#elsewhere

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Chablis turns smartly, sits, shakes, rolls over, and then sits up with her little paws in the air, obeying Gwen's every command as her owner watches in astonishment.

"Are you sure this is My Dog? And not some clever lookalike?"

"Chablis is feeling MUCH better after the dental work" Gwen explains, but she is proud

"Also, she wants to use some of that energy up in a healthy way. Dogs vary in trainablity, but if you make it fun and rewarding, they are often eager to please. Just... remember , her diet changes."

Gwen pets Chablis after her display.

"But surely she can still have beluga caviar? It's her favorite, and she looks so darling eating off the tiny pearl spoon..."

A sneeze from Ivan, one might almost think he was laughing. But of course dogs don't laugh, right?

A side look at her lovable but opinionated fur friend, then she says "Here's what the Vet said.." She quotes and even shows a note "SOmetimes we want things that are bad for us."

A huff, and she pleads, "But maybe sometimes as a treat?"

Chablis wags her little floofy tail. She knows the word TREAT

"Can you, for Chablis sake, keep it to once a week? Just one?" She suggests.

Dogs are easier to handle than people

A delighted look. "You hear that, Bli-Bli?" Cooing to the dog, and she scoops up Chablis into a hug and smooches her head.

"How can I ever thank you enough? I had no idea my darling was suffering."

"Well, you paid me for my services and trusted me. That's all I can ask but if you know anyone else who needs a good dog trainer, please reccomend?"

"Oh, I know! You simply MUST come work at the boutique where I bought my little darling. You would be very well compensated and it's so close to my summer home, you can come work with Chablis whenever we need a touch-up! Just down in Syracuse."

She blinks at this offer

"I'd have to think about it" She admits "I have some other obligations"

A pout. "Well, the offer stands. And I will recommend you to all of my friends."

"I thank you for that Mrs. Eclat" She says, then pets Chablis again.

Chablis wags her tail, and then bites Gwen. Just a nip, not breaking the skin (even her mortal skin). Figures. Lil' dogs gonna lil dog.

A sigh. Trust a little dog to humble you

With that, Mrs. Eclat and her pampered poochie are on their way!

"That was very well handled." Comments Joe, the owner of the training studio, and Gwen's supervisor - AFTER the customers have left. "I'd have been tempted to boot the little dog like a football." But good-natured.

"Oh, I admit, not my favorite dog" She pets Ivan to make it clear "But Chablis had reason to be cranky with those mouth problems. Another week and I might have gotten her better still"

"If I didn't know Mister Lowell as well as I do, I'd be tempted to try to hire you away from him. But unlike THAT one, " He nods at the Mercedes with the custom plate that reads "CHABLIS" pulling out of the parking lot, "I don't have the funds to back up a coup against the likes of him."

He grins to Gwen. "In any case, you've passed your dog trainer certifications with flying colors. What do you plan on doing now?"

Gwen laughs lightly, she doesn't tell Joe that if he did try to steal her away, he might end up the victim of a free for all with enough arts to render him a puppet to the Baron, "Well, Mom wants me to get some credits at a Community College just to see if I develop other interests. But I think Dog Training is in my future. I like dogs and I think I'm good at it. I wouldn't mind learning to train rescue dogs and seeing eye dogs. That would be.. a source of pride and maybe pay it forward on the community, you know? "

He nods, but adds, "That's a right noble cause, but you best take care of yourself as well. There are programs and grants, but most of that work is volunteer or poorly funded. That's why joe-schmoe's like me end up catering to bigwigs with precious poodles, it pays the bills."

"Yeah" SHe admits "Mom said something about that's why she wanted me to get an associates." Indeed, Gladiola had thought it a bit odd, that her mom, a BOGGAN, had made a fuss about providing for yourself "I think she just worries about me. But you have a point. Besides, the little poodle mixes aren't bad. I just cringe when they act like a designer dog is a pure breed. I mean, ladies, nothing wrong with mutts, but that, that is a mutt."

Joe laughs, a hearty belly laugh, "Well, you've seen my bumper sticker." Jerking a thumb towards the van used for transporting dogs.

"College is a great option, but not for everyone. Heck, I didn't even manage to get through high school, the curriculum just didn't mesh with my mental energy. But here I am, I got my GED and own my own business." Proud. "That is to say, pick the path that's right for you."

She gives a toothy grin at the van's sign. She liked it the first time and still does now.

"Thanks, Joe, and... don't get a swelled head, but you're kind of a rolemodel"

He chuckles and reaches over to give Ivan an ear-rumple. "Well, you're always welcome back if you want to drop in on any of my classes. Just don't YOU get stuck up if you end up with a fancy-pants degree."

"Oh don't worry, I've got a friend who maybe short, but she'd give me down the road if I lorded over her." She thinks of Thistle. Nockers can be annoyingly humbling

He chuckles. "Gotta keep one or two of those around." Joe agrees.

"is that why you and your wife got together?" Playfully "So you'd have someone to remind you you're mortal?"

He laughs! "No, Denise just got tired of me asking her out so she eventually said yes just to shut me up! And here we are, 15 years."

"Yeah" She envies that, but in a good way "Perseverance wins"

Joe will chat for a while yet, before providing her with the promised certifications. "You'll be able to download copies online as well. All said and done, this basically means you can get a job working for pretty much any trainer. I know you mentioned starting your own place? Well, that takes capital and guts, but maybe you'll make it there one day. Heck, if I managed it, anyone can."

"Thanks, Joe." She shakes his hand, after taking his certificates "Hope to see you around. I can't wait to tell mom"

And she heads off to do just that, Ivan at her side.

And she's off! Back to Silverwolf, or wherever her feet take her!

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