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\pard\plain \tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1080\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\ltrch\loch {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 CHAPTER 1 - Sweetness}
\par\pard\plain \tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1080\tx1440\tx1800\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\ltrch\loch {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 By: Winter\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s Ink}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 The early morning sun crested over the hills and blanketed the forest in a soft warm glow. Golden hands of light pierced the windows of Dogday\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s home and slowly crept across the floor boards. Catnap tried to hiss them back. Sleep belongs to Catnap and not even a heavenly body could scare him into submission- Well, most heavenly bodies. }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s eyes drifted to the figure of Dogday, resting on the couch beside him. His furry brown head and floppy ears lay motionless in Catnap\u8217\'92s lap. Catnap did what he could, he fought for every extra second of peaceful sleep he could give to Dogday, even if his efforts were fruitless.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 The light crested the couch and poured over Dogday. It filled the room it\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s radiance and warmth and Dogday stirred. Catnap\u8217\'92s job was done. Dogday\u8217\'92s eyes blinked open.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Catnap?\u8221\'94 Dogday said groggily.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 He lifted his head and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. His short fur stuck out at odd angles and one ear was folded over backward.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93You didn\u8217\'92t have to stay with me the whole night,\u8221\'94 he said.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93You fell asleep on my lap, dummy. I couldn\u8217\'92t move or all that work I did putting you to sleep would have gone to waste.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93I thought you were the cat,\u8221\'94 Dogday giggled, \u8220\'93Oh well, I\u8217\'92m glad you stayed. I always have the best dreams with you around.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap gave Dogday a playful shove and hopped off the couch, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Bush your fur. You look like an idiot.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday scampered across the room and scooped up a brush off the table. He started to brush out his floppy ears as he gazed out the widow with wide adventurous eyes. The forest was lit in glorious light, birds chirped from the tops of trees and animals were hard at work in their den\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s and hollows. }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93What a beautiful day that has dawned on our forest.\u8221\'94 He said.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap rolled his eyes. He was getting a drink from the kitchen where Dogday couldn\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92t see him.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93I am so happy I have you and all our friends in the forest to enjoy this day with.\u8221\'94 Dogday turned. The golden light bounced off his fur in a halo around him. }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap choked on his water.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday rushed over to Catnap\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s aid. He patted Catnap on the back, far too gently to actually help with the choking. }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Are you okay? Be careful when you\u8217\'92re drinking!\u8221\'94 He said.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap nodded and choked out a raspy, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Yep. I\u8217\'92m good.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Welp, that\u8217\'92s one friend helped today!\u8221\'94 Dogday pranced around the kitchen with his chest puffed out in pride.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Are you going to help everyone today?\u8221\'94 Catnap asked.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s eyes lit up like a christmas tree and his enormous smile, somehow, got even wider. \u8220\'93Catnap, that\u8217\'92s a great idea! We should do something for all the critters of the forest. Something that would really make their day even more beautiful and bring a smile to everyone\u8217\'92s faces.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93What do you have in mind,\u8221\'94 asked Catnap as he worked the last of the water from his windpipe.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Oh...\u8221\'94 Dogday scratched his chin, \u8220\'93I don\u8217\'92t know...\u8221\'94 His fuzzy brows furrowed, \u8221\'94What could we do to make everyone smile?...\u8221\'94 He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his temples, deep in concentration.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 A knock sounded at the door.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday leaped into the air and scampered to the door. He flung it open and shouted, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Welcome friend!\u8221\'94 Arms wide and inviting.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Hi Dogday!\u8221\'94 Pickypiggy said from the doorway, \u8220\'93And hello to you too, Catnap!\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap tilted his water glass toward Pickypiggy in greeting.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93I brought you some chocolate chips.\u8221\'94 Pickypiggy handed Dogday a bag colored in a rich brown. \u8220\'93I had some extra and wanted to bring some sweetness to the sweetest of the forest critters. I hope they bring some energy to your morning.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Thank you so much!\u8221\'94 Dogday accepted the gift with reverence.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93But don\u8217\'92t eat too many,\u8221\'94 Pickypiggy warned, \u8220\'93Too much sweetness can give you an upset tummy. That\u8217\'92s why you always add a little bit of salt when baking sweets. At least that\u8217\'92s what Bubby tells me.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93I will be very careful.\u8221\'94 Dogday nodded, looking very serious.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Well, that\u8217\'92s all for now! Goodbye, Dogday! Goodbye, Catnap!\u8221\'94 }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Goodbye PickyPiggy! Thank you again for the chocolate chips!\u8221\'94 Dogday said.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Later, Picky.\u8221\'94 Said Catnap.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Pickypiggy sauntered off down the road.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93That was nice of him,\u8221\'94 Catnap said as Dogday put the bag on the kitchen counter.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Very much so.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap plucked out a chocolate chip and tossed it into his mouth. The taste reminded Catnap of Dogday and his unending sweetness and boundless energy. He shook his head. A few moments later he reached for another. Dogday caught his arm.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Don\u8217\'92t eat too many, you\u8217\'92ll get a tummy ache! Didn\u8217\'92t you hear what PickyPiggy said?\u8221\'94 }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Two is not too many. I\u8217\'92ll be fine.\u8221\'94 Catnap ate the second chocolate smugly. }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday just looked on, worried. Catnap rolled his eyes, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93if it bothers you that much, we could always do something else with the chocolate chips. Didn\u8217\'92t Picky say something about baking? We could make them into cookies or something.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8217\'92s eyes sparkled and he leaped at Catnap, wrapping his arms around him in a twirling hug. Catnap blushed and looked away. }
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Catnap, you are so smart! We can make cookies and share them with EVERYONE in the forest! Can you imagine how happy everyone would be if we made them cookies?\u8221\'94 Dogday squeezed even harder, lifting Catnap into the air. \u8220\'93They should start calling you the sweetest critter in the forest.\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Yeah, that would be the day.\u8221\'94 Catnap said, \u8220\'93So the plan for today is to make cookies for the others?\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday nodded, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Yep. One cookie for each Critter in the forest. They\u8217\'92ll love it!\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday set down Catnap, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93It\u8217\'92s just... I don\u8217\'92t know how to bake cookies... Do you?\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93I\u8217\'92ve never made cookies before but I know they take more than just chocolate chips. Maybe Bubby has the recipe?\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Yeah, Bubby Bubbaphant has books on everything! We should head over there right now!\u8221\'94 Dogday said excitedly.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Dogday went bounding toward the door. His paws scraped across the floorboards as he slid to a stop and flung it open. He looked over his shoulder. His wagging tail slapped the door faster than any drum.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93Are you coming?\u8221\'94 He asked.}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0 Catnap stretched, \loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\af0\uc1\u8220\'93What would I do with my day if not follow you around?\u8221\'94}
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\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b1\i0 THE PLAN}
\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b1\i0 One Chocolate Chip Cookie for each Critter in The Forest.}
\par\plain {\f0\fs20\b0\i0  - Dogday & Catnap}
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