The Doggy Divas: Roxy’s Rules by Lauren Brown Page B

commanded. She was wearing a yellow-and-blue kimono that was too short. Roxy tried to keep her focus on Mrs. Goldman’s face. “Roxy, you’re a lifesaver. He’s been going nuts ever since Carla decided to strike. The whole thing is just a mess!”
    Roxy stood there paralyzed with fear. Standing on all fours, Tyler was almost as tall as she was and probably weighed twice as much. Her dream seemed to be coming true as a real-life nightmare. This dog was going to drag her all over the neighborhood!
    â€œUm, no problem, Mrs. Goldman,” Roxy said brightly and hoped Mrs. Goldman couldn’t hear her heart pounding through her chest. “I’m going to pick up the other dogs for a nice little walk, and I’ll bring him back as soon as possible.”
    â€œRoxy, dear, is Chloe one of the dogs you’ll be walking this morning?”
    Roxy nodded but couldn’t understand why in the world Mrs. Goldman would care.
    â€œOkay, well, no problem, but just make sure that they’re separated. Don’t let them walk side by side, and you’ll be fine.”
    Roxy’s eyes widened as she grabbed Tyler’s leash. He was sweet at first and actually let Roxy take the lead. But when they approached Chloe’s house, Tyler began whimpering in fear and refused to budge. Finally Roxy managed to drag him up to the door, where she knocked lightly.
    â€œWho is it?” asked a high-pitched voice.
    â€œIt’s Roxy Davis with the Doggy Divas!” Roxy sang. “Is Chloe ready for her walk?”
    The door swung open, and a tiny Pomeranian bounced outside. Her owner, Mrs. Rogers, scooped her up before she got too far.
    â€œOh, look, Chloe! Tyler is here—you have a friend for your walk!” Mrs. Rogers cooed.
    Tyler whimpered, and Roxy started to panic. Tyler was a giant in comparison to little Chloe, so why was he so scared of this little puff of white fluff?
    â€œRoxy, you take good care of my sweet little princess!” Mrs. Rogers begged. “Chloe, you be a good girl for Roxy, and Mommy will have a treatie-weatie waiting for you when you get back!”
    The minute Mrs. Rogers closed the door, angelic little Chloe turned into an evil little devil—with her sights set on tormenting poor Tyler. Chloe growled and nipped at Tyler’s feet. At first, Roxy thought it was funny to watch such a little dog intimidate a giant one. But when she broke a nail trying to keep them apart, she stopped laughing.
    Roxy barely managed to drag them along to pick up Precious and Horton. After that, it was better having two dogs between to keep Tyler and Chloe separated. But the next stop was Liz’s house, and Roxy couldn’t let Liz see that she was having any problem controlling the dogs. Roxy needed Kim’s expertise and texted her in a panic. How was she going to get Tyler and Chloe to follow her commands before arriving at Liz’s house?
    To: Kim
    From: Roxy
    â€œSOS! Dogs won’t behave!. Can’t let Liz see! Help!”
    Roxy waited a few minutes, but there was no response from Kim. Closing her eyes, Roxy let her mind go blank.Then she inhaled deeply from her belly—just like she had watched her mom do when she practiced yoga in the living room.
    I need to get zen—stat!
    Roxy opened her eyes and pretended that a pair of invisible hands were pushing her up the front walk to the Crafts’ mansion. Roxy was overwhelmed with pangs of nostalgia. She had spent so much time there over the years that the house had practically become her second home.
    And now, she and Liz were like strangers, Roxy thought sadly as she rang the doorbell and prayed Mrs. Craft would come to the door instead of Liz.
    The Crafts’ doorbell played a high-pitched melody that lasted until the front door swung open. The noise was too much for Chloe, Tyler, Precious, and Horton to bear, and they all started howling and crying while trying desperately to run away. Roxy had