CHAPTER 2: THE PARTY AFTERMATH

A few hours later, all the animals were passed out on Claudia's top bunk as she awoke with a yawn. "Man, what a night." Claudia stated as one of the dogs fell off the bunk. "What the-"

The dog that fell out was gray with black spots and a lavender bow. "That hurts."

"Who're you?! K-Krissy! We have intruders!" exclaimed Claudia, running to Krissy and Red's room as the rest of the dogs and Herman awoke.

"Really, Petunia?" Gracie groaned. "And you say I'M dumb!"

"Well, you are. She's even dumber." Petunia huffed.

"Do any of you have twins in your family?" Gracie asked the others. "Cause Petunia here's a pain in the butt!"

"You're the pain!" yapped Petunia.

"No! You are!"

"You are!"

"It's you!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yikes." Andy quivered.

"We really scared that women, didn't we?" asked Roger, trying to change subjects.

"Oh yes. That woman looked as if we made a mess in the kitchen." Bonnie giggled.

"But…we did." Olaf said.

"Not those kind of messes, airbag!" Petunia snarled before looking in Olaf's eyes. She instantly smiled. "Forgive my mouth, Oaf."

"It's Olaf."

"Whatever. I am deeply sorry for what I said and I want us to start over. Okay?" she asked, putting her paws in his.

"Uh…okay?" Olaf chuckled to himself.

"Way to go, bro!" Andy cheered.

"Come on, let's go home." Snoopy said.

"We'll stay here with Gracie." Dee-Dee said.

"Okay, Kiki." Roger replied.

"She's Kiki, I'm Dee-Dee." Dee-Dee sighed with a chuckle.

"Sorry." Roger giggled as he, Snoopy, Snoopy's brothers and Herman made their way home.

Once Claudia returned to her room with Krissy and Red (who was holding her baby son Hansel), they were greeted to the nine dogs talking together.

"Who let the dogs in?" Red asked.

"W-wasn't me. they were there when I awoke." Claudia said truthfully. Gracie blushed in guilt.

As the day progressed, Charlie Brown, Ox, Rattler, Ed, Rebecca, Claudia, Peppermint Patty and Marcie were talking together. Frieda and Christine were also there with their cats in carriers.

"There were dogs in my room!" Claudia exclaimed. "Eight of them with Gracie!"

"EIGHT?!" the others asked in awe.

"Yes!"

"Maybe they're strays." Peppermint Patty reasoned.

"No, they had collars." Claudia said.

"So, you're housing in nine dogs?" Marcie wondered.

"Yes!" Claudia repeated. "They're real wild!"

"Maybe we can play with them, you know, take weight off your chest." Peppermint Patty suggested. "After all, what are besties for?"

"That's funny." Ed noticed.

"What is?" Rebecca asked.

"How many siblings does Snoopy have?" Ed wondered.

"Seven." Charlie Brown replied, showing them a picture of Snoopy and his litter. "See?"

"They're so cute!" Rebecca squealed in awe. "Roger has a brother named Kevin."

"Cool." Peppermint Patty exclaimed.

"Does Gracie have any siblings?" Marcie wondered.

"As f-far as I know, there's her sister Petunia and brothers Skip and Lex." Claudia replied. "As far as I know."

Before anyone could ask any more questions, Skylar arrived with his brother Elie and a chubby bunny. "Hi Skylar." Ed waved. "Who's that?"

"Hey Ed." Skylar replied. "Depends on who you're referring to. Elie or Cooper."

"The two of them."

"This is my triplet brother-Elie."

"Nice meeting you."

"And this is my pet bunny-Cooper. I met him when I was 5." Elie explained, holding the bunny.

"He's adorable!" Marcie exclaimed.

"I know." Elie said. "Just look at those eyes. Who could resist them?"

"Some people." Peppermint Patty said, unamused, before turning to Marcie. "So, did you get any visitors to the French Café? I heard a lot of noise at your house last night and boy did it scare Polly."

