“Mandy, I have a surprise for you, Anna said as she came home on a Thursday evening. Close your eyes, she said as she snapped her leash to Mandy’s collar and led her to the large sliding glass patio door. She opened the door and led Mandy out onto the tiled patio and swimming pool enclosure. Mandy had heard Bianca and Yasmin working on the patio earlier, but she didn’t get outside to see what they were doing.

This morning before she left Anna had locked a long chain leash to Mandy’s collar. The lead was long enough for Mandy to reach from the bedroom into the bathroom to use the toilet and washing facilities, but she could not get out of the bedroom.

Anna had given Mandy a light breakfast, but left no other food for the rest of the day. She had been reducing the amount of food she gave to Mandy over the last few weeks, and today she left nothing for her to eat while she was out. Mandy had lost some weight and her small waist was even leaner, the squares of her abs pushed out against her brown skin.

Ok. You can open your eyes, she gushed when they got out onto the patio and stopped. When Mandy finally looked she was standing in front of a very large black wire kennel. One of two sitting side-by-side under the over hanging roof.

Oh, was all Mandy said, as she looked at the two kennels. Anna pulled down on her leash and Mandy understood what was expected. She slowly crouched and stepped into the kennel.

Good girl Mandy, Anna praised as she tossed the end of the leash in and closed the gate behind Mandy. Anna had a small padlock that she used to secure the kennel door closed and turned to leave.

Anna? Mandy called. How long will I have to stay in here?”

Just a little bit, she said over her shoulder. I’ll get you out to eat. Anna went inside and closed the door, leaving Mandy alone in the kennel on the patio.

I hope so, she thought to herself. I’m so hungry. Mandy scooted around in the kennel trying to get as comfortable as she could. She sat on her hip with her long legs were curled to the side.

Are you ready to come out and eat your dinner? Anna asked condescendingly. She opened the gate but didn’t step out of the way until Mandy handed over the end of her leash. They went inside to have their dinner meal, and for Mandy’s next little surprise.

The table was set nicely, for one. Mandy’s food was in a large red plastic bowl on the floor. It was dog kibble and some pieces of broccoli with tiny bits of meat. Mandy stopped and looked at it, and then at Anna’s setting on the table and back. She didn’t want to eat like that, but she was so hungry.

If you don’t want to eat, you don’t have to, Anna warned ominously. It’s a long time til morning. Just then Mandy’s flat stomach groaned, loudly.

I guess that settles it, Anna smiled. Go ahead. Mandy nodded with tiny motions of her head, and stepped toward her dinner cautiously. Her high-heeled shoes clicked loudly in the quiet room, she looked around as though she was surprised by the sound.

Anna had even brought her a pad to kneel on, but there was no silverware. Mandy knew this was because she was expected to just eat directly from the bowl, which she did.

After she was finished Anna took her back to the kennel on the patio and closed her in again, but this time she removed the leash. Before she closed the door she unlocked the ankle straps securing Mandy’s shoes on her feet. Anna reached in and gently petted Mandy’s head.

You’re doing real well Mandy, she said as she stroked the side of Mandy’s head and softly fondled her shell-like ear. I’ll be back in a little bit, sweetheart.”