Page 9 of Grady

“Is he a big dog?”

“Not yet, but his paws are huge.” Savannah laughed.

“Color?”

“Brown with white on his legs. He has a bushy tail that seems to never stop. He has the face of a Bernese Mountain dog but his ears stand up.”

“He’s probably a mix of some kind.” The vet laughed. “Can you hold for a few minutes while I look on the computer to see if anyone is missing their dog?”

“Yes, I can do that.” Savannah smiled as she played with the dog.

“Ma’am? I don’t have anything about anyone missing a dog. Could you bring him in and we can check for a microchip?”

“If the weather clears enough, I can do that. Should I make an appointment?”

“Not necessary. It just takes a minute to scan for a chip.”

“Great! Then once the snow clears, I’ll bring him by.”

“Alright. I look forward to it. I hope to see you soon. Thank you taking him in out of the cold.”

“I sure couldn’t leave him outside. I just hope he’s house trained but I’ll put him in the laundry room for the night. I’m Savannah Collins, but everyone calls me Vanna.”

“I’ll see you soon. Thank you, Vanna.” The vet hung up.

Savannah looked at the dog. “Are you hungry? I can scrambleyou some eggs. How does that sound?” She laughed when the dog barked, and it was definitely a puppy bark.

After scrambling the eggs, she put them on a paper plate, then found a bowl to use for water.

After the dog cleaned the paper plate, he sat, looked up at her and belched, making her laugh.

“Come on, let’s go out so you can do your business, which is not to be done inside my home. Are we clear on this?” He barked. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll let you out the back door since the backyard, though small, is fenced.” She walked toward the door and looked back at the dog. “Come on, sweetie. You have to go out.”

Opening the door, she motioned with her hand for him to go out, but he continued to stare at her. No doubt, he was afraid she wouldn’t let him back inside. She pushed the door closed and squatted.

“I promise I will let you back in.” She said, then laughed when he laid down, put his head on his paws and looked up at her.

“Oh, boy. Okay, let me get my coat and shoes on.” She removed her coat from the hook, pulled it on, slipped her feet into her shoes, then opened the door. She stepped outside and hissed in a breath at the freezing weather. “Come on, baby.”

The dog stood and cautiously walked toward the door. There was no doubt in her mind that he had been dropped off.

“Assholes. You should have taken him to the animal shelter. He would have had a better chance than being out in this stuff.”

Once he walked outside, she closed the door and had to laugh when the dog spun around with wide eyes.

“I’m not going anywhere. Please go pee or whatever.”

He ran out to the yard, sniffed around, then lifted his leg and peed. He ran around the yard, sticking his nose into the snow.

“Hey!” she yelled then laughed when he raised a snow-covered face. “Come on. I’m freezing.”

He ran toward the house, stopping beside her, then shook. She squealed.

“You just had to do that, didn’t you?” She opened the door, and they entered the kitchen.

She took off her coat, hung it up, slipped off her shoes, then went to the living room to get one of the towels. The dog followed her. She sat on the floor, and he came to her and let her rub his wet fur.

“You’re so pretty. I hate people who do this. I bet you loved your owner too. This is the thanks you get for unconditional love.”

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