Consistent and regular training was paying off. Danny hardly needed the whistle anymore to get Cujo's attention but he still carried it in his pocket just in case. Today they were going over the training in the park. Danny wanted to make sure Cujo still listened to him even when surrounded by constant distractions. With all the joggers, squirrels, screaming kids and various toys being thrown about it was the perfect place to work on not getting distracted.

Danny held a treat in one hand and had the leash firmly wrapped around the wrist of his other hand. He made sure Cujo's eyes were on him before giving the first command.

"Sit," Danny said firmly making a short motion backward over Cujo's head.

Cujo plopped his butt to the grass and wagged his tail. Eyes focused on the treat.

"Good boy. Now...down." This time Danny brought his hand all the way to the grass.

Cujos followed the motion until he was completely flat.

"Good boy." Praise was important. "Roll over." This time he twisted his hand so Cujo had to turn his head sideways and then up and eventually his body followed into a roll.

"Good boy," Danny said again, this time forfeiting the treat.

Cujo happily chomped it down and then looked up expectantly for more.

So far this was working pretty well. They were probably ready to try some...

"Danny!"

Danny's stomach turned to stone. He knew that voice. They had actually been getting along lately, but now…

"What are you doing with that...that monster!?"

Danny picked Cujo up. He didn't know why but he was certain it would be easier to keep the situation from escalating if he was holding the dog.

"H-hi Valerie."

"Answer me, Fenton!"

She was really mad. Danny could see her face turning red and even the veins in her eyes were starting to pop. If he didn't answer carefully any chance they had of remaining on friendly terms would be gone for good.

"Y-you remember how my parents are ghost hunters?"

Valerie opened her mouth but then paused. She must have forgotten because Danny could see the wheels turning as she slowly recalled that particular bit of knowledge.

"Well," Danny continued, "it's hard to chase after ghosts when they go intangible and pass through walls and stuff so my parents thought it would be a good idea to see if we could use a ghost to catch other ghosts."

Danny left out the part about all of that being his idea and the part about his parents being against the whole idea before he begged them to give it a chance.

"But why do you have the dog?" Valerie asked suspiciously.

Her face was a little less red now, but she didn't seem completely convinced.

"Well...I always wanted a dog, but because of my parents' work, I've never been able to have one. But since this is a ghost dog they're ok with it. I've even been helping to train him."

"But, isn't that dangerous?" Her anger seemed to have faded into genuine concern. "Danny, I'm pretty sure that's the same dog that ruined my life." Her eyes flashed angrily for a moment but that emotion was again replaced by worry. "What if...I'm just worried the same might happen to you."

Danny felt like a jerk for lying to her, and for being unable to stop all the damage to her father's workplace and their home back when Cujo was still running wild. He couldn't change the past, and he wouldn't blame Valerie if she couldn't ever forgive Cujo, but he was also touched that she was more worried about him than angry at the ghost dog in his arms.

"I'm really, really sorry that happened to you, Valerie. And, thank you, for worrying about me, but I'll be fine. My parents have all sorts of equipment for dealing with ghosts, including stuff to make sure this one doesn't wreck our home or anyone else's."

Valerie still looked worried but she nodded slowly. "Just don't let your guard down." Her eyes flashed as she glared at Cujo. "You can never really trust a ghost."

Danny knew that look. It was the look Valerie wore while zooming around on a glider in a red battle suit fully armed with various blasters and other equipment specifically meant for destroying ghosts, usually him. Was she going to go after Cujo when he wasn't looking? He had to make sure.

"Valerie…"

"Yeah?" Her eyes softened once she was no longer looking at the ghost dog.

"My family has really gotten attached to this dog."

Valerie looked confused so Danny continued.

"I know you have every reason to hate ghosts, especially this one, but we've been training him to not cause any more trouble, and even to prevent other ghosts from causing trouble. But more than just being useful he's become a part of my family. I'm not asking you to like him, but maybe you can try not to hate him so much?"

Valerie was a bit taken aback. Was her hate for ghosts so obvious that it was making regular humans uncomfortable? It wasn't like she wasn't justified in feeling that way, but Danny had always been nice, especially after her family went through such a rough time. She didn't want to put a rift between them, not when so few classmates actually cared about her anymore.

"I...I can't promise to stop hating ghosts, especially not that one, but...I'll try not to make a big deal out of it around you."

This was probably the best Danny was going to get. If he was lucky, maybe she wouldn't try and shoot his dog unless the pup actually tried to attack her.

"Thanks, Valerie," Danny said sincerely. "I'll make sure he doesn't give you any more reason to dislike him."