Dog Wash. Can I Help You?

By J. L. Campbell

Fifty-seven-year-old Denise Jameson, an award-winning groomer who has been plying her trade for over thirty-five years, is the manager of Dog Wash, a grooming salon inside a Your Pets store. Denise works long hours, seven days a week, and her only desire is to see her favorite rock group, and favorite singer, in concert.

The salon never has a dull moment with pets of all breeds and sizes, and the employees who help Denise groom the animals. There’s Christine, a groomer who brings her talkative and, at times, trouble-making mynah bird, Diego, to work with her every day, and Stacy, the other groomer with two small children and a third one on the way. Working with the groomers is Kathy, a young grooming assistant who wants to be a singer. Her constant singing at the salon gets on the nerves of Bob, another grooming assistant who is hoping to get accepted at a school for veterinary medicine. Cheryl, a part-time grooming assistant, is content just to work with Denise.

Their lives intersect with Tony Lovic, a homeless US Army veteran, who would do anything to be employed again. One day, hungry and desperate, Tony asks his patron saint, Francis of Assisi, to pray for him to find a job. Then Tony enters Denise’s grooming salon, and Diego greets him by saying, “Dog Wash. Can I help you?” It’s an action that will change more than one life for the better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532037931

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 J. L. Campbell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue

in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-3794-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3793-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017918051

iUniverse rev. date: 01/13/2021

Contents

1   Sing It, Stevie!

2   Jessica the Messica!

3   Where Do You Go to Get a Meal Around Here?

4   What a Looney Tune!

5   Remember, YOUR Pets Are OUR Pets

6   But You’re My Patron Saint

7   I’m Assuming You’ve Never Worked in a Grooming Salon, Right?

8   You Think You’ve Got It Bad?

9   You May Get a Double Blessing

10   I’m Homeless Too

11   Take It Easy, Lady! It’s Sunday

12   If I Call You Anthony, That Means You Screwed Up

13   This Pizza Is So Good!

14   You Deserve an Oscar for Your Performance with Mr. Richardson

15   You Did Get a Double Blessing

16   You Want It? It’s Yours.

17   Are You Tony?

18   I Chose St. Clare of Assisi for My Patron Saint.

19   My Offer to Work at Your Pets Still Stands.

20   Excuse Me Young Lady, But You Have A Beautiful Voice!

21   I Sure Hope This Brings Me A Miracle.

22   What Idiot Called 9-1-1?

23   Not Everyone Wants to Smell the Roses, Christine.

24   I Need Another Twenty Dollars Just One More Time!

25   Tony Has a Connection with Animals

26   I’m Anthony!

27   I Don’t See Why You Couldn’t Be A Fireman Yourself.

28   St. Joseph Was A Carpenter, Too.

29   Antonio! Mangia!

30   Now Came Tony’s Favorite Part of the Day.

31   Whatever You Do, I Can Do Better!

32   Call Your Dog Off! He’s Gonna Kill Me!

33   I Think About You All Through the Day.

34   Happy Birthday, Tony!

35   Happy Birthday, Frankie?

36   Cleo.

37   I Sure Hope All Dogs Go to Heaven Too.

38   Ask St. Joseph to Find You A Good Wife.

39   You’re Tony, Aren’t You?

40   What’s Up, Doc?

41   Yo Quiero Taco Bell.

42   ‘Here’s Not Looking at You Anymore, Sam!’

43   Beggars Can’t Be Choosers.

44   First, A Store Full of Firemen. Now A Priest?

45   You Just Wait Until I’m Famous!

46   He likes me! Mikey Likes Me!

47   I Love Everything Dog!

48   The Dog Wash Shuffle

49   Go Out There and Listen to That Disgrace to the American Theater.

50   You’re Walking on Very Thin Ice with Me.

51   Both of Your Names Begin with the Letter ‘K’.

52   And Give Me Your Honest Opinion.

53   Kathy Scoville, You’re Next. Break A Leg!

54   A Lot of Single Women Would Trade Places with Kathy.

55   If at first you don’t succeed, Try, Try grooming school.

56   Keith’s Not My Miracle, Tony. You Are.

57   How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

58   Girl, if You Snooze, You Lose.

59   Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, Denise!

60   Driscoll. D-R-I-S-C-O-L-L

61   Workin’ at the Car Wash (Dog Wash), Yeah.

62   Sing it Louder, Stevie!

Can You Believe It?

Dedication

Do you believe that dogs are man’s best friend? You should, because they are. Do you believe that they would put their own lives in danger to save yours? You should, because they would. And, finally, do you believe in the Communion of Saints – those special souls who have our backs, protect us, and intercede for us? Well, on that one, you most certainly should believe. And if you do believe, then this is the story for you! Enjoy it!

