“Josie, what the hell are you doing?” JR called.
“I’m trying to get Milo to come inside!”
“Leave him alone! He’ll be fine!”
Spinning around, I glared at my neighbor. “How can you be so callous?” I called out as he stomped toward me through the drifts. “The storm is only going to get worse, and he’s going to freeze!”
“He’s got a coat of fur!”
“And he’ll still freeze!” I reiterated. “Either help me or go back inside!”
I turned back to Milo, giving him another pleading look. “Please, Milo. I don’t want you to die. It would break my heart if I came outside tomorrow and found you frozen like an ice sculpture. And although you might be beautiful made of ice, once you thawed, you would most definitely not be beautiful anymore.”
Milo rushed past me, and for just a second, I hoped I got through to him. But when I spun around, that hope was dashed when I saw him jumping at my grumpy neighbor, who didn’t even care whether or not Milo lived or died.
“I’ll help you get him in the house, but that’s it,” JR called out.
“Fine.”
I stomped across the snow, angry that I was doing everything possible to take care of Milo, but he only wanted JR. It wasn’t right. I would be a good pet owner, even if I couldn’t take him into my home permanently.
But on the upside, at least Milo would be safe and warm tonight.
“Come on, dog,” JR muttered, following me to the house.
“He’s got a name. It’s Milo.”
“No wonder he’s not following you around.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I spun around, thrusting my hands on my hips.
“It means you gave him a name that makes him feel small. You should have given him a tough name.”
“But he’s a small dog. Should I have named him Butch?”
“God, no. But something a bit more masculine.”
Rolling my eyes, I shoved the door open and beamed when Milo followed me inside. Shaking off the snow, he circled around the blankets I laid out on the ground for him before he finally plopped down with a yawn.
“There, I did my part.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
But as soon as he turned to leave, Milo’s ears perked up and he raced over to the door, ready to leave with JR.
“No, I’m not taking you home.”
“Maybe just for tonight?—”
“No,” JR snapped. “No dogs in my house.”
“But he’ll freeze out there.”
Milo yipped, spinning in a circle before looking up at JR expectantly.
“He’s not coming home with me.”
“Then stay for a few minutes until he gets more comfortable. I’ll even make you lunch.”
