A Brush with Death: A Penny Brannigan Mystery - By Elizabeth J. Duncan Page 0,26
get you out so we can take a good look at you.”
He lifted the shivering animal from the basket and gestured to Reverend Evans to pull the basket out of the way.
Jones held up his stethoscope and set it against the dog’s chest. He inclined his head as he listened and then straightened. He ran his hands gently down the dog’s side and then felt each limb.
He stood back and crossed his arms.
“This little fellow has been neglected and he’s severely malnourished,” he said. “But I don’t think anything’s broken, and with proper care he should be right as rain in no time.”
He directed a question to Bronwyn. “How did you come to have him?”
“I found him in the churchyard,” she replied, “behind a tombstone. He was very wet. Had he been in the river, do you think?”
The vet nodded. “It’s possible, I’m afraid, that someone tried to drown him. There’s a bit of rope here attached to his collar. It might have had a weight attached to it. Unfortunately, this is not the first case like this I’ve seen lately.”
“Oh dear Lord,” exclaimed the rector. “How on earth could anyone hurt a poor little creature like this?”
“I ask myself that very question every time I see an abused animal,” said Jones. “Well, I think we have to figure out what to do next. This dog has been neglected and abused for some time, so there’s certainly no point in trying to find the owner, but it won’t be difficult finding a permanent home for him.
“I don’t suppose you know anyone who’d welcome a little chap into the family, do you?”
The couple looked at each other.
“Well, with our busy schedules we don’t really have time to look after a dog,” the rector said. “Parish business and all that.”
Bronwyn shot him a glance and touched his arm.
“But perhaps we might just take him home with us now and nurse him back to health . . .”
“That’s an excellent idea,” agreed the vet. “And please bring him back in about a week or so and let me see how he’s getting on. And of course, call me if he’s not progressing as well as you think he should.”
“Should we do anything special for him?” asked Bronwyn. “Food or anything like that?”
“Well, I reckon he’s about two years old,” said Jones, “so he can manage adult food. Start him off slowly with some high-quality kibble mixed with warm water to soften it, then some rice added. We’ll give you some free samples of the right sort of food to get you started. And make sure he always has water available.”
The rector placed the basket on the table, and Jones expertly lowered the dog into it. The rector glanced at the dog and then turned to the vet.
“What kind of dog would you say he is?”
“Oh, there’s no doubt about that,” replied the vet. “He’s a cairn terrier. A wee Scottish fellow.”
Nine
Victoria had reminded Penny that Eirlys, the daughter of the family with whom she had stayed earlier that year, who was hoping to be taken on as a junior, was coming in for an interview at lunchtime.
Just before noon the door opened and a young woman with long dark hair clipped jauntily on top of her head, leaving a few bobbing, youthful wisps, slipped quietly into the salon. Penny’s client turned to see who had just arrived and broke into a broad smile.
“Eirlys, love! It’s grand to see you. How are your mum and dad?”
That does it, thought Penny. We’re having her.
Forty-five minutes later, with her duties and hours of work explained and a training scheme agreed to, Eirlys bounded happily out of the salon, leaving Victoria and Penny to head upstairs to Victoria’s flat for a quick lunch.
“What did I tell you!” exclaimed Victoria as they entered the small, neat sitting room.
“Yes, you were right,” Penny agreed. “I could feel the atmosphere change as soon as she walked into the room. Of course, with that gorgeous dark hair and blue eyes, she’s a scene stealer.”
She made a quick pointing gesture at Victoria. “That’s it! Of course! I was trying to think who she reminded me of and it’s Catherine Zeta-Jones.
“Anyway, I really hope this works out as well as I think it’s going to. Do you know, she even asked me if she could wear a smock, as she thinks it looks more professional. Do you think she might have seen that in a movie?”