Charles whooped with pleasure, and Sissy gave her mother a big thank-you hug.
“Do we pick him up at the shelter?” Mrs. Matthews asked.
“No, since you've made your choice already, I'll be happy to get him for you this afternoon. Keep this flyer so you know his background. You'll see that he's had all his shots, and the shelter guarantees he's in good health. They send home a bag with dog food samples and additional information with every pet.”
“I can hardly wait!” Sissy said. “I'm going to call Emily and Linda and tell them about this great project.”
“That would be wonderful,” Alice said. “Be sure to tell them to have their parents call me if they have any questions. And, of course, it would be great to have the names of anyone besides the ANGELs who might be interested in a pet.”
As she hurried back to the inn, Alice went over the list of names she needed to call. Briana was out of town for the holidays, but that still left a number of ANGELs who might be willing to help, even if they couldn't adopt a pet themselves.
When she got home and went into the kitchen, she didn't need to tell Jane how happy she was.
“I haven't seen you smile like that for a week,” her sister said. “Did you have a nice walk?”
“Great! I actually placed one of the big dogs with the Matthews family. And I'm going to contact all my ANGELs for help. Who better to know families who might accept a temporary adoption than middle-school girls?” Alice gratefully took a cup of hot tea from Jane, but she could hardly wait to start making phone calls.
“Do you need me to do anything right now?” Alice asked.
“No, go take care of your abandoned pets,” Jane said with a knowing laugh. “You're not going to enjoy Christmas until each and every one has a home for the holidays—even if it is temporary.”
“I have a good feeling about that,” Alice said. “I don't think many people will be able to return a pet once it settles into their homes.”
Her luck held as she phoned the rest of her ANGELs in the library of the inn. Her father's favorite room encouraged her to be bold in asking for parents' cooperation, although her project proved to be an easy sell. Not all ANGELs agreed to take a pet, some needing time for the family to think about it. But all the girls who were spending the holidays at home offered to look for possible leads.
Best of all, Lisa Masur had been delighted at the prospect of owning a cat. She called Alice back an hour or so later and let her mother talk.
“We've decided to try two cats if you have them,” Mrs. Masursaid. “Both of my girls want one of their own, so to keep peace in the family, we'll take a kitty for each. How can I get them?”
“You can go to the shelter yourself, or I'll pick them up for you.”
“I don't know much about cats,” the mother admitted. “But I trust your judgment. Would you mind selecting two that would be compatible with each other for the trial visit?”
“I'd love to!” Alice agreed. “I'll consult with the person working at the shelter to get the best pair. I'm going there this afternoon, so I'll bring them to your house before dinner. And just so you know, all animals have their shots and come with an information pack and food samples.”
Although she couldn't wait to get to the shelter, Alice called ahead to give them advance notice and ask the best time to come. Fortunately, Sandy was working, so there was no need to explain the situation.
“That's wonderful!” the volunteer said. “Your friend from the hospital picked up one cat, so that's half of our kitties with a place to go for Christmas. You did well to place the ‘Pointsetter' too. He's young yet, and a little rambunctious, but he's a beautiful animal. It's a shame big dogs aren't adopted more often.”
Alice set off in midafternoon with high hopes. Fortunately, the shelter lent out carriers, so she would be able to transport two cats and a dog by herself, although she hadn't quite worked out the logistics.
‘Pointsetter,' who came to the shelter without a name, was so excitable he was hard to coax into the carrier, but the felines, an adult tiger cat and a black-and-white kitten, were cuddly and easy to handle. Alice explained how she was enlisting the help of her ANGELs, and Sandy was as excited as she was.
“If you can place even half the animals, it would be great,” the volunteer said.
“I'm hoping to find temporary homes for all of them,” Alice said optimistically.
Her first stop was the Matthews' home, where Sissy and Charles were watching at the front window for her arrival. The carrier was too heavy to lift by herself, so she attached a shelter leash to the dog's collar and led him to his home for Christmas.
The whole Matthews family was in the front room to greet their canine guest. Sissy's father was as excited as the children, getting down on the floor to romp a bit with the half-grown dog.
“He's a good mix,” he said enthusiastically. “I don't think he'll be hard to train once he settles in here.”
Alice quietly took leave of the family, greatly pleased by their reception of the ‘Pointsetter.' If Lisa and the Masur family liked the cats this much, she'd done a good day's work.
As it happened, she needn't have worried.
“She's beautiful,” Lisa said, quickly choosing the younger cat as her special pet.
Fortunately, her sister was just as happy with the tiger cat, planning what toys to give it for Christmas.
“This is really a good project of yours,” Mrs. Masur said. “We've been thinking of adopting cats to replace the one we lost a few years ago, but we kept putting it off. You've made it easy.”
“I hope you love them both,” Alice said, stroking the little cat's head before she left. “And if you know anyone else who might be interested, there are still three cats and nine dogs who would love to be in a real home for Christmas.”
Her happy glow lasted until she got home. As wonderful as it was to see three animals placed in good homes, she still had twelve who weren't so fortunate. Would it be possible to find people willing to give them a trial visit? With only one week until Christmas, Alice prayed for a small miracle. Her heart still ached for the caged animals in the shelter, especially the Shetland sheepdog, who deserved a much better life.
