By the next week, Cedric, Sophia, and the Raccoons had everything all ready. They were all at the Sneer mansion, with Schafer, and Cyril's "henchmen," the Pigs. Everyone was gathered around the dining room table. Forest was sitting in his highchair, wondering what all the commotion was about. He was also wondering about the box that Bert was holding in his lap. Nobody else was holding any boxes, especially ones that were wrapped in pretty paper and tied with ribbons.

"Let's get on with this," Cyril grumbled. "I've got a great deal of work to do."

"Oh come on, Cyril, lighten up!" Bert shouted. "This is a party!"

"Eeehh," Cyril grumbled.

Cedric turned out the lights just then, and Sophia and Melissa came into the dining room, carrying the chocolate and peanut butter frosted birthday cake. As the girls carried it to the table, everyone (well, except Cyril) began singing.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Forest! Happy birthday to you!"

"And many mooooorrrrrre!" Bert warbled, slightly off key.

"Thanks, Bert," Ralph said, sarcastically. He began cleaning out his ear.

"Sorry," Bert said.

"Okay, Forest," Melissa said. "Make a wish and blow out the candle."

"How's he going to do that?" Cyril asked. "He's only a year old."

Melissa glared at Cyril, and then "helped" Forest blow out the candle on the cake. Then she began to cut it and pass around slices while Sophia began dishing out ice cream. Forest wasn't sure what was going on, but he liked all the attention he was getting!

"So when do we get to open presents?" Bert asked, keeping a tight hold on the box in his lap.

"After cake and ice cream," Ralph said. "You're acting like it's your birthday, Bert."

"I'm just excited, that's all!"

"You think you're gonna blow everyone out of the water with this surprise present of yours, don't you?"

Bert said nothing. He just began digging into his piece of cake. Forest was digging into his piece, too, only with his hands. He was making a huge mess, but everyone thought it was cute. Melissa and Ralph were taking pictures of the whole thing. At one point, Snag wandered into the dining room, and took his usual spot at the foot of Forest's highchair, in case he dropped something, or threw something. Forest noticed that Snag wasn't getting any of the cake, so he grabbed a handful of his piece, and dropped it on the floor. Snag promptly sucked it up. Forest giggled, and was about to do it again, when Cyril grabbed the baby's hand.

"Hold it there," he said. "Beat it, Snag! Get out of here! Dogs aren't supposed to eat chocolate!"

"Then how come Schafer's eating it?" Bert asked.

"He's got you there, Pop," Cedric said with a shrug.

"Well, every time that stupid mutt's around, Forest throws his food at him," Cyril said. He took a napkin and wiped the sticky chocolate-and-peanut-butter mess off Forest's hands. Then he began wiping the mess off his face, too.

"He's even messier than you were at this age, Cedric," Cyril muttered. "Did any of that cake get in your mouth, Forest, or is it all over your face and hands?"

"I'll clean him up, Pop," Cedric said, taking Forest out of the highchair. He started to carry him into the kitchen, and Forest began to fuss a little.

After Cedric cleaned Forest up, he brought the baby into the living room and set him down on the floor. Snag ran over, excitedly, ready to play with Forest. He accidentally knocked Forest off his balance, and he fell on his back onto the floor. He wasn't hurt, just a little surprised, but he didn't cry. Instead he giggled, and gave Snag a hug around the neck. Cyril grabbed Snag by the collar and pulled him back.

"That's enough of that," he said.

Forest began to whimper a little, and then he burst into tears, reaching for Snag.

"I think we'd better get the presents started," Cedric said.

"Good idea," Cyril said. He pulled one out of the stack and handed it to Cedric, who started to open it. Once the wrapping paper hit the floor, Forest grabbed it.

"How To Succeed in Business Without Playing Fair Volume Two," Cedric said, reading the title of the book that was underneath the paper. "Po-op!"

"What?" Cyril asked. "You never know what the future's going to bring. Kids seem to grow up overnight these days! I want Forest to be prepared to take over the industry!"

Everyone groaned. The Pigs came forward then with their gift.

"Here you go, Forest," Floyd said. He unwrapped the present for Forest. It was a piggy bank, designed to look like the Pigs. Forest just stared at it, not really sure what to make of it.

"Good gift for a baby," Bert said, sarcastically. "What the heck is he gonna do with a piggy bank?"

"Save his money, of course!" Lloyd shouted.

Everyone groaned once more. One by one, everyone gave their presents to Forest. Melissa had bought him a teddy bear. Schafer had given him a rubber ducky to play with during his bath time. Ralph had gotten Forest a toy fire engine, complete with a working siren and flashing lights. Forest loved it. Cyril glared at Ralph, and began thinking of a way to sneak into Forest's room and take the batteries out of that thing.

"Okay, Bert, your turn," Ralph said. "Let's see that surprise gift of yours."

"Oh no," Bert said. "I want to save the best for last. Let's see what Mom and Dad got Forest."

Cedric and Sophia had to leave the room to get their present to Forest. They returned a few moments later, carrying in a rocking horse. It was white with black mane and tail, gray spots, and it had a red saddle and bridle painted onto it. The rockers and the handles were painted red as well.

"Hey, ride 'em cowboy!" Bert shouted.

Ralph laughed, and put Forest onto the horse. Then he got Forest going on it. Forest squealed in delight. He loved it!

"All he needs is a cowboy hat and an outlaw to chase through the old west," Melissa said with a laugh.

"Okay, Bert, you've stalled long enough," Ralph said. "Let's see this surprise gift of yours."

"Okay, okay," Bert said. "Get him off Trigger there, and I'll give him my present."

Cedric took Forest off the rocking horse, and put him down on the floor. Bert set his box on the ground. The minute he took his hands off of it, the box moved. It also started squeaking. Forest was a little surprised. So surprised, he started backing away from the box, whimpering. Suddenly, the lid popped off the box, and a small, brown and white puppy jumped out of it. He ran to Forest and began licking his face. Forest squealed and giggled.

"A puppy?!" Cyril shouted. "You got him a puppy?!"

"Happy birthday, Forest!" Bert shouted.

"Oh, isn't he sweet?" Sophia asked.

"He's a cute little guy," Schafer said.

Everyone began gushing over how cute the little puppy was. Well, everyone except Cyril.

"I don't intend to be the one who takes care of him," he said. "You're in charge of the mutt until Forest is old enough to take care of it himself, Sofa Girl!"

Everyone seemed to ignore Cyril, as he left the room. He'd had enough of Forest's party.

Cyril wasn't the only one who wasn't thrilled about the puppy. Snag wasn't too happy about this new arrival, either. Forest seemed to like him a lot, so he couldn't go over and actually devour the little dog. So he just laid in the corner of the room, glaring at the puppy and growling at it. He would soon show that little mutt who was top dog in the Sneer mansion.