1

Sing It, Stevie!

A few years ago on a Monday morning in early June, Denise Jameson pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall. She turned off the ignition of her Toyota Corolla hatchback and stared at the rain that was pelting her car and said to herself, It’s pouring cats and dogs. Then she laughed at what she had just said.

This industrious manager was about to start work at her grooming salon, Dog Wash. By the end of the day, it would be just as wet inside her shop as it was outside. Denise and her employees would get drenched, the weather notwithstanding. She looked at her watch. Not wanting to get her purse wet, she decided to just sit in her car for a while and wait for the rain to let up.

With shoulder-length, medium brown hair, and big brown eyes, Denise looked much younger than her fifty-seven years. One of the best dog groomers in Fairfax County, Virginia, Denise was an award-winning master groomer who worked seven days a week and had been plying her trade for over thirty-five years. It took quite a bit to upset this seasoned doggy beautician.

She thought, A little rain? I’m going to get wet off and on all day anyway. Wiping up urine and feces from dogs that were not walked before their owners brought them in for their rub-a-dub-dub in the tub? Just hold your nose, don’t breathe for a few seconds, and grab some paper towels. And the customers!

What!? Sylvester? My dog? No way! It must have been some other dog!

Did a lot of barking distract Denise? Only the stupid complaints of their humans tested her patience every day. She knew that working in the services field had its ups and downs, and servicing pet owners was no exception.

But then there were times the pets were worse than their owners. Some dogs really enjoyed the baths and attention, and then there were the ones that were a pain in the ass and determined to defy those humans who subjected them to the horrors of water that was too cold or too hot, shampoo that got in their eyes and mouths, and the slippery tubs. And then there were the occasional cats that, for the most part, didn’t like baths and couldn’t care less about the attention. Just ask any cat.

Dog Wash had very few cats for grooming because Denise allowed them to be groomed only on weekday mornings, to avoid possible problems between canines and felines; otherwise, she’d have to change the name of her salon to A DOGgone CATastrophe.

She looked at her watch. It was seven forty. Since it started raining harder, Denise decided to wait a few more minutes before she went inside the pet store, Your Pets, part of a chain of pet retailers on the East Coast, where her salon was located.

Although one of the associates had been at the store since seven o’clock, managing the feeding of the animals for sale and cleaning of their cages, the manager would not allow any customers inside, even those who had an early appointment at Dog Wash. Last year a customer brought his dog to the salon for an eight o’clock grooming and insisted he be allowed to shop for pet supplies. One of the employees told the adamant customer that Your Pets wasn’t open until nine. Knowing that his dog was already in the bathing tub at the salon, the customer refused to leave the store and caused a scene.

After that episode, all customers of Dog Wash would have to wait until eight o’clock sharp before they could enter the store. And no customers of Your Pets could shop at the pet store until nine.

Denise rented and managed the salon from Your Pets for fifteen years. Before that time, it was under the management of Your Pets. Because the grooming salon at this location was poorly managed for years, the profits were minimal, and the complaints were numerous. For the longest time, Denise wanted her own business and heard about the salon closing. The corporate people wanted to convert this grooming salon into a dog training school or a doggy daycare center.

However, before plans to renovate went too far, Denise contacted Mike Jenson, the pet store manager at the time, who convinced the corporate reps to lease the salon to her. A yearly lease would bring in profits to Your Pets. And if Denise’s ability to manage a salon equaled her talent as a groomer, then the reputation of the pet store would improve.

So Corporate took a chance. Your Pets made the decision to rent the salon to Denise, and she did not disappoint. It was well worth the gamble. Denise brought over her loyal grooming customers to the salon, and they also shopped at the pet store. Revenue at both the salon and Your Pets increased within just a few months of her arrival.

Denise looked at her watch again. It was now seven fifty-two. She couldn’t wait any longer. As she prepared to open the car door, Denise noticed a man with a golden retriever standing by the entrance of Your Pets. And he didn’t look too happy. Denise did schedule an eight o’clock appointment for a retriever. The gentleman was waving his arms at one of the employees in the pet store to let him inside.

From her windshield, Denise recognized the employee, Eric, an associate and the store’s dog trainer who taught thirty-plus dogs and their owners. But he was not the manager and wasn’t allowed to let in any customers for Dog Wash before eight. All he could do was point to his watch. Then he held up eight fingers.

The man was obviously annoyed that this employee wouldn’t let him get out of the downpour. Denise was almost sure this was her customer.

She thought, Why else would anyone stay outside in the rain for another hour?

Denise took a deep breath. One, two, three, go!

