Pretty Poison

Peggy shooed Poopsie away from the creature. She took off her purple cape and tossed it over the animal. She wasn’t sure what her reasoning was except that it appeared to be wet and cold. Immediately, a huge square head popped up. Big brown eyes looked at her in question, and the animal let out a long, low howl.

“Yes! I need animal control! There’s something in my yard trying to kill my dog!” Clarice stuttered over the words as she tried to get help from 911.

“It’s a dog, Clarice. I think it’s a Great Dane. But it’s just a dog.”

“I don’t care what it is, Peggy. I want someone to come and shoot it and get it out of my yard.”

While Clarice waited on hold, Peggy went closer to the whimpering dog. Poopsie continued to yap and growl until she told him to hush. She wasn’t a dog lover. But she could see the creature was scared and in pain. “Easy, boy. Or girl. Whichever you are. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Clarice shrieked. “Don’t touch that thing! It could take off your whole arm. I don’t know if my homeowner’s insurance will cover you being bitten by a stray dog in my yard.”

But Peggy didn’t listen. She crept in close to the animal. He laid his head down and let her stroke his matted coat. His thin hair was tan, and his muzzle was black. His ears weren’t cropped like most Great Danes. They hung down on the sides of his head. She could count his ribs. His hip-bone protruded under his wet coat. As she touched him, a long tongue snaked out to lick her hand.

“They’re on their way.” Clarice closed the sequin-studded phone. “Will you please get away from that thing?”

“It’s just a dog. He’s scared and starving.”

“And likely to eat Poopsie! Leave him alone until the animal control people get here.”

Peggy moved away from the dog. He struggled to his feet and lurched after her.

Clarice screamed, grabbed up her dog, and ran into the house.

“You are pretty intimidating,” Peggy told the Great Dane. He was rail thin, but his shoulder came past her waist. She wasn’t sure how he had the strength to stand. “I have to go now. I’m sorry.”

She started walking back toward her house. The dog followed. She stopped and looked at him. “You don’t understand. I really don’t have time for a dog. I’m sure the animal control people will find you a good home.”

The dog whimpered and shook his head, his huge ears flapping up and down.

“I know. Those places are better at putting an animal out of its misery.” She looked into the dog’s eyes. “You must belong to someone. Maybe if I could keep you alive for a while, I could find your owner. But it’s only for a few days. I’ll ask around. If no one claims you, you’re on your own.”

Clarice rushed to meet the animal control truck as it pulled into her driveway. Between loud sobs and Poopsie’s barking, she managed to tell the driver what happened.

While she was crying and thanking him for coming, Peggy got the Great Dane to follow her. She sneaked around through her garden and into her neighbor’s yard on the opposite side. A few years back, a retired veterinarian lived two doors down. She wasn’t sure if he was still there. But if she could get the dog to him, he might be able to help her.

The dog followed her silently. Peggy glanced back at him and wondered if she’d lost her mind. What was she going to do with a dog the size of a small pony?

While the animal control man scoured the neighborhood, Peggy knocked frantically on what she hoped was the veterinarian’s door. When it opened, she shoved the dog into the house and followed quickly, slamming the door behind her.

“Can I help you?”

She looked at the man who’d answered the door. It was the man in the green Saturn. “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong house. I’m looking for Dr. Newsome, the old veterinarian. I think he used to live here. I came to one of his Christmas parties a few years back.”

“I’m Dr. Newsome, and I’m a vet.” He smiled at her. “You didn’t look at my card, did you?”

Nice smile. “No, I’m sorry. I forgot about it. You’re not as old as I remember. Or that wassail punch was stronger than I thought.”

“I’m Steve Newsome. You’re probably thinking about my uncle, Jack. He was a vet, too. He died last year.”

She felt like a complete idiot. “I’m sorry I barged in here like this. I found this dog, and I’m trying to get him away from the animal control people.”

He crouched down and patted the Great Dane’s head. “Is that what this is? He’s a mess. Maybe someone should put him out of his misery.”

“No! I’m sure he must belong to someone. He probably wandered off. I don’t want to be responsible for getting someone’s dog killed.”

“I was only joking, Peggy. I’ll take a look at him. My uncle always kept a small exam room and supplies in case of an emergency. I think this bag of bones qualifies as an emergency.”

She was surprised he knew her name until she recalled that he was at her lecture. “You were at the auditorium yesterday.”

“I’m flattered you noticed! I was there because I get so many cases of animals poisoned by plants. I’d like to learn more about the subject.”

“Well, Dr. Newsome—”

“Please call me Steve. We’ve bumped into each other so many times, I feel like I know you.”