“You’re right,” Lyle replied. “Let me button up a few things here. Then I’ll grab Charlotte and meet you at the shelter. Let’s say an hour?”
“Perfect. And, thank you, Lyle.”
Heather ended the call, butterflies bubbling up in her stomach. She hurried to finalize her checklist before she left, envisioning the excitement the puppies might bring to both Charlotte and Lyle. No doubt, this would add a little lift to everyone’s spirits.
An hour later, Lyle pulled up to the shelter just behind Heather’s Jeep. He got out, glancing around the parking lot, his gaze landing on the half-open door as the sound of a few excited barks echoed from inside. As though she’d been watching for them, Heather stepped outside and waved.
“Miss Heather!” Charlotte squealed, barely allowing Lyle to put her down as she raced toward Heather. “Are we really getting puppies? Can we keep them?”
“Well,” Heather said, crouching to meet her eye level, “we're going to help them get a little stronger. That means a lot of love and care. But they need a place to stay for now, so we're going to be their foster family.”
“Yay!” Charlotte jumped up and down. “Can I hold one?”
“I’ll let you know if they’re ready to cuddle once we get in there. Depending on their age, they may still need to be bottle-fed.”
Lyle opened the door to the shelter, and they all stepped inside. Heather's heart sank at the sight of the four tiny bundles, barely eight weeks old and already abandoned. With wide, innocent eyes, they looked up, shaking slightly in their crate.
“Awwww. They’re so cute!” Charlotte exclaimed, her face lighting up as she knelt beside the crate. “I really want to just kiss them!”
“Let’s make sure they’re all okay first,” Lyle said, bending down beside her, visually examining the pups and keeping his arm protectively around Charlotte’s shoulders. “Looks like they’re a bit nervous.”
“I bet Pudge could make them not so nervous.”
“Not so sure about that,” Lyle said. “But we could always give it a try when we get home.”
Heather smiled and moved closer. The barking and whimpering of animals were distracting. She noticed Charlotte’s frown, noted the trembling of the puppies. “Why don’t we take the crate outside in the sunshine where it’s quieter. There’s a nice grassy area.”
Lyle nodded. “Good idea.”
“C’mon, little ones,” Heather coaxed softly, fetching a blanket to lay over the cool ground outside so they wouldn’t be stressed while they adjusted to this overwhelming scene.
“Should we give them names?” Charlotte asked, her eyes soft as she spotted a little black-and-white pup that looked like a tiny, wagging firecracker.
“Of course.” Heather grinned and tucked a strand of flyaway hair behind Charlotte's ear. “What do you think?”
Lyle chuckled as he scooped the pup up, the tiny creature wriggling enthusiastically in his hold. “I think this little girl has a whole bunch of personality.”
“Looks like a ‘Pepper’,” Heather tossed out, recognizing how lively and energetic the little pup was.
“Pepper!” Charlotte giggled, clapping her hands with glee.
“Okay then,” Lyle mused, carefully examining the puppies. Placing a stethoscope against each tiny body, he listened to their heart and lungs, checked their eyes and gums. Although they needed a bath, he didn't detect any immediate signs of illness. “What about the rest of this crew? Can’t have a bunch of Jane Doe’s coming home with us.”
“What’s a Jane Doe?”
“Someone without a name.”
“Well,” Charlotte paused, most of her attention now on a sleepy little tan pup nuzzling close to Lyle’s shirt. “Can this one be Buttercup?”
“I think that suits her just fine,” Heather said, watching as Charlotte inspected each little one with increasing joy.
With Lyle holding Buttercup, and Charlotte carefully reaching for the other two, Heather’s heart began to sing a little louder. The worries and stressors from the previous days started to fade away as they participated in naming the puppies.
Lyle suggested a name for the remaining chocolate pup. “How about ‘Coco’? Fitting, don’t you think?”
“Yes! I love Coco!” Charlotte squeaked, beaming. She squinted her eyes, staring intently at the last puppy, the tiniest of the bunch. "Is that one a boy or a girl?" she asked.
"Looks like all four of them are girls," Lyle said.