“I talked to Fred, and he agreed we should take the little Pekinese that may be part Lhasa apso,” Vera said on the phone.
“Wonderful!” Alice said. “I'll cross that one off my list.”
“How many do you have left to place?” her friend asked.
“Three cats and eight dogs, not counting the one you're taking,” Alice said, consulting her list, although she had the number in her head.
“Oh dear, that's quite a few, isn't it?” Vera asked. “I wish I could be more help, but Fred needs me at the hardware store. He rarely asks me to help out, but his new line of miniature toys has been selling like mad.”
“Of course, family comes first,” Alice said, wondering what Jane had for her to do this Monday. She could hardly refuse to help get the inn into top shape for Louise's concert, but she hoped there would be some free time to work on her project.
The call ended with Vera promising to pick up her canine guest at the shelter, saving Alice a trip. Now she needed to check with Jane to see what remained to be done.
Her younger sister was up to her elbows in flour, baking cookies to be served at church after the Christmas Eve service.
“If you don't mind, I'd really appreciate it if you'd take my books back to the library. I took out a stack of them to look for new cookie recipes, and they're due today,” Jane said.
“I'll be happy to.” In fact, Alice wanted to ask the librarian, Nia Komonos, whether she would take one of the animals. The prospect of placing eleven more animals in homes for Christmas was daunting, even with the help of her ANGELs.
The library was relatively quiet, with only a few elderly men reading newspapers and a family with three young children looking for books. Alice deposited Jane's books on the return counter and saw Nia helping a patron a
t one of the library's public computers. She waited a few minutes until she was free.
“Alice, good to see you,” the slender, dark-haired young librarian said. “Are you taking this week off?”
“Yes, but I'm busy with a new project. Vera and I are trying to place all the pets at the animal shelter in homes for Christmas.”
“That's a lot to find homes for,” Nia said thoughtfully.
“I know you're living alone right now,” Alice said. “Have you ever considered trying out a dog? We're not asking people to adopt them right away.”
“I imagine it would be hard to return a pet to the shelter after getting used to it,” Nia said smiling.
“Truth to tell, we're hoping that's the case. But we still have quite a few to place. Is there any possibility..”
“I'd love to have a dog,” the younger woman said, “but I work too many hours. It wouldn't be fair to keep one cooped up all day—even if my landlord agreed. Do you have any cats? When I lived at home, we always had several. I've missed having one of my own.”
After quickly digging the flyers out of her purse, Alice told her about the three still available for a temporary adoption.
“They're all adorable!” Nia said with enthusiasm. “I imagine an older cat would do better left alone all day. Do you know why this one was left at the shelter?”
Alice pointed at a picture of a Persian with lovely light hair. “Her owner had to go into a nursing home, and no one in the family was willing to take responsibility for her pet. I imagine the former owner would be greatly relieved to know her ‘Candy' found a good home.”
“You've convinced me,” Nia said. “Candy will be my house guest for the holidays. If we're compatible, we'll be roommates.”
“Wonderful! Would you like me to pick her up for you?” Alice asked.
“No, I'm going to Potterston this afternoon for some Christmas shopping. I can easily stop at the shelter on the way home. I'm glad you came to the library today.” Nia grinned broadly. “I'll have to be very stern with myself so I don't end up taking home two.”
After profusely thanking her, Alice hurried home, hoping to hear good news from one of her ANGELs.
“Any messages?” she asked Louise, who was busy working on the inn's accounting in their father's former office.
“None that I know of. How many shelter animals have you placed?”
“Not enough,” Alice admitted. “There are still two cats and eight dogs to place.”
“I'm sorry we can't take any here,” Louise said with compassion. “If it weren't for my concert–”
“I understand,” Alice said. “Can you think of anyone who might be interested?”
Louise pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Florence doesn't have a pet. She would be hard to convince though. I think Ronald is fond of animals, but she's pretty particular about her house.”
“Still, the Simpsons have a big house,” Alice mused. “They wouldn't need to let a pet into the Victorian parlor. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask them.”
“You could try Aunt Ethel too,” Louise suggested. “She really doesn't have enough to occupy her time.”
“I know she's home because she just popped in to talk to Jane,” Louise said. “Why don't you ask her now?”
Alice wasn't optimistic, but she made her way to the carriage house where her father's half-sister had lived since becoming a widow and selling the family farm.
“Aunt Ethel,” she said when her slightly plump, red-haired aunt came to the door.
“Oh, Alice, I'm so happy to see you!”
This meant she was bored and wanted to have a long conversation, something Alice really didn't have time for. But she was too kind to rush off when her aunt was in a talkative mood.
A half hour of visiting passed slowly. Her aunt tried to keep abreast of all the town's gossip, but at last she ran out of ‘news' to tell Alice.
“What are you doing with your week off?” the older woman asked.
“Trying to give the dogs and cats at the shelter a place to go for Christmas,” she said.
“What do you mean?” Ethel asked, her pale blue eyes puzzled.
Alice explained, answering a dozen questions and finally bringing out the flyers.
