Chapter 4 #3
Kelsey pressed her lips together and looked at the camera before angling her body awkwardly toward the reporter.
“I’m aware and it’s certainly tragic, but there are often extenuating circumstances the media doesn’t disclose.
” She sucked in her cheek while shooting a glance at the camera.
“And it’s important to state that the shelter is acting responsibly.
The dogs we’re taking will be kept in a secluded location.
Plus, their training is being overseen by a professional.
He’s on his way from Kansas City.” She stopped and raked a hand through her hair.
So, they were bringing in Tommy Sintras after all. Kurt’s shoulders and neck tensed.
The reporter gave Kelsey a look of what seemed like mistrust. “Critics are calling for immediate humane euthanizing and are filing a lawsuit to that effect. Does your shelter have a formal response?”
“No, nothing formal.” Her internal reaction to the reporter’s question was obvious to Kurt.
Her shoulders dropped, and she stepped half a foot closer.
She no longer looked like she was trying to ignore the camera either.
“But I’m happy to give you my opinion about that news.
These dogs… In most ways they aren’t different from dogs we adopt out every day.
We’re a shelter. Most of the dogs we take in have picked up undesirable behaviors.
They swipe food off counters, tear up bedding and couches, eat shoes, you name it.
“Our goal is to redirect those behaviors and to help new owners do the same thing. And most of the time, it’s easier than you’d think.
So that’s what we’re hoping to do now, just on a different scale.
The dogs we’re bringing in have been trained to fight other dogs, but that’s a learned behavior.
They may have a way to go, but in the end, it’s a matter of training and learning to trust.”
The reporter cocked her head as a half smile escaped.
Kurt had the distinct feeling she was playing chess and calling check.
“So the opinion of the High Grove Animal Shelter is that teaching one dog not to fight another dog to the death is no different from teaching another one to sit or stay? I can’t help but wonder how many viewers are shaking their heads at that. ”
Even from the screen Kurt could see how Kelsey’s cheeks reddened.
“I didn’t mean to imply it was the same thing.
It’s a slower, more complicated process.
Dogs naturally trust humans, but these dogs have been abused.
They’ve been placed in environments where they have to fight to survive.
So that’s the first goal: rebuilding trust. Typically, those bonds can be rebuilt easier than you’d think, considering the lives these dogs have had. ”
“Typically.” The way the reporter weighted the word, it sounded profoundly impossible. “What is your response to critics’ claim that if you’re wrong, the price could be very steep indeed?”
Kelsey fell silent a second or two as her forehead knotted together.
Kurt was willing to bet she’d all but forgotten the story was airing live.
“My response is that while I’m committed to complete caution, I’m also committed to second chances.
Just last week, Channel 3 aired a story about a ten-year-old boy who’d been caught stealing, and it turned out he’d been taught it by his mom.
He’d been stealing for her ever since he was in kindergarten.
I don’t recall anyone wanting to prosecute him because of his mother’s poor judgment.
“These dogs…” Kelsey continued, closing her hands tightly at her sides.
“They didn’t have any say in their lives either.
They were bred or purchased or in some cases stolen off people’s property.
Yesterday, I met a sweet Doberman whose microchip traced back to a caring home in Kansas.
She was reported missing nearly a year ago, and her owners are overjoyed she’ll be coming home.
They’re committed to helping recondition her.
Fortunately, they aren’t turning their backs on her. ”
She was angry and starting to ramble, Kurt thought.
He wanted to shout oorah when she got back to the reporter’s accusation.
“What I’d ask people to remember is that every one of the dogs who has been brought in has something in common with that Doberman.
They didn’t ask to fight, but that’s the life they were handed.
Just like that boy who didn’t ask to steal.
We’re going to do our best to give these guys a second chance.
A bit of support to do it is all we’re asking.
Because that’s what everybody deserves, isn’t it? A second chance.”
Checkmate, Kelsey.
It was the reporter’s turn to fidget. She asked a few more questions before wrapping up, one about the location, which Kelsey wouldn’t disclose, and another about the number of dogs the shelter was taking.
Thirty-seven. Kelsey divulged the number as if it were no different from the variety of flavors of ice cream.
Like she had no idea what she was getting herself into.
When the interview was over, Kurt replayed it twice, trying not to fixate on Kelsey’s sculpted face and translucent expressions but doing it anyway.
When he was finished, he headed to the counter and the cute barista.
The little voice that had gotten him through everything so far screamed at him to ask for her number. To keep on the safer course.
Instead, he asked to borrow her phone.
He was half surprised when he remembered the number after not dialing it for so long. “Rob,” he said when his mentor answered on the third ring, “it’s me. Tommy Sintras… You got somewhere else you can send him?”
When Rob said yes but asked why, Kurt was nearly as surprised to hear his reply spoken aloud as Rob sounded. “Because I’m coming back up. I’ll take it. I’ll take the job.”