[RACHEL02189]

At his house Criss was picking up a few things on the floor as Sandra came in. "What's wrong Criss you look unhappy?'. "I don't know I've just been feeling down for a while"he stated. "Is your depression coming back". "I hope not"he replied. All of a sudden Criss heard barking in his back yard. He turned around and saw a german shepard in the back. "What the heck". They walked over and saw the dog just running back and forth but when Criss and Sandra came out he walked over to Sandra and pulled at her shirt. "I think he wants us to follow him". "Come on boy". They followed the dog to a house with the door opened. "Hello"Sandra called out. "Outside,"a voice called out. They went outside and saw a ladder on the ground. "Up here". Criss and Sandra saw a woman on the roof. "I see Oso got you" as Sandra got the ladder.

"You all right?"Criss asked. "Yea I was getting a ball I threw up here when the ladder fell I guess Oso figured out I needed help and got you" as she climbed down. "Yea he's a smart dog"Sandra remarked giving him a pat on the head. "My name's Romona". "Sandra and this is my fincee Christopher" as they shook hands. "Nice to meet you". "Well it's nice meet you too but I have to get to work" Criss stated. "All right Angel have fun at Believe"Romona said as Sandra chuckled. Oso even barked as Criss rolled his eyes and snickered.

[Veritas]

Good beginning, but you're rushing it. Slow down! Take time to develop your characters and story line.

[RACHEL02189]

After Criss left Romana and Sandra went inside with Oso following. "So Romana how long have you been here". "A year" as they sat down for something to drink. "Criss has lived here for awhile why haven't I seen you" Sandra asked. Romana sighed. "I have an anxiety disorder and because of it I had a hard time going out with out having a panic attack. My therpist decided that I should get a dog to help me with my anxiety and my therapist was corrected Oso has been a good sent"she replied. "Maybe I should get a dog for Criss. We just lost our little dog Dini he got hit by a car. I can tell Criss misses her"Sandra replied.

At The Luxor Criss was sitting in Believe just thinking as JD and Costa came in. "Hey Criss why are you hiding in Believe"JD asked. "Just need to be my self for a while"he replied. "Criss we're wondering if you're all right. You've been down since Dini passed". Criss sighed. "I've been feeling like it's my fault Dini died". "Criss it wasn't your fault Dini passed away we know that and you should know that"JD remarked. "If I just payed attention Dini wouldn't-". Tears fell down his face. JD sat next to him and gave Criss a hug.

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At The Luxor Criss was finishing up some work when he saw Romona come in with Oso. "I'm sorry but dogs aren't allowed here"a sercurity man stated. "He's my therapy dog he can go into any place"she remarked. The guy looked at Oso and at her. "I've seen therapy dogs that's not one now please get out or I'll have to call the police". "Than call them and you'll be arrested for discrimantion". Criss knew the guard was wrong and went outside. "Samual"he called out. "Mr. Angel there's nothing you need to deal with here". "Sam unless you want to be fired I'd hang up. She is right this is a therapy dog"Criss stated. "I've seen therapy dogs this isn't one". "Just because it's a german sherpard. Sam it sayes on line any breed of dog can be a therapy dog even pugs"Criss remarked. "What's going on here?"Felix said as he came out of the elevator.

"Your guard isn't letting me in because of my service dog"Romona stated as Oso just laid on the ground. "A service dog if you don't mind me asking why?"Felix inquired. "I have anxiety issues and I need him to stay calm,". She even went into her purse and pulled out some doucments. "I have these papers from my therapist and his certifice" showing him. "Sam she's right he is a therapy dog" showing him the stuff. "Where is the vest he's surpose to wear; these could be fake Mr. Rappaport"Sam remarked. "For your information the fabric that it's made out of he's allergic too he'll get a bad rash and he'll just itch it untill his claws hit his skin and he'll get an infection and probably die"she replied. "Felix if it will make you feel better I'll vouch for her. She lives in my neighborhood"Criss said. "All right but if he does something like does his business-". "Don't worry Mr. Rappaport Oso signals me when he needs to go outside and I have pop bags just incase"she said.

