"I'm totally sure!I think we're going to be best friends," she said with a smile.At this, the puppy nudged her hand, begging for a pet.Riley laughed, and the vet gave her a knowing look."Yeah, I think this little guy is already yours.Think of a name, and I'll see you later."With that, the vet picked the puppy up, tucked him under his arm, and headed to his Jeep.
Riley didn't need to think too hard about a name.The moment she saw that puppy huddled in the bushes; she knew his name."I'll come get you in a few hours, Bear."
Chapter 10
The dog whisperer
Rileywenttothevet clinic right after work.She'd raced home and swapped her bike for her Jeep.All day she chatted endlessly with Cici and Marta about the puppy, and her friends were thrilled to hear Riley finally excited about something.They'd been on the boat out in the jetty with Declan training Nemo, one of the younger dolphins, for open ocean work, so they'd missed seeing the puppy and Doc, their vet, but they knew they'd meet the puppy soon enough.
Doc was waiting at the front desk for Riley, having seen her pull up outside the clinic.He'd moved to the island 40 years earlier, one of the British ex-pats that had been sold the allure of island life and found it suited him well.He was a large man with a white beard and shaggy white hair that always seemed windblown, mostly from the time he spent on his boat.When he'd first moved to the island, he'd worked tirelessly, but now his clients were the dolphins, birds at the sanctuary, and some turtles needing rehab.Islanders didn't have pets; only the ex-pats did, so he had few patients that were cats and dogs outside the rescue.He had recently hired a young Scottish woman, Fiona, who wanted a life of adventure, and slowly he was training her to take over so he could be on his boat.
"Hello my dear!Are you excited to meet your much-improved puppy?"Doc pulled Riley into a great big hug.Some days he really looked like Santa Claus; robust frame matched the white beard, white hair, barrel chest and belly.Cam had told her that Doc had once been a bit of an amateur boxer in London and now that muscle had made him still appear strong but also less hard edges than his younger self.
As they walked into the examination room, Riley could smell the disinfectant the clinic used, a not unpleasant lemon scent.As they rounded the corner, the new vet, Fiona, was standing at a stainless steel examination table holding onto a squirmy little puppy with a bright green bowtie on.
"Surprise!"both Doc and Fiona shouted as they presented a spotless puppy to Riley.
"Did you think of a name?"Fiona asked as she scratched the puppy's head after passing him into Riley's expectant arms.Riley had grown up with Scottish neighbours on one side and British ones on the other side of her childhood house, so the thick accents didn't throw her off.But as she held the puppy, she couldn't quite believe it was the same one from this morning.
"I told you he'd clean up well.Once we got him in the bath, we realized he didn't have fleas or bites, just hard little clumps of sand and dirt.He's underweight, but other than that he gets a clean bill of health.Now, why do you seem shocked?"Doc had stepped forward and was holding one of the puppy's paws and beaming at the tiny dog.Riley finally snapped herself out of the disbelief she was feeling so she could answer their expectant looks.
"Well, I kind of can't believe it's the same puppy.And, so handsome!"Riley nuzzled the top of his head, inhaling a mix of new puppy smell and some kind of lightly scented soap that made her think of the dandruff shampoo an old roommate used to use."He's just so perfect!"
"Yes, yes, he's perfect, but did you think of a name?If not, we've been brainstorming some ideas."Fiona said with a wave of her hand in what looked like she was getting ready to count off their ideas for names.But Riley smiled and snuggled the puppy closer.
"Nope, I already know his name; it's Bear."At this, Bear looked right into Riley's eyes and made a small huff, which she took to mean that he approved of his new name.
"Oh brilliant, that is!Illustrious name!We are so glad you're taking him.Like I said earlier, the shelter is full, so having this little guy go to a splendid home is a tremendous help."Doc patted the puppy once more and then moved to the other side of the examination table to grab a big box that Riley hadn't noticed before.
"Now, we like to set all our new dog moms up for success, so we send everyone home with a package.There's some good puppy food, a few chew toys, so he doesn't wreck your things when he teethes.Plus a leash and a starter collar."At this, Doc held onto Bear's paw again, and Riley was curious about why he kept doing this.
"Is there something wrong with his paws?"She asked, concerned the vets weren't saying something.
"Oh, no, my dear.Sorry, it's just that we figure he's only a few weeks old, but his paws are already so big.I'm not gonna lie, Riley, he's going to be a big boy."Doc laughed as he said this and put all the supplies back into the box.
"Our guess, he'll probably get to be around 90lbs."Fiona said as she leant in to kiss his head.
Riley set Bear down on the table as her eyes widened, looking from the vets to the tiny-sized Bear and back again.
"Well, I guess I really picked a good name.Are you sure, 90lbs?That seems like a lot."Bear was gazing at Riley, but she could tell he was getting sleepy as his head was drooping.And she realized today must have been the most bewildering day in his young life.
"There's no doubt he'll get to be at least that size.Maybe more, maybe less.A potcake like this with a splendid home has all the potential.If you hadn't found him, he'd have grown up to be much smaller and a lot skinnier.He's one lucky dog!"At this Doc handed her the puppy again, and he grabbed the box."There's a starter collar, and I think in 2 to 3 months he'll need a bigger size.We have lots in stock, so just come back when he needs one.But, if he doesn't need one right away, then just bring him for his next shots in 3 months."Doc held open the door as they walked back to Riley's jeep.
"Or earlier!I will be happy to accept Bear cuddles any time you'd like to bring him for a visit."Fiona gushed as she took Riley's keys and opened the passenger door of her Jeep so they could put all the supplies and dog inside for the quick trip home.
As they settled everything into the Jeep and said their goodbyes, Riley realized she'd forgotten something.
"Hold on!You didn't give me a bill?How much do I owe you?"As she reached into her bag to grab her wallet, Fiona put her hand on top of Riley's.
"My friend, like we said, you're doing us a favour by taking him.You can pay us by letting people know we've got lots of adoptable dogs and cats.If we can start finding furever homes for them, then that's the purrfect payment."And they all had a good laugh.
"Fiona, if you keep up with your silly puns, I may have to take more days off!"Doc put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her tight.He liked to bug her about her puns and all her quirky ways, but the patients–animals and humans alike-adored her, and he knew he'd made the right choice to pass his practice along to her.
Riley gave them both big hugs and was working hard not to cry.She'd definitely spread the word about the animals that needed homes, but right now she needed to get Bear to his new home.As she gave a final wave goodbye, she noticed Bear was already sound asleep in her jacket, and her heart felt like it would explode with love.
Chapter 11
Island guy
