Chapter 9 – Harry the Basset Hound
Carlisle:
It's been a few days since we were introduced to our newest member of the family, Harry, and it's been a wild ride. When Seth is at school, Esme is beside herself with keeping Harry fed and letting him in and out. Emmett has taken a liking to Harry and so has Jasper. Seth still worries that Jasper may slip up and have a ready-made snack at hand, but Jasper loves the dog. So do the rest of us, even I am happy to have him. Its nice not having an animal recoil in fear at the sight, sound or touch of us. Billy has practically bonded to the dog and Seth even gets jealous at times. Even Alice likes the dog. The dog loves all us, even Rosalie.
Now, Rosalie is another story. She doesn't hate the dog, but she is inconvenienced and annoyed by Harry. I daresay I believe she is even a little jealous of him. Of course, this plays right into Jacob's hand and Edward's. Those two take turns making sure Harry is aware of Rosalie's whereabouts at all times. It almost blew up the other night. So now I am heading home from the hospital to see how my brood has handled the day. One good thing, I did not get a phone call today with Esme complaining about Harry. This is a plus!
Back at home:
"Seth! Did you take Harry out for a walk and to do his business yet?" Esme asked him.
"No Mom, I was just finishing my homework and coming to do just that," Seth called down.
"Well hurry up before he has an accident. If he does, you're cleaning it up, mister," Esme warned.
"Where is that handsome lad?" Billy asked happily whistling for Harry.
"Last I seen it, it was scratching itself and didn't care what it was showing to all of us. Indecent dog," Rosalie growled while paging through her magazine on the couch.
"Come on Babe, it's only a dog," Emmett reasoned.
"Dog? It's a filthy beast," Rosalie said.
"Hey! Don't say that, you'll hurt his feelings," Jake said coming down the stairs.
"Oh give me a break. It wouldn't know I was referring to it," Rosalie spat.
"First of all, he's not an "it"! He has a name," Jake said to her.
"I would be insulted if I was Harry and had that mopey thing named after me," Rosalie came back.
"Now Rosebud, Harry would be honored. He loved dogs and this one seems to have his personality. Don't be so hard on him. Give him a chance, you'll grow to love him," Billy suggested.
"Love is too strong of a word," Rosalie replied.
"Yeah, cause you only love yourself," Jake said to her.
"Go phase and form a pack with mopey," Rosalie said.
"He's better company than you," Jake said.
"Children, enough. Your father is due home any minute and I don't want him walking in on a fight," Esme warned. "Seth, get down here and take Harry out."
"Coming Mom," Seth called down.
As Esme went back into the kitchen, Rosalie was perusing her magazine and didn't notice Jake sneak a dog treat and casually drop it on the arm of the couch next to Rosalie. Then he and Emmett urged Harry to go get his treat. Harry happily complied and waddled over to the couch and raised up and flopped his two front paws on the couch arm and slobbered all over Rosalie's arm and magazine before lapping up his treat and then stared at her panting with dog slobber dripping from his muzzle. Needless to say, Jake, Emmett and Billy were laughing.
"EEEWWWW! Get away you walking drool factory. Look at my magazine. Eeewww it's on my arm," Rosalie screeched. She shot up and flashed to the bathroom while Emmett and Jake were falling over laughing with Billy joining them.
"Will you stop taunting Rosalie," Esme said to them. "SETH! Down here NOW!"
"Coming Mom," Seth said racing down the stairs.
"You two have had it," Rosalie said flashing out from the bathroom and grabbing Jake by the shirt and hoisting him above her head.
"Mom! Make her put me down," Jake shouted.
"Yeah, run to Mommy," Rosalie sneered.
"Rosalie! Put him down," I said closing the kitchen garage door hard. At seeing me, Rosalie walked him over to the couch and dropped him right on Harry's slobber spot.
"Hey! Oh Yuk!" Jake shouted as he now raced to the bathroom.
"Well, I guess I don't have to ask how this day has gone," I said shaking my head.
"Seth, make sure he does his business," Esme said to him.
"I will Mom. Come on Harry, hi Dad," Seth said as he and Harry went out.
The next Day—Saturday:
Rosalie was sitting on the couch with Emmett, Alice, Jasper and Leah. Bella and Edward were at the cottage. I finally ended their punishment and they can now be alone. Esme was making breakfast and Harry was down in the kitchen enjoying the smells of breakfast cooking. He would follow Esme all over the kitchen waiting and hoping for either a sample or a scrap that fell to the floor. Esme turned and almost tripped over him.
