Concerned, I asked, “If I don’t take him home, what happens?”
The woman “We’ll need to take him to the shelter.”
I gasped and said, “No! I’ll take him. If any lost dog signs show up, then we’ll hand him over, but I don’t want him going to a shelter.”
I leaned down to the pup, lying on the table. His head popped up, tongue wagging, glowing with what looked like a smile. “Do you want to come home with me?” His tail started wagging in excitement as he got up and stood at attention.
Jesse said, “Looks like you got your answer. Do you have any more questions for the Vet, Laida, or are you ready to head home?”
Rubbing the dogs head, I shook my head, “Nope. Nothing. I think this little guy gave us all the answers we need.” We laughed and asked the vet for a collar.
She handed us an orange one, along with instructions for getting him registered if no one claimed him and we decided to keep him. My nerves were racked, but I was also looking forward to getting him what he needed and setting him up at home. It had been quite an adventure already.
Chapter 7
Jesse
The dog was lying on Laida’s lap the entire ride home. I said, “He really likes you.” Laida just kept quietly rubbing his head and coat, smiling, and staring down at… Then I realized, “He needs a name!”
“What?” she asked, daydreaming.
“He needs a name. What should we call him?”
Laida looked up at me and said, “Thank you.”
“We should call him thank you?”
She laughed. “No, I mean, thank you. Thank you for coming by and helping me. I know you weren’t going to come by until tomorrow. I appreciate it, so much.”
Smiling back at her, I said, “Of course. I’m just glad he’s ok. So! What about a name?”
Laida stared down at him. “Hmmm. What if we just start saying names, and whatever name he responds to will be his name?”
Letting out a chuckle, I said, “I like that idea. How about Ace?” No response.
“Well, that’s not his name.” Laida laughed hard, and it made me giggle. Her laugh was warm and cheerful. She was so content at that moment.
She went next. “Maverick?” Nothing.
We took turns calling out names hoping something would stick and he would respond. “Ranger.” No dice.
“Scout.” She shook her head when he didn’t move.
I tried, “Bear.”
Laida scoffed, “Bear? Who would name their dog, Bear?”
Shrugging I reasoned, “I don’t know. A lot of people name their dog, Bear. Especially if it’s a big dog.”
She smirked, “Good point, but it doesn’t look like it’s his favorite. He’s got this copper and white coat. What does he look like?” She asked me.
“Marble, maybe.” Our furry friend chuffed in disgust.
Laida shook her head ‘no’ again and brought up, “He looks like Rust.” As soon as she said it, he picked his head up. “Is that your name? Rust?” Then he laid his head back down. “We must be close. Did you see him perk up?”
Shocked, I agreed, “I did. What about Rusty?” When I said that, his tail started wagging uncontrollably, his head perked up, and he started licking my face.
Laida was so ecstatic she started squealing. “Rusty! Your name is Rusty?!” Rusty turned toward her and practically climbed up her shoulder, licked her face, and tried to bury himself in her arms. “Wow!!! That foot isn’t bothering him too badly. Alright, Rusty, calm down.” Every time she said his name, he got even more excited and snuggled himself back into her.
