“Be right there.”
They went downstairs and let For All run in the park. And let him play with the other dogs for a while. Rafferty also played catch with a squeaky ball. The little terrier rambunctiously retrieved, trotting back toward Justus like he carried a trophy.
She laughed, taking out her cell phone to snap a photo of him. “I have to send this to Liberty,”she said.
Rafferty smiled, hearing the longing in her voice for her sister. Even in the short time they’d been apart, he could tell she was missing her.
After about half an hour, they went back upstairs. “Do you still want to go shopping?” he asked as they entered the condo.
“Not really. I appreciate you wanting to get me a new swimsuit, but will we have time to spend at the pool?” Justus asked.
“We might, especially in the evenings after dinner.”
“Then I’ll think about it when we go to my next counseling appointment,” she said.
“Sounds fine to me,” he said. “I don’t want to push you into something you don’t feel comfortable doing. But you were the one who was originally excited about the pool.”
“I know.” She smiled, taking For All’s leash off and letting him run free in the living room. “In the meantime. I think For All needs a haircut. I noticed the other dogs at the park were trimmed, and he’s a little shaggy. He’s never been groomed.”
“Then we need to find him a place,” Rafferty said.
“I wouldn’t know where to start,” Justus admitted. “I’m a bad dog mom, aren’t I?”
“No. The internet is always a good source. We’ll see what is close by and then compare customer reviews,” he suggested. “Then you go with your gut feeling about what you read to decide the best place to take him.”
He settled on the sofa, pulled out his laptop, and began searching for small-breed pet groomers. He narrowed his search by entering his location and then started checking reviews.
“How about this one,” he said after finding one that sounded good.
Justus sat beside him and read the reviews. “Sounds good. Are there others? Should I go with the first one you show me?”
“It’s not the first one I looked at, but if you want to keep looking, no problem. I won’t close out the page.”
“I like that they call the owners when any issues arise and text as well. Communication is important,” Justus said.
“Here’s one at a Vet. I bet he doesn’t have one yet either,” Rafferty said.
“No. Not yet.” Justus flipped back to the first one and pointed to the location. “That’s near Dr. Saunders's office. If we can get him an appointment on the same day as my next visit, he can be groomed while I see her.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rafferty agreed.
Justus made her call, smiling when she was able to get the appointment when she wanted. “Now, what shall we do? I’m feeling energized.”
He laughed. “Laundry.”
She frowned, reaching for the pillow beside her and hitting him with you. “You know how to ruin a good mood.”
“Sorry, but it’s on our list of chores for the day.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and went to her room to get her basket. For All trotting after her.
CHAPTER 7
A week later…
Rafferty and Justus dropped For All off at his grooming appointment, and the lady behind the counter as well as Connie the groomer was oohing over him. For All was loving the attention. His nub of a tail wagged and he pranced back and forth between the two women for more attention.
Justus laughed as she signed the security form required before she could leave him. “You little traitor.”
