Shelby's in touble again...

Well, Shelby's gotten herself into another pickle. You'd think she'd learn, but then I wouldn't have a book to write! I'd better go help her out...I'm pretty she'll be okay, she's smart, strong, and sassy.  Of course, all those attributes can sometimes invite more trouble.   Here, see what I mean? 
(from Visions of Mortality)

It was chilly that morning at thirty degrees and I’d forgotten my mittens, which were sitting all warm and snug on the little shelf by the door while my fingers were freezing, so I decided to go back in and get them while the car warmed up.  I realized that the house key was on the ring that was sticking out of the ignition of my car, so I climbed in, tossed the scraper in the backseat, and worked the key off the ring.  I climbed back out of the car and headed up to the tiny front porch. 

          Climbing up the two steps to the small landing in front of the door, I thought I heard a noise off to my left.  I paused and looked around – nothing.  I moved toward the door with the key poised to shove into the keyhole.  As I turned the key and the doorknob unlocked, I gripped the knob and turned, pushing in on the door.  In that instant I heard a rustling directly behind me, but before I could turn, something crashed into my back, pushing me into the door like a pinball, slamming it open and thrusting me through the now wide open doorway.  As I stumbled over the threshold, I caught a glimpse of Jo-Jo standing directly in front of me in the kitchen with wide yellow eyes, hunched back, and straight-in-the-air-fluffed-out tail.  He let out a loud hiss and vanished around the corner and into the bedroom. 
           “Hey...what the...”  I protested as someone grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked my head back hard enough to elicit a loud crack out of my neck. 
           My brain flashed back to that night - a knife...shining in the candlelight...slashing...