Chapter 7
Heather’s phone rang just as she finished her morning class. She fished the cell from her back pocket. “Hey Janette,” she said, recognizing the caller ID. She volunteered at least once a month at the Bear Valley Animal shelter. “What’s up?”
“Oh, I’m glad I caught you. I need a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Someone just dropped off a litter of puppies. Four of them. They look like a mixed terrier breed. No sign of mama dog, but these babies look like they’re way too young to be weaned. I need a foster. Can you help?”
Heather did a mental run through of her supplies and available crates. They’d probably need to be bottle fed. Puppies were a lot of work and her plate was pretty full, but she knew that the shelter was overcrowded. There wouldn’t be room or resources to care for puppies that young.
She thought about Charlotte, how the little girl was so attached and attentive to her kitten.
Animals had a way of healing. Maybe a litter of puppies could speed along that healing?
She felt a slight twinge of guilt over strengthening her bond with Charlotte, but she just couldn’t imagine making this shelter run without the little girl.
Or her uncle.
“I’ll be there this afternoon, Janette.”
“Bless you!” Janette breathed. “I knew I could count on you.”
“Yeah, I’m such a pushover.”
“No. You’ve just got a big heart and you’re the best chance these puppies have.”
“I already said yes, Janette.”
The other woman laughed. “As I knew you would. See you in a bit.”
Heather hung up, then pulled up Lyle’s number from her contacts. The phone rang on his end five time and she had about decided he wasn’t going to answer.
“Hey, Firefly. Couldn’t wait until Sunday, huh?”
She heard cows bawling in the background. “Sounds like you’re busy,” she said instead of responding to his taunt.
“Just finishing up. Couple of the heifers objected to us separating them from their babies.”
“Well, I don’t blame them. But speaking of weaning, mind if I borrow your kiddo?”
“Define ‘borrow’.”
“The shelter just called. They’ve got four abandoned puppies in need of a foster. I thought Charlotte might like to run out there with me to pick them up. In fact, how would you feel about coming with us? I’d feel better if you could examine these pups before I expose them to my pack.”
Lyle paused, the noise of the barn fading into the background as the request settled between them. “You really think it’s a good idea to take Charlotte with us?”
“Absolutely,” Heather said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “She loves animals, and it could be a great way for her to bond with the puppies while also helping out. Plus, the shelter’s in a rough spot. I’m afraid if we don’t take them in, they might not survive.”
“Fair point. But I don’t want Charlotte to see anything traumatic. And I don’t want to toss her headlong into something that might upset her,” Lyle mused, weighing the options.
“I think she’ll love it, Lyle. She’s so good with Pudge. And giving her an opportunity to learn about rescue animals at a young age will be good for her. A distraction.”
“You’re right,” Lyle replied. “Let me button up a few things here. Then I’ll grab Charlotte and meet you at the shelter. Let’s say an hour?”
“Perfect. And, thank you, Lyle.”
Heather ended the call, butterflies bubbling up in her stomach. She hurried to finalize her checklist before she left, envisioning the excitement the puppies might bring to both Charlotte and Lyle. No doubt, this would add a little lift to everyone’s spirits.
An hour later, Lyle pulled up to the shelter just behind Heather’s Jeep. He got out, glancing around the parking lot, his gaze landing on the half-open door as the sound of a few excited barks echoed from inside. As though she’d been watching for them, Heather stepped outside and waved.
“Miss Heather!” Charlotte squealed, barely allowing Lyle to put her down as she raced toward Heather. “Are we really getting puppies? Can we keep them?”
“Well,” Heather said, crouching to meet her eye level, “we're going to help them get a little stronger. That means a lot of love and care. But they need a place to stay for now, so we're going to be their foster family.”
“Yay!” Charlotte jumped up and down. “Can I hold one?”
“I’ll let you know if they’re ready to cuddle once we get in there. Depending on their age, they may still need to be bottle-fed.”
Lyle opened the door to the shelter, and they all stepped inside. Heather's heart sank at the sight of the four tiny bundles, barely eight weeks old and already abandoned. With wide, innocent eyes, they looked up, shaking slightly in their crate.
“Awwww. They’re so cute!” Charlotte exclaimed, her face lighting up as she knelt beside the crate. “I really want to just kiss them!”
“Let’s make sure they’re all okay first,” Lyle said, bending down beside her, visually examining the pups and keeping his arm protectively around Charlotte’s shoulders. “Looks like they’re a bit nervous.”
“I bet Pudge could make them not so nervous.”
“Not so sure about that,” Lyle said. “But we could always give it a try when we get home.”
