“Yeah but... he has medical needs.”
“Like what?”
“He just had a small mass removed from his chest, and he has diabetes.”
“Okay, that’s no big deal.”
Dane’s eyes widen. “No, that’s a very big deal, dude. He needs insulin injections every day. No matter what.”
“I can do that.”
“Is this what you wanna do with all your money? Start a farm?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I haven't really figured out what I wanna do yet. But... I know I can’t let this dog go to jail.”
“It’s an animal shelter.”
I roll my eyes. “Tomato potato.”
“The phrase is tomato tomahto.”
“What the fuck is a tomahto?”
“It’s about comparing two—you know what”—he throws his hands up—“Never mind. It’s not gonna help.”
“Please,” I whine. “You’ve seen how good I am with Ginger, and I had no idea how to care for a horse before I got her. I’m mature as heck now.”
“Mature as heck?”
“I’m trying not to swear. Between Ana withholding churros for swearing in front of our niece and nephews, and the Wilde girls next door, I’m trying to stop.”
My brother takes his time assessing me before looking down at King, who’s smiling in his kennel.
“I will admit,” he drawls, “you have shownsomeincreasedmaturity lately.”
I remind him of the facts. “I’ve been on time for every practice this summer. I’ve been to every training facility renovation meeting, aaaand I’ve kept my mouth shut about my lottery winnings.”
That last one has been the hardest of all. I want to scream it from a mountain and buy everyone everything. I want to buy a generator and central air conditioning for Renée. Matter of fact, a whole new house would be ideal.
Dane plucks a dog treat from his scrubs pocket and feeds it to King through the metal grating of the kennel door. “Promise me you’ll give him back if he’s too much work?”
“Of course. But there’s nothing to worry about because he’s gonna be spoiled rotten.”
After the dogs become acquainted in the clinic, Dane sends me off with the new addition to my herd, diabetes medication, special food, and wound care for King’s chest. As soon as we get home, we all take a hike out back so our new buddy can scope out his new home. King stays on his leash so he doesn’t run, which would damage his stitches, but I can tell he’s excited for the day he can run.
When the sun sinks below the treetops and the temperature drops, I take care of Ginger and the Quack Pack in the barn and leave Yogi and Rugger to their guardian business.
Once we’re inside, I give King his evening insulin injection exactly the way Dane showed me. By the time I set a recurring reminder on my phone for his morning and evening shots, King is exploring every square inch of his new home.
I take a picture of him sniffing my hand and shoot it off to the family group chat.
Jonah: Meet the newest member of the Johanssen family: King!
The texts are flying in within ten seconds.
Ivy: Look at that sweet old man face!
Angie: OMG HE’S ADORABLE
