Chapter 9 Ben #3
A Pug waddled over, followed by a little white puffball that Ben guessed was a Shih Tzu. The dogs sniffed them and then moved on, apparently unimpressed.
“Guess we didn’t make the cut,” Erik observed.
After that came a gray Pitbull, followed by what Ben guessed was a Collie mix. The Labrador was cavorting with a young Golden Retriever that seemed to be all feet and tail.
Dogs raced back and forth, chasing each other and playing keep-away with toys. Some veered toward where Ben and Erik sat for a quick sniff and pat on the head before diving back into the chaos.
All except one. The gray and white mid-sized dog was an odd breed, with a short, shaggy coat and a face that reminded Ben of an old man with a beard. The dog stared at them from across the room, ignoring the other dogs.
Once the rest of the pack seemed to have forgotten about Ben and Erik, the dog walked right to them.
“George,” Erik murmured once he petted him. “I don’t know how I know, but that’s his name.”
George padded up and then sat, raising his head to meet their gaze. Ben reached out to scratch his ears, and George permitted it, giving Ben’s hand a lick before inclining his head toward Erik for similar tribute.
“Wow.” Valerie came up from the side. “That’s a first. George usually keeps to himself.”
Ben and Erik exchanged a glance, and Ben raised an eyebrow. “He’s a nice dog. How did he end up at the shelter?”
“His owner died and didn’t have any family to take him,” Valerie replied. “It happens a lot.”
“Do you know anything about him?” Erik asked. “That might let us know what George is used to.”
“Sure,” Valerie said. “His owner, Mrs. Thomas, read tarot cards and told fortunes down on the boardwalk. George usually kept her company in the shop. Some people said she was a little witchy, but in a good way. She knew she was dying, so she brought George to us before she went into hospice.”
Erik and Ben shared a look, and Ben guessed that Mrs. Thomas’s psychic abilities were the real thing.
Valerie shook her head. “I’ve seen dogs interact with all kinds of people, and they definitely communicate with us. But George and Mrs. Thomas had a special bond. I swear he understood every word she said to him.”
“How old is he?” Ben asked, feeling more and more certain that George was the right dog for them.
“Two, still young but out of the crazy puppy stage,” Valerie said. “Although it’s hard to imagine him on a tear, he seems more likely to curl up in an armchair and watch a mystery on TV.”
“What kind of dog is he? Will he get much bigger?” Erik scratched George under the chin, and the dog’s tail thumped.
“Schnoodle,” Valerie said. “Poodle Schnauzer. He’s full-grown at this point, might fill out a bit, but shouldn’t get taller.
He’ll be a mid-size dog, but he’s got a big personality.
He’s very smart. Mrs. Thomas made sure we had all his papers, medical records, favorite food, toys, bed, and tags.
He’s up-to-date on his shots and check-ups. ”
Valerie smiled. “I’ll let you spend some more time together and check back in a while to see if you have any other questions.” She walked off, but George stayed seated in front of them, meeting their gaze.
“She likely named him for St. George in the Major Arcana,” Erik said. “He’s a protection figure, and a slayer of dragons.”
“That fits,” Ben agreed.
“He’s associated with the Judgment card, which is said to reflect letting go of the past and starting over,” Erik added.
Erik stroked George’s back with the hand wearing a silver ring and followed up by lightly pressing a small piece of iron against the dog’s skin. George didn’t show any reaction to either metal.
“Guess he’s not a shifter,” Erik said.
Ben slipped off the chair and knelt in front of George. “Hey, buddy. You made a beeline for us. Would you like to be our dog?”
George’s tail thumped, and he licked Ben’s hand. His dark amber eyes met Ben’s with curiosity and intelligence.
Erik joined them on the floor a moment later, and George leaned toward him as if to indicate that he favored them both.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Ben asked when an older woman’s ghost appeared behind George. “Is that Mrs. Thomas?”
“I think we have her blessing,” Erik said quietly. “I can’t read George’s mind, but when I touch him, I pick up a sense of calm and satisfaction, like we passed muster.”
Valerie came back a few minutes later, after Ben and Erik had spent more time petting George and talking to him.
“Have you made a decision?” she asked, although Ben felt sure she already knew the answer.
“We’ll take George.” Ben grinned at Erik and the dog. “He’s perfect.”
She smiled. “I’m so glad. He deserves people who see how special he is.
He’s fully house-trained, likes to ride in the car, plays fetch, walks well on a leash, and doesn’t fuss at other dogs.
