Dogs raced back and forth, chasing each other and playing keep-away with toys. Some veered toward where Ben and Erik sat for a quick sniff and pat on the head before diving back into the chaos.
All except one. The gray and white mid-sized dog was an odd breed, with a short, shaggy coat and a face that reminded Ben of an old man with a beard. The dog stared at them from across the room, ignoring the other dogs.
Once the rest of the pack seemed to have forgotten about Ben and Erik, the dog walked right to them.
“George,” Erik murmured once he petted him. “I don’t know how I know, but that’s his name.”
George padded up and then sat, raising his head to meet their gaze. Ben reached out to scratch his ears, and George permitted it, giving Ben’s hand a lick before inclining his head toward Erik for similar tribute.
“Wow.” Valerie came up from the side. “That’s a first. George usually keeps to himself.”
Ben and Erik exchanged a glance, and Ben raised an eyebrow. “He’s a nice dog. How did he end up at the shelter?”
“His owner died and didn’t have any family to take him,” Valerie replied. “It happens a lot.”
“Do you know anything about him?” Erik asked. “That might let us know what George is used to.”
“Sure,” Valerie said. “His owner, Mrs. Thomas, read tarot cards and told fortunes down on the boardwalk. George usuallykept her company in the shop. Some people said she was a little witchy, but in a good way. She knew she was dying, so she brought George to us before she went into hospice.”
Erik and Ben shared a look, and Ben guessed that Mrs. Thomas’s psychic abilities were the real thing.
Valerie shook her head. “I’ve seen dogs interact with all kinds of people, and they definitely communicate with us. But George and Mrs. Thomas had a special bond. I swear he understood every word she said to him.”
“How old is he?” Ben asked, feeling more and more certain that George was the right dog for them.
“Two, still young but out of the crazy puppy stage,” Valerie said. “Although it’s hard to imagine him on a tear, he seems more likely to curl up in an armchair and watch a mystery on TV.”
“What kind of dog is he? Will he get much bigger?” Erik scratched George under the chin, and the dog’s tail thumped.
“Schnoodle,” Valerie said. “Poodle Schnauzer. He’s full-grown at this point, might fill out a bit, but shouldn’t get taller. He’ll be a mid-size dog, but he’s got a big personality. He’s very smart. Mrs. Thomas made sure we had all his papers, medical records, favorite food, toys, bed, and tags. He’s up-to-date on his shots and check-ups.”
Valerie smiled. “I’ll let you spend some more time together and check back in a while to see if you have any other questions.” She walked off, but George stayed seated in front of them, meeting their gaze.
“She likely named him for St. George in the Major Arcana,” Erik said. “He’s a protection figure, and a slayer of dragons.”
“That fits,” Ben agreed.
“He’s associated with the Judgment card, which is said to reflect letting go of the past and starting over,” Erik added.
Erik stroked George’s back with the hand wearing a silver ring and followed up by lightly pressing a small piece of iron against the dog’s skin. George didn’t show any reaction to either metal.
“Guess he’s not a shifter,” Erik said.
Ben slipped off the chair and knelt in front of George. “Hey, buddy. You made a beeline for us. Would you like to be our dog?”
George’s tail thumped, and he licked Ben’s hand. His dark amber eyes met Ben’s with curiosity and intelligence.
Erik joined them on the floor a moment later, and George leaned toward him as if to indicate that he favored them both.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Ben asked when an older woman’s ghost appeared behind George. “Is that Mrs. Thomas?”
“I think we have her blessing,” Erik said quietly. “I can’t read George’s mind, but when I touch him, I pick up a sense of calm and satisfaction, like we passed muster.”
Valerie came back a few minutes later, after Ben and Erik had spent more time petting George and talking to him.
“Have you made a decision?” she asked, although Ben felt sure she already knew the answer.
“We’ll take George.” Ben grinned at Erik and the dog. “He’s perfect.”