She jumped out of her car, slammed the door, pressed the lock fob on her key chain, and ran to the store. Eric let Denise inside and immediately locked the door. The retriever’s owner, now soaking from head to toe, was fit to be tied.

Denise went into the reception area of Dog Wash. The salon was dark, but there was enough light coming from Your Pets for her to see her way around. Silence. The only sound was the rain outside. Denise sat in front of the counter, logged in, and reviewed all the day’s appointments. Between the lighting from Your Pets and the computer screen, Denise could read the day’s schedule. A golden retriever was the first dog for a grooming. Denise opened the top drawer below the counter and pulled out her CDs.

She always played music first thing in the morning before anyone arrived. This way she could listen to her favorite rock group, Fleetwood Mac. She had Rumors, Tusk, The Best of Fleetwood Mac, and many others. Since 1980, Denise had tried to get tickets to see Fleetwood Mac in concert, but by the time she found out about the upcoming performances, their concerts were all sold out. After so many years, Denise finally gave up seeing her favorite group live and her much-loved singer, Stevie Nicks. Denise had to settle for albums and CDs. She even had two posters above her grooming station. One was all the members of Fleetwood Mac from the 1970s, and the other one was of Stevie Nicks from the cover of Bella Donna. On top of her grooming station, underneath the poster of Stevie Nicks, was a tambourine that Denise bought from a thrift store years earlier. She purchased it because Stevie Nicks always played one when she sang and danced around the stage.

Denise checked the answering machine. She finished screening all the phone messages and chose her favorite CD, Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits. She pressed the start button on her CD player and selected Second Hand News.

As the song began, Denise turned on the overhead light on the wall. Presto! There was some light! Next she walked into the kitchenette and flicked on the light switch in there. More light! Finally she turned on the light switch in the grooming room. Now the entire salon had light. Denise went back to the kitchenette. She removed a package of doughnuts from her large purse and put them on the countertop.

Denise pressed the start button on the coffeepot, which already had a filter filled with Starbucks coffee and water. She dried her face and hair with a paper towel and sang the words to Second Hand News as she slipped on her maroon-colored smock. Underneath it, Denise was wearing a white T-shirt with the face of Stevie Nicks on the front. She slowly covered up the image of her favorite singer as she pulled up the zipper. On the left side of her uniform, embroidered in yellow, were the words Dog Wash. Below the name of the salon was a gold-colored pin with the word Manager in black letters. On the opposite side of the smock was her name, embroidered in white.

Denise waited patiently for Christine, a full-time groomer, to arrive as the coffee was percolating. The golden retriever was Christine’s first appointment. If need be, Denise could groom the retriever herself. But with a new employee starting in about thirty minutes, the last thing she needed was a new customer who was in a bad mood.

As Denise prepared for a tongue-lashing from the customer, she could hear a loud knock on the glass door at the side of the salon. Christine arrived just in time, and Denise breathed a sigh of relief. Christine was trying to signal Denise that she needed to get inside. Denise started running toward the side door, used for emergencies only, unlocked it, and let Christine inside.

Once the emergency door was locked again, Christine, who was carrying a large, towel-covered birdcage, stopped at her station and unloaded her purse on her grooming table. Then she took the cage into the reception area and put it on a stand situated behind the gate that separated the employees from the customers.

Christine removed the damp towel and uncovered her pet, a two-year-old Greater Indian Hill Mynah bird named Diego that perked up as soon as the veil was lifted. Christine went into the kitchenette, filled Diego’s water dish, put it in his cage, and attended to herself as quickly as she could. She pulled up her shoulder-length blond hair, styled it into a bun, pinned it in place with a large, blue hair clip, and zipped up her smock. She prepared coffee for herself and Denise. Then she took the cups into the reception area and joined her boss.

Denise’s mug also had an image of Stevie Nicks on it. She enjoyed her coffee because it was just the way she liked it, nice and hot. As far as Denise was concerned and constantly said, If it isn’t hot, it isn’t coffee. This manager was ready to take on anything, including an irate customer and a new employee, now that Chris was here.

Forty-two-year-old Christine McDonald, a qualified groomer, had been employed at Dog Wash for a year. She had been married for eight years, and her only children were a cocker spaniel named Cheeseball and little Diego, who was proving to be quite a talented mimic that could masterfully imitate Christine, her husband Bill, and anyone or anything that tickled his fancy. When Bill asked Christine what she wanted for her fortieth birthday, she told him that she wanted a mynah bird.

But Bill was apprehensive. Mynah birds cost twelve hundred dollars! Twelve hundred! How long does a twelve hundred-dollar bird live? What if the bird died right away or got out of his cage and escaped? What if it turned out to be a lousy mimic?

