The Unexpected Shelter

by Abby Tyler

  Savannah pictured the pug with Luke and wondered if she could let him go. “I’m really trying to get his weight down before I send him away. I’m worried about his heart.”

  “All right. Ollie there is mighty cute.” Fanny reached over and slid a ten-year-old chocolate brown dachshund into her lap. “He’s not too big.”

  Savannah nodded, petting the dog’s head. “You think you have time to give him a quick bath before we go?”

  “Sure,” Fanny said. She stood up and carried Ollie to the deep sink by the windows.

  Not all the dogs were inside. Through the open back door, Savannah watched Sergeant stand guard over the larger dogs. They had a Labrador mix. Two pit bulls, one of which was super sweet. And a full-sized poodle who really needed grooming. Savannah wished she’d gotten to that last week.

  Two of the three families had children. The Labrador would be great for either of those, if the one with the little girl didn’t go for the Chihuahua.

  The puppies were definitely too small, even though they’d probably be adopted immediately. She wasn’t quite ready to let Tom and Jerry go.

  So it was settled. The Chihuahua. A Labrador. A pit bull. The dachshund.

  Could she take one more? She ought to.

  Maybe Luigi should get his chance.

  All right. She would take the pug. She reached down to scratch his belly. “Hopefully you’ll stay close. Maybe we’ll see you around town.”

  She would send special food with Luigi if he got adopted. She’d let the family know to help him slim down.

  That settled, she headed over to the sick bay to feed Tom and Jerry their midmorning breakfast. Delilah’s would open in about an hour, and they would show up about an hour after that. Flo had promised to come check on Boone during her lunch hour and sit with him. That meant he wouldn’t be alone much at all. It would be all right.

  While Franny bathed Ollie, Savannah brushed cornstarch through a few of their coats to clean them up a bit and gave each of them a minty dog bone to make sure they were sweet-smelling pups for their big day.

  “I guess we better load them up,” Franny said.

  Most of the dogs went into their crates fairly easily, especially when bribed with bacon treats.

  But Pixie, the Chihuahua, refused to come out of her kennel, cowering in the back.

  Savannah lay on her belly on the floor.

  “Oh, Pixie, I don’t want to have to drag you out. This could be a good day for you. You might never have to go in a kennel again.”

  Franny came up beside her. “The others are already loaded. What are you going to do with this one?”

  “I guess if I can’t get her, I can take one of the others. Or we can just go with four.”

  “I’ll go fetch the peanut butter from the kitchen,” Franny said.

  Good call. It was the treat of last resort.

  Savannah lay there, the chorus of shuffles and the occasional bark from the other dogs filling the space as she looked at Pixie.

  She was so little, clearly undernourished as a pup. Probably her skittishness came from a lack of nutrients early on. She saw this a lot.

  Pixie had been found huddled in a shallow hole outside of an abandoned house in the woods. A couple of kids had come across her and tried to take her home, but their mother would have nothing of it. So the pup had come here.

  Pixie never barked, never whined, and never wanted to come out of her kennel. She did not follow the usual dog habit of never relieving themselves where they slept, and for this reason, Savannah kept towels at the bottom of her cage instead of a bed. Twice a day, she went in and replaced the soiled one with a new one.

  Doc Black said she was fine and healthy, just skittish. She could be house trained, surely, if she had quiet and patience from someone.

  It would take a special family to want her. If she didn’t go today, Savannah would try to work with her more. With Luke’s help, she might be able to make some progress.

  Franny returned with a glob of peanut butter on the end of a dog bone.

  The smell of it perked Pixie up considerably. Her tiny ears lifted.

  “That’s good,” Savannah said. “I think it might be her kryptonite.”

  The two of them backed away from the kennel and set the peanut butter bone on the ground.

  Savannah moved aside and lifted a towel from the top of the cages. She really hoped they could get her. She had a feeling this little girl was just the right ticket.

  Pixie’s quivering nose emerged from the edge of the kennel. Savannah and Franny glanced up at each other, their eyes wide.

