short stack

The little dachshund sighed as he looked down at the empty spot before him. Not only had he tidied his bed and brushed his teeth and licked his tushie clean as a whistle (an act of questionable merit, he knew, but one that he felt should still technically count as personal hygiene) , but he had also tucked in his best lacy napkin, hoping to get at least even a tiny taste of whatever it was his nose was smelling from the stove he knew he had to stay away from lest he be caught in the kerfuffle of such a busy and dangerous area.  

nobuddy will forget me. it is only a matter of time before a delicious morsel appears right in this spot. do not worry, rumbly tummy, we just need to be patient, thought the little dachshund. 

 Minutes passed as his family feasted,  forks clicking on plates and delicious smells of blueberries and blackberries and vanilla and - is it maple? yes, definitely maple syrup. and, maybe - hmm, he wondered. could it be? yeppies, definitely butter, too! The only sound louder than the sounds of eating was his tummy’s rumbly roar,  growing with ever more ferocious intensity as it made its case to the little dachshund that patience was getting them nowhere. 

i said do not worry, tummy. whatever it is, i am sure we will get a taste just u wait and see. i have my best napkin on and everything. my family will not forget me, just u wait and see. 

Finally, he could tell that the dishes were being cleared, and yet nothing filled the space before him except the very concerning thought that maybe, just maybe his tummy was right. 

Tiny gray scribble clouds began to gather in his mind. The little dachshund’s ears began to fold back in disappointment and dismay. 

nothing.  not even a crumb for me.

The little dachshund was so sad he did not even notice his mother walking toward him, nor did he notice the tiny plate she was carrying. And he certainly did not even notice what was on the tiny plate she was carrying. That was, until the plate was put before him. 

 Instantly, the clouds parted. 

all for me?!? he chortled with glee.  And that is the end of our happy story . :)