But Christine was insistent. That was what she wanted for her big four-oh, and when she got her wish, she took Diego’s cage every place she could so he would bond with her and begin mimicking as soon as possible. Once Diego started talking, Bill couldn’t get enough of him, and he became Diego’s biggest fan.

At two years old, Diego’s vocabulary was already impressive and included choice words and phrases. The bird could talk in Bill’s voice or Christine’s. And everything that came out of Diego’s beak was entertaining.

What’s up, Doc?

What are you doing?

Christine!

Bill!

Cheeseball is a bad boy!

Dog Wash. Can I help you?

Bye bye!

Definitely!

Shut the damn door!

Bill, breakfast is ready.

What time would you like?

What a looney tune!

Hello. I’m Mister Ed.

Si.

Yo hablo espanol.

Yo quiero Taco Bell.

Diego could laugh like a woman and a man, bark like a dog, and meow like a cat, and from watching 1960s reruns on TV, he could whistle part of the theme song from The Andy Griffith Show. Bill also taught Diego to yell out, Wheel … of … Fortune! All the employees loved him, and so did the customers. Well, most of them.

Eric looked intently at the clock on the wall of the store. It was eight o’clock on the nose. He finally let the drenched customer with the golden retriever inside the store and pointed toward the double glass doors of the salon with the words Dog Wash written in the middle in big, dark blue letters. The word Dog was on the left door; the word Wash was on the right one.

The song Second Hand News was still playing. Even though the music was somewhat loud, both Christine and Denise could hear the customer tell Eric, It’s about time! Thanks for leaving my dog and me outside in the rain! What’s the matter with you people here? I’m soaking wet!

Denise looked at Christine. Here we go. And the day begins.

Before the song ended, Denise hit the off button on the CD player. Silence again. And it was still raining outside.

As the man and his dog entered the salon, Diego greeted the customer before Denise or Christine had a chance to say anything. From his little candy corn-colored beak, Diego said in Christine’s voice, Dog Wash. Can I help you?

Denise tried to use a little humor to welcome him, You can get this poor gentleman a towel and some dry clothes, Diego. Good morning, sir. I see you have an appointment at eight for Christine to groom your golden retriever. And your last name is Jefferson?

In a deadpan voice, the man answered, Yeah. And this soaking wet dog is Priscilla. She won’t be any trouble. How much for the entire grooming job?

Denise responded, For a bath, brush out, haircut, trimmed nails, and cleaned ears, that’ll be sixty-two dollars. If you want the spa package that includes teeth brushing and a special shampoo and conditioner, then it will be seventy-five. I can see you got a shower too. We won’t charge you for that. Your bath is on the house.

The customer wasn’t amused and didn’t even crack a smile. This outfit should take off the price of the bath. My dog already got a shower waiting out there all morning! I should have just brought a bar of soap with me and bathed her myself. Let me just have the sixty-two-dollar groom. How long will all this take? He looked at his watch.

When Denise realized that her customer was in a bad mood—and who could blame him—she rolled her eyes. She knew Christine had better give this dog a groom worthy of best in show.

About two and a half hours. She paused for a moment. Sir, did you bring the rabies vaccination certificate with you?

He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a wet piece of paper. Here. I hope someone can still read this. It’s damp.

Christine took the paper and looked at it carefully. It’s fine. I can read it. She inserted the rabies information into the computer, opened the little gate, and entered the area where customers waited behind the counter.

Hi, pretty girl. Let me check your eyes, ears, and gums, okay? This is just procedure, sir. We always do a screening before asking the dog’s owner to sign the paper authorizing us to groom your dog. Christine checked over Priscilla and found nothing of concern. Nice, bright eyes. Good dry ears and nice, pink gums. No signs of any infection or illness anywhere. Does she have any sores or had any surgery recently?

He replied, No.

Denise printed out the authorization paper and gave it to the customer to sign. Rabies are still good for another six months. Sir, just read over this and sign here. Then initial by this statement, and date here on this line. And give us the best phone number to call you when Christine’s finished with Priscilla. How old is she?

Six years old.

Denise said, Good. Okay, I’ll leash her, and Christine will get started. And since you had to stand out there in the rain, I’d like to have Christine brush Priscilla’s teeth for free.

The customer, realizing it wasn’t the salon’s fault, said, Thank you. I’d appreciate that.

Denise quickly ran into the bathing room, brought out a clean white towel, and handed it to her wet customer. Here you go. You can take this with you and bring it back when you return to pick up Priscilla. I’m sorry you got so wet. I wanted to let you in through the emergency door of the salon. I’m the manager of Dog Wash, but I rent this space from Your Pets. And the store manager won’t allow anyone inside before eight o’clock. Only employees.

