Dreaming of Rhapsody by Selena Laurence

Author:Selena Laurence [Laurence, Selena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The Greater Los Angeles Humane Pet Sanctuary is the biggest no-kill animal shelter in the world, and even though I think it’s ill-advised of Topher to get a pet this way, I’m in heaven here.

“Oh my God, Topher,” I squeal as I kneel down by the wire front of a kennel. “Look at this little guy.”

It’s a Jack Russell terrier, one of the smartest spunkiest breeds there is. This one is obviously not past middle age and really excited to go home with someone. His butt shakes like crazy as he licks me through the gaps in the wire of his cage.

Topher kneels down next to me and puts his fingers out where the dog can reach them. “Hey, buddy,” he says softly. The dog immediately moves from my fingers to Topher’s and I can tell by the look in his eyes that he thinks Topher is about the best thing to hit this kennel in forever.

“He likes you,” I say as Topher smiles sweetly at the little dog and strokes it on the nose.

“I like him too.”

“You also liked the St. Bernard, the lab mix, and the Cockapoo. You can’t have them all.”

“You pick.”

I stare at him before shaking my head vigorously. “No. Absolutely not,” I say. “You need to get the dog that you want and that will be the best match for you. You have to love and care for this dog for the rest of its life, Topher. This isn’t a decision to be made lightly.”

I’m concerned now that he doesn’t understand the seriousness of what he’s about to do. Topher’s different, but he’s plenty smart. I know he gets the responsibility in theory, but what if he doesn’t understand the more subtle aspects of it?

He looks somberly up and down the row of dogs, walking between the St. Bernard, the Cockapoo and the little Jack Russell. He paces and I fret. Responsible animal ownership is one of the things that I’m the most passionate about. Am I going to stand here and allow this guy to take a dog home with him when he’s done no preparation for it?

Finally he walks to the Cockapoo’s cage and puts his face up to the bars. The little dog unrolls her tongue and slurps Topher on the chin. “You’re so cute, you’re going to get adopted really soon,” he tells the dog quietly. “I promise. I’ll even check on you next week to make sure. Just wait and be a good girl and your new owner will come.”

Then he turns to me. “The St. Bernard and the Jack Russell,” he says.

“No. You can’t get two—”

“Yes. Both of them. The St. Bernard isn’t going to live a long time. He deserves to have a nice home until he dies. The terrier will live a long time. He can travel with me because he’s small. He’ll be the band’s mascot.”

I sigh. I’m quickly learning that Topher has this way about him, a will of steel, and when he’s decided something it’s decided.

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