I nodded “I’ve always wanted one but never had the room before. Do you have many that need a home?” I asked as she motioned for us to follow her.
I always felt horrible that there were so many animals that needed rescuing and that I couldn’t help them all. But even saving one, was better than saving none, I thought quietly to myself. Grayson put a hand on my shoulder as we went past some double doors and headed into a kennel area.
“We have a few dogs at the moment needing homes. It depends on what kind of breed you are looking for” she said “I’m Kenzie by the way” she added with a laugh “I always forget to introduce myself”
I laughed. “Well if I’m honest, I’m particular to large dogs. I know they have a lot of energy and can be quite rambunctious but I would love one to take on walks and runs.”
She raised a brow “Most of our dogs are smaller and medium breeds” she said slowly as we walked past several dogs staring forlornly at us “Please have a look around and if any come to mind that you want to look at closer, I can let you in the kennel” she proposed “the larger breeds are towards the back” she added, stepping back and allowing Grayson and I to look at the dogs more closely.
All of them looked like they had a story to tell. My heart ached. Tears came to my eyes. If I could have taken all of them, I would have done that in a heartbeat. Grayson knelt down next to a Chihuahua who barked at him and then nipped his finger, making me giggle as he pulled his finger back. “They can be quite a dangerous breed” I warned him “Just because they are small doesn’t mean they aren’t vicious” I added smugly as he scowled at me.
“I thought it was cute” he mumbled.
He looked put out. I saw a large shadow in the far corner of my eye, right at the back of the kennels, and frowned. Strange. It was difficult to tell what kind of breed that dog was. Grayson moved to another kennel, but instinct made me move towards the last kennel, curiosity getting the better of me, while Kenzie’s phone rang and she began to take it.
A whine sounded as I drew nearer. I felt a tug at my heart. I crept closer to the kennel. At first, I couldn’t see anything, for the dog was right in the back corner, lying in the shadows. I squinted and then the dog stood up on its legs and sniffed, beginning to approach. I saw its eyes gleam, saw it lick its snout. It was beautiful. There was no other way to describe it. Even as disheveled as its fur was and as matted, the dog was glorious. Big. It sniffed at me, while I held out my hand between the bars, kneeling down to its level. It moved closer. It let out a low growl but I didn’t move. I didn’t flinch. It was expected behavior from a rescue dog. I wasn’t unprepared.
“Oh my god I forgot to tell you about Roscoe,” Kenzie said frantically as I looked toward her, a look of panic on her face.
“Take your hand out” she shouted, but it was too late.
Roscoe licked me. I giggled and then patted his head as he sat there, licking away. Kenzie stopped in astonishment. Grayson looked concerned.
“Is there a problem?” he asked, glancing at me and the dog.
“I don’t understand it” Kenzie whispered as I continued to pat the handsome German Shephard “That dog doesn’t take to anybody. Anybody else who’s tried to pat it has almost had their hand bitten off. But he’s acting as though she’s already his owner,” she said puzzled “I’ve never seen him act this way.”
“How old is he?” I asked her.
She was still looking worriedly at me “Almost two by our estimation. He was found half-starved, barely alive when we took him in. That was half a year ago. We’ve fed him, nurtured him, kept him clean but he doesn’t trust humans, at least not till now. Whatever that dog went through, it was hell.”
“Poor Roscoe” I murmured, patting him on the head as he wagged his tail at me “You poor, poor darling,” I said with a lump in my throat.
Grayson sighed, running a hand through his hair “Why do I get the feeling you’ve already decided on this dog?” he asked.
I looked at my husband “You heard Kenzie. He doesn’t take to just anyone. Can you picture what he’s gone through? We can’t abandon him now. He’s already been abandoned once, I won’t do that again to him.”
Grayson groaned “Flair, I admire your passion, but you have to consider the options. What if he gets violent? What if he hurts our children when we have them?” he demanded.
“What if he doesn’t” I countered “What if all he’s missing is love and attention? What if we are all that he needs to heal?”
I looked at my husband beseechingly. Kenzie glanced between us nervously.
“Try and pat him,” I told Grayson, my breath hitching as my husband hesitated “Just try. If he won’t let you then I’ll rethink it.”
Grayson reluctantly moved closer. “Relax a little,” I told him in a low tone “he can sense your fear you know.”
He glared at me “I’m not afraid, I just don’t want you hurt if he does decide to bite.”
Whatever. I moved back as Grayson put his hand between the bars. There was a moment when he and Roscoe looked at each other and Roscoe’s lip pulled back, causing me to fear that he might bite Grayson, but Grayson kept his hand there, steady, and Roscoe slowly pushed against it. accepting Grayson’s pat. I breathed a little easier while Kenzie looked astounded.
“It must be fate,” Kenzie said delightedly “They do say some animals choose their owners” she added.
Grayson slowly stood up. I looked at him beseechingly “Please Grayson.”
He nodded at Kenzie who opened the kennel. To everyone’s shock, Roscoe sat nicely on the ground and she handed me a leash which I placed on him, using the loops on his collar. He obediently stood up and walked beside me as we made our way back past the double doors.
“Amazing” breathed Kenzie “he’s like a different dog.”
Grayson handed her a large amount of bills and her eyes lit up “Oh, I couldn’t, that’s entirely too much” she began to protest.
“Nonsense” I broke in “I would wager you kept this place open longer so we could look and you have given us great joy in allowing us to adopt Roscoe. You do amazing work here” I told her graciously “and I may contact you in the future about possible fundraising opportunities” I added thinking about my father’s upcoming event and ways I could help raise money for the shelter.
She smiled “I’m glad Roscoe found a good home,” she said fighting back tears “For all his gruff manners and tough exterior, we really did enjoy having him,” she said, waving as we began to make our way outside.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.