Chapter 107 – Merlot Goes Shopping
Merlot’s little nose twitched and her head swiveled as she took in all the new sights and smells. There were smells she recognized; the tart smell of apples, the sweet fragrance of cilantro, the sharpness of dandelions, but there were many new smells she didn’t recognize. She was curious!
On their way home from her follow-up visit to the vet, Dad asked, “I need to pick up greens. Do you want to see where your food comes from?” Merlot thought, “Sure!” She had always wondered where her greens came from. Somehow, they magically appeared every day.
When they arrived at DeMartini’s produce market, Dad placed her in a snuggle sack and sat her in the “baby seat” of the cart. Abigail always retreated into the snuggle snack if she got scared. But, to his surprise, Merlot sat straight up and craned her neck to see more. “Don’t worry, Dad,” she thought, “I’m not going to run away! I’ll stay near you where I’m safe!”
As they passed through the fruit aisle, Dad pointed out, “Merlot, these are all different kinds of apples.” Merlot never knew apples came in so many colors and flavors. “Ooohh, get Cosmic Crisp, Dad!” thought Merlot. Those were her favorite. Sweet and crunchy. She watched approvingly as Dad filled a bag with them.
“Oh, is that a rabbit? How cute!” a woman cooed. Merlot didn’t meet many hoomans except when she went to the vet or when a few of the guests visited her at the House of Buns. “May I pet her?” she asked. Dad said, “Well, you can try. They like to be pet on the head.” The woman slowly brought her hand in front of Merlot and let her sniff. To Dad’s surprised, she didn’t retract into the snuggle sack and let the woman pet her head. The woman observed, “She’s so soft!”
Next, they went down the vegetable aisle. Merlot put her paws on the edge of the cart and sniffed each of the vegetables as they went by. So many smells and colors! She watched Dad fill the cart with familiar smelling greens.
Merlot felt like a celebrity as they waited in the checkout line. All the hoomans looked at her adoringly. When they reached the front of the line, Elva, the checkout woman exclaimed, “Oh, you brought one of your rabbits! She’s so cute!” For years, she heard about the rabbits at the House of Buns, since Dad was there twice a week. James, the manager, came over to greet Merlot. “You’re one of my best customers!” he said to her.
After settling up, Dad took Merlot back to the car. As he placed her in her carrier, he gave her a kiss on the head and said, “You did really well! I’m impressed!” Merlot thought, “That was fun! Thanks, Dad.”
Dad said, “I may have to take you to more places since you’re so good!” Merlot thought that would be just fine.
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