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When I get to the waiting car, I wish I drove today. Sitting and stewing in the backseat of the town car makes me more furious.
Whe
n we drive up to the Humane Society, a small group of volunteers are outside with dogs and I look to see if one of them is Brutus. I snicker at the fucking name but it grew on me. When the receptionist sees me, her eyes grow wide with recognition. She picks up the phone and speaks softly then sends me a bashful smile.
A second later a small voice behind me calls, “Mr. McCoy?”
“Max, please.” I turn to the woman and shake her hand.
“I’m Tanya, the Director here. Please follow me.”
We go into a small room and in one corner is a cage with the slate grey puppy I’ve been watching for the last two weeks looking at me with trepidation. Instead of sitting in the chair, I drop to my knees and slowly put my fingers through the cage hoping to calm her. She backs away at first and then sniffs each finger before licking them.
“Hey there, little Brutus,” I say softly and her tail wags.
“You’ve already named her?” Tanya asks.
“No, it’s a nickname. Stella will name her.”
“I’d really have liked to meet Stella. She’s been so attentive to this puppy litter and their health.”
“I’ll send her in to meet you, but thanks for allowing this.”
“It’s a really sweet gesture. Hopefully it will be well received.”
“It will, she has no idea I get to pick her up today. Everyone is in on the surprise but her.”
“Mr. McCoy, I hate to be tacky, but your presence at this shelter is a really big deal. Can I take a picture for our brag wall?”
“No.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“No, I will send you a picture of me and Stella with the puppy for your brag wall. You can name both of us. But I want her to be a part of it. This is for her.”
Tanya’s face lights up and she nods quickly. “Of course. That would be wonderful.”
“Can we open the gate now?”
She rushes forward and lifts the latch and in an instant, the puppy is in my arms, licking me.
“You have everything you need from me right? I can walk out this door with Brutus?”
“Yes, sir. And thank you for the generous donation. It will go a long way in helping other animals not as lucky as her to be adopted.”
“Thank you for your help. Stella will be in touch.” I lean back and stand with the squirmy puppy in my arms.
Many stare at me as I walk through and a few clicks of camera phones go off, but I keep my head straight and focused. My goal is to get to Sullivan PR before any of these pictures go online.
When I get in the back of the car, I text Jake that we’re on our way and he responds that everything is going as planned.
When we pull up in front of her office, my mom’s car is up front and I see her waiting at the door with her camera hidden discreetly behind her back.
Stella is supposed to be in her office with Laci discussing a fictitious business problem. Whatever it takes to keep her out of sight until I get in the building. I straighten the bright red bow on the dog’s neck, silently thanking Dana, once again. Then let the dog down in a patch of grass to pee. I read that excitement will cause a lot of peeing. This dog is about to experience more than excitement.
The buzz of the entrance bell alerts the whole office to our arrival. Laci mutters, “Who the hell could that be,” loudly as my cue. As soon as Stella’s body is in the doorframe, I lean down and let the puppy go. She whines a bit until hearing Stella’s cries then turns to the noise hesitantly. Once she sees her, she goes running, tripping over awkwardly and causing everyone to laugh. Stella drops to her knees and squeals as Brutus lands in her arms. Cameras are clicking and “ooh’s and aah’s” fill the room.
“Hey, baby girl! Hey, sweet thing! Oh my God you are so soft and fluffy,” Stella coos and Laci stoops down next to her. The puppy licks and wiggles shamelessly soaking up every bit of attention.
