The Doggy Divas: Roxy’s Rules

by Lauren Brown

  Chapter Six

  Dog walkers on strike!”

  “Dog walkers need more pay!”

  “Dog walkers have rights!”

  Roxy pulled a pillow on top of her head and screamed. She didn’t care if anyone in her house—or next door—could hear her. The striking dog walkers had been ranting since dawn right in front of her bedroom window.

  The entire neighborhood was a disaster area, the dogs having destroyed the landscaping and lawns of every house on the block. But the dog walkers didn’t care. They were almost proud of the damage and kept protesting about how little they got paid.

  Screaming was a much-needed release for Roxy. She hadn’t received one text from Liz since the previous morning. She couldn’t decide what to wear because she was banned from following the Fashion Bible, and her company in the car this morning was going to be Georgia Sweeney. It was like she had been zapped into an alternate universe.

  Roxy gulped. This was going to be another long day.

  “Roxy! We need to leave in ten minutes if you want to have time to pick up your new friend,” her dad called out. “I need to get to work early.”

  Friend. Roxy scoffed to herself. I wouldn’t exactly call Georgia my friend. She’s more like a temporary solution.

  Roxy flung her closet doors open and realized she did not have one thing in her closet that wasn’t already planned out in the Fashion Bible. Liz had made Roxy clean out her closet a few weeks earlier so they could start the school year fresh. Roxy had donated at least two garbage bags filled with perfectly good outfits from last year to the local consignment shop—and now she wished she could get them back.

  Would it be weird if I went to the charity store and bought back all the clothes that I had donated? Roxy wondered.

  She had placed the Fashion Bible next to her book bag before she went to bed the night before. She didn’t want to forget it—even though returning it to Liz went against her better judgment. Roxy wasn’t sure which would be more humiliating—handing the book over or having to come up with an excuse why it was still at home. Either way she was doomed. Roxy flipped through the Fashion Bible and looked at the outfit they had planned for her tomorrow. Pink leggings, white T-shirt with a wide black belt, and sandals.

  Oh, well. What will Liz do to me if I wear tomorrow’s outfit today?

  Roxy threw on the outfit, smeared on a little bit of lip gloss, ran a brush through her hair, and jolted out to the car to meet her dad. He took some back roads to avoid the strike, and within minutes, they pulled up in front of Georgia’s two-story, bright yellow house.

  Georgia was sitting on the front steps with a sparkly white dog carrier on her lap. A skinny, little tan “hot dog” was running around on the grass next to her while she held onto a rhinestone-studded leash. Roxy’s dad turned around from the front seat and shot Roxy a nasty look.

  “She has a dog? I don’t want that dog to ruin my leather seats,” he said sternly. “It’ll cost a fortune to replace them.”

  “Oh, yeah, Dad. I guess I should have told you. She has a dog,” Roxy mumbled. “I’m sorry…I forgot.”

  Georgia placed her dog in the carrier and took slow, hesitant steps toward the car. Roxy had never seen her look nervous before. But the second Georgia opened the car door, the nerves were gone.

  “You’re late,” Georgia announced as she got herself situated and fastened her seat belt. Roxy heard her dad chuckle from the front seat.

  “I’m sorry. I had to pick my outfit because…” Roxy trailed off. She didn’t want to hear more from Georgia about why she thought Liz was such a bad person and terrible friend.

  “Because now you have to think for yourself instead of doing whatever Liz tells you?” Georgia asked with a knowing look. “You’re not really handing her back that wretched clothes book today, are you?”

  “I, well, I’m actually wearing an outfit scheduled for tomorrow, so…”

  “So that should teach them a lesson, right?” Georgia asked smugly.

  Roxy was seething. She knew that Georgia was right.

  I don’t care. It doesn’t matter because it’s none of her business. No wonder she doesn’t have any friends!

  “No, but I do think for myself,” Roxy said curtly while staring out the window. She held her breath as she watched a parade of kids walk by the car, each with their book bags in one hand and a dog leash in the other. She scanned the group looking for Liz. Roxy knew that Liz would sooner stay home than walk to school. Her housekeeper drove Liz just one block to drop her off every morning even though Liz had less than a three-minute walk to the school. But, with all the commotion this week, nothing would surprise Roxy.

