Attorney-at-Paw E-Book

Diane Wing

• Herausgeber: Modern History Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 292

Beschreibung

Only Chrissy, a cute little Shih Tzu, can unlock this mystery!
Autumn Clarke survived the car crash that killed her parents. To help her cope with PTSD, she adopts Chrissy, a Shih Tzu with a remarkable secret. Chrissy is also the only witness to the mysterious death of her pet parent. Autumn vows to find the truth behind his death with the help of Chrissy, the neighbors and an attractive detective. Can Autumn unravel the clues while trying to heal Chrissy's trauma and overcome her own devastating emotional wounds in the midst of a dangerous murder investigation?
"Chrissy the Shih Tzu may be the cutest sleuth on the job, but don't let that button nose fool you--it's perfectly able to sniff out a killer with a little help from her human friends. Great start to a fun new series!"
--Sheila Webster Boneham, Author of the award-winning Animals in Focus Mysteries
"Diane Wing does an excellent job of showing readers just how animals can communicate with us through images and actions when we are tuned into their frequency. Through the relationship between Autumn and Chrissy, Wing also shows the importance of therapy animals and how much they can help those who need them. Add in a sweet romance to the intrigue of the mystery and you've got a book that you won't want to put down."
--Melissa Alvarez, Intuitive, animal communicator and author of Animal Frequency and Llewellyn's Little Book of Spirit Animals
"Diane Wing has created a wonderfully endearing little character in Chrissy the Shih Tzu. It really shines through that the author is an animal and dog lover. I can see these books quickly becoming a cherished addition to the cozy mystery genre."
--J. New, author of The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries
FIC022110 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Cats & Dog
From Modern History Press

Leseprobe

Readers’ Praise for Attorney-At-Paw

When Chrissy’s daddy is found dead, the little dog is sent off to the animal shelter. Enter Autumn Clarke, a sufferer of PTSD who needs help with panic attacks. Chrissy helps her new mommy and Autumn decides that for her to give Chrissy the help she needs, they need to find out who killed her daddy. Enter Detective Raymond Reed. The three, plus Ray’s dog Ace, solve the clues and find the murderer. I was kept guessing until the end, changing my mind several times as to the guilty party. Attorney-at-Paw is a fun read and a mind stretcher.

—Carla Jo Worth

Loved it! Dogs do indeed have a way of communicating with us that is hard to believe. The two I live with have lowered my blood pressure so that I don’t have to take medication for it any longer. It was a joy to read.

—Cathy Ott

This was a lovely and enjoyable read! Diane Wing’s descriptions are so vivid you can easily visualize and feel what is happening. Her characters are multidimensional and relatable. Looking forward to future adventures with Chrissy and Autumn!

—Judy Levin

Diane has created a heartwarming read for sleuths and dog lovers alike. The story underscores that when one door closes, another door often opens without one realizing it. Love is the greatest healer of all pain. After finding and healing each other, Autumn and Chrissy spread love wherever they go while providing healings and even solving a murder. This book is a quick read that holds your attention and resonates long after you have read the last sentence. If you liked the Nancy Drew series, you will LOVE the adventures of Autumn and Chrissy!

—Monique Chapman

Attorney-at-Paw is a mystery with heart. A quick, fun read, filled with warmth and suspense. Stands with anything from the Hallmark Channel. Not just for dog lovers.

—Tim W. Burke

Attorney-at-Paw is a sure bet for those who love dogs and mysteries. While the genre is not one that I usually read, I’m always looking for a book with a canine hero/heroine. Chrissy fits the bill! Looking forward to the next edition of Chrissy’s mysteries.

—Steven Cohen

I loved this book!! As I read, I felt the bond between Chrissy and her new pet parent. As a pet parent to a Shih Tzu, Ms. Wing has captured the magic and uncanny intelligence of this breed. I loved the locality to the Philadelphia/Bucks County area. I truly appreciated the omission of foul language and intimate sexual suggestion. This book is an easy read and a perfect introduction to continued writings. Very much looking forward to the next installment!

