Page 32 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
‘I don’t know who he is or who he belongs to. He just turned up outside the workshop this morning, looking cold and hungry, and wanting to come in. He had no collar on him, so there was no name tag, or owt. I didn’t have the heart to leave the poor ladshivering outside so I let him in, gave him a couple of digestive biscuits which he wolfed down then sat himself down by the heater and made himself comfortable.’
Lark bent to give the dog a quick ear tickle as Nate went on to say how he’d spotted the Labrador lingering around Endeavour Road earlier in the week and had assumed it belonged to someone local, but after making enquiries nearby no one seemed to know who the dog belonged to.
‘The vets very kindly squeezed him in this afternoon so they could check if he was chipped but that came up blank. He had a quick going over while we were there. From his teeth and grey muzzle, the vet thought he was about eight or nine years old. And other than being a bit underweight, she said he seemed to be in good health and had a gentle nature. Poor lad took all the prodding and poking without grumbling – though he wasn’t too happy about having his temperature taken. Looked like he thought that was a step too far.’
‘Can’t say I blame him.’ Bear gave a hearty chuckle. He’d joined the conversation along with Alex.
‘He seems a pretty good-natured fella,’ said Silas, pulling himself upright.
Nate nodded. ‘Aye, from what I’ve seen of him so far, I’d say he is.’
‘And he seems to have taken a real shine to you,’ said Alex.
‘That’s just what I was thinking,’ said Lark. The dog hadn’t taken his eyes off Nate. ‘What are you going to do with him?’ She knew her friend had a kind heart, and she couldn’t see him taking the dog to a rescue centre, especially this close to Christmas.
Nate crouched down, ruffling the Labrador’s ears. He was rewarded with a lick across his cheek.
‘Thanks for that, lad,’ he said, with a chuckle, before turning his attention back to Lark. ‘Well, he’s staying with me for thetime being. We’re going to try to find out who he belongs to – apparently there are databases that have lists of missing dogs. I’ll check if anyone’s reported him missing on the town’s social media pages, and we’ll see what happens from there. The vet mentioned a woman who takes in rescue dogs and fosters them out until new owners can be found, but I’m happy to keep him till we know the score.’
‘He looks like a grand lad,’ said Bear.
‘He does, and his coat looks shiny and clean which suggests he’s cared for. I reckon someone out there’s really missing him.’ Maggie crouched down and smoothed her hand over the Labrador’s head. ‘I’d definitely miss you, lad.’
The dog rested his paw on her lap.
‘Ah, well, the reason he’s looking all groomed is because he had a bath this afternoon.’
‘Oh?’ Maggie quirked an eyebrow. ‘You don’t hang around.’
‘Wasn’t my suggestion, though it was pretty obvious he was badly in need of grooming and his coat was really grimy to the touch. On top of that he smelt pretty ripe – no offence, fella.’
The Labrador blinked up at him.
‘It was so bad, the vet asked if the dog groomer next door could fit him in for a quick spruce up, which she did. He came out all glossy and smelling like a baby.’
‘Ahh, bless him.’ Maggie gave the Labrador a sympathetic smile and ruffled his ears.
‘And the vet let me borrow a collar and lead they had spare, a food bowl, too. And here we are.’ Nate shrugged.
‘So, what happens if you can’t find his owners?’ asked Silas.
‘Ah, well, I reckon we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, won’t we, lad?’ Nate gave the Labrador a pat. ‘But right now, I’m happy to look after him for as long as necessary. And, since we don’t know his name, I’ve decided to call him Buddy for the time being. Thought it suited him and he seems to respond to it.’
‘Buddy does suit him,’ said Lark.
The Labrador jerked his head in Lark’s direction.
‘See what I mean?’ Nate said. ‘And I’m not saying I’ve somehow managed to miraculously guess his name, but I reckon it must be something close to Buddy.’
“Buddy” turned his head back to Nate, his tail sweeping back and forth over the floor as he gazed up at his temporary owner, the look in his amber eyes touching Lark’s heart.
‘Ahh, bless him,’ she said. Buddy had the kindest face. And it didn’t escape her attention that Nate appeared to be as taken with Buddy, as Buddy was with him. Knowing how much Nate would love to have a dog of his own, she hoped it wasn’t going to end in heartache for either of them.
‘Oh, my goodness, who’s this gorgeous lad?’ said Stella, who’d suddenly spied Buddy. Despite her austere appearance, she was tender-hearted and a serious dog lover, having fallen in love with Alex’s characterful Labrador Teddy. She was quickly followed by Jasmine and her two children, Zak and Chloe, along with Max and his son, Connor, all fussing over Buddy, who was in raptures with the attention.
The group fell into conversation, chatting away as they headed to join the queue at the bookshop. Nate explained how he’d spoken to Ed earlier and told him about Buddy and how he was reluctant to leave him at home on his own in case he got upset. Both Florrie and Ed were fine with him bringing Buddy along, suggesting he sit at the end of the row in case the Labrador became unsettled, that way they’d be able to make a swift exit with minimal disturbance.
Lark was glad when they finally got inside, the icy air beginning to bite. And though her boots were lined with fleece, it hadn’t stopped the cold from seeping in from the pavement, leaving her toes numb.
