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We get to the dog, who looks like a pug-poodle mix, or a pugapoo. I know this because I had one once. The sweet boy limps over to us, and I can’t bear to watch him in pain. I squat down and say, “Hey, sweet baby,” and reach out my hand for him to sniff, a little nervous he might be scared and bite.
“Be careful,” Maddox warns.
But all the dog does is lick my hand with wild abandon, then nuzzles my leg. With every second I watch him, my heart melts more.
He’s just like my sweet Tuffy.
And by the expression on Maddox’s face, his heart is melting too. He says, “Look at you.” He glances at the dog’s underbelly before he says, “You are such a good boy.”
I’ve never heard Maddox’s voice that soft before, but it is out in full force with this filthy little dog.
I check for a collar, but there is none. Then I look around to see if there’s anyone nearby who could be his parent, but there’sno one who’s looking for a dog or paying attention. “We have to help him.”
Maddox shoots me a concerned look. “We can take him to the vet.”
I blow out a breath of relief. “If he’s chipped, the vet will be able to notify the parents.”
Maddox nods at me before looking at the dog and saying, “Do you want to come with us, my man?”
“Come on, Farmer.” I give his back a good scratch. Looking at Maddox, I say, “Hey, he’s a fan of veggies and the farmer’s market.”
“Farmer it is.” Maddox nods. “I like it.”
The dog is panting like he’s thirsty, so I take my bottle of water and fill the lid. He laps it up so quickly that it breaks my heart. Poor thirsty baby. I continue filling the lid until he’s had enough water. By now, it’s obvious his limp is from a laceration on his leg that’s crusted over with blood. He needs treatment.
Maddox must notice the same thing because he says, “That leg definitely needs to be looked at.”
“Yup.”
When we walk toward Maddox’s car, we have no problem getting Farmer to follow us. He’s even happy to let Maddox lift him into the back seat, which convinces me that this dog is desperate.
We’ll just have to get him to the vet where they can notify the parents, then our work will be done.
We walk into the posh clinic Maddox knows well because it’s the one his dad and Skye use for Dolly and Llama. The technician rushes us into an exam room, and the vet, Dr. Cullin, a good friend of Billy’s, sees us immediately.
An x-ray reveals the leg isn’t broken, but the cut is infected, which means it requires a topical treatment applied every four hours, as well as antibiotics twice a day for the next ten days.
Dr. Cullin turns to Maddox and says, “So, the dog’s not chipped. This means we can’t immediately locate the parents, but we can post a picture on our website to see if anyone claims him.” She clears her throat. “But how dirty he is and the fact that his injury is old enough to be infected tells me he probably doesn’t have a home.”
“Okay,” I say, my pulse kicking up in my ears. I cannot allow this dog to end up back on the streets. “What happens next?”
She laces her fingers together. “Since there are no parents, and the dog requires immediate medical attention, we’ll have to put out a call for a foster family. Which is tough because at the moment, all our foster volunteers are already overwhelmed with other animals. Do you two know anybody?”
That last question is tinged with desperation, and my mind whirls. “We could ask Skye and Billy.” I look at Maddox.
“They’re traveling this week. My dad has a concert in Phoenix.”
“That’s right.” My insides constrict, as I can’t think of anyone else. Sophie and Lucas already have two dogs and can’t take on anything right now with her being pregnant and immobile, and Eva can’t have pets at her apartment. Neither can I. My eyes drift over to Farmer, and he’s looking at me with love and adoration, his long tongue hanging out sideways.
“We can transfer him to the shelter,” Dr. Cullin says.
“No!” I cry out, even surprising myself. “I mean, he’s hurt. He needs care.”
The vet nods empathetically. “It’s not our first choice, but the shelter will make sure his wound is tended to.”
My pulse races so hard I can hear the thudding in my ears. I know logically my reaction is far beyond the situation, but I’m running on pure emotion, and I can’t stop myself. “I’ll take him home.” My voice trembles.
Maddox scowls. “I thought you couldn’t have animals there.”