—Joann Schlindwein

I’m a sucker for a good dog book. Generally, I like to read hardboiled thrillers. But when a good author places a dog on center stage, I can’t resist. Attorney-at-Paw: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Mystery is a fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But, what can I say? Who wouldn’t like Chrissy?

—Michael Carrier

A fun read: Rin Tin Tin and Lassie would give this murder mystery 4.5 to 5 barks. It’s an easy read that starts out a little slow with a great deal of detail as background and foreground. The plot takes several twists and turns as Chrissy communicates hints - in some surprising ways - from her low point of view. Kids 10 and older will enjoy this book. A must read if you, a loved one, or your friend have had to deal with PTSD.

—Charlie (via Amazon)

I love cozy mysteries and this one was a delightful read. Two lonely beings (one human and one adorable canine) are brought together by recent tragedies in their lives. They bond right away and help each other heal by solving a mystery together. The telepathic visions are an unexpected touch. Looking forward to more Autumn & Chrissy mysteries from this author.

—L. M. Spaeth

Chrissy, a Shih Tzu, might be small, but she’s protective of her now-dead master. A detective on the scene goes and gets his partner out of the car – Ace, a German Shepherd, who takes over and gets Chrissy to move. Detective Reed would like to keep her, and it was pulling on his heartstrings. Instead, he arranges for her to go to a no-kill shelter. Autumn needed to open herself to love again and heads out to adopt one small dog. As she looked at the dogs, the desperation in their barks reminded her of a fatal accident. One look at Chrissy’s dark, sad eyes and Autumn knew she’d be going home with her. The newspaper tells the story and the dog is the only witness, it seems. Autumn decides to look into it and crosses the path of the detective. A very different type of plot, and very well done. The way the clues are revealed is intriguing. I will look for more by this talented author.

—Ellen Oceanside

Attorney-at-Paw

A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Mystery

Diane Wing

Modern History PressAnn Arbor, MI

Attorney-at-Paw: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Mystery

Copyright © 2018 by Diane Wing. All Rights Reserved.

2nd Printing November 2018.

Learn more at www.DianeWingAuthor.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Wing, Diane, 1959- author.

Title: Attorney-at-paw : a Chrissy the Shih Tzu mystery / by diane Wing.

Description: Ann Arbor, MI : Modern History Press, [2018] | Series: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu mysteries ; book 1.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018029880 (print) | LCCN 2018031954 (ebook) | ISBN 9781615993987 (Kindle, ePub, pdf) | ISBN 9781615993963 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781615993970 (hardcover : alk. paper)

Subjects: | GSAFD: Suspense fiction.

Classification: LCC PS3623.I652 (ebook) | LCC PS3623.I652 A88 2018 (print) | DDC 813/.6--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018029880

Published by

Modern History Press

5145 Pontiac Trail

Ann Arbor, MI

www.ModernHistoryPress.com

[email protected]

tollfree 888-761-6268

fax [phone]

Distributed by Ingram Book Group (USA/CAN/AU), Bertram’s Books (UK/EU)

This book is dedicated to my miracle puppy, Chrissy;

We helped each other heal after we lost my brother

Also by Diane Wing….

Fiction

Coven: The Scrolls of the Four Winds

Thorne Manor and other bizarre tales

Trips to the Edge

Non-fiction

The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment

The True Nature of Energy: Transforming Anxiety into Tranquility

The Happiness Perspective: Seeing Your Life Differently

Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

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The Dog-eared Diary: A Chrissy the Shih Tzu Mystery

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About the Author

Acknowledgments

If you read like I do, you hear the words spoken in your head. As you come across the word “Shih Tzu,” please note that it is pronounced sheedzoo, rather than the usual mispronunciation using a word that implies poo. In doing so, you’ll become part of the movement to correct this long-standing misnomer and celebrated by Shih Tzus worldwide.

