Word Count: 707

Candice had her blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she sat on her bed, Cotton curled up on her lap. She was surprised at how large Cotton was now, but was glad that she shouldn’t get any bigger. At least, that’s what the vet said. Cotton wasn’t super heavy, but the dog’s weight and fur kept Cotton warm where her blanket could not. The only part of Candice that was cold was her arms and fingers, but that was because she needed them.

She smiled as she looked at the knitting in front of her. It was one of the few times she picked up yarn and a set of needles, but as the days grew colder, Candice wanted to make sure that Cotton stayed warm, despite the dog’s fur. Plus, it made Cotton look cuter.

Another plus side of Cotton sitting on her was that it was easy for Candice to see if the sweater was large enough. When Candice looked at Cotton, she thought that it might make Cotton’s fur look a bit odd, but having a sweater just in case was better than not having it if she needed it. Candice thought back to last year when she had first gotten Cotton. For the most part, she had kept Cotton inside because she was afraid the little thing would get too cold. With school and still being bugged by the past, she hadn’t thought of making a sweater for Cotton.

But this year was different. Candice wanted to bring Cotton out to enjoy the snow. If they were both going to enjoy that, Candice had to make sure that she wasn’t self-conscious of Cotton being cold.

Candice stared at her handy-work. The sweater was a pastel green. Most of what she was working on was long to cover the main body of Cotton. She had started the project late summer/early autumn and was glad that it was almost complete. Although she had made clothes before, it was Candice’s first time knitting and she was proud of how it looked. Most of it was uneven, where she might have pulled too tight for some and not tight enough for others, but it would still serve its function.

“Look at it Cotton! I hope you like it!” With the mention of her name, Cotton looked up at Candice and what was in her hand. The dog was curious of the knitting, but that was it. Candice, a tad disappointed at Cotton’s disinterest, continued working on it. In another hour, it was done.

She held down Cotton as Candice first put Cotton’s head through the largest hole. Candice then went and put Cotton’s front legs through the appropriate holes. When Candice turned Cotton so that the dog faced her again, Candice couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

Cotton looked at Candice, her eyes wide and somewhat saddened. The dog was tense in Candice’s arms and it was clear she wasn’t used to having the sweater on. Candice noticed that because the sweater pushed around some of Cotton’s fur, it made it seem as though Cotton had more of ‘mane’ like a lion. Of course, Candice found it absolutely adorable, but she had also never seen her dog cower up like that. “It’s just a sweater, silly,” she told Cotton as she gave the dog a peck on the nose. “You’ll get used to it eventually!”

When Candice stood up from her bed, she wasn’t surprised to see Cotton still lying there, uncomfortable. She felt bad that her little one was so withdrawn, but at the same time, it was amusing and Candice couldn’t help but smile. Candice pulled out her phone and took a picture of Cotton lying there.

Candice examined the picture and smiled. It was a somewhat saddening picture, but adorable. It was one of the few times, possibly the only time that she caught Cotton so sad and Candice was ready to show it off! But to be nice, Candice approached Cotton again and took off the sweater.

In an instant, the dog dashed off of her bed and went to run around the apartment. “Well, I can tell you don’t want that on again for a while,” Candice said aloud with a laugh.