The next day, at the vet office, Dr. Timpson was trying to wake up Penny Ling. He clicked his fingers in front of her face several times; no response. "Hellooo! Panda bear! Wakey-wakey, eggs and bakey!"

Still no response. He picked up her body and started shaking her rapidly. "HEY! PANDA! WAKE THE BLOODY HELL UP!"

Nada from the panda. He placed her body back on the table and turned to face a sleep-deprived Pepper. "Well, I've done all I can do."

Pepper's pupils widened, and her eyes let out a waterfall of tears as she bawled. Timpson cringed at the sight. "Aw, Christ."

The door could be heard opening from outside his office, and as he quickly turned around, it was Blythe, returning with Zoe and Minka, the former of whom was holding a 1st prize rosette. The look on her face seemed most pleased; the same went for Minka, who was anticipating her visit.

"Ah! Ms. Baxter, you're back! And I see you've brought some company. Well, don't mind me. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine."

"Just thought they'd be willing to pay their crestfallen friend a visit," said Blythe, who placed Zoe and Minka on the table.

"And indeed we are!" Zoe gleefully announced.

Minka walked up to Pepper and gently stroked her head. "Hey, Pepper…" Pepper opened her bloodshot eyes and stared at Minka, who was now holding the rosette. "We won!" she exclaimed in a hushed tone of voice.

"Oh," said Pepper, wiping some tears off her face, "good for you, Minka."

Dr. Timpson put a hand on Blythe's shoulder and led her outside his office. "Hey, Ms. Baxter, do you mind if we talk outside for a bit, just to give these three some space?"

"Oh," said Blythe, "sure!"

Zoe walked over to the dismal skunk and engaged in a quiet conversation. "Hey, uhm, Pepper?" Pepper turned her eyes up to the Cavalier Spaniel and sniffled.

"I just wanted to say," said Zoe, "about all those hardships we had in the past, I just want to say…" She then held her paw out. "...no hard feelings."

Pepper stared long and hard at Zoe's paw, and eventually, she and Zoe both touched paws in forgiveness for their past hardships. Zoe even helped her out of her Queen's Guard costume. "Thanks," said Pepper, feebly. Zoe walked over to her and placed a paw on her shoulder.

"Listen," said Zoe, "I know you're still in grief over what happened at the pet shop, but rest assured, it's not your fault." Pepper looked up at Zoe. "Not my fault?"

"Of course not," replied Zoe. "As we all know by now, accidents happen."

Pepper still felt bitter about the situation as she kept crying. "Oh, quit the theatrics. I'm a burden, not just to Penny Ling, but to you as well. I'm a cold-hearted murderer, I just know it!"

Minka stepped up to Pepper as she gave off a slight chuckle. "Murderer? Don't be ridiculous! You're as human as the rest of us." She paused. "Well, as human as pets can be."

Pepper started clutching at her head, her tears streaming down her face like miniature waterfalls. Zoe steadfastly pulled Minka aside. "Minka!" she whispered. "What are you doing?"

"Just trying to console our friend," replied Minka. "Y'know, lift her spirits."

A drop of sweat drained down Zoe's forehead. "That's the point of lifting one's spirits — consolation — and you're not helping!"

"C'mon, Zoe!" Minka insisted. "I don't see why you have to be so tense all of a sudden. Can't you see Pepper's depressed? I'm just trying to defuse the tension."

Zoe stuttered. "Well… maybe you could be a little less… peppy? I understand that's how you are — peppy, energetic — but now's not the time to act the way you do. Pepper thinks she's murdered one of our own, and I would appreciate it if you could be a little more sensible."

As Minka and Zoe had their conversation, Pepper clutched at her head harder and twinged a little. She was practically clawing her own fur. And her tail stretched out further than you could imagine.

Minka eventually took notice at Pepper and nudged Zoe at the shoulder. "Um, Zoe? I'd love to talk about how to make the situation better and all, but… I think you should take a look at Pepper."

Zoe obliged, and bared the same shocked expression as Minka. Pepper looked as if she was about to emit a scent that would certainly befoul their noses and then some! They looked at each other worriedly for what was about to happen. "Crap."

Meanwhile, Dr. Timpson and Blythe were engaging in a conversation outside. "I must say, that was a daring move you pulled yesterday."

"To be honest," said Blythe, "I hate to leave a friend of mine behind — in fact, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that — but I just couldn't let those Biskit Bitches suck up all the glory."

Dr. Timpson became confused. "Who?"

"Oh," said Blythe, "that's not important. What's important is, we won 1st prize. And that is what I'm thankful for." She took a peek through the door's window. "Just so I could see them again. I don't think I've told you this, but I'm more concerned about Pepper and Penny Ling than anything."

She then realised Zoe and Minka were missing. "Wait… where are Zoe and Minka? I could've sworn I put them on the table a moment ago."

A frantic tapping noise caught her attention. "Huh?"

"What the hell's that?"

"Don't get me wrong," said Blythe, "but I think it's Zoe." She could hear the desperate barks Zoe was letting out from inside the exam room. "Zoe, are you alright in there?"

"Help…" Zoe gasped for air. "Suffocating… Can't… breathe…!"

Blythe became aghast and quickly opened the door, letting poor Zoe and Minka out of the room. Their pupils spun around in their eyes, insinuating that they were almost rendered comatose by the strong scent Pepper was emitting. "Zoe? Minka? Are you both okay?"

Zoe continued panting. "Pepper… whenever she's in grief… her stench smells worse than usual!"

Minka climbed up onto Zoe and panted with her. "Ditto."

Suddenly, their stomachs turned. Apparently, the scent was so strong that a wave of nausea hit them hard. They could feel an onslaught of steaming hot bile rise up their throats, causing them to gag. They immediately knew what was going to happen next, and how right they were, as the bile that was coming up their throats piled up in their mouths. They both placed their hands (or, in Zoe's case, paws) on their mouths, their cheeks swelling up like balloons.

Not wanting to make a mess all over the gleaming silver floor of the building, they rushed to the nearest restroom and barged in, much to the annoyance of Dr. Timpson, who followed them as fast as he could.

"Oh no, nonono! Not there! Not there!" As he keeled over and sighed, a disgusting retching noise could be heard from inside the restroom. Blythe walked over to the restroom door in curiosity. "Hm, strange. I've never heard of pets using the bathroom."

Dr. Timpson was inclined to agree. "Neither have I."