I had loads of loving help in crafting this story. I extend special thanks to my neighbor Steve, the pet parent to Chrissy’s real-life best friend, the standard poodle, Miki, for our conversations about the book while walking Chrissy and Miki and for coining the phrase “Poodle Doodle.”

Thank you to my neighbor, Julie Schultz, pet parent to Chrissy’s boyfriend, Teddy the Yorkshire terrier, for her encouragement and inspiration on our walks with the fur babies.

Many thanks to my friend, Ray Eibel, former police K-9 officer, who guided me through likely police behavior with an amateur sleuth, as well as for sharing the experiences of a police K-9 officer and trusted partner, Shep, his German Shepherd Dog.

A world of thanks to my beta readers for their interest in the story and the time they took to provide invaluable feedback that made the book much better: Maxine Ashcraft, Antoinette Brickhaus, Steve C., Ray Eibel, Donna Phillips, Connie Poole, Kathy Sadler, Lauri Smith, and Sue Waddington. Thanks for being an integral part of Chrissy’s Mysteries

Prologue

OBITUARY – The Knollwood News

Gary Martin – 1978 - 2018

AGE: 40, Knollwood, Pennsylvania

Gary Martin passed away suddenly on Friday, April 18, 2018, at his home in Knollwood, PA. Born in New Hope, PA, Gary was 40 years old (4/20/78 - 4/18/18). Beloved son of Chase and Rebecca Martin and loving brother of Anna Martin. He is also survived by his treasured dog, Chrissy. As an attorney, Gary practiced criminal law in Pennsylvania at the law office of Martin & Evans, LLC.

Relatives and friends are invited to Gary’s Life Celebration and viewing on Saturday between 9:30—11 a.m. at Rosencrantz Funeral Home of New Hope, 444 Route 1 North. His Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Entombment will follow at Forest Green Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gary’s name to your local animal shelter or national animal welfare organization.

OBITUARY – The Knollwood News

Stella Clarke – 1965 – 2018 – AGE: 53

George Clarke – 1966 – 2018 – AGE: 52

Knollwood, Pennsylvania

Stella and George Clarke passed away in a car crash on Tuesday, January 14, 2018, in Knollwood, PA. Both were born and raised in Knollwood, PA, Stella was 53 years old and George was 52 years old. They are survived by their daughter, Autumn Clarke (28 years old). George and Stella were active in the community. Stella did fundraising for the treatment of drug abuse and addiction in Bucks County. George Clarke was a respected CPA with an accounting practice in Knollwood. They were valued members of the community, always ready to help in times of need. Stella and George will be deeply missed by all who knew them.

Relatives and friends are invited to their remembrance on Thursday from 1 pm to 7 pm at Grover Funeral Home of Knollwood, 213 Sycamore Street. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Stella and George’s name to your local drug addiction treatment center.

-1-

Squatting over a dead body was not Detective Raymond Reed’s ideal lunchtime activity. The coroner estimated time of death as the night before around seven. It was almost one o’clock now. His stomach growled. The glare from the crystal chandelier hung high over the marble tile of Gary Martin’s foyer bothered his eyes and made him cranky. Or maybe it was the fact that there were five officers and medical personnel working the scene and ignoring the little Shih Tzu shivering next to the body.

He stroked the pup’s head before going through the dead man’s pockets. He found gum, a receipt for the gum from a convenience store with a time and date stamp of yesterday evening at five fourteen, and his cell phone. His keys lay on the floor next to him.

Ray handed the phone to the officer closest to him.

“Sergeant, can you please see if you can find next of kin and put me on with them when you do?”

“Sure thing, Detective.”

“Can you also find something to eat and drink for the dog? Maybe distract her with a toy?”

The sergeant nodded and went for the Shih Tzu, who backed up and growled in warning.

“I don’t think she’s interested, Detective.”

Ray went out to his SUV and opened the hatch. His partner, German shepherd dog Ace, jumped out of the back and followed him into the house.

He knelt down next to Ace. “How about helping me with this little one, pal?”