  Come on, Pixie.

  Her tiny head lifted, looking first at Savannah, then over at Franny. They didn’t dare move.

  One tremulous paw rested on the cement floor. Then the other.

  Savannah could barely breathe.

  She took a few more steps, and her little pink tongue flicked out to lick the peanut butter.

  Savannah moved in inches. She could not startle the pup now.

  Slowly she lowered the blanket until it blocked the way back to Pixie’s kennel.

  Pixie continued to lick the peanut butter, oblivious to the movement behind her.

  Savannah carefully draped the towel over her. Pixie startled and crouched low to the ground. But she didn’t bolt.

  “Good baby,” Savannah said. “Come here.”

  She picked up Pixie, then the bone, and made sure she got to continue to eat the treat.

  The tiny dog quivered in her arms, but she didn’t scramble or try to get away. This was a good sign.

  “This is great,” Franny said. “I think if one of us just holds her the whole time, everyone will want to take a look.

  “I’m going to be picky about who might want her though,” Savannah said. “She can’t just go anywhere.”

  “True. That quiet little girl might have a big noisy sibling.”

  Savannah passed the dog to Franny, and they headed through the house.

  Boone sat in his armchair, watching television.

  Savannah kissed his head. “Your sister Flo is going to be here in less than half an hour,” she said.

  “Transportation for one hundred,” Boone said.

  Savannah glanced at the screen. It was “Wheel of Fortune,” not “Jeopardy.” She patted his shoulder.

  When Franny and Pixie were settled in the passenger seat, and the truck rumbled down the dirt lane to the road, Franny said, “So I hear the mayor’s son has been helping you.”

  “Just the last two days. He had to fix cars this morning.”

  “Has he been useful?”

  “Definitely. He mended the fences and organized the food shed. We have a new system for feeding the dogs. I’m telling you, just one other person full time, and I can run this like clockwork.”

  “Too bad there’s no money to hire anyone.” Franny held the dog bone so that Pixie could keep licking the peanut butter. “I heard the boy was easy on the eyes.”

  Savannah didn’t answer that. The old truck bumped onto the highway.

  But Franny didn’t let it go. “Have you thought about who you’re going to take to Anna’s wedding?”

  “Haven’t given it a thought,” Savannah said. “I didn’t think I needed to take anybody.”

  “You know Billy Ray’s going, right?”

  “What?” Billy Ray hadn’t been around Applebottom in over a year. “I thought he took a job down in Pine Bluff.”

  “Got fired,” Franny said. “His mama told me.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me,” Savannah said.

  “He was asking about you. Asked if you were still running the shelter. Like maybe you needed help.”

  That was all she needed, Billy Ray sniffing around, trying to see if he could cash in on the fact that she had a house and a living.

  “I’m not interested in seeing him,” she said. “He did me wrong, and I have no use for a man like that.”

  “I see,” Franny said. “I just wanted to give you
a warning.”

  “Thank you. I don’t get much gossip at the shelter these days.”

  All the rest of the way into Applebottom, Savannah stewed over what Franny said. What was Anna thinking, asking Billy Ray to her wedding? Hadn’t Savannah made clear they were over? Was Anna thinking of putting them back together?

  Savannah hadn’t told anybody what had happened. It was humiliating, learning your man had taken up with another girl on the side. She wasn’t local, so maybe nobody knew.

  Now he would be at the wedding. And seeking her out.

  Savannah was one of the bridesmaids. She couldn’t exactly get out of going.

  The old truck lumbered into Applebottom, and Savannah turned toward Town Square. She needed to put Billy Ray from her mind. She had two weeks until the wedding to figure something out, and these doggies needed her full attention.

  The old Volvo was a solid car, but it was getting on in years.

  Luke trained his ear to listen to the engine as he rolled down the highway between T-bone’s RV Park and the town.

  There was a gremlin in the engine, and Luke would find it. This was his third car to work on today, and he had hoped to return it to its owner tonight. But not if the problem didn’t present itself.

