“I’m going to take Spot and Dililah for a walk next. Can you keep your eyes on the rest of them out there? I know that Frank and Chili seem to be getting at each other a little.”
I looked outside, taking in Frank, who was sitting in the grass. Chili was on the other side of the yard, but he was constantly starting things. I think it was mostly because he was feeling lonely and unsure of what to do with himself since being here.
“I sure can. Do you want me to walk the dogs?”
He shook his head. “No, I can walk them. It’s good for my joints. Besides, you’re better at handling the kittens than I am.”
I chuckled as he took the dogs, and I slipped back into the cat’s room. I offered each kitten a small bottle of milk and made sure to give our old cat, Willow, her medication before heading back to the backyard.
Most of the dogs were enjoying the weather, but I could see Chili was walking closer to Frank, who was watching him. I watched as Frank’s upper lip went up, and he bared his teeth at Chili.
I pushed the door open, ready to start yelling, so they wouldn’t get into a fight, but it was too late. Chili nipped at Frank, who quickly bit back. They erupted into a fight, snarling and barking, filling the area. All the dogs instantly turned to watch them.
“Hey! Hey!” I went running across the yard, yelling at them. “No! Break it up! Stop it! Frank! Chili!”
Chili finally backed away, and Frank bared his teeth, growling at him. “Enough!” I yelled, stepping between them.
“Frank, go!” I pointed toward the shelter, knowing he was being territorial. Frank moved, walking toward the shelter. I sighed, looking over at Chili. He was a medium black dog. We weren’t exactly sure what he was mixed with. But we could tell from his constant need to be around me and another dog that he was lonely.
I bent down, petting him. “You should know that Frank is not a cuddling type by now. You two have already gotten into it. Look at you, you had a scratch on your face now.”
I ran my hand over his head, wiping at the scratch. “You just need a little extra love, don’t you?”
After a few pats, I pulled myself up. I collected all the rest of the dogs and got them inside and into their kennel. I got Chili in his kennel. I sat down in the doorway, running my hand down his back.
“I know you’re still adjusting. It’s hard to adjust to everything. You were around maybe one other dog while here you’re surrounded by tons of them.”
I smiled as Chili lay down on his bed, sighing heavily as he stared at me. I watched his brows move as he looked around, stilla little skittish. “Someone is going to adopt you. You’ll be out of here before you know it.”
I heard the door open, and Mike came back with Spot and Delilah. Delilah was the only other dog that we got from the shelter. Unlike Chili, she got along with the dogs. She knew how to read the cues the dogs gave her, but we figured that was because she was a couple of years old, while Chili was hardly a year old.
“Whatcha doin’?” Mike asked as he hung up the leashes.
“Just sitting with Chili.”
“Did he get in a fight with Frank?”
“A little,” I admit. “I think he’s just lonely. You think he and Spot would get along since they are both young?”
“They spend time together, but I think he just needs more time to adjust. Spot has been here for a while, so he knows how everything goes. He knows to leave the dogs alone when they want to be left alone. Chili will learn.”
I glanced back at Chili, taking in his little frame. He was an energetic dog that just needed a little more love.
“I need to run out and pick up some more food for the animals. You going to be okay holding down the fort for a while?”
I nodded. “Yeah, go ahead.”
Mike gave me a smile before slipping out. I looked back at Chili. I took in his little paws and the smoothness of his fur. “I get feeling lonely.”
I sighed, looking around the room as I leaned back against the frame of the door. “But sometimes it’s nice to be alone. It’s better than being left behind.”
I thought about my argument with Kaleb. I kept seeing how angry he was, his words playing over and over in my head.
“I’m in a relationship, well…it’s a fake relationship with real feelings. It’s messy. And I’m pregnant as a result of this messy, fake relationship.”
Chili watched me, his eyes never leaving me.
“He’s a stubborn man. Thinking that he’s not good when that’s far from the truth.” I thought of all the time we had spent together. All the times he made me feel safe. He always smiled so sweetly at me, talking like I was a friend rather than someone beneath him. He never made me feel little.
