The dog flinched and whimpered.
Nia inched close and licked the shepherd’s face, like a mother caring for her puppy.
Elfriede relaxed and brushed her tail over the ground.
“You’re a good nurse, Nia,” Anna said.
Nia opened her mouth and panted, creating the appearance of a smile.
Emmi bandaged the paw and helped the dog to stand. It hobbled on three legs, unable to place weight on her hind leg, and then flopped on her side.
“She’ll be okay in a few days,” Anna said.
“Ja,” Emmi said. “But Fleck will be angry with me.”
“It was an accident,” Anna said. “Besides, Fleck is always upset about something. It’s his nature.”
“But Fleck cares for Elfriede in his home. He’s become quite protective of her.” She glanced to the dog. “He might discharge me.”
“He’ll do no such thing,” Anna said. “You’re an incredible caregiver for the shepherds, and you’re as smart as any veterinarian. If it wasn’t for your insistence that each of the trainers take a guide dog home in the evening, rather than have the dogs sleep in communal pens in the barn, it’s quite possible that all of the dogs would have contracted tracheobronchitis.”
“Danke,” Emmi said. “But it doesn’t change the fact that Gunda is the only healthy dog left for Max.”
Waldemar works with Gunda,so Max will be stuck with Waldemar for the duration of training. Anna rubbed her neck. “It’ll work out.”
Emmi nodded.
Fleck’s whistle sounded.
Anna’s skin prickled.
“I’ll tell him,” Emmi said.
“Nein.” Anna retrieved a harness from a hook on the wall. “I have to go out there anyway. I’ll tell him that we were both walking Elfriede when she injured her foot. He can’t afford to discharge both of us.”
Emmi’s eyes widened. “I thought you said that I have nothing to worry about.”
“You don’t,” Anna said, hoping she was right. She approached Elfriede and stroked her side. “Do you think you can walk outside so we can show Herr Fleck your paw?”
Elfriede struggled to stand. She whined and settled on her belly.
“That’s okay, girl,” Anna said.
Nia padded to Elfriede, and then looked at Anna. She tilted her head, holding eye contact.
Anna’s mind raced.
The shrill of Fleck’s whistle pierced the air. “Fräulein Zeller!”
Anna’s heart rate spiked.Harbor your heart, hervater’s words echoed in her head. Before she changed her mind, she slid the harness on Nia.
“What are you doing?” Emmi asked.
Anna buckled the harness. “Fleck needs another dog, so I’m giving him one.”
“But he doesn’t think Nia is physically ready for training.”
“The worst thing that can happen is that he sends Nia back to the barn,” Anna said, hoping to hide her uneasiness.