"Seth, get down here and take Harry out," Esme called up.
"Coming Mom," Seth called down.
Jake wheeled Billy to the top of the stairs and Emmett flashed to carry him down and put him in his downstairs wheelchair. Jake came down with him.
"That dog is in the way," Rosalie said with disgust.
"Here Harry, here boy," Jake called out. Harry came lumbering over to Jake and he and Billy petted him and wished him a good morning.
"You're not expecting an answer from him, are you Uncle Billy?" Rosalie asked smirking.
"He answers me with his expression and tail wagging, Rosebud. You have to know how to read dogs," Billy explained.
"He's drooling again, yuk," Rosalie said. Alice agreed but she likes Harry.
"He's that type of dog, he can't help it," Billy said.
"If I would have known that, he wouldn't be living in the house," Esme said irritated. "Seth, down here now." Seth came racing down the stairs.
"Come on boy, let's go outside," Seth said grabbing Harry by the collar and walking him out.
"Seth, we need to take him in to the vet after breakfast to get him checked over and see if he needs shots," I said walking down the stairs.
"Okay Dad, be back in a few," Seth said heading out the door with his pal.
"He sure loves that dog," Billy said to me.
"Yes he does," I agreed.
"That's one of us," Rosalie said.
"Rosalie, he's just a dog and a friendly one at that," Jasper said.
"Yeah, lighten up drooping Rose," Jake said.
"Shut up you oversized dog," Rosalie said to him.
"Make me," Jake said taking a step forward.
"That's enough you two," I said getting in between them.
Not long after that Seth came back in with Harry. Harry happily padded back into the kitchen and Esme called for the wolfies and Billy to come and eat. That didn't take long since they scarf their food down like Harry the dog. They practically lick their plates clean and are looking for more.
"Yuk, they're as disgusting as the dog when they eat," Rosalie uttered.
"Babe, come on," Emmett said.
"Rosalie, just let them alone," I said. "I'm going up to finish my patient reports."
"Harry, get out of here," Esme shouted at him and led him to the living room.
"I'm going to the downstairs study to check over the boxes I received for Sue and Charlie's wedding. Coming Jasper?" Alice asked.
"No darlin' I'll stay out here," Jasper said smiling at her.
"Yes, with your new friend," Alice said kissing him on the cheek. "I see he is taking my place!"
"Never darling,'" Jasper said reaching down to pet Harry who was now laying on his side kicking his back leg rapidly as Jasper scratched a certain spot on his side.
Harry walked around to everyone and was happily enjoying the attention. Then he walked over to Rosalie who promptly ignored him. Harry wasn't having that and nudged her leg with his nose.
"Eeewww, his nose is wet and he got dog snot on my pants," Rosalie complained.
"Adds character," Jake said smirking.
"Then he should throw up on you," Rosalie came back.
"Hey, that's not nice. I'm surprised he isn't gagging from your cooties," Jake said to her.
"Bite me," Rosalie said to Jake.
"Don't mind if I do," Jake said coming at her.
When he was almost to Rosalie, she stood up and smacked him on the arm sending him flying back. Jake hit the wall with a thud and it scared Harry who barked. I heard the thud and decided I better check this out. As I came to the upstairs landing, Rosalie laughed and taunted Jake.
"Ha ha, maybe that will knock some sense into you," Rosalie said and sat back down.
Jake now furious, got up and I could see the phase beginning to take shape. I had to do something quick, but the phasing was under way.
"Jacob! No!" I yelled down.
"You did it nowwww," Jake growled and promptly phased into a wolf.
Jake bared his teeth and growled loudly and slowly made his way toward Rosalie who just turned and looked at Jake. She wasn't budging. Harry, on the other hand, was scared and yipped and jumped back and quickly jumped up in Rosalie's lap. She screamed in horror with Harry now crying and wincing and backing up into her on the couch as Jake approached. He was terrified of Jake in wolf form. As Jake got closer, Harry grew more upset and lost control and peed and left a deposit on Rosalie's lap. She shrieked in horror and pushed Harry toward the floor. Harry jumped down and ran toward the downstairs study.
"AAHHHH! Look what he did to me! I'm going to be sick," Rosalie screamed as she stood up and flashed to the bathroom. Harry's deposit fell on the floor.
"Oh no," Seth said seeing the mess.
"Clean that up, Young Man," Esme said angrily coming in to see what the ruckus was.
