under the dog’s bulk. “Wow, this is one big boy,” she gasped as they shuffled sideways to clear the sides of the wagon.
“Yeah, he is solid muscle. Only good thing about some of the fighting dogs is that they are fed the best food to keep them fit and strong.”
Yeah, solid was a damn good way to describe the heavy beast.
“Ready to lower him to the bed?”
“Uh, yes. And I think I need to bump up my workouts.”
Laughing, David nodded. “I hear that.”
As best she could, she bent her knees to keep from wrenching her back while they set the dog on the plush bed. He let out a little sigh as though he already felt more comfortable. She sure hoped her home could provide some measure of ease for the poor guy.
“There you go, buddy. We’re gonna take good care of you.” Brooke ran her hand over his massive rump once before straightening. She ignored the cracking of her knees and the slight ache in her back. At forty-one, she wasn’t close to old, but she certainly didn’t feel as limber as she once did. “I wonder what his name is.”
David shrugged. “Don’t think we’ll ever know that. He’s not chipped and didn’t have a collar.” He brushed his hands on his jeans then grabbed the wagon handle. “Okay, I’ll be back later to check him over and give him his meds. Depending on how alert and agitated he is, I might need some help subduing him.”
“I’ve got a few trainings later this morning, but I should be home by three the latest.”
“Okay. Good if I swing by around four?” He pulled his ballcap off and ran his hand through his sweaty red hair.
“As long as you bring Nancy this time. You know she’s the only reason I tolerate you, right?”
Laughing, he shut the shed door started back around the house with her at his side. “Trust me, she’s the only reason I tolerate myself most days.”
“Phew.” Brooke fanned herself. “Sweating already. Gonna be a scorcher today.”
“Make sure you hydrate while you’re running around with the pups all day.”
“Yes, Doc, I will. Speaking of hydrate, you and Nance wanna stick around for a drink or two tonight?”
“You bet.” He collapsed the wagon then shoved it in the back of his large SUV. “See you at four?”
“I’ll be here.”
Brooke stood in the driveway and waved as he drove off. He and Nance only lived about two miles away. When the trip wouldn’t melt her face off, she loved to take Ray and jog over for a visit.
Once David’s car was out of sight, she sighed. As much as she’d love to head inside and luxuriate over a second cup of coffee, there were chores waiting. Dogs to feed, kennels to clean, and clients to visit.
Opening the front door, she called out, “Come on, Ray.” Her faithful buddy trotted out the door and toward the gate leading to the backyard. He knew the routine. They’d been at it long enough.
As Brooke went about feeding the four dogs she was currently fostering, her mind drifted to the wounded pup sleeping away in the quarantine kennel.
She had a soft spot ten miles wide for all dogs, but the abused and neglected ones spoke to her heart. Even as injured as the Cane Corso appeared, the wounds on the outside of his body would heal with time and proper care. It was the ones on the inside that took longer if they ever fully went away.
She knew that firsthand. Even after years of therapy, she still had internal wounds that felt gaping at times. Animals didn’t have the benefit of being able to talk through their trauma, and have someone tell them what they were feeling was not only okay, but it was also normal. She understood the agony of keeping the pain deep inside as well. It’d been a long time before she’d opened up and sought help for her own suffering.
In more ways than one, she felt a kinship with these mistreated and abandoned animals. And if all she could do was give them a safe place to stay, food to fill their bellies, and lots of love, she’d damn well do it.
Though in this case, maybe there was something to be done. Something that could prevent more gravely injured animals from ending up on the side of the road.
And the first step involved some research time on her laptop.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE SECOND CURLY stepped foot in the tire shop, it was as