Heather smiled and moved closer. The barking and whimpering of animals were distracting. She noticed Charlotte’s frown, noted the trembling of the puppies. “Why don’t we take the crate outside in the sunshine where it’s quieter. There’s a nice grassy area.”
Lyle nodded. “Good idea.”
“C’mon, little ones,” Heather coaxed softly, fetching a blanket to lay over the cool ground outside so they wouldn’t be stressed while they adjusted to this overwhelming scene.
“Should we give them names?” Charlotte asked, her eyes soft as she spotted a little black-and-white pup that looked like a tiny, wagging firecracker.
“Of course.” Heather grinned and tucked a strand of flyaway hair behind Charlotte's ear. “What do you think?”
Lyle chuckled as he scooped the pup up, the tiny creature wriggling enthusiastically in his hold. “I think this little girl has a whole bunch of personality.”
“Looks like a ‘Pepper’,” Heather tossed out, recognizing how lively and energetic the little pup was.
“Pepper!” Charlotte giggled, clapping her hands with glee.
“Okay then,” Lyle mused, carefully examining the puppies.
Placing a stethoscope against each tiny body, he listened to their heart and lungs, checked their eyes and gums. Although they needed a bath, he didn't detect any immediate signs of illness. “What about the rest of this crew? Can’t have a bunch of Jane Doe’s coming home with us. ”
“What’s a Jane Doe?”
“Someone without a name.”
“Well,” Charlotte paused, most of her attention now on a sleepy little tan pup nuzzling close to Lyle’s shirt. “Can this one be Buttercup?”
“I think that suits her just fine,” Heather said, watching as Charlotte inspected each little one with increasing joy.
With Lyle holding Buttercup, and Charlotte carefully reaching for the other two, Heather’s heart began to sing a little louder. The worries and stressors from the previous days started to fade away as they participated in naming the puppies.
Lyle suggested a name for the remaining chocolate pup. “How about ‘Coco’? Fitting, don’t you think?”
“Yes! I love Coco!” Charlotte squeaked, beaming. She squinted her eyes, staring intently at the last puppy, the tiniest of the bunch. "Is that one a boy or a girl?" she asked.
"Looks like all four of them are girls," Lyle said.
"Sherry," she said very quietly. So quietly Lyle almost didn't hear her.
But he did and his heart jolted. Sherry was Charlotte's mother's name. Emotions nearly slayed him. He cleared his throat, glanced at Heather, noted that her eyes were damp.
"Sherry it is," he said softly, stroking one finger against the soft yellow fur of the puppy. He imagined they were going to have a very difficult time convincing Charlotte to give up these fosters when they found their forever homes.
Especially the one named Sherry.
“We should probably get these babies home and settled before they get too overwhelmed,” Heather suggested, glancing back toward the shelter and noticing Janette was headed their way, her expression full of warmth and gratitude.
As they gathered up the remaining pups and tucked them safely into their crate, Lyle shifted closer to Heather, lowering his voice slightly. “I’m really glad you got Charlotte involved today.”
“She needed this.”
“Can I keep the Sherry puppy here, Uncle Lyle? She’s so tiny and she might need me and Pudge.”
The puppies were in a crate beside Charlotte on the back seat. Lyle braked behind Heather’s Jeep, wondering why she’d stopped in front of the main house rather than driving on around to her cabin. “It’s best to keep them all together, sweetheart.”
Heather got out of her Jeep and came around to open the back door of his truck.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“We’re unloading the dogs. Are you going to help?”
“Shouldn’t we drive around to your place?”
She smiled and glanced at Charlotte, gave a wink. “I think there’s a certain little girl who’d be perfect as a foster fur parent.”
“Me?” Charlotte exclaimed. “Yes!” She unbelted herself and scrambled down from the truck. “Uncle Mike will love it!”
“Now, wait just a minute!” Lyle shut off the truck and got out.
“Oh, thank you, Uncle Lyle! I’ll be the best foster mommy. This is the best day ever! Hurry! Bring them inside!”
Lyle glared at Heather. “You set me up.”
She shrugged and tried to suppress a smile.
Shaking his head, he gently lifted the crate from the back seat, even though his roiling gut made him want to snatch it. He didn’t have time for four baby dogs.
But he found himself setting up a make-shift playpen in the laundry room off the kitchen—to the delight of Charlotte and several of the ranch guests who were having coffee in the kitchen and stopped to fawn over their newest residents.
Charlotte was already in love and determined to introduce Pudge to the puppies. The little cat arched up and skittered sideways, but Charlotte advised her to be sweet and Pudge, crazy cat that she was, settled right down. He’d never seen anything like it.