Dogs Were Rescued (And So Was I) by Teresa J. Rhyne

Author:Teresa J. Rhyne
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2014-08-27T19:57:19+00:00

Chapter 16

Here Comes the Beagle

On Saturday morning, Daphne and I were up early with a big day ahead of us. On our drive out, no matter how many times I tried to talk to her about her impending nuptials, she merely stared at me with her cheerful face and thumped her tail. She wasn’t nearly as nervous as I was.

I spent the morning chatting with the walk participants, selling a few books, and checking to see that the volunteer walking Daphne wasn’t having a difficult time. (I could hear Daphne howling, so I knew she was up to her usual bossy tricks.) When the program started, I joined the crowd at the start line, waiting to be introduced. The master of ceremonies asked for a moment of silence for those who had passed away from cancer. Seamus of course came to mind, and just as quickly tears flooded my eyes. I looked down, closing my eyes tight. It had been a mistake to leave Daphne with the volunteer. I needed her with me. I opened my eyes and scanned the group, but I couldn’t spot the volunteer. Nor could I hear Daphne howling any longer.

I heard the emcee introducing me and knew it was too late. I’d be on my own. I was fine right up until that moment of silence, dang it. I took the microphone.

I got two sentences out before my voice cracked and the tears tumbled out.

I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. He only passed away six weeks ago.”

Several members of the audience were now also crying. Well, maybe that was normal at a cancer walk, but I really wanted to pull it together.

“BAAAARRROOOOO!”

A familiar face made her way through the crowd, doodlebutt in full swing. The volunteer was trying to hold Daphne back, but Daphne was having none of it. She’d heard my voice and was determined to be by my side. I took the leash from the chagrined volunteer.

“It’s okay. She knows I need her.”

I turned back to the crowd. “This is my new dog, Daphne. She’s my foster failure.”

The audience applauded, and Daphne’s tail wagged even faster.

As the morning went on, I could see a habit forming. We walked. We greeted. I signed books and answered questions and petted Daphne in between, getting and giving the assurances we both needed. What would I ever do without dogs?

We finished up, and I was pleased to note there was a food truck with vegan options at the event. Even though I knew we’d next be at the fund-raiser for Beagle Freedom Project and all of the food would be vegan, I thought I might be too excited and anxious to eat there, much as I’d grown to love vegan restaurants and their creativity in making delicious food. I had lunch there in the park, sharing bits with Daphne, naturally.

I’d bonded so quickly with this adorable, agreeable dog. I wondered, briefly, if adding a second dog would be a mistake—if I was, as Chris had pointed out, incapable of simply sharing my life with a low-maintenance dog.

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