Chapter 23
The airport shuttle dropped Mike and the dog at the rental car facility at ten o’clock sharp. The area was wall-to-wall people. Lines snaked in front of every rental counter, travelers clutching confirmations and sighing heavily.
Mike dropped to one knee and cupped the dog’s face in both hands.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a leash or collar for you yet,” he said.
“You’re going to have to stick close. We’ve got a car waiting for us.
” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward the parking garage.
“I called an animal clinic near the airport. They said they’ll scan you for a microchip.
We might have to wait, but they’ll work us in. ”
The dog stared at him, steady and calm.
“If you’ve got people who love you … who are looking for you … we’ll find them.” His voice caught on the last word. “I’ll make sure you get home.”
The dog stretched forward and licked his chin.
Mike laughed and stood. “Okay, buddy. Stay with me.”
He patted his thigh, and they moved through the impatient travelers. The dog stayed glued to his side, brushing Mike’s leg with every step.
As a loyalty member with a reservation, Mike bypassed the rental line and headed directly to the parking garage. The app had already assigned him a full-size SUV. They found it within minutes. Mike opened the rear passenger door and tossed his backpack into the back seat. “Go on. Jump in.”
The dog sat, looking at Mike, then at the open door, then back at Mike.
“I know you can jump. I saw you get down from a retaining wall last night. What’s the holdup?”
The dog gave a short, expressive woof.
Mike squinted at him. “You’re more of a shotgun guy, aren’t you?”
The dog’s ears twitched.
“It’s only ten minutes to the vet,” Mike said. “I’ll allow it this time.” He shut the back door. The dog circled the SUV with him and hopped neatly into the front passenger seat without being asked. Mike reached in and ruffled his ears. “That’s what I thought.”
Ten minutes later, they entered the animal clinic. The waiting room smelled faintly of disinfectant and wet fur. They approached the counter. A young receptionist with pink-and-purple hair looked up and smiled.
“I called earlier about having a stray scanned for a microchip,” Mike said.
Her eyes lit up. “Yes! I remember you. You talked to me.” She leaned over the counter to look at the dog. “Oh my goodness, he’s handsome. Is this him?”
Mike nodded. “It’s hard to believe someone isn’t desperately looking for him.”
A woman carrying an indignant cat in a carrier stepped in behind them.
“Have a seat in the dog area,” the receptionist said, gesturing toward a sign with a paw print. “I’ll check in this unhappy cat and then take your guy back for a scan.”
They sat down and she soon reappeared with a leash bearing the clinic’s name. She slipped it gently over the dog’s head. “Come on, sweetheart. This won’t hurt.”
The dog followed her without hesitation.
Mike rubbed his palms together as he waited. His head told him the best outcome would be reuniting this dog with a loving family. But his heart longed for a different outcome.
He opened the airline’s app on his phone to learn if they could fly home.
The dog was too large to fly in the cabin, and it was too cold to safely transport him in the cargo hold.
Adopting a seventy-plus-pound dog days before Christmas, on the opposite side of the country, meant driving from Charleston back to Los Angeles.
Four long days on the road, assuming the weather cooperated.
He exhaled slowly. Practicalities be damned. He wanted this dog.
The receptionist returned, the dog pulling eagerly toward Mike. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, sir. No microchip.”
Mike stood, fighting the smile struggling to break free. “What would you suggest I do to find his owner?”
“You could drive around the area where you found him and look for flyers,” she said. “Where did you pick him up?”
Mike gave her the name of the airport hotel.
She groaned. “You’d be surprised how many dogs get dumped out there. He appears young and healthy. Athletic dogs can cover a lot of ground. Are you local?”
“No,” Mike said. “I’m from L.A. and heading to Charleston for Christmas.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “You could drop him at a shelter. Call first to confirm space. They’d care for him until he’s adopted.” She turned to retrieve a list.
“Actually,” Mike said, the words arriving before he had time to second-guess them. “I’d like to adopt him.” The conviction in his voice surprised him.
The receptionist raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Definitely. Checking for a microchip was the right thing to do, but I’ve been hoping he’d be mine since last night.” His hand settled on the dog’s head.
“You do realize flying back to California isn’t an option?”
Mike nodded. “I checked the airline’s policy while I waited.
I’ve already planned to drive him home,” he continued, only now realizing he had chosen the SUV with that possibility in mind.
“Is there any chance one of your vets could examine him before we leave? I’m supposed to be in Charleston for dinner. ”
The receptionist’s professional composure softened into something warmer. “We’re booked solid,” she said. “But if you’re willing to wait, I’ll work you in. I can’t promise you won’t miss dinner.”
Mike smiled. “I’d be very grateful.”
Within the hour, they were called back.
The veterinarian examined the dog thoroughly, assessing teeth, gums, ears, eyes, heart, and lungs. She ran practiced hands along his ribs and spine. He obeyed every command to sit and stand, then promptly rolled onto his back and flung his paws into the air in shameless invitation.
The vet laughed and obliged him with a belly rub. “Good boy.” She looked at Mike. “You’re adopting him?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve got yourself a lovely dog. Excellent teeth and gums. He still has some puppy behavior.
I’d guess he’s about two years old.” She stroked his side again.
“He’s slightly underweight. His ribs are a bit more prominent than I’d like.
There’s matting behind the ears and under the legs, which suggests he’s been on his own for a couple of weeks.
He has no parasites. You found him just in time, especially with last night’s temperatures. ”
“So, I can take him with me?”
She nodded. “I’ll vaccinate him for rabies and DHPP.”
“Can you microchip him for me?”
“We’d be happy to.” She gave his belly another pass. “We can’t have this guy getting lost a second time.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Sit tight. I’ll send in the technician.” Before leaving, she paused. “Happy endings like this are the best part of our day.”
When they were alone, Mike lifted the pup off the exam table and clutched him against his chest. The retriever wriggled, then wrapped his front legs around Mike’s neck, tail thumping.
Mike laughed, stepping back to steady himself. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said, voice rough.
The former stray planted enthusiastic kisses along his jaw.
Mike lowered the dog to the floor and dropped to one knee. “It’s official,” he said. “You and I are a family.”
The pup stared at him, golden eyes bright.
“I don’t know what your name used to be. But I know what it is now.” He swallowed. “Buddy.”
The dog’s tail thumped against the cabinet like applause.