  “So, what’s your dog’s name?” Roxy asked Georgia, desperate to change the subject from Liz.

  “Dixie—my grandparents are from the South, so we spend the summers in Savannah, Georgia. That’s how I got my name too,” Georgia said as she took out her knitting bag and started click-clacking away. Her hands were moving so fast that it looked to Roxy like someone had hit a fast-forward button.

  Roxy took Georgia’s knitting needle from her bag and placed it on Georgia’s bag. “Wow, you’re really fast!” Roxy marveled. “What are you making?”

  “A sweater for Dixie,” Georgia said with a smile. “I like to make sure that she’s the best dressed at the dog park!”

  The sweater was so cute that Roxy couldn’t believe it was for a dog. It was white with a big argyle heart on the back. Roxy would definitely buy something like it at the mall if it came in a human size!

  Why don’t more dogs in town wear cute sweaters when it’s cold? I’m sure little Roxie would love it…well, I’m sure there are tons of other dogs with owners just as fashionable as Liz that would die for cute outfits to put on their dogs.

  The wheels in Roxy’s head starting turning. People would definitely buy these sweaters. This could be huge. They could be the next Marc Jacobs or Juicy Couture—but for dogs! Canine couture—why didn’t anyone else come up with this? Georgia could be the designer and Roxy the brains behind the operation.

  “How long does it take you to knit a dog sweater?” Roxy asked casually. She would need to find just the right time to bring up the subject of a canine-couture business. For now, knowledge was power.

  “Um, I don’t know…like a few hours?” Georgia said as she started to put her things away. They were approaching the school. “Over the summer, I was making like three a day.”

  Roxy was so busy talking to Georgia and plotting this big, new business idea in her mind that she totally forgot to tell her dad that she wanted him to drop them off behind the school. She didn’t want to risk Liz seeing her and Georgia together, but it was too late. The car pulled up almost directly in front of Liz, little Roxie, Jessica, Matt and his dog (a beagle named Banjo), and the rest of the crew. Roxy tried to stay cool and hoped that they wouldn’t see her, but her dad was waving like a madman at Liz.

  “I can’t believe we haven’t seen Liz yet this week!” Roxy’s dad exclaimed as Liz waved back, flashing the infamous stage smile that she had learned at pageant camp. “She missed out on macaroni, cheese, and hot-dog casserole last night!”

  “Hot dog with mac and cheese?” Georgia gagged. “Sounds like something a homeless person would eat.”

  “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” Roxy said as she got out of the car and silently prayed that she could walk into the building without a scene from Liz.

  Dear God, I’ll stop watching bad reality TV shows and wear my retainer every night if I can just get to homeroom peacefully. Roxy took a deep breath and noticed that Georgia was watching her expectantly.

  “Hey, do you want to have lunch today?” Roxy asked. She’d try to bring up their possible business venture then. “Same spot as yesterday?”

  “Uh, sure,” Georgia said and waved at Roxy’s dad. “Thanks for the ride, M
r. Davis.”

  Roxy tried to ignore the stares and snickers coming from Liz and the gang as Georgia got out of the car and her dad pulled away. Roxy wanted to run after him and jump back into the backseat. Everyone seemed to have a dog with them, either on a leash or in a dog carrier. Principal West and a group of teachers stood out front collecting permission slips and handing every dog owner some dog treats and a bag to pick up poop.

  “Wow!” Liz called. “Are you kidding me? Really, Roxy…”

  Roxy tried to avoid eye contact with everyone in Liz’s group and practically hurdled over a poodle to get past Liz. She didn’t even say good-bye to Georgia.

  “I thought those gym sneakers were a lame accessory—but Georgia? You’ve outdone yourself!”

  Roxy just kept speed walking and refused to turn around or cry. She felt a gust of wind rush by her, and something dropped onto the folder she was carrying.

