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“This is Jade, one of our longest serving team members,” Margaret said. “Jade, this is Amelia, and of course, you already know Neil.”
Jade stood to greet us. “Hey.” She beamed.
“Jade will show you around and assign your tasks for the day,” Margaret said before retreating back to reception.
“Let’s get you started,” Jade said. “I’m going to put you both on canine today, since that’s what Neil has the most experience with, and we need a lot of help. We’ll start with a tour, then I’ll introduce you to some of our dogs. They’ll be excited to get some attention.”
Jade showed us around the kennels, infirmary, grooming room, and indoor and outdoor play areas. The shelter housed around thirty dogs, mostly larger, mixed breeds.
Jade led us to a row of kennels. The dogs erupted into eager barks and whimpers at our arrival. I cooed at a dog with a fluffy coat as it strained against the gate of its pen. Neil watched on with a hint of a smile.
“Let’s take a few of them out to the field so you can get acquainted,” Jade said.
Neil and I put on our rain jackets and gumboots before going outside. In the grassy field, moist with continued drizzle, Jade released six dogs of various sizes and breeds. They frolicked around us, vying for head pats and belly rubs. A black Labrador nuzzled at my hands until I gave her the attention she desired. Meanwhile, Neil stood back, allowing the dogs to come to him. A pair of pit bulls arrived at his feet, tails wagging. Neil rewarded them with gentle strokes along their backs.
While the dogs familiarised themselves with us, Jade fetched a bunch of leads.
“Time for the fun part,” she said upon her return. “Walking the dogs. Do you have any experience with walking dogs, Amelia?”
“No, I must admit I don’t.”
“Don’t worry.” She clipped leads onto the collars of two terriers with perky ears and button noses. “I’m sure you can handle these little ones.”
I felt the excited dogs yank the leads as she passed them to me. I tightened my grip.
Next, she leashed the four largest dogs and passed the reins to Neil. “Since you have more experience, you can take this rowdy group.”
Neil nodded. “Not a problem.”
“There are doggy-doo bags on the leads and rubbish bins situated around the track. Give the small dogs at least two laps around the trail, and the big dogs will need at least three.”
Jade flicked up the latch on the gate and opened it, revealing a walking trail which looped around the perimeter of the property. I wrangled my yappy pair through the gate, Neil and his pack following behind me.
“Have fun!” Jade said as she closed the gate behind us.
The rain continued, dusting my jacket with glistening beads of water. The ground was slick with mud under my boots. Neil’s group of large dogs dragged him along with boisterous energy. Within seconds, they were far ahead, disappearing from view into the trees. I took my time with the small dogs, letting them sniff and explore at their own meandering pace, their paws leaving dainty prints in the mud.
I completed one lap of the track with no issues apart from the expected task of having to pick up and dispose of dog poo. But on my second lap, I came into trouble.
One dog veered from the path, nose to the ground. I stepped sideways to follow its lead, my foot landing in a patch of sloppy mud. My boot sank in up to the ankle. I tried to take another step but lost my balance, toppling backwards into the mud. My clothes soaked through in an instant.
The cheeky dog stared at me, head cocked. Its shiny coat was pristine compared to my muddy state.
“Why, you little…” I muttered, scrambling to stand.
The other dog let out a sneeze, as if laughing at my mishap. I grimaced.
Squelching footsteps approached. Neil emerged through the trees, the dogs at the ends of his leads tugging him along. He surveyed me up and down, eyes gleaming with mirth. “What happened to you?”
“Oh, shut up,” I snapped, cheeks burning. “One of these dogs led me off the path.”
Neil bit his lip, holding back a grin. “Do you want me to take over with these two?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Neil stepped closer. “You know, it’s not too late to admit defeat, call it quits?—”
“Absolutely not!” I huffed.
