“Would you like to?” I asked, because an idea had just occurred to me, a way to get Violet out of the shelter before she gave birth. “I mean, just temporarily. Would you consider taking in a foster dog?”
“I don’t know,” Phoebe said, gazing at Blue. “Maybe if it was someone as quiet and sweet as Blue.”
“I have a dog who needs to get out of the shelter ASAP, and I don’t have any foster homes open to take her. She’s very quiet and sweet. She’s also very pregnant.”
“Pregnant?” Phoebe’s head popped up. “No way. I don’t know the first thing about pregnant dogs…or puppies.”
“I know. It’s not ideal, but I’m at my wit’s end trying to find someone who can take her, and I’ve got to get her out of the shelter before she gives birth. Even if you took her in temporarily, it would be a huge help.”
“Why can’t you take her?” she asked.
“Because my lease only allows two dogs.”
Phoebe rubbed a hand down Blue’s side. “What if I take him so you can foster the pregnant dog?”
I shook my head. “I can’t have puppies. I’ve been over it with my landlord several times already over the years. She won’t budge on it. It’s one of the reasons I need my own place.”
“I really can’t, Taylor,” Phoebe said. “I’m busy fixing up the cabin, and I’m leaving in a few weeks, not to mention puppies sound like a lot of work…and a lot of mess I don’t need while I’m trying to get the place ready for renters.”
Those were all good points, but I couldn’t help feeling like this was somehow meant to be. “Just drop by on Monday and meet her?”
“It’s not a good idea,” Phoebe said.
“You’re probably right, but it’s the best idea I have at the moment.”
“Taylor…”
“Stop by and meet her,” I said, hoping I wasn’t being too pushy, but I was desperate to get Violet out of the shelter. “That’s all I’m asking.”
She sighed. “I guess I could do that, but I’m not promising to take her home.”
7
Phoebe
I sat back on my heels to survey my work. This morning, I’d ripped up all the carpet in the living room, and that had been the easy part. My dad had offered to hire a contractor to install the laminate flooring he’d ordered, but I was trying to do things on my own for a change. I wasn’t crazy about having a cabin full of contractors, but I might have to amend my opinion on that, because home renovations were a lot harder than I’d expected.
At any rate, I needed to get cleaned up and drive over to the animal shelter to meet the dog Taylor wanted me to foster. Bringing home a pregnant dog was a terrible idea, but maybe there was a different dog I could foster instead. Since I couldn’t have pets in my condo in Boston, this might be my one chance to be a temporary dog owner.
I went down the hall to the guest bedroom, where the photo of me and Taylor as little girls still sat on the dresser. When we hiked together on Saturday, I was reminded of how close we used to be and how much I missed her, and now I found myself hoping we’d find a way to rekindle our friendship.
The circumstances behind my return to Vermont well and truly sucked, but maybe some good would come out of the trip too, the chance to make amends with Taylor, to rediscover my love of music, and to spend time in the places where I’d spent some of the happiest times of my childhood.
I went into the bathroom for a quick shower, then dressed in jeans and a yellow linen top. I put the address for the animal shelter into the GPS in my phone while I was still here in the cabin, allowing it to route my way while I was still connected to the Wi-Fi, as I’d been rudely reminded over the weekend that I didn’t get much cell service up here.
Then I went outside and climbed into my car, blasting an upbeat playlist while I drove and singing along at the top of my lungs. Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot of a small white building. The sign in front read Chittenden County Animal Shelter.
“This is a mistake,” I murmured as I shut off the car. Yeah, I loved dogs, and the idea of bringing one home to foster for a few weeks sounded kind of fun, but it was probably a lot more work than I had time for right now. The truth was, I wouldn’t be here at all if I didn’t feel I owed Taylor.
I walked to the front door and pulled it open, finding myself in a wood-paneled reception area. A corkboard to my left was covered with photos of dogs, cats, and other animals posing with the people I presumed had adopted them. There was no one behind the desk, so I went down the hall, easily finding Taylor’s name on one of the doors. I tapped my knuckles against it.
“Come in,” Taylor called.
I pushed the door open to find Taylor at her desk with glasses perched on her nose, giving her an adorably studious look. I only got a glimpse of her before Minnie came barreling toward me, barking happily as she planted her front paws on my jeans.
“Minnie, down,” Taylor admonished, and the dog dropped to all fours, tail wagging as she looked up at me.
“I’m happy to see you too,” I told her as I gave her a chin rub. “And you too, Blue,” I said as I caught sight of the smaller dog in a crate in the corner. He lifted his head to look at me, quiet as ever.
