Page 56 of DadBod
Ryann stares at Bernie, then glances at Charlie. “Abused?”
“Badly.”
“How?” Ryann’s voice has changed to something softer, huskier.
Bernie glances at me and back to Ryann. “Beaten, starved, left chained up for days, maybe weeks at a time.”
“Who would that?” Ryann squeaks.
“A monster,” Bernie growls.
“Are they in jail?”
“Our animal cruelty laws are, well, less than sufficient.”
Ryann squats down to peer into the cage. Charlie makes a soft growling noise but doesn’t move from his spot curled up in the corner of the crate. “What kind of dog is he?”
“A mix. He’s every dog in the rainbow.”
She’s still looking inside Charlie’s kennel. “Will he come out?”
“Doubtful. He’ll eat for us, but he hasn’t let anyone close yet.”
“He won’t get adopted today?”
“He’s not ready.”
“How long has he been with you?”
“Once the vet said he was well enough to come to us…” Bernie looks up like he’s giving this real thought. “I’d say he’s been with us for about two weeks now.”
“You want me to help here.” She points down. “In the special-needs tent?”
“Yes. I’d hoped you would.”
“Okay.” Ryann stands and places her hands on her hips. “What do I need to do?”
“I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Sherry.” He gestures to the woman sitting next to Helga. “Sherry, this is Ryann. She’s going to help you out today.”
“Great. Pick a pet. He or she will be yours for the day.”
I follow Bernie out of the tent but look back to see Ryann sitting next to Charlie’s crate. I watch as she pushes back the sheet just enough to see him. She says something to him, but I’m too far away to hear. Without moving his head, Charlie glances up at her but quickly looks away. “Poor dog,” I mumble to myself.
“I didn’t even tell her the worst of it.”
“Worse than the things you said before?”
“He was on death’s door. Open wounds from the beatings. There were…” Bernie looks at me like he’s not sure if he should say what he wants to say.
“What?”
“Maggots.”
“He had maggots on him?”
“He was literally on death’s door. They said one more day and he would have been gone.”
“That’s awful.” I can’t imagine treating an animal like that.
“You have no idea.”
I think I do, now.