Ace walked over to the Shih Tzu, who looked up at him towering over her. He gave her a little nudge. She held her ground. Ace let out a single bark, and the Shih Tzu stepped away from the body. Ace sat next to her.

Ray patted Ace and his charge on the head and went back to work. There were no apparent bruises or injuries on the body. He looked at the Shih Tzu.

“I wish you could tell me what happened here, little one.”

Chrissy stared at him with an intensity that took him off guard.

“The victim’s sister, Anna Martin, sir.” The sergeant handed over the phone.

“Ms. Martin? This is Detective Raymond Reed of the Knollwood Police Department.”

“Yes?” Ray noted her voice was filled with expectation and foreboding.

“I’m sorry to inform you that your brother was found dead in his home about an hour ago.”

Ray listened for an emotional reaction but got only silence.

“Ms. Martin?”

“Yes. I’m just shocked at the news.”

Ray heard annoyance rather than shock, as though her brother’s death was an inconvenience rather than a tragedy.

“Ms. Martin, when was the last time you spoke to your brother?”

“Last week maybe. Why?”

“His dog was found alive sitting next to the body.”

“Her name is Chrissy. That dog meant more to him than his own family.”

Resentment and cool disgust landed in Ray’s trained ear.

“Would you or your family like to come get her and identify the body?”

“I’ll identify the body, but I don’t want the dog. Send her to a shelter.”

Being an animal lover and a dog owner himself, her reaction made him angry.

Controlling his voice, he said, “May we take her bedding and toys to the shelter also?”

“Whatever. I don’t want any of that stuff.”

Ray clenched his jaw.

“When are you available to come and identify the body?”

“I have to get my parents situated first. It will take about an hour to get there.”

“I can meet you at the coroner’s office at four this afternoon.”

Anna sighed. “Fine.” Ray heard a click, and she was gone.

Ray tucked the phone into the breast pocket of his suit jacket and looked at Chrissy.

“Chrissy,” he said.

She looked at him.

“I’m sorry little one. We’ll have to take you someplace where they’ll take good care of you.”

Her dark eyes shone with moisture, pulling at Ray’s heartstrings.

“You don’t want to go with your aunt anyway. Someone nice will come along.”

Chrissy put her head down. Ace nuzzled her. Ray asked one of the officers to call Animal Control and instruct them to take Chrissy to a no-kill shelter.

“Can someone please gather all of Chrissy’s belongings and put them in bags to go with her?”

He wished he could take her, but he had his hands full with Ace. He watched as a woman from Animal Control gently scooped her up and rubbed her back, while another staffer grabbed two bags of Chrissy’s things. Chrissy looked over the woman’s shoulder at Ray. When they turned, he saw her tail limp, and almost stopped them, but a strong instinct told him that something good would come out of this.

Back at the station, Ray gobbled a sandwich as he went through the address book of Gary’s cell phone. Ace sat under his desk sharing bits of his lunch. Ray methodically made a list of those he wanted to question. Anna was at the top of the list, followed by Gary’s partner, Vaughn Evans, and the woman who reported the death, Corinne Taylor.

Preliminary list complete, he called the shelter to make sure Chrissy had arrived and settled in. They reported that she would not eat or play. Ray was not surprised after everything she had been through.

Then he called Gary Martin’s law office to find out about his will. A woman named Lisa Coleman answered. She told him the will was in probate and a matter of public record, so she gave him the beneficiary information.

He noted the time and headed over to the medical examiner’s office to meet Anna Martin. She was already in the waiting area when Ray arrived, her sour expression contrary to the situation at hand.

“Ms. Martin?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Detective Reed. We spoke on the phone.”

“Right. Let’s get this over with.”

Ray showed her into an interview room.

“Where’s the body?”

Ray noticed that she did not say “my brother.”

“Please have a seat. I’d like to ask some questions that will give me a better picture of Gary.”

“What for?”

“Please, Ms. Martin. This is standard procedure and your cooperation is appreciated.”

She sat back and crossed her arms.

