Gemotions

The dim light of the overhead lamp cast long shadows across the living room as Chloe reread the words of a dog-training manual. Her fingers traced the glossy pages, lingering on the pictures of happy dogs. "It's a responsibility, Chloe," her roommate, Alex, had told her, with a frown. "It’s not some kind of toy."

Now, she couldn't stop the racing thoughts, the images of walks in the park, the playful nips, the wet noses. Her face was flushed with a rush of something new.

She jumped up, pacing the length of the room. A tremor ran through her, a mixture of both anxiety and anticipation. With a decisive movement, she pulled open her laptop, determined to find the perfect breed, the perfect pup.