Homecoming
Caitlyn could feel the dog shaking as the storm raged on. Jezabel was walking up to them now and all three were completely soaked. Caitlyn took the rope from jezabel and tied a quick loop knot at the end so she could create a makeshift collar and lead from it and edged her way to the entrance as jezabel headed off toward the kennels. They had installed a garage door at one end to make loading and unloading dogs easier. Before they had separated, Jezebel had told her she was going to open it to fit the dog inside. They had to get him out of the storm. He seemed calmer now, as if his aggressive attitude had simply been a show to protect himself.
Caitlyn inched into The Pen with him, whispering nonsense to try and keep him calm. Another crack of thunder and the dog jumped up and bolted at her. Caitlyn froze, the relaxed as the dog slid to a stop and gently pressed himself against her whimpering. She slowly moved the loop over his nose, the his neck and moved away. He stood and followed her, his massive side pressed against her.
She slowly led him towards the kennel, and into the door. He hesitated at the door, but another flash helped him make up his mind and he slid inside. Jezabel was nowhere to be seen but she had opened the gate on the first kennel and shut off the access to the outdoor lot. There was a towel hanging on the kennel gate and a blanket on the floor.
Both of them knew time was of the essence. Caitlyn led the big dog into the kennel and he moved into the corner on the blanket, laying down. She dropped the rope and grabbed the towel. Jezabel appeared again at the garage door and quietly closed it, motioning towards the front of the building. She would be waiting.
Caitlyn had been waiting to get her hands on the beautiful dog and she could hardly believe it now as she gently dried his fur. She pulled the rope away from him and dug into his thick fur to find a crude collar. It was thick, with a knot at one end. Frayed fibers led her to believe it had been a rope that had one been used in much the same way she had used her, but with less success. She went to the storeroom to locate something to cut it with, and removed it. Once it was cut away, she was horrified to see it had began to cut into his skin. She would have to treat that later, but for now she settled for drying him off. He seemed calmer inside, and had closed his eyes, enjoying her touch.
He was skinny, and could use a good brushing, but he seemed otherwise well. Who had left this pup to fend for himself? Caitlyn laid the now wet towel on the opposite side of the kennel and grabbed a new one from the storeroom. She laid it over the dog and sat down beside him, leaning against his side. She spoke to him softly, and his breathing became even and heavier. He had fallen asleep! Lulled by the gentle noise of rain as the storm began to die, and the steady rhythm of his chest against her back, Caitlyn fell asleep too.
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