“May I have your address?”

She gave it to him with a curt tone.

“That’s about an hour from here, correct?”

“Yes.”

“When was the last time you spoke to Gary?”

“I told you before. It might have been last week.”

“What did you talk about?”

“What we always talk about. I needed money to take care of my parents.”

“Did Gary provide for them normally?”

“Not voluntarily. I always had to ask. Listen, I need to get back home.”

“We’re almost finished. How would you describe your relationship with the deceased?”

She chuckled. “Not great. We only spoke when we had to. Now I don’t need to speak with him at all.” Her mouth tightened to a thin line.

“Where were you day before yesterday around seven in the evening?”

“Home with my parents.” She said without hesitation.

Ray nodded his head and made a note.

“Were you aware that you are the sole beneficiary in Mr. Martin’s will?”

“Does that make me some kind of suspect?”

“What do you believe Mr. Martin died from?”

“How should I know? I’m not a doctor!” She waited a beat. “That’s enough. Show me the body and let me get out of here.”

Ray closed his notepad and showed her into the viewing room.

Autumn Clarke shook off visions of the tractor-trailer grill filling the windshield and echoes of twisting metal, screams, and sirens. Toes curling in her shoes, she steadied herself against the brick wall and took a calming, deep breath that brought her back to the present. She looked around to see if anyone witnessed her episode. She hated when it happened in public places and desperately wanted to reclaim her self-control.

Panic subsiding, her focus shifted to the industrial glass doors that challenged her to enter with no promise of success. Autumn was afraid to love again, yet embers of hope glowed in the darkness and faith smoldered in her heart. This was the first step toward healing, and she opened to it like a folklorist drawn to an ancient fairy tale.

Her treatment plan had hit a wall. The nightmares of that fateful day crept into her waking consciousness. The recent rise in anxiety prompted her psychiatrist, Doctor Wesley Harper, to add this latest intervention. To heal, she needed to welcome love back into her life. So here she stood, despite intense skepticism and fear.

Taking a deep breath, she took a leap of faith with nothing to lose. She pulled open the glass door to the sterile, cinder block building, the smell of pungent disinfectant conjuring images of the hospital emergency room. Chest tight and tears glistening, she defied the urge to leave. The heels of her scuffed brown leather booties pounded the black and white tile floor and echoed off the bare walls up to the receptionist desk. The noise gave her courage somehow; it sounded strong and purposeful.

The wood-look laminate receptionist desk felt cold, yet the carrot-topped, curly-haired receptionist with the bright, friendly smile warmed the space. Her official clip-on tag revealed her name as Brenda.

“May I help you?”

Brenda wore a bright yellow T-shirt emblazoned with an illustration of a small, furry dog of no particular breed wearing a halo and the call to action: Adopt a Fuzzy Angel Today.

“Hi Brenda, I’m here to adopt a fuzzy angel.”

Autumn and Brenda shared a smile, and Autumn’s tension subsided.

“I’m happy to help you with that.”

“I’m Autumn Clarke. I filled out the adoption application form on your website. Six pages’ worth.”

“We want to be sure that our fur babies go to the best homes,” Brenda said as she typed Autumn’s name into the computer system. “Here you are. Yes, your application is approved.”

“I’d like a small breed, under 20 pounds.”

“Wonderful! The sweetest little girl came in this afternoon. Right this way. She’s a Shih Tzu.”

Brenda led her down a drab, narrow hallway, wide hips swaying under the form-fitting T-shirt, and into the caged area. It was depressing to see these beautiful furry faces staring with soulful eyes from behind bars. Autumn wondered how big a heart was required to work here and stay strong. The stories she read on the shelter’s website of how they got here were as sad as their expressions. They reminded Autumn of herself, caged by the memory of a fatal accident that haunted her day and night.

Their desperation, and her own, bounced off the walls and echoed back like a lonely coyote’s cry in a canyon. Some dogs barked with loud and frantic tones. Others kept to themselves, withdrawn in uncertainty for the future. Autumn tried not to think about it and to focus on the one she was here to see.