“Have you ever though of getting a cat?” she asked.
“Oh my goodness, no! At the farm we always kept the cats in the barn. I really wouldn't want one in my home,” she said a bit indignantly. “Not that Wendell isn't a suitable pet since all of you like him.”
“What about a dog?” Alice asked without much hope.
“Dogs can be so much trouble.” Ethel patted her short-cropped hair, a sign that she was thinking hard. “But they can be cute.”
“The nice thing about the Christmas project is it's only a trial. You could send your visiting pet back to the shelter after the holidays if the two of you weren't compatible.”
“I'll do it,” Ethel said, surprising Alice. “Of course, I can't drive to the shelter.”
“I'll be happy to bring your visitor here—and take him back if that's what you decide,” Alice said.
“Splendid,” Ethel said. “Now let me look at those flyers one more time before I pick.”
Her aunt seemed quite taken with a small mixed breed with big eyes and floppy ears. There wasn't much history on the handout, but his people had moved and weren't able to keep a pet in their new apartment. Alice hoped for the best, suspecting her aunt would adore her new, lively visitor.
Encouraged by her aunt's enthusiasm, Alice decided to try Florence Simpson, a self-proclaimed pillar of Grace Chapel. She wasn't always the easiest person to get along with, but she had a good heart and a great deal of energy for a woman in her seventies.
Before she lost her nerve, Alice decided to pay a surprise call on Florence. She went on foot to her house because Vera wasn't going to have time to walk that day.
Even though Alice had come on a Monday without calling ahead, Florence was carefully made up, with her dark brown hair worn in stiff beauty-parlor curls. It was always a little startling to look into her broad face because she plucked her eyebrows to an ultrathin line and penciled them heavily.
“Alice, what brings you here today? Aren't you working at the hospital? I should imagine there are lots of sick people now that winter is here.” Florence gestured for her to come in out of the cold, indicating a chair in the foyer where she could leave her coat.
“I just put the kettle on,” Florence said. “Ronald brought me a lovely assortment of imported tea just last week. Can I fix a cup for you? You'd probably like the jasmine, although it isn't a favorite of mine.”
After two cups with Aunt Ethel, Alice felt positively soggy, but she graciously accepted the tea, allowing Florence to be a good hostess and still get rid of a flavor she didn't like.
It took nearly twenty minutes for Florence to give her a complete rundown of all her important responsibilities during the holiday season. Most people, including Alice, appreciated all she did for the church and the community, but it came at the price of patience. Florence wasn't one to hide her light under a bushel.
At last, after two cups of rather bitter tea, Alice had a chance to talk about her shelter project.
“You mean, you're putting strange animals into people's homes? I know you mean well, Alice, but is that safe? They could have diseases.”
“Every pet that leaves the shelter is healthy and has had all its shots. They all come with an informational packet and sample products.” Alice had the feeling she was going through every detail for no reason, but she had her stubborn side too.
“It's been a long time since we've had a pet here. They're so hard on the carpets, not to mention the furniture, if they're not well trained. Are you sure they're all housebroken? How can you tell if they come from the shelter?”
“We can only take the word of former owners,” Alice said patiently.
“My family always had purebred bulldogs when I was growing up,” Florence mused. “My pare
nts wouldn't have a dog without papers.”
“I'm afraid the shelter doesn't have any registered dogs, but mixed breeds have a good reputation as family pets. In fact, they have a terrier-bulldog mix. Let me show you the picture.”
“Oh, isn't he a cutie,” Florence said, much to Alice's surprise. “What does it say about his history?”
She read the description and studied the picture on the flyer for so long that Alice got antsy.
“Poor thing. Imagine being abandoned outside a roller rink in Potterston. He must have been terrified when he ended up in a cage.”
“Yes, most of the animals at the shelter have sad stories, although none they have now appear to have been abused,” Alice said, at a loss to tell Florence more about the dog that had caught her eye.
“You did say this is just a trial adoption?” Florence asked.
“Absolutely. It's a way to get the poor things out of cages for the holidays. If the visit doesn't go well, people are welcome to return them. I'll even come and pick up any animal who's rejected.” She hadn't planned to make that offer, but she wanted to encourage Florence as much as possible.
“I'll do it!” Florence said. “I won't promise to keep him for the whole holiday season, but if your terrier-bulldog mix is as well trained as he is adorable, we just might add a member to the family. Of course, Ronald would have to agree.”
Her husband was known to never disagree with Florence, so Alice's hope rose. Was it possible one of the most difficult women she knew was enthusiastic about taking a shelter dog?
“Well, I'm glad you thought of me,” Florence said, sounding unusually humble. “There's nothing like a little four-footed friend to bring Christmas cheer into a house.”
Alice was dumbfounded, but managed to thank Florence several times before leaving her house. Outside, she thanked the Lord for this temporary adoption and prayed it boded well for all the shelter animals. Now she just had to find hosts for two more cats and six dogs, one of them the Shetland sheepdog who'd captured Alice's heart. Would this beautiful animal languish in a cage for Christmas? She fervently hoped not!
Tales from Grace Chapel Inn Page 15