The Dog

Molly wanted a dog more than anything. Every night, she asked Mom, “Please, may we get a dog?” Every morning, she said to Dad, “A dog would be a good thing to have.”
“Dogs are work,” said Mom. “You have to walk them every day.”
“You have to feed them and brush them,” said Dad. “They need fresh water, too.”
“I will take good care of a dog,” Molly said. “I will walk him and feed him. I will brush him and make sure he always has clean water.”
Her parents said nothing. Molly felt sad. “I will never get a dog,” she said.
On her seventh birthday, a box sat on the floor. “For Molly,” said the tag. The box wiggled. Then it barked. “My dog!” cried Molly