“Ah, sure. I’d love to see it. The whole place, actually.” With no escape route now that the door was closed, the pointer clung to Olivia’s side but followed her without further struggle. He sniffed the air incessantly as they passed the cat kennels, bringing a smile to Olivia’s lips.

“What a sweet-looking group of cats.” A few were awake and watching the new arrival, but most were curled up in napping slings. To the side of the kennels and empty at the moment was a floor-to-ceiling kitty play area that looked like it would entice even the most stalwart of cats into a bit of playful roughhousing.

She was still gawking at the cute cats when she realized Patrick had doubled back and was tightening the dog’s collar. “The dog kennels are next. You’ll want to walk him through the center of the aisle. Once he’s out of quarantine, he’ll be able to be introduced to the other dogs.”

“Yeah, sure.” Olivia wrapped a bit of the extra leash around her hand as Patrick pushed through a set of thick, glass double doors.

“Is he compatible with other dogs?”

“He lived alone as far as I know, but he did fine at Rhonda’s.”

Olivia wished she had more time to take in the various dogs that rose to their feet to greet the newcomer. There was a motley crew of big, short, fluffy, smooth, young, and old. Most barked eagerly and wagged their tails, a few growled warnings at the newcomer, and one or two of the more timid-acting ones tucked their tails and moved to the backs of their kennels.

As if hopeful their destination was a less chaotic one, the pointer stuck even closer to Olivia’s side and slunk past the long row of kennels. She thought maybe he was whining but couldn’t be sure over all the barking.

After they’d passed through the kennels, they entered the back of the building. It was an open area with a few soft chairs, lots of fun pictures of cats and dogs and even a rabbit or two, leashes and coats hung by the back door, and it opened to several doors marked with purple nameplates.

Dread threatened to lock Olivia’s feet to the floor as Patrick headed for the door labeled QUARANTINE.

Run, run, run. Don’t let them lock him up. Tears stung her eyes instantly. She was certain she wasn’t getting through this without shedding a few but did her best to swallow them back. You know this is for the best. It’s his ticket into a loving home.