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5
Beth
The first step in boarding new dogs was to verify all of their vaccine information. For most new customers, I would insist on verifying this ahead of time, but I made an exception since Christian and Braden were headed to the airport—and since I desperately wanted their business. Fortunately, the vet I called verified that Heidi and Pickles were both up-to-date on their shots.
When my business became busier, I would then need to ensure that the new dogs got along with all the others I was boarding. Fortunately, with just Hank and Princess already here, it was clear that there weren’t any issues.
The dog kennel was a converted garage that had been renovated with heating, air conditioning, and better insulation. It was inside the main fenced-in field, next to a smaller fenced area where I could separate dogs if need be. I had moved one of grandma’s old rocking chairs out onto the front of the kennel, which allowed me to relax outside while watching the dogs play.
The weather was going to be perfect all weekend, which made it easier since I could let the dogs play continuously. And play they did! Hank, Heidi, and Pickles chased each other around the field, sprinting in long strides. Then they came up to the front of the kennel, which was shaded and had bowls of water for them to drink from. After panting in the shade for twenty minutes, Hank popped up and went running out into the field again—which encouraged Heidi and Pickles to quickly follow. Even Princess popped up and watched them as if she wanted to join in on the fun.
Running a kennel was a lot of work, but it was infinitely easier when all the dogs got along together. If some dogs couldn’t behave themselves, and tried to hump other dogs or pick fights, I would need to seclude them in the smaller enclosure, and rotate them out into the main field area by themselves. That would inevitably happen—when you got enough dogs together, there were alwayssomewho didn’t mesh well—but for now it was nice to see the three boarded dogs and Hank so happy together.
Princess’s owner picked her up that evening. “Looks like you’re getting more business already!” she said. “Good for you. This place is too big to take care ofjustPrincess.”
“Tell me about it!” I replied. “Soon, I’m going to need to hire some help. Bye, Princess. See you tomorrow!”
I moved Hank inside and then fed Heidi and Pickles in the kennel. Both of them wolfed down their food, then went back out to play some more. A few hours later, when it was time for bed, both dogs happily went into their kennels and collapsed into bed. They were exhausted from playing all day, and werestillwagging their tails. Inside the house, Hank was already upstairs in the dog bed in my bedroom, snoring loudly.
“That’s a good start!” I said while climbing into bed. “Lots of tired, happy dogs.”
I had cameras all around the property, including inside the kennel. I opened the app on my phone and checked on them—Pickles and Heidi were both fast asleep. I set my alarm for the morning and started to put my phone down on the bedside table… then I opened a browser instead.
It’s okay to be a little curious.
Christian Baker was from Petersburg, Virginia. He played college for a small state school, putting up big numbers before getting drafted into the National Football League. He was a backup for three years before starting after the Colts’ primary quarterback was injured. Scouts were skeptical that he would find success in the NFL, and it seemed that they had been proven right so far.
Braden Clark, meanwhile, was from Pasadena, California, and was the star Wide Receiver for UCLA. He won the Heisman Trophy his senior year, which went to the best college football player, making him only the fourth wide receiver to win the award. He was grinning widely in all of his Wikipedia photos.
Curiosity got the best of me, because next I searched their names plus relationships. There was almost no information listed, except that Braden had briefly dated a supermodel in his first year for the Colts. I found a photo of Christian with a woman on his arm at a black tie event, but that was the only time it was even hinted that he had a girlfriend.
I shook my head and put my phone away. They were my customers. Even more important, they were my chance at getting a lot of new business if they told their teammates about my kennel. I shouldn’t be thinking of them in a romantic way, especially so soon after breaking up with Trip.
But as I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t stop thinking about Braden standing in my dining room without any clothes on, a statuesque god of lean muscle.
Now that I had some actual dog clients, my days went by much faster. I woke up early Friday morning to let Pickles and Heidi out, then sipped my morning tea in the rocking chair while they sat together in the grass with Hank. I gave them all the extra services that I usually charged for. I trimmed their nails, and brushed their fur, and gave them the good—and expensive—rawhide treats. I didn’t mind that I was doing it for free; it gave me something to do, and I wanted to treat the dogs as well as possible in the hopes of getting their long-time business.
Another service I offered was text message updates. My plan for most customers was to send photos of the dogs once per day, but I decided to spoil the Colts players and sent them updates Friday morning and again Friday evening.
Me: Here’s Heidi taking a nap after three hours of playing with Hank.
Christian: She looks pooped. Thanks again for taking such good care of them.
Me: It’s my pleasure!
Braden was a lot more excited about the updates.
Me: He’s having so much fun playing in the grass, he doesn’t want to come inside for dinner!
Braden: PIIIIIIIIIIIIICKLES
Braden: He loves rolling around on his back like that. Sorry if he gets grass all over your place!
Braden: And poop. He’s really bad about accidentally rolling around in poop when he’s excited.
Me: No poop yet! But it’s all right, because I’m going to give him a bath Sunday before you pick him up.
Braden: Oh snap, he loves baths. He gets all wiggly and happy.
