“We can count in the Bama Bastards, then?”he asked, since Twisted now seemed to be cleaning his fingernails.
“Always, brother.Shoot me the date, and we’ll bring a column.Haven’t visited my Louisiana brothers in a long time.”
“Okay, now I gotta go break Maynard out of vet jail and take him home.”He looked around the room.“Thank you, brothers.Much appreciated.”
***
“So he’s good to comehome?”Jock looked at Kent with dubious hope.“He’s still a mess of wounds.”
“You’ll continue the antibiotics and steroids.That’s what’s most important medically.Getting him out of here, though?That’s important mentally.I’ve had him out as much as I can, resting underneath the reception desk and such, but at the end of the day, it’s back to the metal kennel for him, and he knows it.”Kent didn’t miss a beat as he measured out a bottle full of pills.“These are three times a day.The steroid is just once a day.Don’t mix them up, or you’ll have a wired and angry little pitty on your hands.”
“Should I have brought Tank?I did right bringing him, right?”Tank was on his left, in a sit-stay that he would only break for Gunny’s little girls.Still, he was nearly vibrating with excitement.Maynard was still in his cage, but he, too, was in a pretty little sit-stay that Jock had zero confidence in.“It went well yesterday, them meeting.”It had taken place in the working cattle lots out back of the veterinary office, with each dog on a leash and in adjoining pens.“It was through the mesh, but they both seemed good, right?”
Kent turned around and patted the air.“Even I can feel the excitement rolling off you.Bring it down a few notches, man.”
Jock sucked in a deep breath and held it, then blew it out slowly.“Better?”
“Tons better.Yes, it’s good you brought Tank.And yes, the meet and greet yesterday went really well.Today is the real test, though.I couldn’t help but notice that you didn’t have the crates in the back of the truck like we’d talked about.”
“They’d be in the sun all the way home.I’ve got the back seat, and my plan is to buckle them in on opposite sides back there.Tank’s already used to it, so the worst that’ll happen is if Maynard has his eyes set on Tank’s favorite side.”He thumbed over his shoulder.“I want them nose to nose before we get in the truck, though.What other instructions do you have for me?”
“I like the idea of those pajamas you talked about.That’ll help keep him from licking and pulling at the wounds he can reach.If you have a cone at home, use it if you think he needs it.Tomorrow through Thursday should be the most intensive itching.Steroids will help with that, but I’m also giving you a light sedative to take home in case.Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do, don’t hesitate to use it.Call me if something doesn’t look great.Hell, call me if it does.I’ll talk you down off the edge.You’ll be back here in a week so I can check on him.”Kent turned back to the table and started shoving filled pill bottles and folded paperwork into a bag.“That should be all of it.Wanna get Maynard out?If you think Tank won’t break, I’ll stay over here in case you need help.”
“Tank’s solid.”Then he second-guessed himself.“Good sit, Tank, you sit.Stay.Tank, stay.”With a brisk nod, he took a leash from a hook on the wall and opened Maynard’s kennel wide enough to get an arm through.The slip lead went over his head, and Jock pulled it taut.“Hell, I forgot his fucking collar.”
“Hold on, I’ve got one we’ve been using.”
Jock held out his hand and leather slapped his palm, hard enough to sting.“Ow, motherfucker.”
“Cry me a river.”
Collar in place, Jock ran the slip lead through the hook and pulled it.“Here we go.”Pushing the door wider, he planted his feet and held tightly to the handle of the leash.And then he wound up laughing because Maynard didn’t break his sit-stay.“Good boy, Maynard.Good stay.”He paused a beat, then snapped out, “Maynard come,” as he took a step away from the kennel.The dog moved with him but never took his eyes off Tank.“Moment of truth.Maynard, sit, stay.Tank, heel.”Tank moved forwards with the momentum of his namesake, then circled wide around Maynard and Jock until he could snap into position on Jock’s left side.
“Both dogs look good to me.I think you need to be less, I don’t know, maybe less military.They’re picking up on every little bit of nerves or anxiety you’re letting leak.They need to decompress.”
“Time to go home, then.”Jock scratched the back of his neck, willing the worry away.He knew it wasn’t that easy, but it could be a start.“Kent, you’re a good man.You’ve got my address for the bill, right?”
“As if I’m going to ask you for money.”Kent shrugged.“Besides, Wrench already paid, which pissed Twisted off, but I’m not getting between those two.”
“Well, that’s good, then.Thanks again.You’ve earned a client for life.”
“Why does that sound like a threat coming from you?”Kent grinned and pulled open the practice’s side door.“Let me get your truck doors open, and you can send Tank out.”
Jock finally let himself look at Maynard straight on.He was pleased with what he saw.The worst of the wounds still needed healing, but most of the lighter burns were visibly healed from when they came in three days ago.
“Good to go,” Kent called from outside.
“Tank, truck,” Jock said, holding Maynard’s leash tight.As expected, when Tank leapt up and loped outside, Maynard’s stay broke as he tried to follow him.“Maynard, with me, man.You’ll get to run and play soon enough.”
“Keep him as calm as you can.”
“Hopefully he’ll be happy with being a couch hippo for a week or so.”
“Clearly food deprived, he sure eats like those happy hippos.Gotta watch for bloat.”Kent came back inside.“I put Tank’s buckle leash on him.You should be good to take him out now.”
“I’ve got a variety of puzzle bowls.Tank figures each new one out about a week after I buy it.”Jock ran a hand over Maynard’s head.“Tell the good doc ‘Thank you,’ Maynard.Come, with me.”He hesitated next to the truck, suddenly not sure if he could have the dog jump up.Maynard took the decision out of his hands by hopping up on the back seat as if he’d been riding there for years.“Good boy.”Jock fastened the lead and looked over at Tank.“Good boy, Tanker.”Door closed, he looked back at Kent.“Seriously owe you one, man.”
“Man who works this hard to save a stray pit bull is not a man in debt to me.Honor to meet you, Jock.Y’all are going to be a good unit.”
