The Summer Paws Fashion Show

     Bella is a six-year-old Miniature Dachshund Dapple participating in the Summer Paws Fashion Show. She was on the runway last year, but instead of getting first, she lost to a three-year-old snotty, manicured Maltese named Tasha. It was Tasha's first show, and first win, at the Perfect Paws Fashion Show. Her owner, Monique, was so surprised that she fainted in the middle of her speech! Just then, Bella heard the familiar tink-tink of Tasha's pedicured nails on the polished wood floor.
     "What are you doing here, you spotted mutt?" Tasha teased, "I thought you lost last show?"
     "I'm here because I'm going to prove that I am worthy of that trophy, unlike you," spat Bella as she strutted away from Tasha's stunned face.
     "Babycakes, where are you?" shouted Hilary as she was walking down the rows and rows of different stages for the contestants to practice.
     "Yip!" squeaked Bella as Hilary stooped down to pick her up.
     "I've been worried sick about you!" she said as she hugged and kissed Bella, "It's already time to change into your practice dress!" Bella's "practice dress" turned out to be a puffy, shimmering, pink silk dress with a fake diamond necklace. Tasha was impressed, even though she would never admit it, with the beautifully dressed and perfectly manicured and groomed dog that was sashaying over to her.
     "I would love your dress if it had a little bit more glitter to it," Bella said mischievously as she circled Tasha and with a fake smile said, "here I'll help you!" She then scooped up some glitter with her paw and flung it at Tasha's face.
     "You-you..." Tasha was speechless.
     "Yes," Bella replied,"I did just do that."
     "GRRRRRR!" Tasha growled as she stomped off angrily to Monique. Bella was very pleased with herself. This was her second time today that she actually stood up for herelf. What was happening to her? She tried to give Tasha a taste of her own medicine and it worked, even though she was terrified inside and wanted to shrink into the shadows. She was also horrified that she would make a huge mistake and dilapidate her reputation into oblivion!
     The next day was the real fashion show. She saw every breed of dog imaginable, plus a couple of cats who were definitely not happy too be there. They were all dressed up, including her, and ready to win. Bella was wearing a glamourous blue dress, a pink seashell hair pin, and a diamond necklace and bracelet that had different kinds of seashell beads.
     "Oh, Babycakes!" called Hilary as she looked under every judge's silk pink and blue table. "There you are! I've been looking for you all morning! Promise Mommy you won't run away again!"
     "Yip!" squealed Bella as Hilary picked her up. She then walked down the rows of tables and stopped at the registration table.
     The lady who was administering the table smiled at Hilary then asked, "Does your dog have her breeding papers?"
     "Of course!" cried Hilary as she reached into her pink designer leather purse and brought out Bella's breeding papers.
     The lady read the papers and checked to see if they were counterfeit and then declared, "These are genuine breeding papers, you can go. Have a nice day Mrs..."
     "Naab. Hilary Marie Naab." and with a gust of wind, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and strode away.
     "Ladies and Gentlemen," bellowed the announcer a couple hours later, "find your seats because the Summer Paws Fashion Show is about to begin!"
     Hilary, who was backstage with Bella, said, "Okay, we can do this Bella. It's just a few steps away until we're famous. We just have to do exactly like how we practiced."
     "Yip!" barked Bella in agreement.
     "Here's our first contestant, Monique and Tasha Frashing!" yelled the announcer. They walked down the stage and ended as perfect as you can get. They were both wearing matching outfits that were pink and had a pattern of flowers on them. They also had an exquisite tiara on that was made out of real diamonds. They earned nine out of ten points. All the other contestants made at least one mistake, so Monique and Tasha were in the lead for the trophy and the grand prize.
     "Here's our last contestant, Hilary and Bella Naab!" the announcer hollered. Hilary took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage with a picture-perfect smile. Bella followed suit with a perfect walk that she thought was way better than Tasha's.
     "Hilary and Bella win!" screamed the announcer over the chanting of the crowd, "I can't believe it folks! The rookies have won the Summer Paws Fashion Show and the $50,000 prize!"
     "We won Bella!" screeched Hilary, "We won!"