Panel 1: As she picks up Lizzie, Elly reminds herself that John and Mike have been looking at those filthy, smelly, nasty, disease-ridden puppies for an hour now. That's, as I said, long enough for them to have bonded with them.
Panel 2: As she dresses herself and Lizzie to go out, she says to herself she has to see what's keeping them. Translation: she has to go over there and make a reasoned argument about why the Pattersons don't need a dog. John's referring to her reasoned arguments as being indistinguishable from temper tantrums is proof of his chauvinistic villainy.
Panel 3: As she makes the scene, we see John holding a cute little dog as Mike looks at its littermates while Mrs Baird smiles at her. You will note that Elly is the only person in frame not happily captivated by them.
Panel 4: She then asks a mildly embarrassed John if this is a trap. My answer is that "Yes but he ain't the one laying it."
....today. Friday's would be the one wherein Elly was told she had the power of life and death over Farley and Saturday, she gets whizzed on.
ETA: Check out the latest photos of Lynn with the Farley Plush. The pictures give you an idea both of the thing's size and Lynn's precarious mental state.