On Friday and for the next two weeks, Lulu—along with Fleischman—walked the dogs. They each took turns making dog-biscuit trails for Brutus. They each took turns coaxing Pookie by tooting the flute. And they each took turns saying the most flattering things in German to Cordelia to persuade her to come out of her hiding place. And as long as Fleischman was there, the dogs behaved.

Lulu didn’t have much to say to Fleischman. She didn’t want Fleischman saying much to her. But on their third Friday together, after the dogs were returned to their owners, Fleischman tapped Lulu’s elbow and said to her quietly, “We make a good team.”

Big mistake.

Lulu stopped walking and started scowling at Fleischman. She put her hands on her hips. She narrowed her eyes. “Fleischman,” she said to Fleischman, “I want you to listen, and listen carefully. We aren’t a team. We will NEVER be a team. I’m the dog-walking boss, and you are only my assistant. ¿Comprendez?”

(Comprendez is Spanish for “Do you understand?” But why, you may very well ask, did she say it in Spanish? I really don’t feel like discussing that right now.)

Fleischman nodded his head to show that yes, he understood. And then he turned and silently headed home.