Page 2 of The Gift of the Maltipoo
“You call me if you need anything,” he told her before leaving the room. He pulled on his winter coat and left the house. Snow was just beginning, so he started for home, hoping it was just a few flurries and not the start of something worse.
Tyler got into his truck and slowly backed out of his mom’s driveway before heading to his home on the edge of Carlisle.
The way was very familiar. He had driven this route so many times, and he knew he each bump and every turn. Tyler was still thinking about his mother’s request for a dog as he approached the dog rescue that he passed each and every day. Usually he just went by, but today his mom had gotten him thinking, so he pulled into the lighted yard and came to a stop near the well-kept barn.
He got out, thankful the snow had stopped, and went inside. The barn was warm and smelled clean. He hadn’t known what to expect, except maybe the overwhelming scent of dog.
“Can I help you?” a man in his mid-thirties asked.
“My mom has cancer, and she keeps asking me to get her a dog. She had a pug named Bowser for years, and he passed away just after she was diagnosed. She asked me today about getting her another dog.”
The man bit his lower lip. “I’m sorry, but we usually don’t allow dog adoptions as gifts. A dog is a real responsibility, and….” He trailed off.
“I understand, and I wasn’t in favor of just picking one out for her.” He looked around. “Gosh, Mom would love this place. I remember when I was nine….” He leaned slightly on the counter. “Mom and I were on our way home from Grandma’s, and we got a flat tire. While we were changing it, she found two puppies on the roadside. They had to be six weeks old, and it looked like they’d just been dumped there. Mom brought them home andfed them, and we had Frick and Frack until I graduated from high school. They were beautiful German shepherds. After they died, Mom got Bowser….”
“Charline? Is that your mom?” he asked, and Tyler nodded. “She got Bowser here. He was an older dog, and your mom fell in love with him. I knew your mom was perfect for him and would give him a good life.”
“She really did. Those two were inseparable, and after Bowser passed, she wasn’t sure that she wanted another dog, and now she’s asking for one. And as much as I’d like to get her one, I know there is no way she can take care of it. Maybe in a month or so.”
The man held out his hand. “I’m Mitchell. I own and operate the shelter in addition to the veterinary practice just up the road.”
“I’m Tyler, part-time caregiver, full-time computer geek, and all-around good son. At least I try to be.” He was so tired.
“Even though I know your mom, I can’t let you pick out a dog for her. Too much can go wrong. But if you want to look around, you are more than welcome. Who knows? You might find a furry friend of your very own.”
Tyler laughed softly. “My mom is the dog lover in the family. We always had one growing up, but they always bonded with everyone but me. There was Trooper, a beagle mix we got when I was nine. He was supposed to be my dog. I fed him and walked him… and he loved my mother best of all. That dog would follow her around the house all day, and then he’d sleep on the floor next to her bed. He could have slept on my bed and I would have loved it if he had been my best friend, but it didn’t turn out like that. After that, I figured that I wasn’t meant to be a dog person.”
Mitchell shrugged. “If you want to take a look around, go ahead. We have some wonderful animals. There are a few that are not ready to be adopted. They’re in the back. We foundthem last month, running wild in the woods to the west of town. They’d been there awhile, so we’re trying to get them accustomed to people once more. But the rest are available.” He seemed so nice that Tyler wandered through the shelter, looking at the various dogs.
At first he was just making a show of it, but after a while, he found himself really looking. What if he did get a dog? Or better yet, what if he got a dog and kept it at his house until his mom was feeling better? He could bring the dog over to her house to visit and keep her company while she was feeling badly. This was a good idea. He’d have a dog, and his mom would have company a day or so a week. A dog would be the perfect Christmas gift for her, and this way there was no pressure. He started looking more in earnest.
There was a small terrier with bright eyes and a tail that wagged like crazy. He stood on all fours, as excited as anything. He might have been too high energy, though he was cute. There was a small collie mix who sat right near the door. As soon as he put his hand near the door, the dog leaned against it, then turned and licked his fingers.
“He’s a real good dog. His owner passed away, and his daughter is allergic, so they brought him here,” Mitchell said. “Though he needs a yard and space to run. He’s about three and still has a lot of energy.” He opened the cage and let Ralphy out. He sat next to Tyler’s feet and leaned against his legs.
“He’s really nice.” Tyler knelt down and ran his hands down Ralphy’s back, gently petting him. He was beautiful, but way too much animal for his mother—or him, for that matter. Mitchell put Ralphy back in the cage, and Tyler continued on. “Who is this?”
Mitchell opened the cage and gently lifted out a white dog with the cutest face. “This is Daisy. Her owner was killed in a car accident. The police brought her into the practice. She had hurther leg, and we’ve gotten her fixed up and on the mend. She is really sweet, and her leg is healing as well as we can expect. She is always going to be a little stiff because of the injury, but she is super sweet.” Mitchell gently put Daisy into his arms, and she settled right down. After a few seconds, she looked up at him and that tongue licked his chin.
“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart,” Tyler crooned softly. She gave him another kiss, and he smiled. “She’s got a real tongue on her, doesn’t she?”
“Yes. Daisy is a Maltese mix, probably part poodle. I’ve had a number of people look at her, but because of her leg, they always move on. She is just as sweet as can be. But everyone wants a perfect dog. She’s going to have trouble getting up on a bed herself, but I knew her owner. I’ve looked after Daisy since she was a puppy.”
Tyler looked into her big eyes and could feel himself falling in love. “Do you want to come home with me?” Tyler asked, and Daisy licked his chin and nose. Then she settled down into his arms and rested her head against his chest. “Okay. I’m going to take that as a yes.” He held her gently. “I know you’re excited, but I have to set you down so I can fill out all the forms that Mitchell needs.” The truth was, Daisy felt so good in his arms that he didn’t want to release her.
“Okay.” Mitchell led him to the desk area, and Tyler set Daisy on a blanket on one of the chairs. Then he filled out the forms and made a donation to the shelter for the care of the other dogs. Mitchell made sure he had the basic supplies, and Tyler took them to the car before returning for Daisy. He placed everything into the cab of his truck and set off to take her home.
“I hope you like the house. It’s nice enough, but I’m going to have to move some things around so its doggie-proofed.” He kept talking to her as he drove through the snow before pulling into the driveway of his home.
The first thing he did was get Daisy inside, and then he brought in her things. He set up a bowl with food and one with water in the kitchen, then placed her down on the floor.
She walked slowly to the dishes and ate a little before drinking some water. When Tyler started working in the kitchen, she made her way back to where he was pulling some things out of the refrigerator for dinner. Daisy sat near the open refrigerator door watching him, and then, once he had warmed up his dinner, sat next to him at the table. She didn’t beg or make a fuss, just settled at his feet as he ate.
“You really are a good dog,” Tyler told her.
As he was finishing, the doorbell rang. Daisy barked and hurried over, limping a little as she moved more quickly. She barked once more and slid back as Tyler opened the door.
“Who is this?” his neighbor, Anthony, asked, kneeling down.