  Matt Billings and his dog swooped past her. Matt looked over his shoulder and gave Roxy a nod. She realized then that there was a folded scrap of paper on her folder with her name written in small, neat capital letters. Roxy recognized Matt’s handwriting from the journals he’d shown her when they were hanging out. Everyone assumed that Matt was a “dumb jock,” but he was actually a talented writer.

  She looked around to see if Liz or anyone was nearby watching, but they had turned their attention to making little Roxie behave while they put pink bows over her ears.

  Hey, Roxy:

  I’m really sorry about all this. I’m trying to fix it. Liz forced it out of me that we kissed. I didn’t want to tell her. I’ll talk to you when I can. Hang in there.

  Matt

  Roxy couldn’t help but smile. She knew better than anyone that betraying Liz was the worst thing in the world. But could she trust Matt? Even he couldn’t go through with telling Liz no. No one could. Roxy was so hurt, though, because she really had thought that Matt was her friend—and look at the damage he’d caused.

  The rest of the morning flew by. Roxy didn’t see Liz or Matt again, but she was completely over Bring Your Dog to School Day. Dogs used folders and notebooks as makeshift Frisbees in the halls. They were on leashes, popping their heads out of carriers, barking at the teachers, and wrestling with one another. Roxy was relieved to finally get to lunch.

  After sitting for a few minutes, Roxy anxiously looked around for Georgia and hoped she wasn’t getting stood up. But before long, Dixie came bounding around the corner—dragging Georgia with her. Dixie stopped to sniff the butt of every dog they passed along the way.

  Why are dogs so weird? Roxy thought to herself as a weary Georgia and a hyper Dixie finally plopped down next to her.

  “Can you believe all this commotion?” Georgia asked breathlessly. She was sweating so much that Roxy wanted to hand her a stick of deodorant.

  If I were sweating this much, Liz would totally start spritzing me with perfume.

  Roxy just nodded in agreement.

  “I mean, why didn’t they just cancel school?” Georgia asked as she poured some bottled water into a little plastic dish. Dixie greedily lapped it up.

  “This was definitely not one of Principal West’s smartest ideas,” Roxy said. “I hope that he’ll make all the dogs stay home tomorrow. This is just way too crazy.”

  “Hopefully, the dog walkers will be back to work by then!” Georgia said as she took her knitting supplies out of her bag. Roxy couldn’t believe that Georgia was forming a tiny sweater right before her eyes.

  “Hey, have you ever knitted people sweaters?” Roxy asked.

  “Why? You want one?” Georgia laughed. “I know you’re petite and all, but I don’t think you could get this over your head.”

  “Well, they’re super-cute. You should think about making matching sweaters for dogs and their owners,” Roxy said. “I’m telling you—I bet that a lot of other doggie owners would want their dogs to look just as stylish as little Dixie!”

  Roxy paused to see if Georgia looked interested. She couldn’t get a read, so she kept going.

  “Have you ever thought about selling these sweaters and making money?” Roxy asked. “I was thinking about it in the car this morning. We could have fashion shows and make a website and customize orders…”

  “We?” Georgia picked up Dixie and put her in her carrier. “Did I enter the Twilight Zone here? From where I’m sitting, I’m the one knitting the sweaters. Now you want to be in business with me? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

  “Well, don’t act so surprised. I’m a very good businesswoman. I’ve picked up some tips from my dad, and I know I could help you,” Roxy said in her most convincing voice. She looked over and saw Kim Pierce just a few feet away with at least five dogs sitting happily in her lap. Kim cooed in the dogs’ ears and fed them treats from her pocket.

  “Maybe we could get Kim to be our consultant.” Roxy couldn’t believe that the words were coming out of her mouth, but she kept going. “Look at her over there! She’s like a dog magnet. She literally speaks dog. I think she may even be part dog!”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think Kim likes me very much, and she’s sort of…uh, odd. Besides, I don’t think people will want to buy my sweaters,” Georgia said nervously. “Do you really think people would pay money for them?”

  “I do, Georgia. I really do,” Roxy said sincerely. “Let’s see what Kim says. I think we need the opinion of a true dog expert!”