"Thank you and what's this guy's name?"Felix asked as Oso just laid there. "Oso it's german for bear. His father was a police dog and his mother was a therapy dog". "Well that's a good name for him" and Felix left. "Thanks Criss for vouching for me"Romona stated. "No problem". Oso went over to Criss and started to paw his leg. Criss bent down. "What Oso?". Oso gave Criss a lick which made Romona giggle. "I think you made a friend Criss"Sam remarked walking away. "Thanks Oso. See yea later Romona" and he left.

[RACHEL02189]

banging head

[RACHEL02189]

When Criss went into his office memories of Dini's death flooded Criss's mind. Dini no!!!!. Criss wiped the tears from his face. A knock on the window brought him back and saw it was Romona. Criss let them in. "Hey Criss". "That was a fast trip"he said as they sat down. "I kind of need a favor Criss. I need to go into a perfume store but for some reason Oso doesn't want to go in". "Probably can't stand the smell I get a headache when I go past it"Criss remarked as Romona snickered. "Do you mind watching Oso for a minute?'. "No". "All right you be good Oso and if he needs to go outside he'll rub your leg"she stated.

"No problem"Criss remarked. She bent down to Oso and told him to be good and listen to Criss while she was gone. He gave her a lick. "I'll just be a few minutes" and left. As Criss worked Oso laid down on the couch. Criss looked up at Oso as he looked at Criss like they were having a staring contest. "So who's winning?". Criss blinked as Costa walked in. "I think Oso did"Criss joked. As Costa went near Oso he growled at him. "Oso come here" and Oso walked over to Criss. "When did you adopt a dog?" Costa asked sitting down. "I didn't I'm watching him while his owner runs an errand" patting Osos on the head. Romona came back and Oso walked over. "Good boy were you good for Criss" rubbing his neck.

"Yea he growled at my brother a little". "Oso that's not nice. He somestimes does that with people Osos doesn't know" she apologized. "At least he didn't bite me it's all right"Costa replied. "Romona this is my brother Costa"Criss said.. "Sandra warned me about you," as Criss laughed. "Talk to you later" and she left. When Criss got home Sandra came out. "Hey baby I thought you had Believe tonight?". "Some idiot was doing some gas work near The Luxor and broke the gas line they evactued the hotel so I thought it was a sign telling me to go home so I told everyone since they weren't sure how long it was going to take to fix the leak I cancelled Believe but told them to hold their tickets for tomorrow's show" as he walked in

[RACHEL02189]

It was a quiet night in Las Vegas you could hear a pin drop but for Criss it wasn't that kind of night. He had been haunted by Dini's death so bad that he kept dreaming about that night again and again to the point where Criss didn't even want to go to sleep. One night around four he was walking around the house when Criss looked outside and saw Romona sitting on her stoup with Oso walking around the front yard. Criss grabbed a jacket and went over to Romona. On her stoup Romona was sipping some tea as Criss walked over. "Christopher I thought you'd be asleep". "Got insomina what about you?". "Oso needed to go but he's looking for something so I brewed some tea and let him knock himself out. Want a cup?" she asked. "Why not it's a little chilly" he replied.

"Oso be a good boy I'll be right back" and they went in. They walked in and Criss saw how organized Romoma is from the alaphatized books to which bill to pay. It was to the point of OCD organization. "You are organized maybe I should hire you to organized my place"Criss stated as he sat down. "Part of my anxiety is a bit of OCD". "Every gone full blown OCD?". "Before I got Oso I couldn't leave the house with out flipping the lights on and off five times" she admitted. After the water boiled and Romona poured it Criss saw a picture on her desk. "Is this your mom?"he asked. "Yea she's in a mental hospital" she replied giving Criss his tea. "Why?"Criss asked. "She's schizophrenic Criss" she replied as they went back outside. "That had to be hard to live with a schizophrenic mother". "My doctor sayes most of my anxiety is from my mom and living with her for so long"Romona said. Criss couldn't believe how living with a mother that had this illness could cause this person so much anxiety in her life.