After the man signed the authorization slip and dried his face with the towel, Christine took the dog to the kennels.

As Priscilla’s owner was leaving, he heard Christine’s voice say, Bye bye! He turned around expecting to see Christine, but she was in the kennel room with Priscilla. All he saw was a little black bird stare at him and once more say, Bye bye! Then Diego barked. Mr. Jefferson finally smiled. Diego let out a loud laugh that sounded exactly like Bill McDonald’s.

The man said to the mynah bird, I’m glad you think this is funny. Then he put the white towel on the countertop and left the salon, trying not to laugh himself.

Denise decided to heat up her coffee, which by now was lukewarm.

No good, she thought.

The mornings for Denise meant steaming hot coffee and listening to her favorite rock group. She put her mug in the microwave and hit the start button. Then looking over the Fleetwood Mac songs on the CD cover, Denise set the next song on the CD player to be Gold Dust Woman and yelled out, Sing it, Stevie!

Christine went back into the reception area to get her coffee. Is he gone?

Denise said, Yeah. I just reheated my coffee. Have yours before it gets cold.

Christine responded, I’ll just take mine to the bathing room and drink it in there. She looked at her watch. So what time is this new grooming assistant starting today? It is today, right?

Denise replied, You’ve got it.

Then Christine asked, What’s her name?

Denise said, Jessica. Jessica Peterson. I told her not to show up today until eight thirty. I want to enjoy my coffee before I start training a new grooming assistant, especially one with no experience working with dogs.

What’s she like? Christine asked.

Denise replied, I have no idea. I’ve never met her. She’s been away at college. UVA, I think. Her mother is my neighbor in the condo community. She swears her daughter will do a great job because she loves animals. Her mother has two cats. That’s not what I consider good experience for working in a grooming salon, but I’m sure she’ll do fine with some training.

Denise wanted some company for a few minutes. Chris, have your coffee out here with me while it’s still hot. You know how I feel about that. If it’s not hot, it’s not coffee. And you don’t have to rush. Priscilla’s a golden retriever, not a standard poodle.

While Denise and Christine savored their hot coffee, Christine got her purse, opened it, pulled out some travel brochures, and handed them to Denise.

She asked, What’s that?

Christine answered, Read them and find out. I passed a travel agency yesterday. I went inside and saw these brochures for vacations for people with pets.

Denise frowned. More brochures? I don’t have pets anymore. I’m a master groomer. I don’t need to go on vacation to be around animals. We work in a pet store, remember? And I have a computer at home with access to the Internet.

Christine became defensive. You haven’t even read these over, Denise. I’ll bet you haven’t read any of the brochures or fliers I’ve given you since I’ve been working here. They’re great trips that include zoos, zoological parks, aquariums, and pet-friendly hotels and parks. There’s even a couple of cruises to the Galapagos Islands. My brother went there a few years ago and said it was the best vacation he ever had. You should go and see the Galapagos tortoises and the giant lizards. They’re supposed to be huge.

Chris, I groom dogs for a living, not turtles and lizards. I prefer mammals to reptiles. But I’ll put these brochures in my top drawer of my station next to the ones you gave me last month for African safaris. If I go on vacation—

Christine interrupted, "If you go! It’s always if with you, Denise. Why are you afraid to go on vacation? Listen. I managed a salon when my former boss was on medical leave. You should take a rest and let me help you manage. You’re here seven days a week, Denise! Seven days! Even God took a day off."

Denise walked into the grooming room and put the brochures in the top drawer of her grooming station with the other fliers and her tip money.

This angered Christine, and she followed Denise. You’re not even going to read them over, are you?

Not now, Chris. I’ll look them over later. We’ve got Jessica starting today. I want to check the notes I wrote for her. That’s what I need to look over right now, not travel brochures.

2

Jessica the Messica!

The conversation ended when a young woman wearing glasses entered the reception area. She was about twenty years old and had her short brunette hair, all wet from the rain, pulled back on both sides with hair combs.

Denise said, Chris, I think that’s Jessica. And right on time. That’s a good sign.

The young lady was upset because she couldn’t close her umbrella, which was getting water all over the floor. She cried out, I can’t get this stupid thing to close!

Christine went into the reception area. Here. Let me help you. She grabbed the umbrella and managed to close it with no problem. There it goes. Hi. I’m Christine McDonald, one of the groomers. Are you the new grooming assistant, Jessica?

The young lady shook her wet head. Yes. My mom told me to be here today at eight thirty. She said a woman named Denise is supposed to train me.

Christine answered, She’s in the grooming room.