  He turned down one of the side streets, passing some of the older houses of Applebottom.

  He didn’t mean to drive into Town Square proper, but he didn’t know his way around perfectly yet. He realized too late that the tiny side street he had taken dumped him directly into the Square.

  No harm done. He would just pass through and head off the other direction.

  He had just paused to wait for a car to pull out from in front of the dog bakery, when he spotted Savannah.

  She sat outside on the sidewalk between two pens. A chalkboard sign read Adoption Day.

  Which dogs did she have with her?

  When the other car was clear, Luke slid into the spot.

  Right as he killed the engine, he heard it. The chugging, the missing on one cylinder. It might just be clogged.

  But nevermind that. He’d handle it when he got back to his shop. He wanted to see how the adoptions were going.

  When he stepped out of the car, a curly-haired woman sitting on a folding chair next to Savannah looked up and saw him. She nudged Savannah.

  Savannah glanced around, then spotted him herself. “Hey, Luke.” She patted the dog in her lap. It was the shy Chihuahua who wouldn’t leave his kennel.

  “You got her out,” Luke said.

  “Franny did,” Savannah said, turning to the woman. “Franny, have you met Luke?”

  Franny stood up and extended a hand. “Only from the rumors. Nice to meet you.”

  “Nothing too terrible I hope,” Luke said.

  “Not so far, but with T-bone as your father, one never can tell.” Franny grinned at him, so he knew she was just teasing him. That was one thing he hadn’t quite gotten used to yet in Applebottom. Everyone talked so familiarly, like they had known you forever.

  Luke turned to Savannah. “Have you had to let any of them go?”

  “Ollie got snapped up right away,” Savannah said.

  “The dachshund?”

  She nodded. “I have one family who is seriously considering Winston.”

  “That’s the pit bull, right?”

  “Yes. I’m so excited for that.”

  “No takers for your shy one?”

  “We’re hoping a family with a little girl is going to come look at her. We think she might be a good fit.”

  Luke bent down in front of the Chihuahua, mainly as an excuse to keep his eyes on Savannah. She was such a down-to-earth girl in her jeans and Applebottom high school sweatshirt.

  He heard a little whine from the pen and peered past Franny.

  “Hey! You brought Luigi.”

  “I almost didn’t, because you two hit it off so well,” she said. “A couple families have looked at him. I’m not sure if they were serious, but sometimes they call me the next day to see if a dog is still available.”

  “So someone might adopt him?”

  Franny leaned down to pet Luigi’s head. He rolled on his back. She laughed. “His little belly antics have charmed several people. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them calls.”

  Well, dang. Luke knew the whole point of the shelter was to provide a home for the dogs until they found families. But somehow having Luigi go away didn’t sit well with him.

  “How much is the adoption fee?”

  “Forty-five dollars,” Savannah said. “Why?”

  Luke jerked his wallet out of his pocket. “I want Luigi. I can’t let him go with someone else.”

  Franny’s eyebrows shot up and she turned to Savannah. “Look at that. Luigi had a champion all along.”

  Savannah waved the money away. “I can’t take your money. You’ve already volunteered so many hours, and I’m sure you will do many more.”

  “I want it to be official,” Luke said. “Do I need to fill out an application? Sign something?”

  Savannah passed the Chihuahua to Franny and headed over to the pen where Luigi sat, his big pug eyes staring up at them.

  “Are you sure?” Savannah asked.

  “T-bone said they used to have a dog out at the RV Park.”

  “Yes,” Savannah said. “Duke. T-bone got him from the shelter. He was a great dog, but already pretty old when T-bone adopted him. He passed on about two years ago.”

  Luke grinned. “Do you know the history of every animal in Applebottom?”

  “If they came through my shelter, I do.”

  Luke kneeled down to pet Luigi. “I think he and I get along just fine. What you think, Luigi? You want to come home with me?”

  Luigi’s tongue lolled out and his leg started kicking as Luke rubbed his belly.

