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She shook her head and stopped to cross the street. She was still on a tight budget until she got her first paycheck, but she could window shop. That was free and served as a distraction. While waiting for the light to turn, she glanced over at the building on the corner. There was an animal mural on the side. She shifted her gaze to the front window and started toward the door.
This was an epic distraction.
The minute Imogene walked in and was greeted with echoes of barking, she felt a silent calm wash over her. In all her time in Lawry, she hadn’t noticed the shelter. How did I miss this? She walked to the wall, reading the flyers of available animals.
Imogene, no!
She ignored the voice in her head, scanning over the animals in need of homes. It was spelled out in bold letters in her lease. NO PETS!
Where was the harm in looking? After the day she’d had, Imogene was in dire need of some innocence that only a dog or cat could provide. She wandered around the room, peeking through the glass window. It was wall to wall cages.
“Can I help you?”
Imogene turned, smiling at the redhead in purple scrubs approaching her.
“I’m just looking. Is that okay?”
The girl smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Absolutely. We’ve got a lot of sweet pups who are in need of loving.”
They did. Every cage was filled. It seemed the shelter was at full capacity. It was sad to think they were all in need of homes. While some played with toys and others napped, she caught a few pitifully staring out into the room. They looked lonely and sad. I know the feeling.
It was ironic. These animals were in need of love, and she had plenty to give. Imogene looked at the dogs. I wonder how firm the no pets rule is. It was an asinine thought considering she wasn’t even allowed guests. Imogene usually followed the laws and rules. It wasn’t to say she didn’t bend them every so often, but she tried her best. Would this be considered a break or a bend?
“If you see one you like, I can put you in a room, and you can spend time with him or her.”
A dog was out of the question. They needed sunshine and walks, freedom to stretch their legs and run. Besides, the barking would be hard to hide.
“Unfortunately, with my job, I don’t think I’d have the necessary time to give.” Imogene sighed. “If I’m being honest, I don’t know if I’d be getting a pet for the right reasons.”
The woman leaned against the wall. “What’s your reason?”
“Companionship. I just moved here and don’t really know anyone, and…”
Her gaze softened. “Lonely?”
Imogene scanned the puppies vying for her attention and muttered, “Yes.”
The woman pushed off the wall and stood shoulder to shoulder with Imogene, facing the window. “Do you promise to give them a good home, love them, and take care of them?”
Imogene nodded, still focused on the dogs.
“Then they don’t care what your reason is.”
Imogene glanced over at the woman, smiling.
“But if time is an issue, we’ve got lots of cats. They’re lower maintenance. You don’t have to walk them, and from my experience, they enjoy their time alone too.”
And they’re easy to conceal.
“I like cats. I grew up on my grandparents farm and they had a ton of barn cats. I loved playing with them.”
The woman’s eyes lit up, and she waved. “Come with me.”
Imogene followed her down a long hall, peering through the window to the room with the cats, smiling at the sign, Catland. It was fitting.
They had plenty of cats ranging in ages, breeds, and colors. Imogene walked the room, stopping at each cage offering pets and soft words. I’d take them all if I could.
When she got to the far end of the room, she noticed a separate hallway. “What’s in there?”