Just then, Denise walked into the reception area and extended her hand. Jessica? Hi. I’m Denise Jameson. Welcome to Dog Wash. Your mom told me you were looking for a job for the summer before you go back to school in the fall. So what is you major?

Political science. Then she asked, What exactly does a dog bather do?

Denise said, Grooming assistant. The position is classified as grooming assistant. It includes using the computer, checking the dogs in and out, bathing them, getting them dried, brushing out their coats, cleaning their ears, and trimming their nails. And everyone helps with the cleaning and doing the laundry, specifically the towels.

Jessica asked Denise timidly, Do a lot of the dogs that come here bite the groomers?

After that incident with the umbrella, Christine thought, Here’s an accident waiting to happen.

It was obvious to Denise that Jessica was not going to be one of her better grooming assistants. As a matter of fact, Jessica didn’t seem the least bit enthusiastic about the job.

Denise said, "Most of the dogs brought here for grooming are well-behaved. Occasionally we get a dog that acts aggressively. But if that happens and the animal won’t behave, then it’s not allowed to be groomed. I won’t allow my employees to groom an aggressive dog, even if it has had its rabies vaccination. If the dog were checked in and acts up, then we’ll call the pet parent and tell him or her to come get the dog. But don’t worry. If you’re concerned about a dog’s behavior, Chris or I will take care of everything.

Anyway, your application is with payroll, and I need to give you an employee number and have you punch in on the time clock. Then I need to issue you a smock. When we come back, I’ll show you around. And there’s some freshly brewed coffee in the kitchenette.

Jessica replied, Thanks, but I don’t drink anything with caffeine.

No problem, Denise said. Do you like doughnuts? I brought in a fresh batch from the bakery at the supermarket.

Jessica replied, I love doughnuts.

Then Denise said, Let’s go and get you checked in.

As they exited the salon and went to the pet store office, Christine continued to sip her coffee. She saw a young man walking toward Dog Wash, grabbed some paper towels stashed below the computer, and wiped up the floor. The last thing the salon needed now was for a customer or his or her dog to slip on a wet floor and fall. Seconds later, the man entered the salon with a boxer.

And right behind that customer was Bob Jackson, another Dog Wash employee. Bob usually had the last shift that started at eleven, but Denise asked him to come in early that day to help train Jessica. Bob, a nice-looking, tall, slender African American, wore wire-rimmed glasses. At twenty-four years old, Bob had a degree in biology from George Washington University. While attending GW, he worked part-time as a veterinary assistant, and his goal was to be a veterinarian. He had applied to several schools of veterinary medicine.

While he was waiting to hear from one of the colleges, Bob was employed at Dog Wash to save money and to gain experience with dogs. Although Bob was very good as a grooming assistant, he needed to mature a bit more before becoming a veterinarian. Denise hoped that, by interacting with pet owners, Bob would improve socially before receiving a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree.

The boxer and his owner stood by the counter patiently, waiting for assistance. The customer was in no hurry, and he was looking at the various dog treats on the counter.

Finished wiping up the water on the floor, Christine said, Can I help you?

Imitating his owner, Diego called out in Christine’s voice, Dog Wash. Can I help you? Then the bird laughed and barked like a dog.

The customer looked at the little black bird in the cage and then at Christine and finally laughed. I’m confused. Should I answer the pretty lady in the smock standing here or this snazzy little black bird in the cage? You both sound alike.

Christine said, That’s because Diego is mine and he mimics my voice and my husband’s. But you should answer me.

The customer, totally amazed by the impressionist in the cage, continued, I have an appointment for nine this morning. I’m a little early. My last name is Campbell. This is my boxer, Max. He’s here for a bath.

Bob replied, That’s why I’m here too. That’s my dog. I mean, Max has been assigned to me. My name’s Bob.

As soon as Diego heard Bob’s name, he said, Bob! Bob! Shut the damn door!

Mr. Campbell said, Wow. He’s talented. I wish my dog Max could talk.

Bob checked over Max while Christine had the owner sign the authorization paper. Bob put Max in a kennel and returned to the reception area. Then Mr. Campbell left the salon.

Denise and Jessica returned to the salon. Jessica was wearing a new Dog Wash smock, which was about two sizes too big for her. After Denise introduced her newest employee to Bob, she went into the kitchen and returned with the package of doughnuts. All four of them went into the grooming room.

Denise announced, Help yourselves while they’re still fresh. She placed the doughnuts on the top of her grooming station. Jessica, welcome to Dog Wash.

Jessica looked over the doughnuts and chose a blueberry one. Thank you, Denise. How nice of you to do this just for me.

As Bob helped himself to a powdered doughnut, he said, Denise does this for every employee on his first day here or, in your case, on her first day. Anyway, Jessica, you’ll be learning how we bathe dogs, dry them, brush them out, and trim their nails.

