Our latest addition was rolling around on the floor with Horatio, happy as a clam and completely oblivious to the name controversy. John and I had bathed her and brushed her and put a bright red collar with a bow on her to match the one Horatio was wearing. But even though her fur was three shades lighter when she was clean, it was still a flyaway dishwater blond, and she still looked scruffy.

“Scruffy Dog it is,” I said. “It’s the perfect name for her.”

“Agreed,” John said.

We sealed the deal with a Michael Jackson fist bump.

Tomorrow our dad would dress up like Santa and make the rounds to his grandkids’ homes to deliver presents. But tonight, we lugged in my father’s Christmas presents from the various vehicles that had transported them over here: a massive TV, a new vinyl recliner with dual cup holders and a heated back massager, a 150-can beverage center mini-fridge. We helped him arrange them in his new man cave.

“You kiddos did all right,” he said. “I guess I’ll keep you around for another year.”

John and I looked at each other. I was pretty sure we were both hoping we’d keep each other around for a lifetime.

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Keep turning the page to read an excerpt of Must Love Dogs: Hearts & Barks (#7).

Excerpt MLD: Hearts & Barks

Must Love Dogs: Hearts & Barks (#7)

Chapter 1

Valentine’s Day was in the air. Given my track record in the hearts and flowers department, there was a slight chance that this could turn out to be a problem. Just a hunch.

John and I kissed each other good morning, the five Fancy Feast paté-filled cat bowls I cradled in my arms pressed between us. He tasted like toothpaste and coffee, but in a good way. I lingered, taking in the woodsy smell of his soap.

When I juggled the cat bowls to rest my hand on John’s forearm, I managed to dunk my fingers into one of the two canned Blue Buffalo Wilderness-filled dog dishes he was holding.

“Eww,” I said.

“Not you,” I added. I was considerate like that. I hightailed it over to the cat-feeding station in one corner of the kitchen. Pebbles and her four kittens followed me single-file like I was the Pied Piper.