Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to Janet Evanovich. I am not making any money from this. Mistakes are mine.

Even the Pup is an Unmentionable by Debra8652

Chapter 25

POV will switch between Lester and Remy.

Lester's POV

Once again, Rangeman is firing on all cylinders. My primo rented portable pickleball courts for the Rangeman Labor Day picnic and no one was injured. We had a run of bad luck a few weeks ago so Bossman said no horseshoes, lawn darts, or archery. No injuries when the guys put a new roof on the VFW Lodge, either.

Flash is back in his apartment and splitting his workday between his apartment and Rangeman. Diesel has been popped to either Oktoberfest in Munich or the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Since he mentioned lederhosen and beer, I'm guessing it's Munich, although it could be either place. Maybe he'll pop in and visit the family in Switzerland. Beautiful will never forgive him if he doesn't bring her a box of Swiss chocolates. Speaking of food, Beautiful has a tin of crackers by her computer. She's gone to the printer so I'll just help myself. Tasty.

Remy's POV

Santos isn't firing on all cylinders. He just ate some of the dog treats from Mom's cubicle that Ella makes for me. He even seemed to like them. Excuse me while I hone my latest skill - rolling my eyes.

The Labor Day picnic was a blast. Freddy and cousin Lisa Kloughn were in his empty swimming pool with a bunch of ping pong balls to push back and forth. Freddy's kind of sweet on her. Lisa also fed me some of the snack she was eating. I know what it is - I saw the box in her little tote bag. Dad Diesel is Swiss and speaks German so I can read the label - it's Zwieback. Tasty.

Now they are setting up two Twister mats. I wish they'd let me play. I am used to balancing on four legs. Maybe I can do the Army Crawl and sneak under the guys who are playing. Mom didn't want to play as she was worried one of the Rangeguys would fall on her. Mom is a wise woman.

Lester's POV

Bobby commented on how white my teeth looked while we were in the morning meeting. It does feel as if there's less tartar on them. I wonder why?

Remy's POV

The Labor Day picnic will be the last big outdoor event of the season. Ella's fall mums will be arriving soon and I will dig the holes for them. Next comes Mom's birthday and Halloween will be here soon - that's Mom's favorite holiday. Santos started the rumor that Mom will be dressed as Dorothy and I will be Toto. Are you going to believe Santos - he ate dog treats! Besides, I am too big for Mom to carry in a basket.

Anyway, Labor Day is over and Raphael, our talented artist, has the morning off and asked Mom if I could go with him while he sketched in the park. Mom was totally cool with it. The game's afoot! Raphael is going to sketch me as a present for Mom's birthday. He is really good and I am a handsome dog! Truly.

He tells me to give him a noble, pensive, introspective look. I contemplate good vs evil and nature vs nurture and strike my pose - oh, leaf! Sorry, lost my train of thought there. He works quickly - sometimes the TPD asks for his help as a sketch artist to work with victims and witnesses. He showed me the sketch - wow, just wow. He tells me I can go and chase the leaves and then come back to him with a "bat-shit crazy" expression. No problemo! Next he wants my twisty belly rub pose. Nailed it. This is going to be a triptych - that's what groups of three are called.

We have attracted quite a lot of attention from women in the park. No, I didn't program them to pay attention to him. Raphael is very good-looking, smart, nice, sweet, funny and crazy-talented so the ladies like both of us. It's getting close to lunch - time for us to go back to Rangeman. Oh good, guess who just pulled up in his SUV to visit the taco truck across the park? Yep, one each Lester Santos, who hasn't scored with the ladies since his first trip to the park with me right after I came to Trenton. He looks at the scene, open-mouthed, as several ladies have gathered around us to admire the sketches, me, and Raphael. Too bad, Santos. Maybe you can attract them with your brilliantly white teeth.

A/N Your reviews are appreciated. SLYNNR, thanks for your suggestion.