Page 8 of Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls

I glare at him. If this is how he’s going to be, it’s going to be a long day. It doesn’t help that I totally agree with him about that stupid word. I first volunteered the day after my sixteenth birthday. When my trainer used the word “potty”, I physically recoiled from him. But, a year and a half later, I don’t even think about it anymore. I choose to let the subject drop and walk to the waist-high fence enclosing the dog run.

“We take the dogs out in order, from kennel A through to kennel Z.” I lean over the fence and point up the dog run. “We call this space patio A. And the other one across the way, patio Z. Kennels A through M are on this side. And kennels N through Z are on that side.” I indicate the fenced-in dog run to the left of the door we exited through. “You have to pay close attention to the kennels with the red tags on the handle. Those dogs have to be let out alone because they don’t get along with other dogs.”

I enter through a gate into the cemented dog run that runs along the row of kennels. Each kennel door has a letter stenciled on it. Dylan finally gets a clue and jogs over to patio A to follow me into the dog run. A double-take over my shoulder makes me freeze. “Rule number one. If you find a gate or door closed, then always close it again after you go through it.”

Dylan’s hands are buried in his pockets again. He shrugs. “Okay.”

I look between him and the gate. When he doesn’t move, I jut my chin toward the gate, which stands open.

“Oh.” He jogs back to the gate and swings it closed. When he returns to my side, he adopts an ultra-relaxed demeanor that is somehow irksome. He raises an eyebrow, like I’m the reason for the delay.

I narrow my eyes. What is it about him that instantly irritates me? I clench my jaw and tromp over to kennel A. “You’ll notice there is no red tag on kennels A or B. You can let both of these dogs out at the same time.” I swing the door to the first kennel open and a medium-sized brown dog races out. I can’t help the smile that forms as the dog immediately sprints at full speed the entire length of the dog run and back again. I know he will make at least five circuits of the patio before he’ll stop for some attention, so I slide over to the next kennel and let the next dog out.

This dog is another medium-sized dog with long black and white fur. She’s a jumper, so I wait patiently while she jumps around me in excitement.

“Wow,” Dylan breathes.

His voice grabs the dog’s attention, and she spins and does her jumping routine around Dylan next. I’m surprised when he stiffens and looks slightly terrified. I bite my bottom lip in wonder as he draws in his arms and scrunches his shoulders.

“That’s Belle,” I explain. “She’s been at the shelter for a couple of weeks now. She’s very sweet, but as you can see, she’s enthusiastic.” I point to the other dog who is just starting a new circuit of the patio. “And that’s Chip. He’ll calm down soon. He’s been here about the same amount of time as Belle. The info card, next to each kennel, has all the important information about the dog. Stuff like age, breed, personality. Sometimes you’ll have to answer potential adopters’ questions.”

Belle stops jumping and sits attentively at Dylan’s feet. As Dylan stares back at the dog, I try to figure out what his expression is. He seems resigned or irritated and maybe confused? But I can’t quite parse it out. Chip has finally run enough, and pads over to sit at Dylan’s feet too. Dylan frowns and glances from the dogs to me.

“Why are they doing this?”

I chuckle, enjoying his discomfort. “I guess they like you.”

“How would they know that already?” Dylan backs up a couple of steps and both dogs scoot forward.

“Anyway.” I step to the supply closet. “While the dogs are out doing their thing, we get to clean their kennels. Some dogs have medical issues, and you will have a lot to clean up, but most of them are just a simple sweep and a mop.”

I show him how to clean the first kennel and then make him do the second.

“Since we will get through the kennels quicker once you’re trained, we should take a little extra time to engage with the dogs. Dogs are so much happier with human interaction.” I squat to the pavement and Belle and Chip immediately trot over to me with their tails wagging. Chip is a licker, so I laugh as I fight to keep my face away from his tongue while also rubbing the sides of his head.

Dylan is bent at the waist, tentatively patting Belle.

“Oh, you can do better than that. She loves to have her ears scratched.” I demonstrate on Chip by scratching hard behind his ears.

Dylan curls his fingers over one of Belle’s ears and rubs.

I purse my lips. Why did he choose the animal shelter for his community service if he isn’t comfortable around animals? I shake my head and pat Chip’s rump, getting to my feet. “Come on, boy, back in.”

I lead him to his kennel, and he trots inside. “Good boy.”

Closing the door, I call Belle over, but the dog doesn’t budge. She continues to stare happily up at Dylan, her tail swishing back and forth over the concrete. “Why don’t you put her away since she’s your new best friend?”

Dylan points to the kennel. “Go on.” He points again. “In.”

“How about you walk to the door first? Then point and tell her in.”

“Oh.” Dylan follows the directions and Belle scampers inside. She turns and stares back at him with her tongue lolling out the side of her mouth and her long, feathery tail swaying back and forth. “Um, good girl.” Dylan seems hesitant to close the door but finally swings it shut.

“I take it you don’t have pets.” I cock my head and wait for his answer.

He stuffs his hands into his pockets and shakes his head.

“Okay.” I clap to re-energize myself more than anything else. We’ve only cleaned two kennels, but it feels like we’ve been here together for a month, and I’m ready for a break. “Next is Popeye. He’s a persnickety character. He mostly likes people, but definitely can’t tolerate other dogs. So, he comes out here alone. Hence the red tag. If he growls at you, leave him alone to do his thing while you do yours.”

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