Maddy had finally had enough of her imperceptive, cotton-stuffed sidekick. “You are not to make any more decisions,” she admonished. “Capisce?”

“This whole trip has been one pitfall after another” Maddy vented, prolonging her lecture. “That ‘litter box’ was a hydraulic garbage truck, our ‘hotel’ was a kill shelter, and that flea dip??? They literally dipped us in fleas! And now you’ve got the IRS on my tail!”

“Relax,” consoled Otto. “You said a tax man could fix things and this guy’s the best there is. He’s worked with my family for years. He won’t ask any questions and he’ll get right to work. You won’t even have to say anything. Trust me!”

Relieved, but cautious, Maddy head-nudged her well-meaning companion as the waiting room door opened.

“Okay,” a humorless, bespectacled human queried. “Who’s next?”

“That would be me,” replied Maddy as she jumped down to the floor.

Otto waited back as the human ushered Maddy away and closed the door. He flashed a bright smile, content that he had, once again, helped his friend.

“Yup!  Best damn taxidermist in the state!”