Having a pet had never occurred to her. In all of the wonderful experiences her parents had brought her, none included a pet of any kind. Not even a fish. So, now to be responsible for the wellbeing of a dog made her hands go clammy and her heart race.

The idea of entering into a relationship seemed foreign. The Land of Connection was a place she had visited long ago and could only recall pieces of the trip. She was afraid of attachment. She worried that her treatment plan would not work. She dreaded being alone forever. Despite intense skepticism and fear, to heal, she needed to welcome love back into her life.

Her personal default was to research whatever challenge she faced or topic she wrote about as a freelance journalist. She'd spent several evenings poring over the massive amount of information online about what it is like to have a dog before following her doctor’s suggestion and making the decision to adopt. She learned what a huge undertaking it is to have a pet; her choice to show up anyway demonstrating the commitment to her healing and improving the life of a little dog in the process.

Still, her stomach tightened at the thought of having an animal in the house. She used Dr. Wes’ trick of feeling her feet on the floor and focusing her attention on Brenda, noting every movement she made to keep her mind occupied. His methods were effective, albeit non-traditional at times. That was what she liked most about him. The latest suggestion forced her to step out of her comfort zone and tackle this latest challenge.

“Here she is.” Brenda petted the little dog through the bars.

The moment the Shih Tzu lifted her angelic face and stared straight into Autumn Clarke’s eyes, she knew this little cutie was coming home with her. The sad, dark eyes looked at Autumn through tangled white bangs. The one stuffed toy in her cage went ignored. This little dog reflected Autumn’s own sorrow and loss of hope.

Dr. Wes’s idea to get an emotional support dog as complementary treatment might work out after all. A glimmer of hope sparkled in the dark place that had become her world, for herself and for this precious treasure.

“Her name is Chrissy. She’s three years old,” said Brenda. Chrissy gave the softest wave of her tail, and Autumn stuck her fingers through the bars of the cage. Chrissy sniffed and then nuzzled Autumn’s hand. The dog was white and charcoal gray with a tuft of white like a halo over her forehead.

“She’s so adorable. How did she end up here?”

“Her pet parent died yesterday,” Brenda said. “He lived alone and Chrissy sat next to his body overnight, until a friend found them and called 911.”

Autumn gasped.

“How did he die?”

“From what I hear, a heart attack.”

She connected with Chrissy’s circumstances, her own parents lost to her in a sudden, tragic accident three months earlier. Autumn was the only survivor. She leaned closer and whispered, “Poor baby!” Chrissy blissfully closed her eyes and pressed into Autumn’s fingers. For the first time since the accident, Autumn felt warmth in the spot where her heart had ached with cold. Maybe Dr. Wes was right. Maybe she and Chrissy could help each other.

“I’m surprised no one took her in.”

“The family had no interest in taking her, so animal control brought her to us.”

Chrissy now paid attention, her eyes alert, seeming to know they were talking about her.

Brenda continued, “You should know that Shih Tzus were bred as companion animals, so they are affectionate lap-dogs who love to be loved and to give love. Because of that, this breed is prone to separation anxiety, and her recent experience exacerbated that, so she has severe separation anxiety. I’ve been spending as much time with her as I can since she came in. She shakes uncontrollably when left alone.”

“Who doesn’t,” mumbled Autumn.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you still interested? Most people don’t want to deal with that kind of issue.”

“I don’t mind. I work from home, so there’s no need for us to be separated.”

Autumn didn't let Brenda know that Chrissy was destined to be an emotional support animal, able to accompany her everywhere. It was embarrassing to show weakness, especially to strangers. Her father had taught her to be strong, and part of her felt guilty for dropping the ball on that lesson.

Brenda opened the cage door. The button nose surrounded by long, white hair captured Autumn, the joy and affection expressed in a broad smile she had lost along with her parents. Chrissy was cuter than a stuffed animal, her intent stare of anticipation emanating from her white and gray face.

