The Wounds We Heal

Chapter Forty-eight: R&R

Chase's paws finally hit the ground again outside the pet parlor, as the sun was finally gone from the sky and the stars were twinkling brightly. The lights in the shop were dimmed, but it looked like the sign was still lit.

"Hey look, we might be just in time." Chase gasped. "Katie may still be open to help us out."

Racing forward the doors took a moment to slide open and he almost fell forward as a result.

"Hello? Katie?" he called, peering around carefully.

Suddenly a tall shape rose up from behind the counter, bearing a white, ghostly shape, which almost morphed into something with wings.

"Hello?.. Chase? What's wrong- Aaaaahhhhh!" Snowflake asked before screaming, seeing the ghostly figure in front of them. She practically jumped into Chase as she hugged him out of fright.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh! Please don't hurt us! If you're a ghost or an angel, tell us what you want! Have mercy! Be good to us!" Snowflake exclaimed, not knowing what the ghostly creature was, or what it would do. Then the figure struggled for a moment, before the white started to fall away.

"Oh,.. Hi Snowflake, Hi Chase." Katie greeted, after the cover came off into her hand.

"Katie?!" the two pups realized.

"What were you doing under there?" Chase asked blankly. "You scared the pup treats out of us!"

"Thank you, Chase!" Snowflake exclaimed, agreeing with him. "Though seriously, how and what were you doing under the cloth. I thought you were a ghost or an angel. You scared the chew toys out of us!"

"Oh, sorry. I was gonna try and give Cali a bath tonight, but she got away from me." The girl replied. "She must have bumped the lights when she knocked the laundry over, while I was grabbing her soap from below the counter."

"Oh. And you were a ghost since then? Wait, are you and Cali okay?" Snowflake wondered, as the lights flicked back on.

"We're fine." Katie replied with a chuckle. "So what can I do for you pups?"

"Oh, well speaking of baths.." Chase remembered, reaching a paw up to scratch at some of the dried dirt.

"Woah,.." the girl commented, coming closer to him.

"You pups are filthy.." she added, kneeling down to him for a better look. "What were you up to?"

"We were on a hike on Big View Trail with Jake and Everest. But the ground broke up under us and we slid down into a muddy puddle. A very goopy, muddy puddle. Bleck!" Snowflake explained, before giving a dissatisfied expression.

"Looks like it." Katie agreed. "Don't worry,.. I'll have some warm baths ready in a flash."

"Great! Thanks, Katie!" Chase beamed.

"Thank you Katie," Snowflake answered gratefully.

xxxx

The tub, piled with bubbles, radiated heat as well as overall appeal. And both pups anticipated their time to get in.

"Ok,.. the water's a little warmer than I planned.. Hope you pups don't mind it." Katie said, after testing the water with her own hand.

"Not at all," Snowflake answered, her tail wagging.

Chase hopped up to the tub and stuck a paw into the water.

"Mmm.. doesn't seem that hot," he said.

"Ok,.." Katie complied, picking up the German Shepherd from behind. "If you say so." Then putting him in the tub, the strong warmth of the water came up his body like an instant blanket. And the radiating pressure in his shoulder near instantly began to reduce, while bringing with it a sense of ease like a weighted blanket that had been wrapped around him.