9780008390662

pauses in the doorway. “I thought we were turning people away.”
“People, yes,” says Cowboy. “But this pup came solo.”
“Tick-tock, folks,” says an older, ruddy-faced officer. He’s holding a radio in
one hand and a flashlight in the other. “You are running out of time.”
“We hear ya. But first we’ve got to move everybody who’s lower level.”
Boots sighs. “Last hurricane we had two feet to deal with. I swear they’re
getting worse.”
“Climate change,” says the officer. “What’re ya gonna do?”
“More than we’re doin’,” says Boots. “That much is for sure.”
“I’ll move the dogs from room two,” Cowboy offers. “There are only a
couple on the bottom level. We’re outa cages, though. We’ll have to double
up.”
“Put that little female in with the new guy,” says Boots. “They look like
twins.”
I’m shivering. And it’s not because I’m cold.
I press my hurt nose to the metal bars.
I smell something. I do.
I hear something. I do.
Cowboy returns, dog in arms.
A bark.
That bark.
The door to my cage opens.
“Hey,” I say automatically, even as my heart is already whispering the truth