The training room back at the kennel was an ice box. Kenzie set the donuts on the table, turned on the heat, and made a big pot of coffee. This was the second week for this class. Last week, they’d done the human-only orientation. Training puppies to become happy, manageable dogs was largely about training people. She’d gone over crate training and how to deal with some challenges they might face at home, like puppies that nipped people or damaged furniture, and conflicts between the new puppy and other pets.
This week, the fun began.
She set out supplies for the class—lots of puppy treats, flyers about puppy training, and spare leashes for anyone who’d forgotten theirs. Then she arranged chairs in a wide circle and took out the items they would use for puppy playtime—a rolled-up square of artificial turf, a small set of stairs, a crinkly tunnel to run through, a shiny metal trash can, an exam table like one might find at the vet, and lots of balls.
Puppy Kindergarten involved teaching puppies a few basic commands, but it was mostly about socialization—giving puppies a chance to play together so they would learn that other dogs were their friends. It also involved handling their paws and touching their tummies so they would be more cooperative during vet visits, and exposing them to strangers and different kinds of sounds and objects so they wouldn’t be afraid.
Dogs that feared the world could become aggressive.
She finished with a little time to spare. She poured herself a cup of coffee, stirred in creamer, and sat outside in her parka. The scent of fall was in the air, summer now in full retreat. It was her favorite time of year.
Her cellphone buzzed.
Harrison.
Holy mother of hotness.
He’d sent her a photo of himself cuddling Gabby against his bare chest. His hair was tangled, and there were circles beneath his gray eyes, but he was smiling.
Then came the text message.
Proof of life.
Kenzie laughed, typed out a reply.
Did she let you sleep?
Conrad responded immediately.
A little.
Kenzie wished she were with the two of them rather than about to teach a class. On impulse, she made an offer.
Want to come to my puppy kindergarten class? There are donuts.
She waited for an answer, hoping that Harrison would say yes. It would be good for him and for Gabby.
Admit it. You just want to spend time with him.
Okay, sure. She did want to spend time with him. That wasn’t illegal, was it?
No, it wasn’t illegal. It was delusional.
He’ll never be interested in you.
Her phone buzzed with his reply.
Donuts with sprinkles???
Kenzie laughed, tapping out a response.
Lots of sprinkles.
A moment later, her phone buzzed again.
On our way.
Oh, gosh!
