The guy looks around at everyone, and calls his dog over. The dog cowers on the ground, but won’t go to him. “Come here, boy,” I say as I crouch toward him. Zhen stands still between the man and me, and the other dog comes to me. “Have him, he’s a dumb mutt anyway.” The guy turns, and jogs out of the park, obviously trying to get out of here before the police show up.
The dog whimpers beside me as he lays on the ground.
“Hey there. Are you okay?” I ask softly, patting him on the head.
The guy takes off quickly, spinning out his tires as he leaves.
“Oh my God, that was so brave of you,” a woman says.
“I couldn’t just stand there watching him beat his dog,” I reply. But the delayed shock of it is making me tremble.
Zhen smells the other dog’s butt, the other dog smells Zhen’s. “Looks like you have a new dog.” She looks over her shoulder, and sees her husband waving his phone at her. “Good. My husband got that guy’s tags. We’ll report him to the police when they arrive.”
“He shouldn’t have any animals. Why would you do that?”
She shrugs. “We’ll wait with you until the police come.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Zhen and the other dog walk together around the park. I have a little laugh. “Don’t they look like they’re friends who are talking?” she asks.
“They do. I’m not sure how my parents are going to take me bringing another dog home. I suppose we’ll soon see. I think I’ll take him to the vet, get him checked out first. He looks a bit underweight.”
“Makes you wonder why that guy would bring his dog to a dog park if he would publicly mistreats it. What makes people do that? Probably drugs.”
I gasp, and look around me. Placing my hand to my heart, I can feel it fiercely throbbing in my chest. That damned bunny comes forward again.
“Are you okay?” the woman asks.
I’m stuck, unable to think a coherent thought, let alone a sentence.
Zhen appears beside me, and he nudges me with his head. The other dog, sits on my other side.
“What was that?” I whisper.
“Hey, are you okay? You’ve gone all white,” the woman asks. “Do you need some water?”
“No, I’m um, I’m okay.” I shake my head, trying to dislodge the image of the bunny.
It wasn’t pleasant. The bunny was old and tattered. Darkness surrounded it, not happiness. It’s probably impact from the shock.
“Police are here,” the woman says.
The image has left a sour feeling rumbling in my stomach. There’s something sinister about it, but I can’t put my finger on it.
The police walk into the dog park, and I stand back, letting the woman and her husband explain what happened. Zhen and the other dog are now playing together.
I give my statement to the police, but keep an eye on the dogs, still being distracted by that image of the bunny. I don’t know what’s happening. It’s like a blur. Everyone’s talking, the dogs are having fun, and I’m under a veil of heaviness I can’t explain.
“We’ll follow up with this, and if there’s anything we need, we’ll be in touch,” one of the police officers says. They both walk out of the park.
“You were so brave,” the woman says again.
“Thank you.” I smile. Turning, I whistle for Zhen, and both dogs trot toward me. “Come on, new guy. I’ll take you to the vet and see what he has to say.”
Both dogs walk together brilliantly, like they’re life-long friends. Zhen jumps in first, then the other dog. I get in the car, start it and head back to the vet.
Once inside, the receptionist looks up and does a double take. “You’re back?”
“I’ve got an extra dog.”
She peers over the counter and smiles. “Where did you come from, buddy?”
“I kind of rescued him. Long story short, there was a guy at the dog park who was beating him.”
“Oh,” she gasps, her mouth falling open in shock.
“I know. Anyway, do you think Michael has time to check him out, please?”
She looks at the computer, checks her watch, then back to the computer. “Yeah, he’s got a patient in there with him now, but he should be able to squeeze you in straight after.”
“Thanks, you’re a life saver.”
She looks at me and smiles. “In this case, I think you’re the life saver.”
I hear the door open to Michael’s room, and a woman walks out holding a pillowcase. I see whatever is inside the pillowcase, moving. Or should I say, slithering.
“Yuck,” I grumble as a chill runs over my spine. Zhen turns to look at me. “It’s okay,” I say and pet him.
“Molly, you’re back already?” Michael asks.
“I have someone I’d like you to look over to make sure he’s okay.”
“Then come in.” The other dog is so placid, and gentle. He just follows Zhen, and Zhen follows me. “What’s happening?” Michael asks.
I give him a rundown on how I came into possession of this dog.
“Poor, dog. But, I’m glad he found you. Alright, let’s get you up on the table.” He picks the dog up, and gives him a thorough examination. He takes some x-rays and checks everything.
It feels like we’ve been in here for an hour by the time Michael has finished. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fairly healthy, considering what you told me. He’s definitely underweight though, so he needs some tender loving care, and a lot of food. I have no idea if he’s had his vaccines though.”
“Can we give them to him again? Will that be too much if he has had them?”
“No, not really. But judging by what you’ve said, I doubt he’s been taken care of. He needs a wash. He’s got fleas, and he stinks.” Yeah, he does. I have to agree on that.
“What kind of dog is he?”
“He’s definitely got boxer in him, but as far as the any other breed, I have no idea. He’s not a pure bred. I hate to say it, but he could’ve come from a puppy mill.”
My stomach churns with disgust. “I hate when people are cruel.”
“What do you want to do? You can surrender the dog to me if you don’t want him, but I can’t guarantee we’ll find him a home.”
“No, I’m taking him. Give him his vaccines, and I’ll get him cleaned up.”
Michael smiles, and heads out of the room. Zhen is relaxed beside me, while the other dog anxiously pants. Michael returns and places the kidney tray on the counter. “So what are you going to call him?”
I shrug. “No idea.”
“He’s a pretty good boy, considering I assume he’s come from a fairly hard life.” He pinches the skin on the back of his neck, and injects him with the vaccines. The dog whimpers. “It wouldn’t surprise me if the guy who hurt him was some kind of drug addict. I see it a lot with abandoned or mistreated animals. Some are even given drugs or used for target practice. The things I’ve seen are horrible. Unfortunately, not all can be saved.”
“Please, don’t say any more. I don’t think I can take it. Animal abuse is a… it’s…” I shake my head, my heart bleeding with sorrow. “It’s beyond disgusting. I wish I had a stronger word for it.”