Denise said, One of the other grooming assistants, Cheryl, will be coming in today too. She’s part time. Bob is full-time and a fantastic grooming assistant. He’ll be showing you the ropes, and you’ll be shadowing him today. I have one more grooming assistant, Kathy. She’s off until Wednesday. Bob usually starts at eleven but agreed to come in earlier today to help with training. I wanted you to start with reviewing videos on dog grooming, but our computer isn’t working right now.

Jessica started to enjoy her doughnut, but her enjoyment was cut short. Before she took her third bite, a woman entered the salon with a large English mastiff. Jessica almost dropped her breakfast.

Bob said, All right! Chucky’s here!

Jessica, scared to death, asked, Denise, what kind of a dog is that? He’s scary!

Christine, anticipating what was coming, said, Jessica, that’s an English mastiff, and he’s a regular here. His name is Chucky. I think that’s your first dog today. To avoid the training session in the bathing room, Christine removed Priscilla from the kennel and took her to the grooming area, then trimmed her fur and nails before the dog’s bath.

Jessica started to panic.

Bob said, I usually bathe Chucky, but we decided that, since he’s like an oversized puppy, he’d be a good dog for training.

Jessica started to cry. He’s too big! How much does he weigh?

Denise answered, About a hundred and fifty pounds. But don’t worry, Jessica. He’s very gentle. My grooming assistants all fight to get Chucky.

Jessica replied, I won’t fight for him! Bob, you can take him.

Bob said, Jessica, you won’t find a friendlier dog than Chucky. And I’ll help you. He’ll walk up the ramp right into the bathtub, so I won’t have to pick him up, even though I could.

Jessica was terrified now. What if he bites me?

Bob laughed. Chucky might lick your face, but he doesn’t bite.

Denise put her arm around Jessica’s shoulder. Come on, Jessica. Let me show you how we check in a dog.

They walked into the reception area, and the dog’s owner said, Morning, Denise. We’re all ready for a bath. I just got through walking Chucky, and he did his business.

Denise pushed Jessica closer to the computer. Mrs. Stevens, I’d like you to meet Jessica. She’s our new grooming assistant, and she’ll be bathing Chucky today. Bob and I are going to show her the ropes.

The customer, a middle-aged woman with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, replied, Hi, Jessica. My name is Barbara Stevens, and this teeny-tiny, little fellow is Chucky. Don’t let his size fool you. He’s as gentle as a baby kitten.

Denise knew she had a problem on her hands when she saw the look of terror on Jessica’s face. Denise took Jessica’s arm and led her outside the gate separating the customer section from the restricted area.

To prevent a scene, Denise checked over the dog herself. Now, Jessica, first things first. Always make sure a dog is old enough for a rabies vaccination. If a dog is a puppy under four months old, it won’t need a rabies shot. But after four months, we need to see proof of a rabies vaccination, unless the information is already in the computer. And always make sure the vaccination is still valid. If it’s expired, then we need to call the veterinarian’s office and update the rabies information. If it’s a Sunday, we probably won’t be able to groom the dog because most veterinary hospitals are closed. Once the dog gets a rabies vaccination, then we need to wait twenty-four hours before we can bathe the dog to make sure there was no adverse reaction from the shot. Now, watch me examine Chucky.

Denise started checking the dog’s eyes, looked inside his ears, and examined his gums. See what I’m doing, Jessica? All of this is mandatory before you agree to groom a dog.

Jessica was really worried now. Do I have to open up the mouth? The dog might bite me!

Denise reassured her, You don’t open the mouth. Gently lift the sides of the mouth and look at the gums. And Chucky’s not a biter. He’s a lover. He’s so friendly. Denise ran off the authorization sheet, gave it to the customer for signature, and put a salon leash on the dog.

The woman said, I’ll be back in about two and a half hours. Then she left the salon.

Jessica found out right away that Chucky was indeed friendly. The dog jumped up and put his front paws on the counter. Then he proceeded to lick Jessica with his large, slimy tongue.

Jessica screamed, Get him off me!

Denise pulled on the leash. Down, Chucky! You come with me, boy. You, too, Jessica, and we’ll teach you how to bathe a large dog. Come on, Bob.

Already Jessica was regretting she took this job, and Denise wanted to kick herself for giving this job to her neighbor’s daughter who just loved animals. Jessica followed Denise and Bob into the bathing room. The new trainee looked as though she were going to the gallows.

Bob said, I’ll start bathing Max after you’re through with Chucky. Since he’s so big, I’ll help you with him.

Jessica spotted the boxer in a kennel. Could I bathe Max instead? He’s not as big as Chucky.

