Yikes. “No, I didn’t even think of that. What will I need?”
Hank rose, took a leash from the wall, and hooked it to Bandit’s collar. “I’ve got a list of the typical stuff, plus the kind of food you should give him for a while.”
The dog appeared confused when they led him from the cage, but his tail never stopped wagging. Chelsea stayed close and kept leaning down to rub his head and back. In the hallway, Theo finally put Jordan down.
“You may pat him gently, peanut. Let him get used to your smell first.”
When Bandit sniffed then licked the little girl’s hand, she giggled. “It tickles.”
“He’s learning who you are, so he’ll know you’re a friend.”
At the front, Hank handed the dog over to a young woman as Chelsea called out, “We’ll be back soon, Bandit.”
From behind the desk, Hank handed Theo the forms. “We don’t charge for adoptions, but if you can make a donation, we’d appreciate it.”
How much should she give? Glancing at Theo, he shrugged and asked, “How much would this breed run if you bought it?”
Hank looked up from the computer. “Four hundred to six hundred probably. We don’t expect that big of a donation. It is nice to get something back for what we’ve put in.”
Chelsea scanned the room as they waited for Hank to pull out the list of stuff they’d need for the dog. Behind a glass window sat a box of three little kittens. All black.
“Have they lost their mittens?” she asked, wanting desperately to pick them up and snuggle. Her father had said no to a cat, too. They shed too much. Of course, there was something wrong with every animal she’d ever wanted. Bird, hamster, goldfish. It didn’t matter. She’d had to make do with the squirrels and chipmunks who ran through the gardens in the back yard.
“What?” Hank said, his gaze moving to where she stood. “Oh, those little cuties. No, no mittens. Probably not many takers either, unfortunately.” He looked back down at the screen as he typed.
“Why not? They’re adorable.”
After printing out a list for them, he walked over and stared at the felines. “They’re black. Not too many people want black cats. Bad luck, you know.”
Jordan ambled over and lifted her arms to be picked up. Chelsea scooped her up, and the child squealed at the site of the tiny kittens snuggled together. How could anyone think these darlings were bad luck?
“So, if no one adopts them, what happens to them? They live here in a cage forever?” That sounded horrible.
Hank only shrugged. “Most likely. They also take up space we could use to help another animal that needs it.”
“I could take them.” The words jumped out of her mouth before she could sensor them. Seriously? Did she think she was capable? Her eyes zoomed to Theo’s. “Couldn’t I?”
A grin split his face. What did that mean? Either he thought she was a lunatic, or he was okay with it. Was she up for the job?
“It’s your house, Chelsea. You can do whatever you want.”
It was her house. Yes, it was her decision. Not her father’s. Not Theo’s or even Jordan’s. Hers. For a second, she felt totally empowered. It didn’t last that long as doubt crept in again. Theo’s smiling face helped her decide.
Pushing her shoulders back, she announced, “I’ll take the kittens, too. I assume they’re siblings.”
Hank nodded. “There were six of them, but the others were multi-colored and got adopted quickly.”
And these poor babies were left behind.
“Well, I can’t separate them, so I’ll take all three. Do they have names already?”
“Nope. They’re also not fixed, so unless you want more kittens, you’d best take care of that. It can be pricey.”
Was he trying to talk her out of it? “Are they old enough to be fixed?”
“They’re right about the age it should be done.”
Theo nodded at her. “There’s a vet clinic on Federal Street downtown. You can get it done there.”
