The Case of the Abandoned Aussie

by B R Snow

  “He’s magnificent,” Josie said.

  “Are you referring to him or the dog?”

  “What dog?” Josie asked.

  I stared at her. It didn’t happen very often. In fact, I’d only see it three times before. But there was no mistaking what I was witnessing. Josie’s motor was running full throttle.

  “You said he’s famous?” she said, unable to take her eyes off the man who continued to make his way across the lawn.

  “He’s a musician originally from the area. Do you remember the band Life’s Eclectic Nightmare?”

  “LEN? Sure, I remember them. Aren’t they the ones who died in a boating accident?”

  “Everyone in the band except for one member. That’s him,” I said, waving to him.

  “What’s he doing here?” Josie said, clambering out of her lounge chair to stand next to me.

  “He’s got an island a couple of miles downriver. He tries to get to the River each summer, but I haven’t seen him around this year.”

  “You know this man?” Josie asked, staring at me.

  “Sure, I’ve known him for years,” I said, shrugging. “He was ahead of me at school, but he’s pretty tight with my mom. I had such a crush on him when I was younger.”

  “I’d be shocked if you hadn’t,” Josie said.

  Murray spotted me and made a beeline for us. Chloe, completely unsure about what to do about the massive beast, barked, and then sat down near my feet and cocked her head. Murray stood on his back legs and gently placed his front paws on my shoulders.

  “Hello, Murray,” I said, vigorously rubbing his massive head.

  Murray glanced down and spotted Chloe. They spent the next few minutes checking each other out, decided they liked each other and began playing and rolling in the grass.

  “What a great dog,” Josie said, apparently noticing the gigantic beast for the first time.

  “Hi, Suzy. So good to see you.”

  “Hi, Summerman,” I said, giving him a hug. “Where have you been all summer?”

  “It’s a long story,” he said.

  “All the good ones are,” I said.

  “Yeah, you’re right. I spent most of the summer bouncing back and forth between Vegas and China.”

  “Well, I’m glad you made it here today,” I said.

  “John’s making me sing for my supper,” he said, laughing. “But for you and your rescue program, I’m happy to do it.”

  “You’re going to play?” I said. “That’s great.”

  I felt a small kick on my ankle and heard Josie’s soft cough.

  “Summerman, I’d like you to meet my best friend and business partner, Josie.”

  “Oh, yes. You’re the vet I’ve heard so much about,” he said, extending his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Josie said.

  I glanced at the expression on her face and shook my head.

  “Do I need to get the hose?” I whispered.

  “I’m a huge fan,” she said, ignoring me.

  I grinned and glanced down at the lawn to hide it. Josie was gushing, and I made a mental note to remind her about it later. And the only thing that was huge around here at the moment, apart from Murray, was the lie she’d just told him. Josie spent about as much time listening to music as I did eating fish.

  “Tell me about this magnificent animal,” Josie said, kneeling to rub Murray’s head. “A Newfie, Golden Retriever mix, right?”

  “Very good. Most people don’t get it on their first guess.”

  “Well, I’m a vet, so…”

  “Interesting,” Summerman said, studying Josie closely.

  I’m sure he thought Josie was incredibly interesting, but he was playing it very cool. Josie was so used to deflecting the attentions of men she didn’t find interesting, now that she was playing the role of pursuer and not getting the reaction she might have expected, she seemed unsure of herself. So for the moment Josie continued to focus on the dog.

  When in doubt, play to your strengths.

  “The woman who breeds them, calls them Goldenlands,” Summerman said.

  “I’ve never seen one,” Josie said, putting Murray into a leg kicking trance as she scratched his stomach. “In fact, I’ve never even heard of the breed.”

  “Yeah, I’m not big on sharing them,” he said, petting Chloe.

  Josie, confused, stared at him. It was the first time any expression other than unbridled lust had crossed her face for several minutes.

  “I own all of them,” he continued.

  “I don’t understand,” Josie said. “You own the entire breed?”

  “The breeder is the only one I’ve found anywhere, so I pay her a lot of money to take care of all of them and keep them off the market. Except for the one that’s currently under your spell,” he said, laughing. “Consider yourself lucky, Murray. I’d need to have four legs to get one of those.”

  “Don’t bet on it,” I whispered, then flinched from the quick punch to my knee Josie delivered.

  “Most rock stars collect things like houses and cars,” he said. “I collect these guys. Weird, huh?”

  “Maybe a little,” I said. “But if you ever change your mind, I’ll be more than happy to take a couple off your hands.”

  “I don’t know if my breeder friend would appreciate that. She’s pretty happy spending all day surrounded by unconditional love. But I’m sure I don’t have to explain that to you guys.”

  “No,” I said, nodding. “We get that one. Right, Josie?”

  “Huh?” she said. “Oh, absolutely.”

  “Look, I need to run,” Summerman said. “I need to do a quick sound check. But maybe I’ll see you guys later.”

  “Absolutely,” Josie said. “Maybe you could come over to the house for dinner sometime.”

  “I’d love too,” he said. “But Murray and I are heading off tonight.”

  “Some people,” I said, laughing. “The first day of fall arrives, and you’re out of here like you got shot from a cannon.”

  “Well, Murray and I have a travel commitment we can’t miss. Isn’t that right, Murray?”

  Murray woofed, and I swear he nodded his head.

  “Okay,” Summerman said. “I’ll see you later. Suzy, great seeing you as always.”

  I moved in to accept his hug.

  “Josie, it’s been a pleasure meeting you,” he said, extending his hand.

  “Absolutely,” she said, returning the handshake.

  “You ready, Murray? Let’s go see if we can find you a snack.”

  We returned his wave and watched them make their way back across the lawn. I snapped my fingers in front of Josie’s face.

  “Wow,” she said, continuing to stare at them. “Is it my imagination or did I just make a complete fool of myself?”

  “Absolutely,” I said, laughing.

  “Yeah, I was kind of repeating myself for a while there wasn’t I?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Shut up,” Josie said. Then she laughed and shook her head. “And to think I was beginning to wonder if my motor was still working.”

  “I’d say it’s working fine,” I said. “For a teenage girl anyway.”

  “Was I that bad?”

  “Absolutely deplorable,” I said, unable to stop laughing. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “Woof.”