"What about you Criss this isn't the first time I've seen you awake at this time". "You read me better than my mother does. I've been having nightmares and I don't know how to get rid of it"Criss replied. "Why don't you talk to Sandra about it maybe she can help you find the cause of it" Romona suggested. "She knows why"Criss remarked cupping his tea in his hand. "Did something happened?". "Yea I lost a pet unexpectedly and I saw him die" Criss replied. "Oh I'm so sorry Criss that has to be hard to lose an animal I'd probably go insane if I lost Oso". "Speaking of him where is he?" looking around. Romona got up and called him. "Oso here boy" she called out. Criss heard a soft wimpering in the back of the house so they followed the noise to find Oso hiding under a bush with his front paws over his nose.

Taking two step near the dog Criss knew why and so did Romona. "Oh boy I think he found a skunk that didn't want to play"Criss remarked. "That's not all look on the ground porcupine quills" Romona stated picking up one. Criss took a deep breath and took a good look at Oso who indeed had porcupine quills embedded in his nose and paw. "You need to get Oso to a vet before he starts pulling those out himself"Criss replied. "His usually vet is on vacation untill tomorrow" trying not to gag.

[RACHEL02189]

"Let's get him into the car I know a twenty-four clinic I use for Hammie". After they got Oso into the car and with the windows down Criss and Romona went to the vet. At the vet Franklin was cleaning up some dog vomit when a car pulled up. He saw it was Criss and another girl with a dog. "Martha emergency!!"he called out putting the mop away. He opened the door and the whiff of skunk hit like a ton of bricks. "Bring a mask dog got sprayed and met a porcupine to boot" putting his hand over his nose. Martha came out with a mask over her nose and saw Criss who had the top of his coat over his nose. "Who's this guy?"she asked as Romona came in. "This is Oso my therpy dog I think he met a skunk and a porcupine that didn't want to play with him" as she coughed.

"Well first we're going to knock Oso out and get those quills out than give him a good bath. Why don't you wait here and get some fresh air" she suggested. "Thanks"Criss remarked and they went outside. Romona took a few deep breaths as Criss shut the back of the car. "God another a minute I think I was going to gag"Romona said. "Me too" as Criss opened the door to sit down. "Criss you said that you lost a dog and you saw him pass away". "Yea I had just got home when Dini, that was his name was running around the house. I opened the door and he came rushing out like a bullet. Before I could grab him he ran out to the street and a car hit him" wiping a tear away. Romona went over to Criss. "Oh Criss I'm so sorry" she remarkeed putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I've been blaming myself thinking if I had just closed that door faster Dini would still be alive" wiping the tears away. "Criss it isn't anyone's fault that Dini died it was an accident pure and simple". "Everyone keeps telling me that but-". Romona gave Criss a hug. "How about this Christopher when you feel up to it I know a kennel that you and Sandra can go to to pick out a new dog". "Thanks Romona why don't we go in and see how Oso's doing". "All right" and they went in. When Sandra woke up Criss wasn't in bed so she went downstairs and found Criss just coming in the door. "Christopher where have you been?". "The vet Romona's dog met a skunk and a porcupine that didn't want to play". "Thatstink"Sandra remarked. "Literal but Oso all right they got the quills out and he smells much (yawn) better"he replied. "Why don't you catch some shut eye for a while". "All right". He gave Sandra a kiss and went upstairs.

