I had an opening. I asked her (Huntley) if she had any Labs."

Huntley happened to have two Lab puppies at the time.

While Richards checked out the duo, who had been abandoned near a highway, a frisky, but friendly Airedale Terrier mix named Oliver grabbed her attention.

"Oliver was running around and he was adorable," Richards said. "He was very friendly and he loved the dog that I took in to be groomed. And I just kind of fell in love with him on the spot."

Richards had her husband stop by the boutique to look at Oliver the same day, and a few hours later, Oliver had a new home.

Oliver wasn't the only one who went home with a new owner after Richards' visit.

When Richards returned to work, she told"Strange," Norn croaked evenly, "Sharden are usually more cunning then that."

"Everyone!" shouted an elder, "Stay closer to each other!" All were happy to oblige as the great feathered shadow came ever closer to the cluster of humans. Norn explained to Tawny that Sharden never attacked humans who were in a large group, which allowed her peace of mind until she realized something. There was somebody missing.

"Loki…" she uttered. That jerk, Loki! He was gone! Great, she thought spitefully, First, he pushes me down, and now he's making me worried about him! Before any kind of common sense could tempt her to stay put, Tawny Bellsong was off, paying no heed to the cries that came from behind her, imploring her to stop.

Why was she doing this? Loki had