Chapter 4

A/N: Yes, this is the last chapter. In all honesty, I can't really think of much else I can do that wouldn't be pure fluff (I know, then what do you call this whole story?). In my defense, this was never supposed to be an epic anyway.

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for the reviews!

D.J. pointed to one of the dogs, who was sniffing Comet's behind. "Oh, look Dean! Lily is sniffing Comet's butt. We should probably write that down."

"Yeah. We could have stumbled on to a canine friendship ritual," Dean joked, but wrote it down in his notebook anyway. The two were seated on the Tanner's living room couch doing their project. This meant they were sitting there watching six dogs run like mad in a house.

Tapping her pen on her own notebook, D.J. thought aloud, "Maybe we should observe them outside again. Dad gets queasy when all the dogs are in the living room at the same time."

"But we already watched them in the backyard!" Dean protested. "And besides, your dad isn't here."

"Not now, but he called. He's done with the show for the day and will be home in a few minutes," D.J. paused, then added, "Then he said to give all the dogs baths. But I think he was joking."

"The way your dad is, I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't," Dean remarked.

Laughing, D.J.'s eyes widened as her gaze fell on a dog chewing at the easy chair cushion. "No, no, no, no!" She yelled, jumping off the couch to shoo the canine away.

"Calm down D.J. We should be observing them, and let them act how they want," Dean insisted.

D.J. glanced up at him. "Well, if Dad finds out I let them eat his furniture, the only thing I'll be observing are my bedroom walls for a few days."

"D.J., your dad is so…" Dean trailed off as Danny walked through the door. "…here. Hi Mr. Tanner."

"Hello, Dean.. Hey D.J.," Danny greeted, watching her herd the dogs toward the kitchen. Raising an eyebrow, he joked, "I'm beginning to think we should get a sheepdog."

"Hey Dad. Don't worry; they're on their way out. We were just observing them for out project," D.J. explained as the last dog went into the kitchen.

Hanging up his suit jacket, Danny walked further into the living room, looking around for any noticeable dog hair or ripped cushions. "Well, I suggest you get your project done quick. This morning on the show I asked viewers to adopt Minnie and her puppies."

"You got responses?" D.J. asked, a note of hope in her voice. She loved dogs, but after one of them rolled around in her closet she too was eager to see them go.

"Tons. I spent a few hours after the show fielding calls," Danny replied, a smile on his face. "The four new owners should all be here by tonight."

Going over his notes, Dean groaned, "But we haven't monitored their indoor sleeping habits yet!"

"Make it up, because these dogs are out of here tonight," Danny remarked. "I don't think I can deal with them and a potential lawsuit."

Sitting back down on the couch, D.J. leaned forward in her seat. "Potential lawsuit?"

"Minnie made some friends today," Danny answered, then went on to explain the chaos the dog had caused.

"I'm sure the groomers calmed down eventually," D.J. commented after he finished.

Dean asked, "Did Minnie bite anybody?"

"No, thank goodness. Then it'd be a definite lawsuit," Danny assured him, then sighed. "I can't believe the dogs are leaving!"

"Neither will Stephanie and Michelle. Have you thought about how you're going to break it to them?" D.J. reminded him, casting an anxious glance up toward the girls' room.

Danny followed her gaze in panic, obviously forgetting about that. "No, not exactly…"

"Minnie! Get your behind up here right now!"

The yell came from Stephanie, who had run into the second floor hallway and was now barreling down the stairs, Michelle in tow. A mangled but repairable Mr. Bear was in her hand.

The three others watched in amusement as they bolted past them into the kitchen, Michelle shouting, "You're in big trouble, mister!"

"You know what, Dad," D.J. laughed, "Never mind. You'll be fine."

"Thank you so much!" Mrs. Phillips, new owner number three, squealed. Petting Cody as Danny handed her the leash, she added, "I really can't thank you enough. My family has wanted a dog for so long."

"I'm sure they'll love her. We did for the short time she was here," Danny reassured, relief on his face. Cody was the last of Minnie's children, besides Comet, to go. He was sort of getting a little déjà vu. It was only a year ago these same dogs were getting picked up by Mr. Flood.

Stephanie, who had vowed to say good-bye to each one of the dogs, wrapped her arms around Cody's neck. "Bye, Cody! I'll miss you!"

Once Mrs. Phillips left, Danny sank into the easy chair. Joey, Jesse, and his other two daughters were seated on the couch, with Minnie and Comet lying on the floor. "Four down, one to go," Danny sighed.

"Here that, mutt?" Jesse asked, looking down at Minnie. "He means you. Your bed-snatching days are over."

"Come on, Jess. You haven't warmed up to dogs even a little bit?" Joey asked, scratching Minnie behind her ear.

Jesse thought for a moment. "I guess. They did help me with my song writing. 'Puppy Love' is ready to be put to music."

"The dogs helped with my new act too," Joey added. "I got tons of dog jokes."

"I'm glad they were such a great source of inspiration," Danny commented.

D.J. nodded, "They really were. Dean and I finished our report! I hope we get a good grade!"

"So Michelle, did the dogs help you?" Danny questioned, watching his youngest pet Comet.

"No way. Doggy chew my toys, and I couldn't yell at the right doggy!" Michelle exclaimed, obviously frustrated.

Laughing, they all were interrupted when there was a knock at the door. Answering it, Danny asked, "Hello. Are you Mr. Bell?"

"Yes. I'm here to pick up one of the dogs…I'm told her name is Minnie?" The man poked his head in the doorway, hoping to see her.

As Danny stepped aside, Joey clipped a leash on Minnie and walked her over. "Here you go, your new furry best friend."

"Thank you very much…" Mr. Bell trailed off, squatting down to pet Minnie, and smiled when she licked his face. "I think she likes me."

"She's very friendly," Danny explained.

Once again, Stephanie stepped in and hugged Minnie. "Good-bye, Minnie! I hope you like your new home!"

"You're welcome to come and visit," Mr. Bell offered, obviously noting how much the girl loved the dog.

Danny gave him a grateful grin. "That would be great, thank you. Now Stephanie, let go. I'm sure Mr. Bell is eager to introduce Minnie to his family."

"I sure am. The boys are going to love her. Truthfully, we were going to get a puppy, but we saw your show this morning and couldn't resist," Mr. Bell admitted.

His smile growing wider at the compliment, Danny blushed, "Thanks. I really wanted to get people to adopt."

"You did a great thing, advertising like that," Mr. Bell added, then began walking to the door. "Thanks again!"

"No problem!" Danny assured him, waving as they left. Turning to the others, he let out a breath of relief. "That's it. They're gone."

"Hallelujah," Jesse deadpanned, petting Comet before going over to the stairs. "If you'll excuse me, I've got some sheets to change."