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“He’s a beautiful dog. He’s had all his shots and is ready to go.”
We get to his enclosure, and he looks up at me. His eyes are sad, and my heart breaks. “Hey, you.” I smile as I bend down. “What breed of dog is he again?”
“Not sure. Definitely a springer spaniel in there somewhere.” She opens the gate, and he stands, unsure of what’s about to happen.
He’s brown and perfectly spotty. “And how old is he?”
“Judging by his teeth, we think around three. Although he could be a bit younger or older. He’s not super old—put it that way.”
“And how did he come to be in the shelter?”
“His owner died unexpectedly.”
“Oh.” My heart sinks. “Poor baby.”
“Out you come, Barry,” she says.
“Barry?” I frown.
“Yes, his name is Barry. Of course, you can change it if you want to.”
“Did his last owner call him Barry, or did you just make that up since he’s been here?”
“He’s always been called Barry.”
Oh, I don’t really want to have a dog called Barry. I was thinking something more noble and cool.
Hmm, I’ll have to think on this.
“He was an outside dog at his last home.”
“But . . . does he like inside?” I ask.
“Show me a dog who doesn’t.” She puts the leash on him, and he tentatively walks out.
I hold my hand out for him to smell. “Hi.” His tail gives a weak wag, and I smile. “Let’s go home.” I carefully lead him out the doors, and he looks back at the attendant as if to say I’m allowed to leave? We walk out to my car, and I help him climb into the back seat. He sits quietly, and I shut the door behind him. “You’re a good boy.” I smile at him in the rearview mirror. This is so wonderful to be able to do this. It doesn’t get any better than this.
1:00 a.m.
“Woof, woof, woof” echoes through the entire neighborhood.
I wait.
“Woof, woof, woof.”
I roll over in bed. “Fuck’s sake, Barry.”
Silence for a few moments.
Owoooooooooooo.
“What the hell? He’s howling like a werewolf now?” I flick back the blankets and march downstairs. I open the back door. “What?” I whisper angrily. “What do you want?”
Barry wags his tail, ready to play.
“Come inside. You’re keeping the entire street awake.”
He barrels into the house past me, and I close the door behind him. This has been going on for hours. He barks when he’s left outside, and then I let him in. Five minutes later he barks to go back outside.
