"And then you two will probably have to promise that you will keep him properly confined, or under control at all times. I know you've been really worried, Kathy, but we handle so-called vicious dogs a little differently here. If the owner will take responsibility, and can convince a judge that they are capable of properly handling the dog, then even if the bite wasn't clearly provoked the dog still might get to stay with the owners. On probation sort of — if he bites unprovoked again things will go differently. But both of you, and I, and Judge Ramirez, know that this was a good bite. Hero was doing his job, as he saw it. Po is a bad guy, a killer, and we all know that. It doesn’t hurt anything that you are the local Animal Control Officer. We could hardly find any one more clearly able to handle Hero correctly and insure his future behavior. Speaking of insurance, they might also require you to carry a liability policy that covers dog bites, too."
Kathy heaved a great sigh of relief and sat back in her chair, fighting the tears welling up in her eyes. Character witnesses, she chuckled, half the town of Columbus would probably line up to write a character statement for Hero. He probably had more friends than she did, after all, she was the dogcatcher.
Mateo Garcia had boldly stated that as far as he was concerned, Hero had probably saved his sisters life. True, Po probably wasn't going to kill her in the parking lot of the bodega that day. No — he probably had a lot worse in mind for her. Mateo had also reported that after Hero's attack, his sister had decided maybe it wasn't so cool to be bad. Not that she had stopped playing loud rap music in her room or anything, it wouldn't do for her pride to give it all up at once. But Mateo did say her grades had improved. And the Talons — well these days they called themselves a social club and had more study nights than parties.
Craig quietly stood up and made another plate — this one heaped with some prize steak scraps, and some quickly scrambled eggs with cheese. Without another word, he stepped outside with it and took it to Hero's kennel.
He didn't want the women watching him cry.
But, of course, his tears made Hero concerned. The big dog licked Craig's face until there were no more tears coming from his eyes. Instead he was laughing and hugging the big dog who had become his own. Ignoring the steak, Hero sat down and leaned into Craig with a deep sigh. He knew he was home and that his job now was to take care of this man.
Maybe tonight he would get to go inside and watch TV and have popcorn! He licked his chops in hopeful anticipation.
Craig misread it, and finally let go of the Shepard to push the plate of steak and eggs to him.
"Here you go, Hero. It's okay. It's for you. And maybe I can sneak you back into the house tonight. We'll have some popcorn!"
"Popcorn!” Hero thought — he recognized that word! With a big doggy grin and a wag of his soft tail, he dove into the steak and eggs with a will.
Epilogue
Casimiro Po, between physical evidence from the crime scene, testimony from a few brave witnesses, and a little bit because of Hero too, was sentenced to more than enough years to keep him in jail until he dies. With the help of the Garcias and other local families, as well as Mexican authorities, many of the remains were identified and returned to their families. Not all. The people of Columbus, NM put collection jars in the local eateries and businesses and raised enough to give the unknown women and girls a respectable burial in the graveyard maintained by the county with a nice monument by a local artist. The Tylers life returned to normal. And Hero got his popcorn.
Thank you for giving me a bit of your time and letting me tell you a story. I hope you enjoyed it.
I am a true “indie” author. I write because that’s what I do. I don’t make a living at it and probably never will, although I really appreciate every penny I do make at it. I don’t buy reviews and I won’t beg you for any. I don’t pay for advertising or promotion. I don’t do social media or newsletters. I’d rather be writing, drawing, or working on games or visual novels. I follow authors because I want to buy and read their books, not because I’m interested in their personal life – and I figure you probably do, too.
My name below links to my Amazon page where you can follow me and the good people at Amazon will let you know if I publish anything new. You can also support and follow me on my Patreon account, linked here. I like the Tylers and my imaginary version of Columbus, NM, so I think I’ll probably write more for this series. Hope to see you then!
Blessedbe
Summer Foovay
Serendipity (Animal Heros From The Land Of Manyana Book 1) Page 9
