Please let this be a bad dream...

Mom's mood has just been ruined for the day and the rest of the week.

Why? It looks like Orbit and Kariba's family is going away next weekend for a short trip, so could she please watch them again, if it's not too much to ask?

You have got to be kidding! Again? After 20 days of being followed by a wet nose and bad breath, drowning in dog hair, picking up mounds of poop and walking three dogs in 110 degree weather, mom has had her fill of furry creatures and is even considering getting rid of me.

When mom went to cry on dad's shoulder, he simply shrugged and said, "What's the big deal? They're dogs; just leave them out in the backyard the whole time."

Clearly, this man would never qualify as a PETA spokesperson.

So, now, mom's hitting her head on the wall, frustrated at her inability to say No to a good friend, while little Kuki's toddling around saying, "Awbit, Keeba, Awbit, Keeba, do poo-poo pee-pee carpet."

At this point, even the geckos on the back wall are beginning to look more attractive to mom.

They're low maintenance, right?