"Jacob! Get outside, you're scaring the crap out of Harry," I shouted to Jacob as I flashed down the stairs.
I went over and held the door open for Jake and motioned for him to get out. Everyone was laughing except me and Esme.
"Did Papa just say what I thought he said," Jasper asked Emmett.
"Yeah, he said 'crap'," Emmett answered.
"Boy, where's the calendar. I'm writing this down," Jasper said laughing.
That's when we heard Alice scream and shout and was chasing Harry who was now running as fast as his little legs could carry him, howling all the way, with a lace 'veil' over his head and stepping on the lace, tearing it to shreds. It got wrapped around him as he reached the stairs and he finally got himself free as the lace ripped as he ran up the stairs as quickly as he could. Alice was frantic.
"NO! No, you didn't! It can't be," Alice was screaming. The rest of us stood there in shock. I finally got the nerve to ask her.
"Alice, was that what I think it was?" I asked afraid of the response.
"Yes! It happened again, Daddy! That was Sue's replacement wedding dress and veil. I was looking at it when the "Harry Express" came shooting in and got tangled in it. Look at it, it's ruined," Alice said beginning to sob. "She's coming over later this afternoon. Now what do I tell her," Alice said despondent.
"Ha ha ha, it's almost like this wedding isn't supposed to happen," Leah said. She picked up a piece of the lace that was torn off. "It's a shame."
"You don't have to be happy about it, Leah," Alice said with a little anger.
"You have to admit, it was kind of funny. The dress has been ripped two times now, I guess three is the charm," Leah said smirking.
"Leah, Alice went through a lot of trouble for your mom and she loves this dress. You are acting as if it's a victory for you and you better lose that attitude, little lady," I warned her.
"Really Leah, come on," Alice said.
"I'm trying Dad, I'm really sorry it happened again, it's just an odd scenario," Leah said.
"Poor Sue, think of her" Alice said.
"I am, Alice," Leah agreed.
"Carlisle, that dog is a menace," Esme said angrily to me.
"No Mom, don't say that," Seth said to Esme with pleading eyes. "Dad, please, it wasn't his fault. Punish me, not Harry," Seth said to me.
"I'm not going to punish you, Seth. It was an accident," I said to Seth calming him down.
"Seth, you clean this up this minute," Esme ordered him. Seth went to the garage to get a bucket of water and soap. "Carlisle, that dog has to go."
"Esme, I am not breaking that child's heart and making him give Harry up. It's just a mishap. The dog was scared by Jake, because he and Rosalie were fighting again. If you want to get upset with anyone, you should be upset with those two," I said to her. "Seth, Rosalie and Jacob will clean this mess up since they are the culprits who caused it," I said to Seth.
Jake came back in phased back to human form and dressed and I informed him that he and Rosalie would be cleaning up the mess Harry left. Rosalie came out and stood there with fury seething inside of her. Alice and Leah picked the torn dress up and went back into the study. Leah put her arm around Alice.
"Thanks for all you are doing for my mom," Leah said to Alice. Alice smiled at her as they went back in to survey the damaged dress.
"Get busy Rosalie and help clean this mess up," I said to her.
Rosalie and Jake, grumbling the whole time, decided it would be best to do as I said and not push me with anymore of their bickering. They cleaned the mess up as Esme stood guard to make sure they did a good job. Seth was upset about his mother's wedding dress again.
"Alice, order another dress for Sue," I said walking into the study.
"I can't believe it happened again. Sue will be heartbroken," Alice said.
"She will understand, that's all she can do. It was an accident and we will correct it," I said placating her.
"Thanks Daddy, I'll order one right away," Alice said getting her cell phone out. "I have the dressmaker on speed dial."
"I'm going to take a shower and scald myself," Rosalie said as she flashed up the stairs.
"Everyone just calm down," I said as Esme was still standing there showing her annoyance.
"Give Harry a chance, Esme," Billy said to her. "It wasn't the dog's fault."
"Oh alright," Esme said.
"I'm still in shock that Papa said 'crap' and used that kind of language," Jasper said.
"Yeah, no kidding. Listen Dad, you watch that language," Jake said to me as if he was the father.
"Yes young…I-I mean old man, you better curb that language," Emmett said joining in.
"I'm shocked and appalled at that use of language, and in front of the children," Billy added.
"Okay, laugh it up. I didn't say anything that bad," I tried defending myself.
"Well that was the worst language I've ever heard you utter," Jake said shaking his finger at me.