Autumn reached in and pulled Chrissy out, cuddling her against her chest. Chrissy rested her head on Autumn’s shoulder, sorrow and relief pouring from her small body in little tremors. She gave her a loving squeeze and stroked her head. Chrissy grunted and sighed. Thinking about helping this little girl opened Autumn’s heart and filled it with tenderness.

“She’s perfect,” she said to Brenda, and then to Chrissy, “Want to come home with me?”

Chrissy cooed on cue, and snuggled against Autumn.

Autumn closed her eyes, savoring the delightful feeling of Chrissy’s head, so trusting against her neck. “Where do I sign?”

A half hour later, Autumn strolled out of the shelter with her new furry friend and two kitchen-sized trash bags full of everything a well-cared-for Shih Tzu needs: clothes, lots of toys, two doggie beds, harnesses, bowls, leashes, brushes, and bows gathered from her former home by the police.

“Boy, your daddy loved you! You have so many nice things.”

Chrissy looked up at Autumn, acknowledging the truth of this statement, a hint of a smile on Chrissy’s little black lips.

Autumn lifted her onto the soft, pink blanket covering the pristine beige leather backseat of the silver Mercedes SUV. Chrissy cooperated and settled onto the blanket, her tail wrapped around the side of her body. Autumn petted her head and closed the car door. She opened the hatch and threw the bags into the back.

The Mercedes was part of Autumn’s inheritance and kept her parents close to her. She and her mother had food-shopped in it and took trips to the mall, loading the spacious back with their finds. Riding in it soothed the persistent anxiety marking Autumn’s life since the death of her parents, Stella and George Clarke.

Her parents had been the biggest part of her world. She shared with them joys, sorrows, successes, and missteps; all experiences met with equal attention and trusted counsel. In her twenty-eight years of life, they were never too busy to listen or to share the major and minor moments of Autumn’s life. She accompanied them to charitable events and to dinner parties. Friends were welcomed with open arms, and gatherings were celebrations of love and life. Their home was happy and peaceful in general, with rare times of angst.

Autumn glanced at her new charge curled up on the blanket, her heart fluttering. She smiled when Chrissy lifted her head to gaze back at her with a slight tilt of her head. She reached between the seats and scratched Chrissy’s ears, and then pulled the seatbelt across her chest.

Autumn checked her rearview mirrors and inched out of the parking space. A red flash alerted her to the fast approach of a car. Autumn’s foot stomped the brake, jarring Chrissy in the backseat. She flung her hand to steady the little body and watched the car zoom past.

Autumn’s breath caught, along with her seatbelt. The seatbelt tightened in the same way as when the tractor-trailer had slammed head-on into her parents’ Audi, killing them both and sparing Autumn, who was riding in the backseat. The sensation settled in, triggering hyperventilation and paralysis. She heard Chrissy growling in the distance. Face numb, she fought to refocus on the present, but the memories persisted.

They had been on their way to a fundraiser supporting her mother’s work with an organization addressing drug abuse and addiction in Bucks County. The opioid-filled truck driver who had lost control of the truck proved the need for the foundation.

Chrissy’s growls turned to insistent barks, bringing Autumn back from the shadows of the past. She reached back and gave Chrissy a loving squeeze.

“What a smart girl! I’m okay now, sweetheart.”

Chrissy grunted and sighed.

Autumn took a few deep breaths to regroup.

“Let’s go shopping!”

Taking another long, cautious look around the parking lot, Autumn pulled out and headed to the local pet superstore.

Chrissy perked up as they entered through the sliding automatic doors. Everyone who passed her smiled or reached out to pet her. She reveled in the attention, giving a wag when people made a fuss. Chrissy walked over to the freezer section, sat down in front of the shelf, and looked at Autumn.

“Really? You know what type of food this is?”

