Damn sisters anyway. I’m staying in the car. All that barking will be enough to drive me nuts.
I’m slightly startled when a heavy knuckle rap sounds on the passenger window. I turn my head and open my eyes to see Emma, hands on her hips, a scowl thrown my way. She resembles mom so much when she doesthatlook. Her finger points at me, then to the building.
“Get your ass out of my car.”
My sister caught the twitch of my lips and I sense she's ready to brawl. Best do as she says, I’m not in the mood to bicker.
Once inside, I immediately let out a groan at all the barking. I’d rather deal with my drill Sergeant then a yapping rat-looking dog any day. I really didn’t have time for this, my bar could be burning down right now, and she wants me to help her look for a damn dog?
Fucking hell.
“Just look around, I’ll be over here.”
I rolled my eyes as she sauntered off. Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I walked down the fenced in areas, finding I was trapped here with these annoying things. Emma insisted she drive; this was her plan all along, to make sure I couldn’t get back right away. I’m stuck here until she is ready to go. Maybe I’ll hang at the picnic table outside, tell her the sound was too much. Would’ve be a lie.
The minutes ticked past; each one a reminder of what Ford could be doing to my bar.‘Free shots’, and‘Dance for me up here on the bar’kept ringing in my head.
He knows better than to test me.
Here at the shelter the staff and volunteers seemed helpful, but I didn’t want any part in owning a dog.
I have no time for a dog, they are too much work. My bar comes first, always will.
Then wouldn’t you know the damndest thing happened as I walked down one pathway. This mid-sized copper colored Pitbull looked at me, I looked at him, he jumped onto the metal fence then let out a little howl, not a bark, just a happy little growly howl.
“This is Hank, he is about a year old, isn’t a big barker, and we’re working on his jumping habit. You wanna see him?” The volunteer who happened to be following me around asked.
When I didn’t say anything, she didn’t wait, she released the lock and had a leash ready to go.
We were led outside to the yard where Hank seemed to have quite a bit of energy as he chased the ball I threw. Over and over, not stopping for anyone or even other dogs, his attention dead set on having fun.
At last, over an hour of nonstop fetch play, the pup came over, panting hard, ready for a drink.
I didn’t care about the slobber as I knelt face to face with him, stroked his ears, and scratched him under his chin. He licked my face and whimpered excitedly.
Was that me laughing? I forgot what it sounded like.
“Looks like someone has a new best friend.” My sister says from behind me, giggling as she walked towards us. Hank caught sight of her beside me, excited at the newcomer. When it looked like he was about to jump on her I pointed and gave him a stern, ‘Down.’
He obeyed no problem at all.
I gave another command for him to ‘Sit.’ Again, he followed my order.Just the same as a Marine would…
“Wow. That’s amazing.” The volunteer gaped.
“What is?” I ask, confused. Hank is a dog who clearly can take an order, it’s easier than training a Marine.
Emma leaned forward to give the dog a little love. I watched him eat it right up, rolling onto his back and asking for her to rub his belly.
“Hank has been here a few months now and hasn’t warmed up to anyone as much as he has you. No one can get him to do what you just did. He’s quite stubborn.” The volunteer pointed to the dog, “you two work well together.”
“You should get him Zander; Blake would help you with him, seeing as how mom and dad will never get one.” Emma paused to baby talk Hank, cooing over how handsome he is.
My youngest brother Blake, fourteen, has asked for a dog ever since he was in diapers. It was one of the kid’s first words.
Speaking of Blake, I need to talk to him about several projects I have in mind for the bar. The kid is a whiz with graphics.
Now, back to my sister. I gave her a look and crossed my arms and cleared my throat, “I thought we were here to findyoua dog, not me.”