* * * smashwords edition copyright 2015 by mary e. lowd www.marylowd.com * * * table of contents the best puppy ever the wharf cat 's mermaid the carousel of spirits a real stand-up guy when a cat loves a dog about the author * * * the best puppy ever originally published in ae : the canadian science fiction review the hospital lights flash in my eyes , and a man wearing blue scrubs injects me with a needle .