Jasmine’s Big Idea

Doggie Drama

The next day, Jasmine invites her best friends, Keiko Hayashi and Sofia Davis, to her house. They kick around a soccer ball in the backyard. Sofia joined the neighborhood soccer team the year before, and likes to show off her moves. Sofia gently kicks the ball around and runs her foot over the top. Jasmine and Keiko chase after it. But it’s harder than it looks, and they topple over each other onto the ground. Laughing, Sofia helps them to their feet.

Just then, a sandy-colored creature barrels across the yard and jumps into Keiko’s lap. It’s Jasmine’s dachshund, Cookie. Crying for help, Keiko covers her face to protect it from the licking dog. Jasmine pulls Cookie off her friend. Ever since they adopted him from the shelter, Cookie has been the liveliest member of the Arroyo family. So far, Jasmine’s been teaching him how to sit, stay, and shake, but she’s still working on shoe-chewing and jumping.

Keiko glances warily at Cookie. She gets nervous around dogs. When her friends express concern, she responds that she was just surprised; she’ll be okay. Keiko explains that it’s mostly bigger dogs like German shepherds, but even tiny ones still scare her sometimes.

Sofia gently says that many people are afraid of dogs. She tosses one of her reddish-brown braids over her shoulder. Keiko just needs more time to get used to them. When Keiko asks if she can just avoid them completely, Jasmine answers that if she did, she’d miss out on all the good things about them, too. Playing fetch, cuddling, happy dog kisses, and the joy Cookie has whenever Jasmine comes home from school.

It’s just like the rescued cats at the shelter. At first, they’re nervous around people, but eventually they’ll eat out of a persons’ hand. Someday, Keiko will love dogs.