Julienne laid on her couch, debating what to do tonight. Honestly, she had nothing to prepare since she had the things for her new dog already out. She had set up the perfect little bed in the corner. The walking harness was hanging up ready to be used for the first walk out in the morning. Honestly if she could go and get the sweet doggo tonight, she would. 

Sadly the appointment was tomorrow morning. And the foster folks were firm on making sure the dogs were only taken when expected, with the entire morning dedicated to helping the dog feel welcomed into its new home. That was why Julienne chose them. They tried to do what was best for each animal they took in. 

“What do you think, my little danger noodle?” Julienne said to her pet, who was happily eating his egg. “Should I find something to stream? Maybe some touching pet movies?”

Met with the sound of regurgitating egg shells, Julienne shrugged and turned the TV on to her favorite streaming service. This one had started getting some K-drama stuff. Maybe she should watch some to get a feel for what Hannah might be pulling from in her delusions. And if it somehow proved to be real, maybe knowing the tropes would help in real life. Julienne couldn’t help but chuckle at that thought. So would she be the fourth wall breaking character in that case? She hoped so. After all, who wouldn’t want to be that person?

She found one called ‘I Kept Regressing To Stop My Cruel Empress Mother-in-law’ and put it on. It certainly said what it was right off the bat. Maybe that was what was comforting about these sorts of stories. You had a solid idea of what to expect in part, but there was still room for surprises and twists. Even new takes on the tropes. In a time of an endless sea of choices for entertainment, it did help make the choice of what to watch a bit easier. Julienne figured she would be able to watch an episode or two before taking care of some other chores.

She thought.

One episode turned to two. Two became five. And before five could become anything past eight, Julienne’s phone suddenly started ringing. Just as the Empress was about to drown the female lead.

“Shit! Ok.” Julienne paused the stream and grabbed her still chiming away phone. “Hello, Dr. Fry. Who is this?”

And thanks for snapping me out of this… 50 episode binge?! She thought to herself as she scrolled through the playlist. And that was just season one of three.

The response came between choked sobs. “Hello Ms. Fry. This is the Whole Heart Foster Group. We have some sad news for you.” 

Julienne felt the world around her slow. “I ah, what’s wrong?”

“The sweet dog you were going to adopt, Silky? He has passed away.”

“I, what? But he seemed fine the other day.” Julienne looked at the harness she had purchased for him, hanging above his new bed. “I.. are you… I mean.”

“Yes. He had a stroke. We did what we could, but…” The voice trailed off. She chocked out another sob. “Would you like to come down and say goodbye?”

“I, of course. Sure. I um. I can bring his harness. Maybe you can use it for another dog that comes in.” 

“Only if you want, Ms. Fry. We will see you in a bit.” 

The phone disconnected as Julienne sat there, numb. Silky wasn’t her dog yet, but she had gotten to know him over the last three weeks. He was a sweetheart. They had bonded. He seemed so happy. His tail wagged so fast you could barely see it when she came. And now, just like that? He was gone. Before she could even bring him home.

Julienne took off her glasses for a moment, rubbing her eyes and slowly getting up. She’d bring the harness. At least some other family could use it.

***

The drive over was a blur. So was seeing Silky. By the time she left the room, Julienne was drying her tears, glasses in hand. The foster woman, Betty, was saying something and Julienne wasn’t fully processing it. She knew the hazard of adopting an older dog was less time. She needed to let herself feel these emotions and then work through the next steps.

It was ok to feel sorrow

It was ok to feel anger

It was ok to grieve

It was ok to… feel a dog headbutting her leg?

Julienne looked down and saw a small pug with half of one ear missing, some scars, and a tail so small it wasn’t wagging it, but its whole butt. It looked like a Brindle specifically based on the black ears, and masked with matching little stripes. Julienne knelt down, looking at the friendly pup. In addition to the half missing ear, it looked like it was blind in one eye, a scar cutting across it. The poor thing had been through some rough times.

“Hey there…” Before she could say another word, the pup shoved his head under her hand and started nuzzling it. 

“Oh, my.” Betty said softly, as if scared the scene would evaporate in a moment. “He hasn’t been like that with anyone. He’s been hiding away from all of our staff.” 

Betty knelt down with Julienne and went to offer him a pet as well. As soon as the hand started moving towards his little smooshed face, his little paws jerked into motion, skittering on the floor and running in a big circle away from Betty. He stopped and turned, looking at the confused pair. His little feet danced for a moment on the tile floor before running right back to Julienne. Before either could react he was biting on the sleeve of her jacket and started to try and pull the good doctor away from Betty.

Julienne couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh what a brave protector you are, sweet baby. I’m coming.”

“We were worried about him. We got little Peter here last week. He won’t eat around anyone. He wouldn’t let anyone touch him. We’ve only been able to give him a bath and a medical exam by slipping medication in his food.” Betty was slowly standing up, trying not to spook the poor dog.

Julienne looked into the dog’s good eye. She gently scratched him behind the ear, whispering. “I promise, we’re safe.”

Seeming to trust her, Peter suddenly let go of her jacket. His whole butt wiggled back and forth again as he headbutted his head into her legs once more. 

“You know,” Betty was getting paperwork. “We know you’ll be a good pet owner. And we’re worried Peter won’t get the treatments we’d normally offer before adoption while he’s with us.”

Julienne blinked, “I don’t know anything about this dog. We haven’t seen if he’ll like my apartment. Or my snake. Any of it.”

There was a sigh behind the stack of papers. “I know. I know this breaks the rules we set up. But this is extenuating circumstances. He was used in fights, which is already a hard match. He wasn’t mean enough. The only reason he’s not dead is he somehow got out and was part of a round up we helped with.”

This little guy? Used for fighting? He was far too sweet. As Julienne scratched him behind his ears, all she could see was a bright and happy little pup. Her apartment was a good size for a small dog like him. And she had gotten a dog treadmill to help with Silky. So he’d have something to run all his energy off on. 

“I don’t have the right size harness.” Julienne said hesitantly, “And I got the dog food for older dogs.”

“Promise to bring the food by tomorrow and we’ll send you with food for him. We estimate he’s about two. So you’ll have a long time with him.” Betty brought over the paperwork. “I think he could use you, if you think you can handle it right now.”

Julienne moved her hands off the sweet boy to start signing everything. This was stupid. There was such a huge risk. But little Peter here needed someone he trusted to take care of him. And he certainly seemed ready to try and return the favor. As she finished signing, Peter let out a small bark. She lowered the paperwork, and he was sitting there, looking up at her, panting. His butt still wiggling back and forth.

She chuckled. “Someone is a lil attention hog.”

“At least he is with someone.” Betty took the papers as she walked towards the supply closet. “Let me get everything and I’ll help get it to the car.”

“Thanks.” Julienne scratched under Peter’s chin, feeling some of the tears welling up again. “Sorry Peter. I’m glad you are coming but I’ll still miss Silky.”

In response, Peter simply fell hard onto his side, rolling over and exposing his stomach. 

His stomach had a brand. 

An eight. Or maybe it was…

 “An infinity symbol…?” She whispered to herself.

Didn’t Hannah say she’d get a dog with this symbol? How did she know? Julienne’s mind raced with questions as she gently rubbed the oblivious dog’s belly. How did Hannah know she’d be giving belly rubs to this exact dog? Taking home this dog and not the planned golden retriever who had never gotten a mark in his life?

Julienne was going to need to ask more questions as soon as possible. Starting tomorrow.