They’re followed by Saxon and Cheese, Hancock and a small foster dog named Rory, Akers with another foster dog, all the way down to Owen with Ladybird. Mav is the last player to go, walking Spanky, and Maddie will be the fun finale walking with Peepee.
“I think it’s really cool that we were able to get actual AKC judges to come out for this,” Lisa says as I help her straighten the numbers on the guys’ upper arms. “It’s like the dogs are winning legitimate awards.”
“I can’t believe they agreed to do it for free,” I quip.
The music begins, and the color commentator opens by thanking everyone for attending the first Pucks and Pups charity dog show. I walk down the lineup giving the guys and the dogs one final inspection before I’ll sneak out and sit in the stands to watch.
“Are you going to stay with me?” Maddie looks up at me when I reach her.
“Yeah, MG,” Mav teases. “You can’t leave us hanging back here.”
“I can’t?” I pretend to argue, and Maddie’s brown eyes widen. “I’m teasing. Of course, I’ll stay if you want me to.”
Her little body visibly relaxes, and I put my hand on her back, rubbing it in a circle. She puts her arm around my waist, resting her head on my hip, and we step forward as each pair exits through the curtain to do their promenade.
Out in the arena, we hear the crowds cheering and blowing air horns.
“Sounds like they’re having a good time,” Owen says, leaning closer to me. “I hadn’t considered the possibility of falling and showing everyone my underwear before now.”
A laugh snorts through my nose, and I rest my head against his broad chest. “That would be some trick.”
We take another step, and it’s his turn to go. Our eyes meet, and he takes a deep breath, eyes wide.
“Just pretend you’re on razor thin ice skates facing off against a six-foot-four, three-hundred-pound enforcer,” I tease.
“Now that I can do.” He does a finger gun at me, and I shake my head.
The announcer calls his name, and they step through the curtain. Maddie and I hold hands as we peek out to see her dad jogging Ladybird around the rink.
Fans are on their feet, screaming and clapping as they pass, and all the other teammates are in their places, smiling and holding their show poses.
Lisa stands in the center with two other judges I know from the circuit. They’re making notes and leaning in to speak in each other’s ears.
“He did great,” I say, looking down at Maddie.
Just then, a loudAHH!yells from behind us. We jump, turning around to see Mav on his butt on the turf holding his leg and rocking back and forth.
“Maverick!” We run over to where he’s groaning. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I was playing with Spanky, and my foot got caught in a fold in the carpet. I think I broke my ankle.”
“What!” My eyes widen. “No! You can’t… not during hockey season!”
“I don’t know…” He looks down, still grimacing. “It might not be broken, but I definitely can’t walk on it. You’ll have to show Spanky.”
“Me?” I straighten, looking from him to my dog, standing and waiting. “I’m not a hockey player. The crowd is waiting to seeyou! You’re the star!”
“We don’t have a choice, Gigi. You have to do it.”
“We’ll just tell them you’re injured. Spanky doesn’t have to be in the show.”
“Yes, he does,” Mav argues. “Just look at his face. He’s so eager.”
“He always looks like that,” I argue. “He probably spotted somebody wearing a towel.”
“No, no! You have to walk him, Mama G,” Maddie holds my arm in both her hands, shaking it. “Spanky wants to walk like Ladybird did. They’re besties.”
“And you gave him his special trim just for the occasion.” Mav meets my eyes, pleading. “Don’t let our boy down.”