” Valerie leaned toward them. “I think he’d prefer to sit on a comfy chair and listen to an audiobook, to tell you the truth. ”
“You said he came with some of his toys and stuff?” Ben thought that familiar items would ease the transition.
“Oh, yes. Mrs. Thomas wanted him to keep all his special things,” Valerie said. “We’ve just been waiting for the right people.”
They followed her back to the office, and George padded along behind them as if he had understood the whole conversation.
Erik signed off on the adoption form and paid the fee, collecting George’s collar and a folder with his papers.
George waited patiently next to him, like he knew what was going on.
“Here you go.” Valerie handed Ben a large box.
“Bed, leash, toys, and all the rest. You shouldn’t need to buy anything right away to get him settled in.
I even put some of the food he’s used to here at the shelter, so you can wait a day or two to run to the store.
And if you have any questions, just call. ”
Erik and Ben thanked her profusely. Then Erik clipped the leash to George’s collar while Ben stuck the folio into the box and followed them to the SUV. Just before Erik opened the doors, he and George turned around, looking at the same empty space.
“What?” Ben looked around before spotting the faint ghost.
“Mrs. Thomas walked us out,” Erik said. “I think her spirit has been here with him the whole time. Now, she’s entrusting him to us, and she’s ready to move on.”
George whined and gave a sharp bark, wagging his tail.
“She’s gone, buddy.” Erik reached down to scratch George’s ears.
Ben swallowed hard, hoping he and Erik could make George as happy as his late owner.
“He picked us, remember.” Erik bumped Ben’s arm as if he could guess where Ben’s thoughts had gone. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Go ahead and sit in the back seat with him,” Erik said. “Let’s get him a toy for the drive.” He looked into the box and burst out laughing.
“They’re all dragons!” Ben held up a somewhat bedraggled stuffed toy that George gently took from him and held in his mouth. “As in St. George the dragon slayer!”
Ben petted George during the short ride back to the apartment.
The dog seemed unperturbed by the ride, looking out the window without much reaction.
When they parked behind the store, Ben unclipped George’s tether and snapped on the leash instead, helping him out of the SUV and letting him relieve himself.
“We’re home,” Ben said as George looked all around, canting his head to listen to something only he could hear, and then sniffing the ground with great interest all the way to the door.
When they entered the store, Susan greeted them with a big grin. Erik had called her the day before to let her know that the mobsters were in jail and it was safe to come back. “Erik told me you were going to the shelter. What a fine little gentleman you’ve got there!”
She held out a large dog bone with a ribbon on it and a stuffed llama, both of which she gave to Erik. “Just a little housewarming gift I picked up on the way in this morning.”
“Thank you very much,” Ben replied.
Susan bent to get a closer look at George and held her hand out for him to sniff. “Oh, you are a handsome boy, aren’t you?” she fussed. “I think you’re going to fit right in here.” She looked to Erik. “Are you thinking he’ll be in the shop, not just upstairs?”
Erik shrugged. “We haven’t figured everything out, but that would be nice if it works for him. Ben might be able to take him on field trips some days too.”
“He’s officially my grand-dog now,” Susan warned. “We’re going to be besties; I just know it!” George wagged enthusiastically, as if he followed every word.
“We’re going to get him set up and settled in,” Erik told her. “Holler if you need me, but I’m going to be upstairs.”
“Take your time,” Susan replied. “He needs to feel at home. It’s off-season, so we’ve had a couple of people ask about appraisals and some others do a little browsing, but otherwise it’s been slow.”
The off-season was another reason Ben wanted to adopt a dog now. Neither he nor Erik was crazy busy, if they could just avoid old scandals and mafia ghosts for a few weeks. It would be the best time to get George settled and into a routine.
“Let’s go see your new home.” Erik headed up the stairs to the apartment. George followed, unbothered by the steps.
“Here we are,” Erik announced as he opened the door. Ben had George on his leash and carried in some of the dog stuff from the car. Once the door shut, Ben unclipped the leash and let George explore while Erik made a second trip for the rest of his things.
George got busy checking the apartment and thoroughly sniffing everything. “Can a dog hyperventilate?” Ben asked when Erik returned. “He’s definitely going to have our scent when he’s done.”
While George made his way around, Erik put his bed in place and set out the toys. Ben filled his water dish and put dry kibble in a bowl, making a note on his phone of the brand and type so they could get more.