Healing the Walking Carpet Within
Dr. Smock was lounging on the patio soaking up some sun, thinking about throwing
some Sphinx Links on the barbie for dinner. Dreary rains had been falling in
Neopia for the last week, but today the sky had finally cleared. He was thinking
about calling up some friends to join him for a nice barbecue and some karaoke
on the patio.
"Ahhh," he sighed. "At least there are no major medical traumas that need
attending to in the PetPet Clinic."
"Dr. Smock! Dr. Smock!" came a shriek from the street.
"Uh-oh, I spoke too soon," said Dr. Smock as he waddled around to the clinic
entrance to see what the commotion was.
There was Lulu785, a red Kyrii who lived in an apartment near Neopia Central.
She normally was quite an elegant and attractive Kyrii, who made pastries from
scratch and delivered them around Neopia on a little pink cart, but today she
looked completely flustered.
"Dr. Smock," she shouted again, "Help, something's wrong with Shag!"
Just then Dr. Smock noticed that instead of a bunch of yummy Apple Pies, Lulu785
was carrying a huge Walking Carpet in her pink cart. And the Walking Carpet
didn't smell quite right.
"Rawwwroooorrrrghhhh!" said the Walking Carpet.
"Hurry, let's get him inside," said Dr. Smock.
Lulu and the doctor quickly carted the PetPet into the clinic. The little
beast was moaning pitifully and putting off some vile fumes. As they hoisted
him onto the examining table, Dr. Smock got some background from Lulu.
"How long has he been like this?"
"Let's see," said Lulu785 "It's been at least four days. I know that he was
bored, since he couldn't go out in the rain, but then in the last few days it
has gotten more serious. He moans all the time and he hasn't eaten anything
in three days. And... well, erm... you might have noticed the odour."
Dr. Smock HAD noticed the odour and was trying to breath only through his beak,
to avoid savouring the heavy, sweaty smell that was rolling off of the Walking
Carpet.
"OK, Shag, I'm going to examine you," said the doctor, snapping on a thick
pair of rubber gloves. He had recently buffed his nails and didn't want any
of the smell to get under his fingernails.
He lifted the hem of Shag's fur and began gingerly feeling around underneath.
Soon it was apparent what was causing Shag's discomfort.
"Oh, dear, he's totally soaked under here. Clear down to the padding. Did
you get him wet?"
"Well, no! I know better than to get a Walking Carpet wet. I've kept him in
all week since it's been raining." Then she looked at her feet. "Although, I
did leave the door unlocked accidentally once when I was delivering pies. I
noticed when I came home, but his fur was dry, so I knew he couldn't have gotten
out."
"Hmmmm," said Dr. Smock. "He must have tried to dry himself off. But he only
did a superficial blow-dry, and didn't get all of his layers dry. Now he's mildewed."
Lulu burst into tears, and Shag resumed his moaning.
"Calm down!" said the Dr. "I recommend that we pull out his padding and turn
him inside out and let him lie in the sun for about two hours. That'll be just
long enough for you to join us, Lulu, for some barbecue and karaoke out on the
patio. Then when he dried out, I'll put some new padding in for him. He'll feel
as good as new."
Dr. Smock's friends Dice and Mixer arrived and the four enjoyed a great dinner
and karaoke party, while Shag lay on a hammock in the sun, the gentle breeze
and sunshine quickly drying his fur. After dinner they sewed in some new padding
and Shag felt as good as new. He even grabbed the mike to sing backup on a few
groovy tunes.
"Rawwwroooorrrrghhhh..."
To be continued... | 
