After finally cleaning up the mess she'd left in the kitchen, Zara had one mission on her mind: Apollo needed to be pampered. She convinced Xavier to drive her to the best pet utility store in town, determined to stock up on everything her new furry friend might need—and then some.
As they entered the store, Zara's excitement was palpable. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at the aisles packed with toys, beds, treats, and accessories. It was as if *she* were the one being spoiled, not Apollo. Meanwhile, the husky wagged his tail happily, sniffing around the new and unfamiliar smells.
Apollo, curious and full of energy, started pawing at various items. He sniffed an elaborate, plush dog bed, his tail thumping in approval. "We'll take it!" Zara declared, grabbing the price tag without a second thought. Next, Apollo tugged at a squeaky toy shaped like a steak. Zara's face lit up, and without hesitation, she tossed it into the cart.
As they made their way through the store, Zara's enthusiasm didn't wane. She bought Apollo a luxurious doghouse that looked more like a miniature mansion—complete with a tiny front porch. "He deserves the best," she said proudly, turning to Xavier with a glint of determination in her eyes.
Xavier looked on, mildly entertained but unable to hide his skepticism. "Zara, you know he's a dog, right? He doesn't exactly need… all this."
"Oh, hush. He's practically family now," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "Besides, look how happy he is!" Apollo, thoroughly enjoying himself, had his nose deep in the aisle of dog treats.
By the time they reached the checkout counter, Zara's cart was overflowing with bags of treats, a sturdy leash, a cute dog collar, endless squeaky toys, and that extravagant dog mansion. The cashier raised an eyebrow as he scanned each item, clearly amused by the extent of her shopping spree.
Finally, the cashier glanced at the mountain of purchases. "Would you like these delivered?"
"Yes, please!" Zara grinned. She glanced over at Xavier, who was giving her a look that was somewhere between exasperation and amusement.
As the cashier asked for the delivery address, Zara's heart skipped a beat. *This was it*—her moment to get their exact location. She smoothly asked for the address from Xavier, masking her glee as he casually told the cashier.
*Perfect.* Now, she knew exactly where they were. A little breakthrough. Now, if she ever felt hungry and didn't want to risk another kitchen disaster, she could simply order takeout straight to their doorstep.
She gave herself a mental pat on the back for this victory. *Smart thinking, Zara. Very smart.*
They headed back to the car, Apollo trailing behind with his new leash, looking just as thrilled with the outing as Zara. She glanced back at the store with a satisfied smile, knowing that her dog now had everything he could possibly need—and she had gained a new lifeline to takeout options.