I heard that you're helping

to find homes

for animals

down at the shelter.

It's better

than roadside cleanup.

So you are using

your unique powers

of persuasion

for good this time.

Does it really matter?

Well, if you're getting

something from it,

I guess not, but are

you getting something from it?

I don't really

think about it.

Well, you know, Jack,

you're almost an adult now.

Maybe you should start

thinking about it.

Sounds like you need

to retire, Art,

because you've obviously

gone off your rocker.

Well, you know, Jack,

maybe I'll just do that.

Um, do you think

you could give me

some Christmas cash?

Christmas cash?

What do you need cash for?

You've got

a roof over your head.

You've got clothes

on your back.

You've got food to eat.

Oh, wait a minute,

wait a minute.

Is this about that girl?

(laughs)

No, it's... personal.

Really?

Okay, then, Jack,

let's get personal.

Okay.

I was going to get

some Christmas presents

for the little guys...

probably going-away presents.

All right, Jack.

I'll see what I can do.

How's the writing going?

You never told me

what you write about.

They're just kinda

short stories, you know?

All fiction?

Yeah, mostly.

Any good?

I don't know.

Uh, I guess not.

You're pretty smart,

they can't be that bad.

(sighs)

Maybe you should

treat your stories

like you treat the dogs--

With a little bit

of positive thinking,

you could write something

really great.

You think?

Yeah.

Isn't that right, Petunia?

So, you know, I talked

with Jack yesterday.

Yeah?

How is he?

Well, you know, I think

the community service

is really making him think

about things from

a different perspective.

I think that he's really

trying this time.

Finally.

Well, I'll be.

You know, maybe

all your meetings with him

over the years

are finally starting to stick.

Mm, I can't tell.

But you know,

that kid sure does remind me

of why I got into this business

in the first place.

Did you tell him

about your retirement plans

after the holidays yet?

No.

I've been trying to figure out

a way to tell him.

Hasn't come to me yet, though.

Well, honey...

there's no easy way,

just the right way

and the right time.

And that time is now.

What would I do

without you?

(both laugh)

Whoo! Oh, yeah!

All right, guys,

let's get out of here.

And when your jaw

drops to the floor

(sighs)

So I heard you guys

were having some people over

to see if they might want

to adopt you this week?

Sounds like you might

have a new mommy and daddy

before Christmas.

If they adopt us,

does that mean

we won't ever see

our real mom ever again?

Well, maybe,

but these new parents

will be your new mommy

and daddy.

But I still love

my mommy.

I know,

I love my mom too.

Our moms are nice,

but they're just not good

at being moms full-time.

Like Trevor's not good

at his math?

(both laugh)

Hey, I'm getting better,

right, Jack?

Yep, you are,

and we're gonna work at it

until you get great.

Will the new parents be nice

to me and Tony?

I'm sure they will.

Cool.

I also heard

that they're looking

for good, little boys,

so you just have to show them

how good you are.

Like with Santa?

Yes, exactly.

Now, do you guys remember

what I told you to say

to parents

that might adopt you?

Yes.

My name is Trevor,

and I am a very good boy.

And this is Tony.

I won't say cute,

but he's smart.

(laughs)

Brilliant--

okay, your turn, Tony.

I'm Tony, and it's

a pleasure to meet me.

Even better

than I taught you,

but you might want to say

"you" next time, okay?

You guys might

just have parents

before Christmas.

(dog barks)

Jack Whitley.

Long time, no see,

young man.

This is sure unexpected,

but merry Christmas to you.

Who's your little

friend there?

Oh, this is Clementine.

She yours?

For the time being at least.

So, um, what's up?

How is everything?

Good-- not too bad,

I guess.

You staying out

of trouble these days?

At least trying to.

How's your new foster family?

Eh, not too bad.

How's Molly?

Molly?

Oh, she's great.

Enjoying junior high.

That's actually why I'm here

today, to be honest.

Why's that?

Well, uh, I was

just remembering

back to when you were

fostering me

and how you'd

always get on my case,

but you were

really forgiving...

you and Molly both.

And I was just thinking

I treated you guys really bad,

and I really just feel

awful about it.

I thought maybe

I'd give you a thank-you gift

for being a positive

influence on my life.

Okay.

Molly was always

so inspiring to me,

and Clementine needs

some inspiration,

e specially right now

in her life.

You brought us

a three-legged dog?

Oh, yeah, I guess.

Kinda-- I mean, no offense.

I just thought--

Jack, look.

I'm sure Molly would love

to have a dog,

but it's a huge commitment.

I don't know if we can

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