"No, not that I know of. Then again, I slept like a rock last night." Marcie replied.

"Lucky." Patty huffed as they all say the bunch of animals playing nearby. "Yikes! It looks like ol' Snoop and Grace had pups!"

"Actually, I can see Lex, Skip and Petunia." Claudia replied.

"Who names a dog Lex?" Ed asked.

"Who names a wild wolf Herman?" Claudia smirked.

"Lex the Beagle." Rebecca giggled.

"Beagle-Dalmatian, sweetie." Lex replied as he walked towards everyone.

"He looks adorable." Skylar noted.

"Not as cute as Cooper though." Elie boasted.

"How is that hairball cute?" Petunia rolled her eyes.

"Claude, need any help with these dogs?" Peppermint Patty asked.

"Yes please." Claudia replied.

"Okay!" the gang exclaimed.

"Remember, Cobra can't have the dogs in her house." Rattler explained.

"Got it!" Rebecca replied as everyone rounded up Gracie's siblings.

"You're so cute." Christine said, patting Petunia's head, and almost getting her hand bitten off in the process. In shock, she exclaimed "Shame on you!"

"Should we be expecting these guys at the café?" the tomboy asked.

"I hope not." Marcie shuddered. "My mom seemed very angry this morning. She said Snoopy and his crew were drinking root beer and eating cookies. She didn't say when it was though."

"Then you'd better keep an eye open, better yet, all four." Elie giggled.

"Aye, aye, aye, aye."

They all instantly broke into laughter, even Peppermint Patty, who usually didn't catch any of Marcie's jokes and Claudia, who usually didn't understand the jokes.

Daytime eventually turned to nighttime and everyone was trying to decide who would look after the dogs.

"I have the most experience with pets." Charlie Brown said.

"I'm an animal whisperer." Ed negotiated.

"I may be a cat person, but they seem docile." Frieda said.

"Forget it!" Christine instantly bailed out.

"Petunia really likes Olaf." Ox noticed.

"Same with this dog and Andy." Rattler giggled as Bonnie licked Andy's cheeks.

"This guy with the cap seems cute." Peppermint Patty said, holding Skip in her arms as Lex gnawed at her shirt. "HEY!"

"They're a pair." Ed said. "If you're taking Skip, you're also taking Lex."

"Oh. Okay, Shortstop. We'll take along your bud."

"Shortstop?!" Skip thought in hatred before yapping wildly.

"I'll handle these three." Ed explained as Dee-Dee, Kiki and Wellington Jack pounced on him and Herman.

"Are you sure? You already have Annabelle, Herman and the others." Rebecca worried.

"I'll be fine." Ed promised.

"Okay." Rebecca said, hugging him.

"That just leaves behind Chomper." Marcie stated, reading his collar.

"Yup. Smartest dog in my litter." Chomper beamed.

"Who wants to take him in tonight?" she asked as everyone went silent. "Anyone? Tough crowd."

"We should find a temporary home for him." Christine said.

"I have an idea!" Peppermint Patty explained. "Marcie, maybe you can house him tonight."

"Why me? Of all people?" Marcie wondered.

"I have my brother's bunny and sister's lizard." Skylar said. "One more animal and mom will freak out."

"I temporarily housed Marbles." Charlie Brown added.

"Why can't Frieda house him?" Marcie negotiated as Faron hissed at Chomper. Chomper yapped once and scared off Faron. In defeat, the bespectacled girl gave in. "Fine. I'LL house him. Just. For. Tonight."

"Alright." Claudia said. "Everyone ready?"

"Ready!" they all said as they all headed home.

"I can't believe it. TWO dogs to look after." Ox sighed. "What will mom and dad say?"

"It's love." Petunia thought, wagging her tail merrily.

"I guess…" Olaf blushed.

NEXT CHAPTER: THINGS THAT GO BARK IN THE NIGHT