Doggie Day Care Murder by Laurien Berenson Read Free Book Online Page B

one had taken the time to practice with him between sessions, much of what he’d learned in class hadn’t stuck.
    Now Berkley brushed his big butt briefly across the ground before using the position as a launching pad to spring back up in the air. I jerked back just in time. Otherwise the dog’s broad head might have broken my nose.
    â€œSorry about that.” Alice shortened the leash and hauled him back to her side. “He gets a little exuberant around people he likes.”
    As far as I could tell, Berkley liked everybody. Which made exuberance his way of life. Trying to hold him still, Alice looked a little desperate. She might have outweighed Berkley, but when it came to energy level, he definitely had her beat.
    â€œLet’s walk,” I proposed.
    When the Golden Retriever’s first step turned into a high-spirited lunge, I reached over and took the leash from Alice, giving it a little snap so that Berkley would know he’d changed handlers. His collar was made of thick, rolled leather, however, and I doubted he even felt the tug. Nevertheless, once we were moving, he was happy to accompany us. He matched his strides to ours and fell into step.
    â€œI’m thinking I’ll lie,” said Alice.
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œYou know, on the application for Pine Ridge? Whatever kinds of questions they ask about your dog’s behavior, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to tell some big, fat, whopping lies.” She sighed heavily. “I’m a terrible person, aren’t I?”
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding.”
    â€œNo,” Alice said sadly. “I’m pretty sure I’m terrible.”
    â€œNot about that, about the application.” I slowed my steps as Berkley paused to sniff an interesting tree. “Are you serious? I know you said there was a waiting list, but it never occurred to me that dogs actually had to apply to get in.”
    â€œThat’s what they told me on the phone. I’ve been worrying ever since that he wouldn’t get accepted.”
    It was bad enough that getting children into the right schools and activities was a trial. Who would have guessed that dogs had to be judged worthy as well?
    â€œNobody said anything about that to me when I was there,” I said. “And I met both the owners.”
    â€œSteve and Candy Pine, right? I saw their pictures in the brochure they sent. And of course everything seemed perfect on the web site. But how did the place look to you in person?”
    Berkley, having finished lifting his leg, took off down the sidewalk like a dog on a mission. I could have corrected him, but I figured power-walking probably burned off more calories than strolling. Beside us, Alice adjusted the length of her stride to keep up.
    â€œThere’s a little gray-and-white Lhasa Apso that lives right around the corner,” she said. “Her owner absolutely refuses to have her spayed. So twice a year, Berkley thinks he’s in love.”
    Luckily the Lhasa was nowhere in sight. Berkley slowed briefly, lifted his nose to sniff the air, then kept going.
    â€œI thought Pine Ridge looked great,” I said. “Much better than I was expecting. It doesn’t have the feel of a boarding kennel at all. And while some of the things they offer seemed a little over the top, I have to admit that the dogs I saw there looked pretty happy.”
    â€œGood.” Alice nodded. “Then it’s settled. I’ll download the forms from the web site and fill them out.”
    â€œNot so fast. Aunt Peg seems to think we need to make another visit. You know, so that we’re sure it’s the right place for him?”
    Alice didn’t bother to argue. She knew enough about my aunt to know that where dogs were concerned, her word was pretty much law.
    â€œI suppose I could find some free time tomorrow,” she said.
    â€œYou can fill out the application while you’re there.