Poodles and Poison by Faith Walker

Author:Faith Walker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jill Ferguson
Published: 2024-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Just as Sarah, Emily, and Whiskey were saying goodbye to their final canine client of the day, the green door of the Coiffure opened and two small poodles on skinny leather leashes entered followed by Gladys and Bill.

Gladys wore a pastel tracksuit over a floral t-shirt, and Bill wore his usual button down shirt and jeans.

“Sarah,” Gladys started, “I know you are closing soon, but I wanted to ask for a favor. It’s too soon after the girls’ surgery to bathe them, but when Daisy was released from the hospital this morning, she told me to take them home with me. And I would but they smell like barn.”

Sarah smiled. “I have just the thing.” She opened the counter and motioned for Gladys and Bill to bring the dogs through.

Emily finished the transaction with Merlin the maltese and his human dad, while Sarah picked up Kahlo and Cassatt one by one and set them on the counter. She removed a packet of dog grooming wipes from a drawer and handed Bill and Gladys one wipe each. Sarah showed them how to start at a poodle foot and work their way up one leg and then another. When their wipes were gray from dirt and grime, Sarah gave them clean ones. Steadily, Gladys worked on the front of Kahlo while Bill cleaned the front of Cassatt. Sarah alternated between dogs and took care of their back ends, careful not to touch their bellies or undersides.

“This should at least take most of the barn smell from them. But make an appointment for them in ten or twelve days and we’ll trim their nails and give them proper baths,” Sarah said. “How did Daisy look? And any change with Donovan?”

Gladys ran a wipe around Kahlo’s neck and said, “Daisy’s coloring is back. Her cheeks had some color. She’s still a bit weak, which is why I agreed to take the dogs now. She’ll have her hands full with the others. Donovan is out of the coma. She said she got to see him before she was discharged. He’s not well. But he is breathing on his own and awake.”

“That’s at least good,” Sarah said. “Is he still in the ICU?”

“He is. But they said if he could handle some liquids and a soft diet today, they may move him to a regular room tomorrow. Daisy is hopeful about that.”

“That’s good news. If you think Daisy needs any help this afternoon or evening, Whiskey and I could drive out there.”

“That’s sweet of you, Sarah, but she said her best friend had agreed to come stay with her until Donovan gets home. That’s who drove her home from the hospital. A lovely woman named Cherie who lives in Cedar Rapids.” Gladys finished cleaning Kahlo and asked Sarah to set her down on the ground.

Bill had one more ear to wipe on Cassatt. “They still don’t know what made them sick.” He shook his head like he couldn’t believe it.

Emily shoved her apron into the

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