The pup had just squatted down to do her business when a big gray pit bull came trotting around the corner at the end of the alley. She immediately leapt to her feet, tail wagging, and began yapping.
Oh, Rufio! Rufio! Over here! It’s me, Fifi! She pranced around in a happy little circle.
The mutt, Rufio apparently, trotted closer and let out a deep bark. Hey, honeypot.
I chuckled in spite of myself. The mutt was a smooth talker.
The little floof ball tugged at the end of her leash to get closer to the other dog, but the guard, startled by the big bark, drew his wand and pointed it at the mutt.
“Hey, you! Scram! I’ve told you to get out of here before.” He threw his arm violently toward the big dog. “Go on!”
The little dog, Fifi, gasped and lunged at the beefy guy, biting at his ankles. She growled and snapped. That’s my boyfriend, you big louse, leave him alone! Don’t hurt him! I love him! Help! Help! Run, Rufio, save yourself!
But Rufio, not one to turn and run apparently, bared his teeth and snarled at the guard, despite the lit wand being waved in his face.
I grimaced. This had escalated quickly.
Rufio snarled and lunged, and the bouncer’s wand flashed. A glowing blue bubble surrounded the now frozen dog, and Fifi whined and paced.
Oh no, oh no! My poor baby is frozen!
The bodyguard huffed and tugged at the hem of his suit jacket. He scowled at the pit bull. “You keep hangin’ around here.” He shook his head. “Ms. Kang told me to keep you away from her little Fifi.”
The little dog continued to sniff her enchanted boyfriend and whine.
“I’m calling the dog catchers.”
The door right beside me swung open.
“Ah!” I pressed a hand to my chest, startled.
Heidi barreled out, wide-eyed. She looked at me, then down the alley at the commotion Fifi was making and the glowing blue dog, then back at me. “What’s going on?”
I shrugged. “I tried to sneak into the back room but got thrown out.”
She frowned. “I meant with the barking dogs.”
“Oh.” I gestured down the alley. “Near as I can tell, that’s the little one’s boyfriend. I’m guessing he’s a stray and they’re taking him away to the pound.”
Heidi whirled on me. “What?! He’ll be put down. Jolene, we have to help them.”
Did we, though? Her earnest eyes searched my face, and I threw my head back and looked up at the stars, partially obscured by clouds. “Ugh. Fine.” I huffed and strode over to the bodyguard and the two dogs, Heidi right at my side.
“Hey there.” I waved. “Why don’t you let us take this guy off your hands.” I gestured at the pit bull, completely motionless, frozen midbark. “You don’t have to worry about a dog catcher showing up, and he’ll never bug you again.” I weighed my hands like scales. “Win-win.”
The big guy curled his lip, an ugly scar running through the top one. “What’re you gonna do?” He looked from me to Heidi. “Eat him?”
My friend gasped. “No!” She clicked her tongue. “We’re going to rehome him.” She bent forward, hands on thighs and shifted to baby talk. “Isn’t that right, little guy?”
I arched a brow. “Little?”
My friend straightened and looked down her nose. “Mrs. Smith just had to put her dog down last month, and I know she’d love a new friend.” She beamed, and the bouncer softened.
“Fine.” He huffed. “But he better not show up here again, or it’s the dog catcher for him.”
Heidi clasped her hands together and let out a happy shriek. I just nodded at the big guy. “Deal.” I held up a finger. “One moment though, before you release him from the spell?”
The guy nodded.
I crouched down and looked up at Heidi, flashing my eyes, then jerked my head toward the bouncer.
“Oh.” She caught my drift and winked, then edged between us and distracted him with conversation. “Do you have any pets of your own?”
Inches from the pit’s face, his teeth bared, eyes narrowed, I lowered my voice and let out a string of barks and snarls. We’re taking you with us. My friend’s a vet and they know a nice older lady who’ll spoil you rotten. Capisce?
Fifi whined. What the—?
I glanced over and caught her staring at me wide-eyed. At least she’d stopped biting the guy’s ankles.
She cocked her tiny head to the side and whined again. You speak dog?
I glanced up at the distracted bouncer. Heidi twirled her side pony between her fingers and giggled. I grinned—the flirt—then turned back to the little dog. I woofed. Yeah, I speak dog. Don’t worry about your boyfriend—we’ll make sure he’s taken care of.
Her curled tail wagged and she broke out in a huge smile. “Woof!” Oh, thank you so much for saving him! She winked. I owe you a favor.
I sniffed. That’s cute, kid.
Fifi lifted her nose in the air and huffed. I happen to be Ms. Kang’s personal dog, which makes me important. So don’t dismiss a favor from me.
Wow. I’d never met a small dog with such big attitude. I nodded seriously and barked. Okay then… I won’t?
I stood back up and interrupted Heidi and the bouncer guy. “Alright.” I waved at hand at the frozen dog. “You can let him go.”
The bouncer cast me a doubtful look but murmured a few words and pointed his wand at the dog. The blue light flashed brighter and the dog finished its bark in a weird strangled noise. It looked around, blinking, as if bewildered, then raised its yellow eyes to me.
“Woof!” You’re really going to find me a home?
He held very still.
I rolled my eyes. Snakes, did he have to be so cute? I gave the guy a tight smile and let out a quiet whine. Yep.
His tail wagged, and he turned to Fifi and whined. I guess this is goodbye.
She trotted up to him. I’ll never forget you.
It would
