Doggy dearest -- 200 word limit contest

Carol woke, heart pounding, cold sweat raising goosebumps on her skin. Confused she lay there a moment. Looking toward the window she realized that the wind that had lashed the house earlier was gone.

It was then she realized what had wakened her. A strange rumbling, growling noise echoed through the house.

Something must have gotten into the house, she worried silently. Slipping out of bed, she reached for the phone. No dial tone, the storm must have knocked it out. For the first time she regretted her decision to move deep into the country, far from any neighbors.

Wrapping her robe around her tightly, she tiptoed to the door and opened it as quietly as she could. The sounds were louder now, they seemed to be coming from the living room.

Squinting, she peered cautiously from the hallway. Shadows played across the room. The growling had stopped, straining to hear, she faintly heard a strange tapping sound coming her way.

It came into view then, with a shaky laugh she bent down. "Tinkerbell, how did you get here? I left you with a new family."

With a sudden lunge the dog leaped for her throat, teeth ripping and shredding.