“Start what?”
“Off Arthur’s directions list? The back side?”
I didn’t want to admit I hadn’t read the puppy-training part yet. The physical-care stuff was daunting enough. “They’re barely four days old.”
“It says to start at four days. The more new things puppies see and hear and smell when they’re young, the less fearful they are later. Right now, their ears and eyes are buttoned down, but they can smell things.” Shane petted Foxy as she climbed back into her lair and lay down. Immediately, the pups woke up, squeaking and swimming toward her on their wobbly legs. “I let them sniff things on my fingers, and now she’ll nurse them. That way, they’ll think new smells are good not scary.”
“Oh, wow. You’re really into this.”
“We’re going to raise the best puppies in the world, and no one will ever get rid of them because they have issues.”
I wished I could make that true for sure, but the only way was to adopt all six, and seven dogs were too many, even for me. “What smells did you use?”
“I figured I’d start with foods because that might be positive anyway. I have ketchup and soy sauce.” He held up the bowls. “I figure at some point I’ll do things like carpet cleaner and shampoo, right? Make those not scary, too.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I squeezed his shoulder. “You’re a good dad.Petdad,” I added quickly to forestall a painful look in his eyes.
He brightened. “Hopefully, Mimsy would give me a good reference. Can we head out now? The puppies will sleep once they’ve eaten.”
I gazed down at them, lined up and blissfully suckling away, little paws paddling. “Foxy’s healing up well.”
“I guess Dr. Louisa knows what she’s doing.” Shane puffed at a loose wisp of hair floating in the air. “Although she could’ve shaved the whole dog, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t know if we’ll ever get the mats out of her butt fur.”
“Maybe we’ll buy a clipper. Or take her to a groomer.” We backed out and closed the door on the peaceful little family.
Downtown was close enough to walk, and Shane thought Mimsy would like to stretch her legs. I figured he would too. From hints he’d dropped, I thought Shane had probably spent a lot of his time wandering the town before moving in with me. I hoped he didn’t feel cooped up in the house.
Mimsy drew second looks as we strolled toward the main street and the pier. Shane joked, “I should have a little vest for her that says, ‘Support Safe Haven. Ask me how.’”
“Would she wear a vest?”
“Probably not…” His voice trailed off as we reached the bookstore. “You think it’s okay if she goes inside?”
“We can ask.” I’d met Nash, who ran the bookstore, a few times in the last couple of years. “Maybe if she stays on your shoulders?”
Shane patted his neck, and Mimsy jumped up. I led the way inside and asked the guy at the checkout if Nash was around. A minute later, the man himself came toward us.
“Theo, right? Can I find you something new in the fantasy line?”
I shook hands. “You remember all your customers?”
“I definitely remember the handsome ones.” Shane shifted his feet, and Nash turned to him, grinning. “Purely artistic appreciation. My hubby and I don’t share.” He turned his attention to Mimsy. “Oh, and who’s the pretty… girl? Boy?”
“Girl.” Shane set a hand on the cat’s shoulder. “Mimsy. I wasn’t sure if you’d let her in.”
“As long as you stay out of the food-serving areas, I can make an exception. I saw a bit of your performance the other day. She’s clearly well-trained. And gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” Shane ducked his head. “If we did another performance, would that be okay?”
“Outside? Sure.” Nash cocked his head. “What are you raising money for?”
I saw a flush color Shane’s neck as he looked away. I said, “There’s going to be a new animal shelter in town, if we can make it work. At some point, we’ll be seriously fundraising for that. Do you know Arthur Bjornsson? Big guy, interesting mustache?”
“Oh, Arthur. Sure, he comes in occasionally for a cheap book.” Nash gestured at a 50%-off shelf.
Shane took the reins, his confidence regained. “He’s been fostering, but there’s just too many animals for the number of local fosters. Poor guy tries so hard, but he needs— the town needs— a real shelter with way more space. We’re brainstorming funding ideas now.”
“Where would you put it?” Nash asked. “Any thoughts? Willis Heights, maybe?”