"Darling, you always get on the children," Esme said to me smirking.
"Yes well, I'm trying to teach them some manners," I said to her giving them all a look.
"Are you trying to say we ain't got no manners," Jake said promptly wiping his nose on his sleeve.
"JACOB!" Esme scolded.
"I don't have to say it, you just proved it," I said ruffling his hair.
"You children," Esme said shaking her head at them.
"Come on Esme, let's go to my study," I said as we walked up the stairs. "Things seemed to have calmed down. Even Harry's calm and must be laying down," I said.
"Carlisle, I think you love that dog as much as Seth," Esme said to me.
"Esme, he's just a dog and he was mistreated. He's new to the house and all of us. I can imagine how scared he was when Jake phased. Jake is a huge wolf. Any animal would have acted the same way," I said to her.
"I guess so, it was kinda funny," Esme said giggling.
"We just have to be patient and give him time," I said kissing her on the cheek as we stood in my study doorway.
"I sure hope you mean that, darling," Esme said to me.
"Of course I mean it," I said to her.
"Okay, just remember what you just said," Esme said again giving me a sly grin.
"What are you talking about…," I said as I followed her gaze into my study. "WHAT! HARRY! SETH CULLEN! GET IN HERE!" I shouted.
There seated in my chair at my desk, sat Harry, wagging his tail at us and slobbering all over my patient reports I had just finished. They were strewn all over the floor and some were torn, some had his paw prints on them, but most were all wet. It was a mess and I was not happy.
"What is it, Dad?" Seth asked with the rest of the crew behind him.
"Uh oh, look at Pops' study," Emmett said.
"Papa, go ahead and cuss some more," Jasper said clapping me on the shoulder.
"Seth, get him out of my study," I said pointing toward my desk.
Seth quickly ran over and got Harry by the collar and led him out of my study and went to his room with Harry. I was upset but I felt sorry for Seth. Esme was giggling as were the others. Edward and Bella had come over and were laughing at the sight of my now destroyed work.
"Oh no, all my reports are ruined," I said shaking my head in disbelief.
"Now, now Carlisle, Harry is just a dog and you need to be patient and give him time to adjust," Esme said imitating me. She was giving me that smart smirk my children give to me at times.
"Enjoying yourself, Esme," I said to her.
"Very much," Esme replied.
"Oooooooooooooooo," came the reaction from our children.
"What the heck has been going on over here," Edward asked chuckling to himself.
"You won't believe it, but Pops cussed," Emmett said indicating me and shaking his head yes.
"What'd he say," Bella asked anxiously.
"He said, drum roll please, ahem…ah…uh…ahem…," Emmett when on.
"Will you tell us already!" Edward said knocking Emmett on the arm.
"Hey patience, it's my big moment…he said, 'crap'," Emmett said with flourish.
"That's it?" Edward said.
"That's not cussing," Bella said disappointed.
"What did you expect, it's Pops," Emmett added.
"Dad, we can hang a wash line up and you could pin all your reports on the clothesline and hang them up to dry," Jake said. He was enjoying this the most but was keeping himself a good distance from me.
"Don't be cute, you and Rosalie are the cause of this," I said to him in a warning voice.
"My fault?" Jake asked. He threw his hand up to his forehead and egged it on. "I was attacked by my sister, Rosie the Wrestler," Jake said.
"Your butt's about to be attacked by my hand if you don't stop your teasing," I warned him.
Later that Afternoon:
Carlisle:
"Come on Seth, we're taking Harry to the vet and we are using Emmett's jeep," I said to him.
"What? Why my jeep?" Emmett asked.
"Because I'm not using my car and getting dog residue on it," I said to him. "Your jeep is a mess all the time anyway," I added.
"So can I use your car then?" Emmett asked with his eyes lit up.
"Absolutely not! You can use Rosalie's not mine, is that clear," I asked him.
"Darn, I knew you'd say no," Emmett said disappointed.
"Come on Seth," I said walking to the jeep.
"Here Harry, come on boy," Seth called to Harry. Harry happily lumbered over to the jeep and Seth helped him in. He was content to sit in the passenger seat.
"Hey, get in the back, Harry," Seth said to the dog. He just looked at Seth with his sad eyes.
"I think he found his seat, son," I said chuckling to Seth.
"That's not fair, I wanted to ride shotgun," Seth complained.
"Try convincing him that," I said to him.
"Ugh, outwitted by a dog," Seth said. He got in the back and pouted.
