Page 46 of Call it Reckless

“Let’s see if he lets you get closer when I’m with him.”

This time, the dog tensed, but he didn’t growl.

Zach held out his hand, and once my furry friend sniffed him, I felt some of the tension leave his thin body. Zach spent several minutes letting the dog get comfortable with him until he could pet him and sit beside him.

“Let’s see what’s going on here.”

Zach kept up a one-way dialogue the entire time he ran gentle hands along the dog’s body while I continued to pet and croon to him. Finally, he stood and slowly stepped back, wrapping his stethoscope around his neck. His face was grim.

“He’s been severely neglected. Obviously, he’s too thin. It also feels like he might have some welts on his belly and ribs. Ideally, I’d like to run some tests, but that won’t be cheap.”

“I’ll pay it.” The words left my mouth without any thought. Whatever this dog had been through, he deserved better.

His eyebrows lifted. “Are you sure? I don’t mind donating my time, but the X-rays and bloodwork might be just the start of it. There could be meds involved, and who knows what else.”

“Whatever has happened to him, he’s had a bad run of it lately. I know what that’s like, and fortunately, I’m in a position to help.”

Zach smiled. “Okay, then. Let’s see if we can coax him inside.”

It took us nearly fifteen minutes and countless treats to get Buddy, as I now officially called him, into the office. I felt horrible as I watched his tail tuck between his legs while we prodded him to the exam room. I think it was only because of sheer exhaustion that he didn’t put up much fight. Zach gave Buddy a light sedative so that he would lie still for a more thorough checkup.

Several patients came and went while I waited in the lobby during the X-rays. Finally, a tech brought a dopey Buddy out to me. “He did great!” She squatted in front of him, where he’d collapsed on the floor and rolled to his side. Scratching his head, she said, “You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”

His tail wagged, but he didn’t lift his head. Poor guy. He looked like he’d been through the wringer and was hung up wet, as my grandmother used to say.

Finally, Zach came out. “Sorry it took so long. Doc Claypool is out today, and I had to work Buddy in between other appointments.”

Sighing, he kneeled and scratched Buddy’s ears, who didn’t even flinch this time. “It seems Buddy had a couple of broken ribs at one time. One looks old, and the other looks somewhat recent. He has scarring on his belly and under one of his ears. He’s malnourished and dehydrated. I gave him a subcutaneous IV to get some fluid into him. There’s no microchip. We called the shelter and the sheriff’s department, but no one has reported a missing dog matching Buddy’s description. There’s no telling where he came from.”

I rubbed his belly. “You poor boy. What’s happened to you? Did your owner lose you?”

Zach shrugged. “Lots of people come up here to go camping. With all the wild animals out there, something might have spooked him, or he chased after one. At some point, the owners give up and go home. Some report it, some don’t. My best suggestion is to find someone who can foster Buddy until he can, hopefully, be adopted. We can call the shelter and have them come pick him up.”

I stood, and Buddy did his best to scramble up as well. He practically sat on my feet as if afraid I would abandon him.

“Is there any reason I can’t foster him? Or just keep him? If there’s no record of him missing, then no one is looking for him. Why put him through the misery of being locked up when I have a big home and a huge yard?”

Zach grinned. “I was kind of hoping you’d say that. I’ll still have to notify the folks at the shelter, and they may want to do a home visit just to be sure Buddy isn’t being placed in any jeopardy, but I’ll vouch for you in the meantime. They don’t really want to kennel another dog if they can help it, especially one as skittish as him. After that, we’ll have to see if anyone shows up.”

“Excellent. I can work with that.” I grinned at the dog at my feet. “Looks like we’ve got some shopping to do to make you feel at home.” I kneeled in front of him. “What do you say, huh?” I rubbed my face against his and felt his warm tongue give me a lick across my cheek.

Zach laughed. “Looks like he agrees.”

“Thank you for all your time.”

“I wish I could do more. Let him rest and feed him small amounts throughout the day. Call anytime if you need anything. You know how to reach me. Speaking of, Em and I want to have you over for dinner one night. She’s going to call you to set something up.”

Minutes later, Buddy and I headed back outside with complimentary vitamins and heartworm meds.

“We’re gonna have to go get some supplies, boy. Sorry, I didn’t bring my car. Hope you don’t mind just a little more walking.”

“Woof.”

Sounded like a “yes” to me.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Reid

---