In fact Andrea said We need to get back to the house I just got a text about a boy having trouble getting over feeling angry that his grandfather died He doesn’t let himself cry and won’t go visit the cemetery Nate sighed and looked toward the ground I don’t blame the kid for being angry Nate said I’m angry about my dad being so sick too I don’t want him to die Andrea put her arm on Nate’s Your dad is going to be okay she said I just know it Nate nodded That’s what the doctors say But I worry you know I do know Andrea said And any time you need to talk or hang out with Noodle stop by okay Petting Noodle helps a lot with worry It does Nate said She’ll be able to help that boy with his grief too She knows a thing or two about that right 7
Andrea smiled Yup Andrea said as she reached down to scratch me Noodle knows all about grief She’s had to grieve two families now Poor fuzzy girl Andrea reached down to scratch the fluff on the top of my head Yeah Nate said That’s the tree you planted in honor of her old man right Andrea looked over to the small maple tree growing between the giant elms and pines That’s the one Andrea said Curly keeps peeing on the plaque I think that’s how she honors his memory Nate laughed Yeah maybe he said But she’s been through so much and keeps on loving whoever she meets She’s a great role model Maybe not the part about peeing Andrea and Nate laughed A clock chime rang in the distance 8
Shoot Nate said It’s seven Better get back to my homework Thanks for chatting Bye Andrea Bye Noodle Let me know about dinner Andrea said Nate nodded and pet me one more time My tail swished and swished As we watched Nate walk away I smelled the smallest bit of skunk rising from the riverbanks I pulled toward the river but Andrea changed direction You heard me she laughed Gotta get back and see how we can help Gabriel We need to help him with his anger and his grief I could do that I may not be an actual full-blood poodle but I am an actual Helper Hound But that wasn’t the only reason Andrea was right I’ve loved and lost two families now I know how sad and scary that is Before we get to Gabriel let me tell you my story 9
CHAPTER 2 The dogs in the kennels around me barked I lifted my head off my cot I heard a man shuffling on the cement outside our gates I stretched and put my paws down on the cool kennel floor and took two quick sniffs to get more information Lemon Honey It smelled like the drink my boy’s mom used to bring him before bedtime to help him sleep when he got his coughs Poor Jimmy He had trouble breathing and he really wanted a dog Jimmy’s doctor said not to get him one because of Jimmy’s allergies But his mom and dad said every boy deserved a 10