We drove into town and Harry happily sat there hanging his head out the window with his tongue hanging out. He was slobbering all over the side of the jeep. He seemed to be in his glory. When we pulled up to the vet's office, there were quite a few cars in the parking lot. We got out and Seth helped Harry down. As we entered the vet's office, there was a woman holding a cat in her lap. When I held the door for Seth and Harry, I was standing right next to the woman. The cat, sensing what I was, reared up and arched it's back like a Halloween cat and hissed at me. I just looked at the cat. The woman was embarrassed and tried calming the cat down. The only seat available was right next to her and the cat so I had to sit there.
"Oh hush, what's wrong with you, Miss Scrumdillishcious Pumpernickel Streusel Crumb," the lady said to the cat who was now clawing at me and hissing. "You've never acted so upset before my little cherry Danish role," the lady cooed at the cat.
"Seems your cat doesn't like me," I said to the lady. The cat then screeched at me and clawed again. Harry seeing that, began howling at the cat.
"AH OOOOOOOOOOOOO! AAARR! AAARR!" Harry howled. The cat continued to hiss.
"HARRY!" I said petting his head.
"That's his name? That's all?" The crazy cat lady asked me.
"Yes, that's enough," I said to her.
If that wasn't enough commotion, the person across from us had a parrot that talked. He decided to join in the conversation when Harry began howling.
"AAWWWK! AAAWWKK! Here kitty, kitty! Here kitty, kitty," the parrot said. Then another dog started barking. It was getting very loud.
"Dad, all this noise is hurting my ears," Seth said to me under his breath. Good thing for vampire hearing.
"Mine too, son," I said to him.
"What's all the noise out here," the vet asked coming into the waiting room.
"Oh Dr. Poston, Miss Scrumdillishcious Pumpernickel Streusel Crumb is upset," the cat lady said.
"Figures," Dr. Poston said.
"It all started when they came in with that howling basset hound," the lady said pointing us and Harry.
"Your cat started it, lady," the man with the parrot said.
"It was the cat! It was the cat! It was the cat!" the parrot said.
"Aren't you Dr. Cullen?" The vet asked me.
"Yes, and this is my son, Seth," I said to the vet.
"Come on Dr. Cullen, let's check your dog out," the vet said ushering us through the door.
"Hey, Miss Scrumdillishcious Pumpernickel Streusel Crumb was before them," the lady said to the vet.
"Well now she's after them," the vet said to her.
"Well, I never," the lady said upset.
"She never! She never! She never!" the parrot said.
As we stepped through the door to the examining rooms, the cat and the parrot and other animals in the waiting room quieted down. I couldn't help it, I stepped back into the waiting room and they all started up again. I stepped back and closed the door and it was quiet once again. Seth was looking at me and grinning.
"That was for Harry," I said quietly to Seth as we both laughed. Harry looked at me and wagged his tail.
"Well, let's check this guy out," Dr. Poston said.
I lifted Harry on the exam table. We explained how we found him and he checked him over and said we did a good job taking care of his wounds. They were practically healed. He examined him and gave him his shots and determined he wasn't quite a year old yet. He was upset to hear how Harry's previous owners mistreated him and tossed him away. He praised us for taking him in and treating him so well. After he was done examining Harry, we talked for a bit and then he said we needed to bring him back in six weeks to check over his wounds and he would need further shots.
"Would you like to go out the back Dr. Cullen, and avoid the waiting room?" Dr. Poston asked.
"No thank you, Dr. Poston, I believe we will go out the same way we came in," I said putting my hand on Seth's shoulder. The vet laughed with me and Seth.
"Good for you, Dr. Cullen," Dr. Poston said.
"Carlisle," I said extending my hand to him.
"Joe," Dr. Poston said.
We left and opened the door to the waiting room. When that cat saw us, it went crazy again. I couldn't help myself and walked over to where I was seated right next to the cat. I bent down and acted like I was looking for something. The cat was hissing and clawing at me again.
"Nope, I must have left my pager in the car," I said as I turned to walk out. "Good day miss," I said to the cat lady.
The cat was going nuts and I lightly touched the woman's shoulder so I could just barely brush against the cat's side. It jumped up when my cold hand touched it and screeched. I nodded and smiled to her and we left. When we got outside, Seth burst out laughing.
"Dad, that was great," Seth said to me.
"I think I've been around your brother Jake too long," I said to him as we got in the jeep and headed for home.
To be Continued…
