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I forced a smile, tried to cover up my nerves, and answered the door. It was Lizzy. She was bawling her eyes out and rushed inside.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, handing her the box of tissues.
“She’s…. gone,” Lizzy sobbed.
“Who?” I asked.
“Snowball.”
My heart sank. I knew how much she loved Snowball. She’d been Lizzy’s companion since high school.
“I’m so sorry. What happened?” I didn’t know Snowball had been sick, but she was getting up there in age.
“I…don’t know. One minute she was yapping at the door. I went to see if someone was there, and then when I turned around, she was gone.”
“What do you mean by gone? Gone dead or gone missing?” I asked. If Snowball had simply gotten out of the apartment, at least there was hope we could find her.
“Missing. I think someone stole her. Who would do such a thing? She’s not just a dog, she’s my fur baby,” Lizzy cried.
I took a deep breath and put my arms around her. Okay. This is something I can help with. “Lizzy, let’s go back to your apartment together and start looking for her.”
“I did. I called out for her and even brought her favorite squeaky toy. She never responded. Snowball always comes when I call her.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. Lizzy believed Snowball was trained, but I knew better. If something caught Snowball’s attention, you could call her name forever, and she’d ignore you.
“I’ll knock on every door if I have to, but she can’t have gotten far. And she might even be back at your place right now, looking for her supper,” I said, hoping it was true.
“You really think so?” Lizzy asked, wiping away tears.
I nodded. “But let’s get going right away.”
“Okay. You drive. I’m in no state.”
I grabbed my phone and sent Richard a quick text.
SORRY. HAVE TO CANCEL. LIZZY NEEDS ME.
I had no time to wait for a response. I picked up my keys and purse and we dashed to my car. A few minutes later we were walking her neighborhood calling out for Snowball.
My phone announced a text.
IS EVERYTHING OKAY?
I sent back, SNOWBALL IS MISSING. WE ARE OUT CALLING FOR HER.
Richard might not understand why I was blowing him off, but Lizzy was distraught. I needed to be here helping her.
ARE YOU AT THE APARTMENT? He asked.
I didn’t hear back from him after I confirmed we were. Not inside, but we were in earshot of it.
Slipping my phone back in my pocket, I started calling out for Snowball again. Usually in Lizzy’s neighborhood there were families walking around or kids playing in their yards. But not today. The neighborhood was silent. Did everyone disappear?
Snowball was tiny and couldn’t have gone that far, but I decided to expand my search area and started walking on the next block. Still no sign of Snowball. I didn’t want to go back without that little rascal of a dog. It would break Lizzy’s heart.
As I started to head back, I noticed a McLaren heading towards me. I waved and Richard pulled over. When he did, I saw he wasn’t alone. Lizzy was in the passenger’s seat, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Look…who I…found,” she said.