  Roxy looked over at Kim and the gaggle of dogs lounging by her feet. Roxy’s mom always told her that everyone had “something” that made them unique. Well, dogs were definitely Kim’s “something”!

  “Hey, Kim!” Roxy called cheerfully. “Hey! Why don’t you join us over here?”

  Kim looked around and seemed confused as she tried to figure out who was calling her name.

  “Yoo-hoo, Kim!” Roxy frantically waved and desperately tried to get Kim’s attention. “Come over here! Join us. Bring the puppies!”

  Kim rounded up the dogs and made her way over. But as soon as she sat down, Roxy and Georgia were overwhelmed by the smell of beef jerky reeking from her clothes.

  “Think you may have overdone it with the treats, Kim?” Georgia blurted out with her nose wrinkled in disgust.

  Roxy tried her hardest to suppress her laughter. She knew that she was going to have to be the leader in this group—and that meant not making anyone feel bad about herself.

  “I have a lot of dogs to care for, if you haven’t noticed. No one knows the right way to handle dogs so I’m helping out,” Kim said quietly. She fed a treat to a Labradoodle named Max. “They need positive reinforcement, or they’re never gonna behave.”

  “The dog-walkers’ strike really has you stressed out, huh?” Roxy asked. She was genuinely impressed by the way Kim took care of every dog that found its way to her. She had a certain…well, power over them.

  “It’s not good for all these dogs to roam around the school and be so far off their normal schedules,” Kim sighed as she handed two Chihuahuas a rope to wrestle over. “Why didn’t Principal West ask everyone to bring proof that their dog was properly vaccinated? Or trained? And none of these dogs are getting properly hydrated.”

  Roxy and Georgia exchanged a look. Kim took dogs way more seriously than either of them had realized. Roxy decided that it was now or never to include her in this idea.

  “Well, we actually have a dog-related idea and wanted your input,” Roxy said. “No one knows more about dogs—and what dog owners want—than you do, right?”

  “Right now, I think that dog owners just want their dog walkers and dog sitters back, don’t you think?” Kim said as she tried to get a Shih Tzu named Jazzy to sit. “I mean, who’s going to walk all these dogs? Retrain them after all these days in chaos? Make sure they’re being properly fed and groomed?”

  Roxy realized that Kim was absolutel
y right. Why stop at sweaters when they could create an entire doggie empire with dog walking, grooming, training, and, of course, a fashion line!

  She felt like she was on a mission, and there was no stopping her now that her brain was spinning with ideas.

  “Girls, I think we have some business to discuss,” Roxy said importantly. “Overnight, this school has been turned into a two-story dog park. The neighborhood is topsy-turvy. We need our dog walkers back, but until they return, something needs to be done.”

  Kim and Georgia looked at Roxy like she was speaking Chinese. Even Roxy was surprised that she suddenly sounded like a mini-Donald Trump in ballet flats, but she continued her speech.

  “I say we join forces and start our own dog-walking business—and add some creative extras that those striking dog walkers never even considered!”

  “I thought you wanted to sell my doggy sweaters…” Georgia sounded confused. “We go to school. When would we have time to walk dogs and pull off—oh, how did you say it—creative extras?”

  “Before school, after school—maybe we could get special permission to leave during lunch.” Roxy was determined. Now that she had her mind set on this business, there was no turning back. “We can figure this out!”

  She looked up and saw Jessica glaring at them from a distance. Great—just what I need. Liz’s little spy running back to tell her that I’m now the president of the Monroe Middle School Reject Society.

  Roxy took a deep breath and tried a different approach.

  “Look, we all bring something to the table that can make this work,” Roxy said earnestly. “Georgia, you can take care of doggie fashion and grooming. Kim, you can handle training, discipline, and dog whispering. And I’ll do the scheduling and public relations. We’ll all split the dog walking.”

  She looked at them and waited. The look on Georgia’s face was skeptical, but she always looked at Roxy—and everyone, for that matter—like they were crazy. Kim just sat there quietly.

  “Kim, you’re not saying much,” Georgia said. “As the so-called dog expert, what do you think about this?”