“He’s not going anywhere yet,” she said. “There’s still time to get him to change his mind. Maybe you can hire an investigator to dig into her background. Maybe you’ll find something juicy enough to make your dad dump her.”
“If only,” I said.
I went back to calling references on the next application while Ally directed traffic with the volunteers all trying to help us get the animals ready for their big adoption day. There was a pretty steady stream of people coming in to meet dogs. We only had two rooms for private meetings between dogs and adopters. We were using the corners of the room and even the inside play area.
“Hello, we’re here for Baxter.”
My head popped up from behind the desk. There was a feeling of sadness at the idea of losing Baxter. He was kind of our mascot. “I’ll have someone bring him up while we do the paperwork,” I said.
Several of the volunteers followed behind Baxter as he slowly walked to the desk. He took a minute to sniff the shoes of all those he passed. The woman immediately dropped to her knees in front of him and started to give him kisses while rubbing his ears. She was speaking in baby talk and making all kinds of promises to him. Baxter’s little tail was wagging a hundred miles a minute like he understood every word she was saying.
I handed her husband the necessary paperwork with tears blurring my vision. Ally and a couple of the volunteers were sobbing as well. “I would say you guys are lucky to get Baxter, but I think he’s the one who scored in this arrangement. He’s somewhat of a star around here. We’ll miss him.”
We all said our goodbyes and waved as he trotted out the front door with his new family. We were all crying. They were happy tears. This was why I did what I did. Moments like this were not often, but when they came, they were all the sweeter.
Ally and I looked at each other and started laughing. “I don’t know why that makes me cry.” I grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my tears.
“It’s so rewarding,” she said. “I’m so sad he’s gone. I’m going to miss his sweet little face in the mornings.”
“I pray they come through with all those promises they made. Baxter deserves the best of the best.”
The volunteers left and went back to the kennels. Ally and I settled back into our jobs as well. We were both sniffling when the front door opened again. I wiped my eyes and prepared to greet our next adopter, only to find Reese looking at me with concern.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, fine.” I laughed and waved my hand. “We just had one of our favorite pups get a new home. Actually, he’ll be living in your tower.”
“And is that a good thing?” he questioned.
“Yes,” I said. “Happy tears.”
Ally muttered under her breath. She was still not happy with Reese. “I’m going to check on Room One,” she said and walked away.
“She doesn’t like me,” he said.
“Nope.”
“Good to know,” he said.
“Are you here to adopt a dog?” I grinned.
“That’ll be a cold day in hell.”
“Why are you here?” I asked him. “There’s dog hair galore right now. We’re doing a pretty steady business and the fur is flying.”
“Are you doing anything Friday night?” he asked. “I’ve been invited to the grand opening of a new restaurant. I was hoping to have my shield on my arm.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t remember you being such a coward.”
“Then your memory is faulty,” he said with a grin.
“I was planning on working Friday night,” I told him. “After the boost from your opening, we are crazy busy. I need to catch up on paperwork.”
“You stay here at night?” he asked with alarm. “You know I was almost mugged in the middle of the day when I left here last week.”
“Because you’re you,” I said. “People in this neighborhood know me. They know mugging me is an exercise in futility. They’ll get some dog treats from my pocket and a lot of dog hair.”
“I still don’t think that’s safe,” he said.