The K2 Joy class marched into the loud, chirping pet shop on Monday morning. Rows of bright glass habitats bubbled and buzzed on every side. The students pressed their noses against the cool glass, looking for a new classroom friend.
They spotted a black-and-white dog standing upright, waddling playfully on his two back legs. The quirky fellow wagged his tail and peered right back at them. "Look, a penguin!" a boy whispered, his eyes wide. They decided to name him Timi.
The excited children carefully scooped their funny new friend out of his shop enclosure. They placed him gently into a little carrier. With careful, steady steps, they carried him out the door and back toward their school.
Down on the classroom floor, Timi sniffed an interesting table leg. He bumped right into a bright blue art supply, sending it toppling over. He stepped right into the gooey, squishy puddle, thinking it felt wonderfully muddy.
Plop, squish, plop. He marched straight across the green reading rug, leaving bright blue, sticky paw prints trailing behind him. He wagged his tail at the colorful trail. The watching children let out a collective, echoing gasp.
The class quickly gathered around the painted rug. Speaking in low, soothing tones, they gently coaxed their messy pet toward the open door. Together, they herded him down the long hallway toward the washing sinks.
The school bathroom was completely quiet, smelling like fresh soap. A deep, white porcelain bathtub waited patiently under gleaming chrome taps. It was the perfect place to clean a painted puppy.
The children lifted Timi into the ceramic tub and turned on the warm, spraying tap. Slippery soap bubbles began to rise around his painted toes. He blinked at the suds and let out a happy, high-pitched bark.
As the warm water filled the basin, Timi sat up on his hind legs. He paddled his front paws in the air perfectly, mimicking a flipper-flapping bird. He held totally still when they scrubbed his legs, watching the clear bathwater turn a swirling blue.
Suddenly, the clean puppy clambered right out of the soapy tub and planted his wet feet on the floor tiles. He gave his entire body a gigantic jiggle. With a loud wappa-wappa-wappa, he shook himself as hard as he could.
Cold water sprayed the sinks, dotted the mirrors, and left tiny drops dangling from noses. Everyone simply stood frozen for a long, silent second. They stared down at the dripping, thoroughly soaked animal. Then, a single giggle echoed off the walls.
The whole class of K2 Joy burst into bright, echoing laughter. They tossed thick, warm fabrics over their funny little friend, rubbing him until he was perfectly dry. Timi gave another cheerful bark, waddling back toward the classroom.