  “He’s overweight,” Savannah said. “He needs to be on special food to slim down. And no table scraps. You can’t let the people at the RV Park feed him junk.”

  “I understand,” Luke said. “We’ll get him all fit and fine.”

  Savannah glanced over at Franny as if her friend might make the decision for her.

  “Don’t look at me,” Franny said. “I’m just here to help. But I think if a dog can get a home, give him a home. It frees up another spot for whatever doggy comes your way tomorrow.”

  “She’s right,” Luke said. “And the RV Park should have a new dog.”

  Savannah nodded. “Okay.” She glanced around. “That’s not your car though.”

  “True. I need to come back around for him in my truck. Is that all right?”

  “We’ll have him ready. There is a little bit of paperwork for the city.” She waved her hand at the money that he still held in his fist. “Don’t try to pay. It’s the least we can do for all the help you’ve given us.”

  “All right then,” Luke said. “Looks like I just got myself a dog.”

  Savannah’s smile was glorious, and Luke whistled to himself as he gave Luigi one more good scratch then headed back to the car. He’d figured out what was wrong with Mrs. Cole’s car. And he got himself a dog. But the smile on Savannah’s face – that was what had made this day worthwhile.

  Chapter 7

  Savannah broke down one of the portable fences she’d brought to the adoption event, trying to feel happy for the dogs that had found homes that day.

  The shy little girl finally arrived and indeed had fallen in love with Pixie. Tears had sprung to both Savannah’s and Franny’s eyes when the quivering little Chihuahua settled down on the little girl’s lap and laid her head on her arm. Everybody knew that she had found her place.

  The couple had come back for Winston after buying some supplies and taken the pit bull home.

  And of course, Ollie went early.

  Delilah knew all the families personally and could vouch for them, so Savannah didn’t even have to be formal about the applications. The only dogs left in her pen were Newton, the big Labrador, and Luigi, who was
waiting on Luke.

  “You sure he was serious about taking this pug?” Franny asked as they packed up the back of Boone’s truck.

  “It seems like it,” Savannah said. “Maybe he got distracted or delayed.”

  Soon they were down to just the pen that held Luigi and Newton. Delilah came outside of her shop. “Successful day, girls! I love it when the pups find a home.”

  “Thank you for giving us the push to do one today,” Savannah said. “Did everybody get their starter boxes?”

  “They did.” Delilah leaned over the short fence to give the two dogs a scratch. “Nobody wanted these guys?”

  “Actually, Luke, you know, T-bone’s unexpected son -- he wanted to take Luigi but needed to come back for him because he wasn’t in his truck.”

  “You want me to call over to the RV Park and see what’s going on?” Delilah asked.

  “That would be great,” Savannah said. “I don’t mind running him over, but I guess I’m not sure if he was serious.”

  “Did he pay?” Delilah asked. “That’s how you know they’re serious.”

  “I didn’t want to take his money,” Savannah said. “He’s done so much for the shelter and he’s a huge volunteer.”

  Delila stood up. “Let me check. The day probably just got away from him.”

  “I’ll leash these two up,” Franny said. “Can you break down the fence?”

  “In my sleep,” Savannah said.

  Franny managed the dogs while Savannah swiftly broke down the last fence and loaded it in the truck. When she got back to the sidewalk, Delilah had stepped out again, phone pressed to her ear. “He says he’s still waiting on someone to pick up their car. If you can wait a little while, he’ll be over, otherwise, he’ll run out to the shelter.”

  “The shelter’s fine,” Savannah said. “Tell him I’ll be out there within half an hour.”

  Delilah relayed the message and ducked back inside her shop.

  “Well, I guess that’s it,” Franny said. “Just give me a lift back to my car, and we’ll call it a day.”

  Franny talked nonstop on the way back to the shelter, and Savannah struggled to pay attention. Her mind was on the chores she had to get to when she got home.

  The cats had to be fed, and the puppies, and dogs she still had. She might be able to skip mucking the yard today since she was down so many dogs. But then there would be Boone to feed, and at some point, Luke would be coming to fetch Luigi.