Dr. Dolittle and the walk

"Oh ho!" said Dr. Dolittle, "Who would like to accompany me for a stroll around the lake?"

Wild Thing sat upright, some stuffing from the toy giraffe falling from her muzzle.  She was perched on the fireplace ledge because M., the maid, had been mopping.  

"I would like to swim and chase the ducks," she mused.  "But I don't know how to swim, and the ducks might quack very loudly, so is it worth the scary car ride?"

"Oh, well," she continued aloud.  "I'll come if Harry and Mommy are coming."

Ellie, her mom, certainly was going to go to the lake.  Why, the lake was her favorite walk of all.  Lying in the water, even cold as it was this time of year, refreshed her greatly.  Any day now, one of those ducks would swim right at her, and she'd catch it and squeak it, just like she used to do with her favorite toy that Woody and Toby pulled apart so long ago.

Toby pranced and danced around Dr. Dolittle's striped pants.  He pawed the freshly ironed crease.  

"Now!  Are we going now? Or is this one of those plans for two hours from now which I am to anticipate and remind you of?  I shall swim in the icy water, for that is what I do!"

In the midst of all this excitement, Harry, Wild Thing's shaggy brother, cocked his head to one side and then another.  Car rides were getting familiar, and the lake was quite enjoyable, really, if one were to walk on the leash in the right direction and not get confused and pulled.  However, it was rather tight in the back seat with just him and Toby.  Where would Mommy and Wild Thing sit?  He recalled the last truck ride, in which he had tumbled off and been forced to finish the journey beneath the seat.  It was just a bit uncomfortable, and Dr. Dolittle had exclaimed, upon opening the door, "Poor Harry!  What are you doing under there?"

Nevertheless, Harry was game to try it again.  Perhaps Toby would be invited to ride in the front seat.  Then he and his sister could have more room in back with Mom.  Yes, that would be the ticket!

Meanwhile, Woody, who shuddered at the thought of riding in an automobile of any sort, studied the floor.  If he did not meet Dr. Dolittle's eyes, he could convince himself that he was brave, and simply forgotten.  Yes, avoiding eye contact was the key.  He was sure the doctor would notice the quaver in his voice if he made some excuse.

"So, we'll work on the computer a bit, talk with grandmama on the telephone, and be off by 10," Dr. Dolittle said cheerfully.

Just as Toby has feared.  A two hour wait.  Ah well, there were five of them now.  Always something to do in the meantime.   He led the parade outdoors and broke into a gallop when he heard a squirrel scold.  

The squirrel, who's name was Sadie, said, "Oh you hooo!  Dr. Doo-little!  You've forgotten to fill the bird feeder!"

The doctor was an absent minded man, but luckily, he could understand every single word the animals spoke.  Clear as a bell.  Truth be told, he was becoming a bit odd....