Watchdog by Laurien Berenson

about.”
    I nodded, keeping an eye on the ring over her shoulder. “Are you enjoying the show?”
    â€œIt’s great! My mom and I both came. She doesn’t care about the dogs, but she kind of has a thing for John. . . . ” Her face suffused with color and she quickly changed the subject. “That’s a Standard Poodle, right?”
    â€œRight. Her name’s Faith.”
    Hearing her name, the Poodle in question preened for effect.
    Kate stared at the elaborate trim and the dense coat of black hair now lacquered with hair spray into an upright position. “I never knew you could do stuff like that.”
    â€œI never did, either.” I laughed. “Actually, I’m still learning. I bet Wire Fox Terriers take a lot of grooming, too.”
    â€œThey do. John’s always out in the kennel working on his dogs. Right now, I mostly pick up the pens and play with the puppies, but someday John’s going to teach me all that stuff. He promised.”
    Faith shifted restlessly, and I slipped a piece of dried liver out of my pocket to give to her. In the ring the Standard Poodle Puppy Dog Class was just ending.
    â€œHey,” said Kate. “Was that your car I saw parked over at Haney’s General Store the other day? It looked like yours.”
    â€œMaybe. I was there on Wednesday.” I glanced around and saw that Sam had Davey and Tar settled in a chair by the ring. He was helping Peg slide her armband on. The entry in dogs wasn’t large and the judging was moving quickly.
    â€œThat was the day. Some friends and I went by on our bikes. They’re really tearing that old place apart, aren’t they?”
    â€œThat was the first step. Now they’re trying to put it back together. Do you live around there?”
    â€œTwo streets away. Mr. Haney used to sell penny candy. I was probably one of his best customers.”
    â€œReady?” Sam approached, holding out my armband. “It’s just about time.”
    â€œWow,” Kate breathed under her breath. “Who’s that?”
    Smiling, I introduced them. Sam had the same effect on Davey’s baby-sitters. Hell, who was I kidding? He had the same effect on me.
    Kate giggled her way through the introductions, and turned beet red when Sam held out his hand to shake hers. If she fainted, he was going to have to take care of it. The steward was announcing my class.
    Since Faith was the only one entered in the 12—18 Months Class, I wasn’t unduly impressed with the blue ribbon the judge handed us. “Stay around,” he told me, in case I didn’t know the routine. “You’ll be coming right back in.”
    Peg’s class followed mine and consisted of two bitches. I stood just outside the gate and watched. When I was in the ring, I felt awkward and clumsy. Aunt Peg handled Hope with skill and flair and made the job look easy.
    â€œWhen am I going to learn how to do it that well?” I asked Sam, who had come to stand beside me.
    â€œGive it time. Don’t forget, Peg’s been doing this for thirty years. Besides, I think you may have a shot at beating her today.”
    â€œYou do?”
    Sam nodded. “Did you see the way the judge went back and had another look at Hope’s chest?” He placed his hands between Faith’s front legs to demonstrate. “Hope is still narrow at this age. Her chest hasn’t dropped yet. Faith is much more developed. Didn’t you see him smile when he went over her front?”
    â€œNo,” I admitted. “I guess I was too busy resetting her hind legs.”
    â€œYou’ve got to keep your eye on the judge all the time. Watch where he is and what he’s doing. If he’s not worrying about Faith’s back legs, then you shouldn’t be, either.”
    â€œI know.”
    It was good advice, and Peg had said as much on several occasions. When I stood outside the ring, it all seemed possible.