based on @adreama-writes prompts:
"Congratulations on your outstanding achievement" & "It has been, he thinks, the loveliest day." :
"Congratulations on your outstanding achievement"
David eyed Pez as if he were a stranger. He opted to turn his back on his master's best friend, gravitating instead towards Philip, who was savoring an ice cream.
"No, David, you'll have none, by your master's command," Philip declared with utmost composure, waving a small hand to shoo him away. He wasn't foolish; he wanted no part in incurring his brother's wrath.
Pez decided on a new tack. Weaving through the guests, he strode purposefully towards the barbecue. Discretely, he procured a piece of bacon. Half-hidden by a chair, he bent low, luring David with the strip of bacon. Holding it beneath the dog's nose, he repeated, "Sit!"
No success. Not even after yielding a piece which David devoured with lightning speed.
A small shadow drew near Pez.
"My dad said we can't feed David, or Uncle Henry won't be happy," Albert whispered into Pez's ear, who merely shrugged and pressed on with his bribery attempts.
It wasn't until the very last bit of bacon that David finally consented to sit.
At that, Pez's joy erupted, and his gaze met Nora's, who had observed the entire scene from her reclined deckchair. Raising her glass, she saluted Pez. " Congratulations on your outstanding achievement!" she lauded, adopting her most jaded air.
For all reply, Pez merely stuck out his tongue, under the watchful eye of little Albert, who promptly mimicked him.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*++*+*+*
"It has been, he thinks, the loveliest day."
Henry sighed with relief as they closed the door on the last of their guests. It was a rare occurrence for nearly the entire family to gather under their roof at once, and this time, even his brother, Martha, and little Albert had graced them with their presence.
It has been, he thinks, the loveliest day, and it had utterly exhausted him.
Before collapsing onto the sofa, he resolved to feed David. The poor dog hadn't eaten since morning; he must be famished. He poured the kibble into the bowl. Nothing. No David in sight.
He found him stretched out on the living room rug, at Alex's feet. He was snoring, not so much as twitching an ear. "That's odd, I just poured his kibble and he's not reacting..." He moved closer to his dog, observing him more closely. "I hope there's nothing wrong with him..."
Alex then began to chuckle.
"I wouldn't worry about him... Your nephew confessed that Pez gave him bacon. Like a lot."
Henry rolled his eyes. Pez was incorrigible, forever attempting to corrupt his dog ever since David had decided he preferred listening to Alex over Pez, a preference that had been clear from their very first meeting.