[RACHEL02189]

Two months went by and Criss and Sandra went to the kennel that Romona had told them about. After they looked at all the dogs they went outside to talk. "What dog do you like?"Criss inquired. "The Lab is cute and friendly". "Yea but the bio on the cage sayes he doesn't get along with cats"Criss replied. "Yea what about the toy poodle?". "And have Jonathon and Carrot Top make fun of me because of that no way"Criss replied. "All right what dogs do you like?".Sandra asked. "The pit bull is cute". "Are you crazy those dogs are trained to be fight dogs. What if that dog had been trained to be a fight dog I am not having that kind of dog in the house" Sandra remarked.

"All right what do you think of the Mastiff?". "Criss are you hi that dog is related to the Great Dane". As they talked a walker brought out a beautiful german sherpard. "Excuse me is that dog up for adoption?"Criss asked. "Why yes her owner just dropped her off". "How about this?"Criss inquired. Sandra looked at the dog and she smiled. "Allright". When they got home JD and Costa were there talking to Romona. "Hey guys"Criss remarked. "So what did you get?". Sandra got out with the dog. "Meet Chicklet"Criss replied. "She's beautiful Christopher"Romona stated as JD patted her. "She's very friendly"JD replied. "I'm going to walk her around the house"Sandra stated and went inside. "You picked a beautiful dog Christopher"Costa remarked.

[RACHEL02189]

A couple of days passed and Criss was walking Chicklet as a car pulled up. The door opened and Dimitra got out. "Hey mom" giving her a hug. "Christopher it's so good to see you. How are you?". "Feeling good"he remarked. Then Chicklet walked over and sniffed Dimitra. "Dog sitting Christopher?"she asked a little nervous as Chicklet smelled her. "Mom she's saying hello to you. Mom meet Chicklet"Criss remarked as Dimitra bent down. "She's beautiful Christopher" patting her. Then Romona came over with Oso. "Hey Criss how's Chicklet doing?". "Good Romona this is my mom. Mom this is Romona and her therapy dog Oso"Criss introduced. They shook hands as Oso walked over to Chicklet. "I see you guys have the same taste in dogs"She remarked as Romona smirked.

"Mom"Criss said. "Criss is a great neighbor to me and Oso". Criss noticed Romona was sweating a little. "Mom why don't you go inside for a second" as Romona sat down. Dimitra went in as Criss walked in. "Thanks-Criss" breathing hard. "Just relax Romona". Inside Dimitra asked if she should call an amblance. "It's all right Dimitra Romona has an anxiety disorder"Sandra replied as they watched Romona give Criss a hug than went back to her house with Oso as Criss came back in with Chicklet. "She all right Criss"Sandra asked. "Yea" Criss remarked taking off Chicklet's leash. "Do you know why she has so much anxiety that she needs a therapy dog?"Dimitra asked. " She lived with a schizophrenic mother ". "Oh my"Sandra said. "Right now her mother's in a mental hospital somewhere"Criss replied. "Poor child no wonder she has anxiety issues"Dimitra stated. "Yea"Criss said. As they talked Criss saw Chicklet running over to Romona's house. Criss went outside and saw Oso was outside scratching at the door.

Criss ran over and knocked on the door. "Romona open up"Criss called out banging on the door. "Go away" a voice called out which Criss knew it wasn't Romona. Criss went to the back and opened the screen door with Oso and Chicklet following. He opened the screen door and heard banging on the door. Criss followed Osos to the back room and found a woman banging on the door. Oso growled at the woman. "What the I thought I threw you outside"she said. The woman turned around and Criss saw she had a butcher knife in her hand. "Who are you?". "You can help me as I cut thedemons out of my daughter's body"she remarked. "Help Criss!!"Romona yelled from her room.

The lady came closer to Criss with the butcher knife. Criss didn't know what to do untill Chicklet knocked the lady down from the back. The knife dropped from her hands. Criss took his belt off and tied the woman up. "Romona come out I have her". Oso scratched at the door untill the door opened. Criss walked to the room and Romona was in a corner shaking while Oso walked over to her. Romona hugged Oso.