Chrissy beat her tail against the floor and licked her lips. Autumn held up various food choices until Chrissy gave a single bark indicating the one she wanted. They did the same with snacks and toys. Chrissy chose a small, blue ball and a bright pink stuffed piggy with a squeaker inside. Autumn shook her head, watching the way Chrissy made decisions. It was endearing and a little eerie at the same time.

Thinking of the sudden stop she had made in the rescue shelter parking lot, she bought the most secure, comfortable pet seat they had. The red lining with tan outer material coordinated with the beige interior of the Mercedes.

At the car, Autumn removed the pet safety seat from the bag and put the rest of Chrissy’s things in the hatchback. She reached down to put Chrissy in the front seat while she dealt with installing Chrissy’s new perch. It only took a few minutes to set up, line it with the pink blanket, and plop Chrissy in.

“There, safe and sound. Comfy?”

Chrissy made a little snorting sound. Autumn shook her head and caressed Chrissy’s face in adoration. She wondered if all dogs were this aware.

With both hands on the wheel to ensure ultimate control of the vehicle, she drove the short distance through light traffic on the main roads, past the Giant supermarket and the medical center and onto the peaceful, tree-lined street of Acorn Lane. Dappled sunlight permeated the canopy of green that shaded pedestrians, drivers, and kids on bikes.

She drove past well-kept lawns and box-shaped Japanese holly bushes that filled her mind with happy childhood memories. Her family’s Bucks County farmhouse made of Pennsylvania fieldstone and wood sat on almost two acres of land. The privacy it afforded was one of her mother’s favorite aspects of the house, while Dad liked the solid warmth of the stone and plaster. His favorite comment about the house, “They don’t build them like this anymore,” echoed in Autumn’s mind.

The divided light windows and doors, painted weathered navy blue, brought out the nineteenth century elements of the building. The home renovation was a labor of love her parents had undertaken in detail, keeping the historic ornamentation while modernizing the electric, plumbing, and kitchen. It was comfortable and inspiring, her imagination sparked by the Nancy Drew books she had read as a child sitting in the window seat of the library room. Fond memories of her parents lingered reading her stories aloud and encouraging her to write and her outdoor adventures in the neighborhood.

The house and everything in it belonged to her now. Despite her financial wealth, she would rather have her parents than their things.

She took a deep breath and clicked the garage door opener. She looked at Chrissy to see if she reacted to the noise of the motor. Chrissy was perfectly calm and met Autumn’s eyes, telling her she was fine with it.

Now I’m thinking this dog can tell me things. Am I not crazy enough as it is?

Autumn rolled the car into her mother’s side of the two-car garage. The windshield hit the tennis ball hanging from the ceiling, and she closed the door behind them. Dad had installed this safeguard after Mom overshot the length of the garage and scraped the front bumper while causing a dent in the garage wall and Mom’s ego. They teased her about it whenever possible. The dent remained, and tore at the nick in her heart each time she saw it. She thought about getting it fixed but the thought of doing so threatened to erase a part of the relationship she had with her parents.

Her own bluish-silver Prius sat parked in her father’s spot. The insurance company totaled the twisted heap of metal that was his Audi after the accident.

Thoughts of her dad pulling into the garage after a long day at his thriving accounting firm flooded her mind. George Clarke taught his daughter to be strong, to have a will, and to persist when the going got tough. She had let him down. Hands gripping the wheel, she sat there, silent tears flowing down her cheeks. She whispered "Miss you," and grabbed a tissue from the ever-present box next to her. Another deep breath and she stepped out of the car.

She lifted Chrissy from her car seat and put her on the floor, removing the leash and guiding her through the entry door into the laundry room adjacent to a kitchen any chef would enjoy. Her mother, Stella, loved to cook, and the six-burner Viking stove, pale maple cabinets, and travertine backsplash reflected quality design and a love of feeding her family.

Stella flourished in her domestic role, happy to sew, clean, and cook, while running successful fund raising events for The Advocates of Southeast Pennsylvania, a group dedicated to prevention, intervention, and addiction recovery solutions. Her mother’s interest in this particular nonprofit rose from losing her cousin to opioid addiction.