Page 4 of Brighton

My other love was for animals, any and all. For as long as I could remember I’d rescued just about every kind of animal you could imagine that was in need and I’d rehome them. Mother used to tease me and call meDr. Dolittle. Dogs, cats, even a skunk once. Not my brightest moment, but I took it to the local wildlife rescue. To this day, my mother nearly vomits any time we rehash what it took to get rid of the smell. Vinegar and baking soda were banned from the house after that.

My old dog Duke loved to tag along with me to the creek and chase the frogs. He never hurt them, but I was forever fishing them from his jowls and setting them free. I missed that dog something awful, he was by far the best friend I ever had. Really, the only friend I had. One day, I’d get another dog or two, but in the meantime, while my life spun wildly out of control, I’d stick to volunteering at the local no-kill shelter, Ms. Kitty’s Place.

Ms. Kitty was the best, the sweetest woman in the world with an endless heart for animals. She had two full-time staff members and the rest of us, including the on-call local vet, Dr. Dak, were volunteers. Fulton donated funds on a regular basis and right now our stores were not only collecting for the charityToys for Tots,but also food and blanket donations for her shelter. Needless to say, I also kept an annual membership pass to our local zoo and aquarium. If it had to do with animals, I was all in.

It came as no surprise to me when my feet took me to the shelter while my brain wandered elsewhere. “Fancy seeing you here, Edward,” Ms. Kitty said as she stepped around the reception desk to hug me. “Need your pup fix?”

“How did you know?” I swear Ms. Kitty was psychic.

“Honey, why do you think I do this? Animals are my sanctity. Unconditional love with no expectations. The only men that keep my bed warm have four legs and fur.” I side-eyed her, a bad joke on the tip of my tongue. “Non-humans, smartass,” she called me out.

“Ha-ha. Ms. Kitty, that is why we love you. You don’t hold back and tell it like it is.”

“I’m too old to be any other way, love.”

I hung my coat and tucked the scarf and gloves into the pocket then headed into the dog run area. Gods, how I missed having a dog of my own. With a fistful of treats, I stopped at each cage and said hello and handed them one. When I got to the end, old Simon was sound asleep. Poor guy had been here for nearly a year. “Simon, how about a treat?” He perked up and slowly got up, his bones creaking much like mine did in the morning. “Hey, sweet boy.” I rubbed his back as he gnawed on the bone. Each pen had an outside run connected to it with a dog door but even today, the cold permeated the concrete enclosure and I felt for the poor old soul. “Simon, I think it’s time.” His ears perked up. “I’ll be right back.” I’d hemmed and hawed over this decision long enough. Simon’s years may be limited but damnit, I’d do my best to make them happy ones.

“Ms. Kitty?” I called out as I came around the corner. She had that sparkle in her eye, and I swear that woman was pure magic.

“I have the papers ready for you to sign.” I nearly cried at her words. “I wondered how much longer it would take for you to pull the trigger on that old boy.”

“What gave it away?” I quickly scribbled my name, ready to load him up and hit the pet store, only I’d forgot I walked here.

“You always land in his cage even though you say hello to everyone along the way. That’s where we find you in the end, curled up with Simon. He’s a perfect fit for you and your busy life. Doesn’t require long walks or lots of play time, just plenty of cuddles.”

“Ms. Kitty, you are amazing.”

“My momma would tell you I’m something, all right.” She winked. “That old yellow lab deserves to live out his golden years in style.”

“I can promise you he will. But I walked here so let me grab my truck and I’ll be right back.” With a pep in my step and a new purpose in life, I made it back to the office in half the time and returned for my new boy.

From my personal account, I gave Ms. Kitty a hefty donation. I understood why the adoption fees were low, the important part was finding loving forever homes for the lost souls she took in and that didn’t always equate to endless funds. For me, this waspersonaland as a newly single man I could afford to help where others couldn’t.

This time, Ms. Kitty was the one who teared up. “You’re a good man, Edward.”

“I try, Ms. Kitty, but sometimes I fail.”

“Nah, I bet it’s the others that fail you.”

Her words stopped me dead in my tracks. Maybe I wasn’t a problem. I was definitely no angel, but maybe others were the ones who failed, such as Stevie, and not so much me. I was by far my own worst enemy and quick to jump on theoh, you fucked up again, Edwardtrain. But maybe, just maybe there was something to her words.

As if he knew I was coming for him, Simon stood at the front of his enclosure waiting for me. “Ready to go home, boy?” He barked. “Me, too.” Ms. Kitty handed me a bag of dog food to mix with whatever new one I got for him to help his tummy adjust and the packet with his vet records in it. Simon surprised me when he jumped right up into the backseat of my pickup.

“Good boy, let’s go shopping.”

Simon did great on the leash Ms. Kitty loaned us and I could’ve sworn he smiled as we meandered through the pet store. On the end, my wallet was a tad lighter and my truck a whole lot fuller, as was my life. I bought three dog beds, two for home, and one for my office. Without a doubt I knew I’d take him in with me most days. Dorine would be thrilled, she also volunteered at the shelter in her free time. Thankfully we had an elevator at work. Simon could likely make it up the stairs, but it wasn’t fair of me to make him do it repeatedly. A new food dish and automatic waterer, a couple of toys and a stuffie of his own, food, treats, matching leash, and collar later, we were on the road.

“Come on, boy. Come see your new home.” Simon hopped out of the truck and sniffed around while I loaded my arms with bags, and he followed me to the front door. Good to know he wouldn’t take off when off leash. Once inside, he did the same, checking out his new digs. I sat the bags down and took him out back where he proceeded to mark the plants as his. I had to laugh, the snow would melt it off and he’d have to do it all over again, but I was sure he was more than fine with that.

“It’s chilly, Simon. Let’s go inside and get you set up.” After I filled his dish with food, he ate while I started a fire and placed one of his beds near the fireplace and the other in the bedroom. In hindsight, buying a single-story house was a brilliant plan. My home had a half bath in the entry hall for guests and two guestrooms with a shared jack and jill bathroom. To the back of the open-concept living room and kitchen was my home office. Huh, I should’ve gotten another dog bed for it.

I tossed a couple of his new toys on each bed and met him back in the kitchen to whip up a meal for myself. Simon finished his and then went sleuthing about the house. I’d been drawn to him for some time now, so it was no surprise I was already head over heels for the old boy and loved seeing him in my space, which was now ours.

Simon came back around as I sat down, and I handed him a treat. “Good boy, there you go. What do you think of your new home?” He licked my hand then took the treat to his new bed to eat. Curled up beside the fire was the perfect spot for him. I thumbed through Simon’s file Ms. Kitty gave me and was surprised to find he was an emotional support dog. His owner had passed away and with no family to claim him, he was given to the shelter. “Poor guy.” Mother was gonna love him. As much as she liked to complain about Duke, I caught her giving him treats and talking to him more times than I could count. When Duke’s time came, she and my dad sat right beside me in the vet’s office and cried along with me. We spread Duke’s ashes down by the creek that flowed behind the house where he used to chase frogs. It was his favorite place to be and now he got to play with them anytime he wanted. Well, as a child that was my justification and it set my young soul at ease to set him free where he loved to be.

Chapter Three

Brighton

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