Inside the building, most of the staff seemed to already know Sara Sue, no surprise there since rehoming former service dogs was what she did for a living. He suspected most of the folks at Lackland where the military dogs came through probably knew her as well.
“He’s in back.” An older woman with a smile that reminded him of Aunt Bee from the oldAndy Griffithtelevision show tipped her head toward a corridor.
The three of them followed Sara Sue down a long hall and around a corner to a large kenneled area. No one needed to tell him which dog was Raider. In one of the few large kennels, lying on his good side, a stunning German Shepherd zeroed in on them as they entered. The animal was very obviously sizing them up, and when Sara Sue softly called his name, and the animal lifted his lip exposing rather large white teeth in response, followed by a deep, low growl, Josh was pretty sure the animal had made up his mind. And he didn’t think any of them was going to like Raider’s conclusion.
Katie couldn’t help herself. The minute Raider snarled at Sara Sue, she found herself taking a step back and slipping behind Josh.
“Better let me.” Kade came out in front of Sara Sue. “If he had a bad experience with the fosters he may blame you.”
It was obvious by the tight press of her lips that the idea didn’t sit well with Preston’s wife, but she nodded and circled behind him.
“Easy boy.” Kade barely moved, his voice soft and low and with only two words, almost mesmerizing. “I bet it’s hard being in there, isn’t it fella?”
The dog didn’t cease to show his teeth and if anything, the growl seemed to rise in volume.
Kade crouched down to his level. “I promise, things will get better, Raider.”
At the use of his name, the dog’s ears seemed to twitch and his growl appeared to dim, but those big old fangs were still staring the three of them in the face.
“We’ve come to take you to a really happy place,” Kade continued.
Kade’s words brought the dog’s growl back and Kade heaved a deep sigh.
“This,” Kade slowly pushed to his feet, “is not going to be easy. He doesn’t like you, and I’m not winning any brownie points either.”
“So now what do we do?” Josh asked.
The three were talking, but Katie couldn’t take her eyes off the dog. The funny thing; while the three of them were discussing possible sedation for transport, she noticed something unusual. “Uh, excuse me.”
Kade turned first. “Yes?”
“Look.” Very carefully, she gestured with a finger toward the dog.
The three of them turned to face the animal.
“Hmm,” Kade grunted.
“What?” Josh asked.
“He seems to be watching…you.”
“And he’s not snarling,” Katie added.
Very slowly, maybe even slower than usual, Josh turned to fully face the dog and took a long step to the side, away from the group.
As expected, the dog’s eyes remained fixed on Josh, his teeth no longer exposed.
“I’ll be.” Kade narrowed his gaze in thought. “Try talking to him. Low and soft.”
“I know.” Josh took a single step closer to the dog. “I remember.” Crouching in place, he continued speaking slow, soft words of reassurance.
The dog heaved a sigh and Katie wondered what hold Josh had over him. Did he somehow remind the dog of his former handler? Or a special person? Or did the dog just know that he was a good person? But that made no sense. She knew Kade was a good person and the dog wasn’t having any of it.
His fingertips splayed on the floor beside him, Josh inched closer. “It’s no fun being hurt, is it?”
Raider shifted ever so slightly, almost as if trying to stand despite his injured leg and hip, his focus never leaving Josh.
“I bet about now you probably need to go outside, don’t you?”
