New neighbors Andi and Hayden don't get off to the best start - and neither do their dogs. When the hostility between their pets, Bart and Rosie, leads to noisy barking, Andi and Hayden must solve their pet's tension or risk eviction from their apar...
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Priya, our dog therapist, sits in a cushy leather chair. She uses her crossed legs to hold a clipboard against her dark brown skirt and blazer, the clothes only a few shades darker than her light brown skin. With a rhythmic tap against the board, she scans information about Rosie and Bart, long dark hair cascading down her back and lips drawn into a thin line.
Andi and I sit across from the middle-aged woman. We're on opposite ends of the couch like an old married couple using therapy as their last hope of reconciliation.
It wasn't smooth, but we got the dogs inside and checked into the front desk, all done with the grace of a giraffe on roller skates, but it was done, and that's all that matters. Rosie and Bart were separated in different areas of the building. I had no problem when a doctor said they'd place them in different rooms, but it didn't go over as smoothly with Andi.
She had to know every little detail about what was happening. Exactly where they were taking Bart. If he'd have his own space. What exactly was going to happen in the space. Did it have a comfy bed.
And she also had notes. Don't feed him anything that isn't on his approved food list. Don't get too close to him because he likes space. Make sure it's quiet where you put him. Make sure there aren't other dogs around.
Honestly, it was good that we got here so early because the prerequisites and questions took up a good chunk of time. I get different styles of puppy parenting, and I don't judge her for it at all, but just because I'm not judging doesn't mean it isn't annoying. Still, even with the annoyance of spending ten extra minutes going over the specifics of the little dog suites, I do respect how much Andi cares.
Even if it is annoying.
Now, after providing Priya with the medical history of our dogs, the two of us wait silently as she looks over everything.
The office is chilled and quiet. A soft whirring ceiling fan is the lonesome noise in the still, grey room. Just big enough to house a desk, a large leather chair, and a spacious couch, the room is also littered with closed brown boxes and bushy green plants. However, my favorite part of the room is the window. It overlooks a strip of Lake Michigan, and even though the lake is partially obstructed by trees, it's still gorgeous.
And tempting.
It makes my desire to get the hell out of here skyrocket, but I sit still, knowing how important this is.
Priya clears her throat, pulling both Andi's and my attention.
Priya glances at Andi. "So, you don't know exactly how old Bart is. Is that correct?"
Andi sits up straighter. "Yes. That's correct."
She doesn't know how old her dog is?
Priya nods, writing something on the chart. "And when you took him off the street, he had kennel cough and a few other diseases? Also in his records, it says he shed excessively?"
