The tub is a walk-in, and there is a hand held shower for whoever is cleaning the animal they’re working with. It’s a really smart set up.
I help Koen dry the dog, amused by the sprinkling of water on his clothes. He should dry off by the time we leave.
“So,” he says with a smile. “Who are you taking home?”
At my clueless and very mischievous wide eyes, he snorts.
“Please, you’re not being slick,” he says.
Koen puts the leash on the now dry dog, while I throw the used towels in the hamper nearby. Fritz has a great shelter here. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen. I really want to help him get whatever resources he needs.
“Oh yes. I want to know who’s invading our home,” Sky growls, leaning against a wall.
I swear, he needs a fucking bell!
“Okay, so one, it’s not an invasion if you’re adopting,” I say, pleading my case. “Second, I think we should adopt a puppy before we think about a baby.”
“I thought the baby was rhetorical,” Koen says, looking as if he just swallowed something down the wrong pipe.
I can feel his freak out, and send happy vibes down the bond.
“No question is truly rhetorical for us,” Skylar explains. “So who is the new member of the family?”
“Magic Nugget,” I say proudly. “Okay, we’re going to change her name. She’s such a pretty golden retriever. She fell asleep on me.”
“Oh, she played dirty,” Sky says sympathetically.
“I know!” I exclaim.
“Well then,” Koen says. “I love dogs, as you can see, so I’m excited about this.”
“Two brats working against me,” Skylar groans, stalking toward us.
Careful not to upset the dog between us, he kisses Koen before moving to me. I get a bite on my lower lip with my kiss, making me groan.
“You can explain to Edna why we all have swollen lips and I’m bleeding,” I sass.
“We’re hockey players, we’re always bleeding for one reason or another,” Skylar says, unworried. “Edna wants to get our photo, so we should walk this dog back to where he needs to be.”
Koen adjusts his grip on the dog’s leash and we begin walking.
“You know you’re in trouble, right?” Skylar asks.
“Yes, Daddy,” I murmur under my breath. “It’s worth it though.”
“I had a feeling you’d say that,” he groans.
“There you are,” Edna says.
A volunteer takes the dog Koen was bathing, and Edna begins to lead us through the facility.
“I was talking to Fritz, and he agreed to allow us to take a group photo with a few of the animals. You’ll be focused on the animals, which will keep you from feeling as if you need to perform,” she says. “After this, we’re done.”
Skylar and I are used to things like this, though Koen doesn’t seem enthused. There’s a smile on his face by the time we’re all in place though, and his body is relaxed again.
There are older dogs around us for the photo which is smart. During the tour, Fritz explained they’re less likely to be adopted. It makes me feel bad that I’m adopting a puppy, and I give them all extra love and attention as Tony takes photos.
One of them turns onto his belly for me, and I grin as I give him belly scratches.