Bob answered, Chucky’s bigger, but Max can be pretty feisty. And he barks a lot. Let’s get Chucky into a tub now.

Denise said, The bathtubs are made of stainless steel. The groomer removes the door and hangs it on the side of the tub. Then the dog can walk up the ramp and into the tub. She removed the door. Next, I pull out the ramp, which is underneath the bathtub, and set the end down on the ground. Now watch me and listen to how I command the dogs. Always remember this: you’re in control. And make sure your dog knows it. Denise led the mastiff to the front of the ramp and pulled on his leash. Chucky, go!

Ever so obedient, Chucky walked up the ramp and into the tub. This intelligent canine knew the routine. Denise said, Not all dogs will walk up the ramp. If they refuse, then push the ramp back in place and see if the dog will jump into the tub. Sometimes they prefer to jump in. If you get a small bath dog, like a min pin or Chihuahua, you can just pick it up and put it into the tub. If you ever have trouble getting a big dog like this one into the tub, just press the button here on the wall, and we’ll get the dog in. Once the dog’s safely in the tub, take the metal door, and slide it back in place.

Denise took the harness attached to the wall and carefully put it around Chucky’s neck so he couldn’t jump out of the tub. Then she removed the leash.

Denise continued the lesson, Jessica, once your dog is secure in the tub, turn on the hose and check the water, making sure it’s not too cold or too hot. Denise turned on the water faucet hose and began to wet down Chucky. She started applying the shampoo to Chucky’s back and spread it over his body.

Jessica just stood there and tried to get the courage to put her hands into the tub and start scrubbing the big animal. Chucky started licking her face again.

Jessica screamed, Ugh! Make him stop licking me!

Bob responded, He’s not licking you. He’s kissing you. I don’t think Chucky’s all English mastiff. With that tongue of his, he must be part French.

And just to make things worse, Chucky started shaking his head and body to get rid of the shampoo and excess water. Within a minute, Jessica had soap and water all over herself. This made Chucky happy, and he started barking. Jessica started crying and just stood there with her shoulders hunched and her arms hanging as water and shampoo were dripping from them.

She said, Look what that dog did to me!

Bob knew Dog Wash had a real problem for the summer. Jessica, this is nothing. Just dry yourself with a towel and quit crying. Animals can sense if you’re nervous or scared.

Denise grabbed a large white towel and handed it to Jessica. Chucky was just acting like a normal dog getting a bath.

Bob added, Jessica, take it easy. And don’t scream. You’ll just excite all the dogs here, and the customers will wonder what we’re doing to their pets.

Jessica replied, But I’m all wet!

Bob laughed. You’re supposed to get wet. We all do when we’re bathing the real big ones. That’s why we wear these ugly nylon smocks. They should keep you dry, and then you won’t start crying like a big baby.

Denise agreed but wanted Bob to curb his tongue. Bob, Jessica’s not a baby. She’s just in training.

But Bob was no diplomat. And he had to work especially hard at peacekeeping when it came to sharing a shift with Kathy Scoville, a beautiful, twenty-one-year-old grooming assistant who had waist-length, auburn hair, big blue eyes, and a figure other women envied. Kathy was a good grooming assistant, but she wanted to be a singer. Her goal didn’t bother Bob, but her constant singing at work did. Kathy would sing at the drop of a hat. She usually sang songs from musicals, which got on Bob’s nerves.

Her favorite musical was West Side Story, and Bob had to excuse himself to take the dirty towels to the washing machine or go to the men’s room just to get away from Kathy’s vocal gymnastics. Sometimes Denise had to interrupt the two of them when they argued over Kathy’s singing.

Kathy had an associate’s degree in general studies, but she wasn’t interested in going back to college. She had been taking piano lessons for years and wanted to take expensive singing lessons. Her parents, with whom she lived, offered to help her financially if she decided to go back to college or dog grooming school. She loved singing, animals, and cooking, in that order.

Kathy worked at Dog Wash for about six months. Denise wanted her to go to grooming school, but Kathy wouldn’t give up her dream of becoming a singer. She even submitted applications to audition on American Idol and other talent shows. Kathy was convinced she was born to be a singer and would be discovered in some talent contest.

Every day she worked, Kathy sang and sang and sang, even though she was aware that her singing annoyed Bob. Everyone else at Dog Wash loved Kathy’s voice. And now Bob would have to put up with her singing going in one ear and tolerate Jessica’s crying going through the other.

Already Denise realized that hiring Jessica was a big mistake, but she had to keep to a schedule. Bob, I’m getting behind schedule. Will you do me a favor? Take over bathing Chucky and then start on your boxer.

No problem. I love Chucky, and Max won’t take long. Then he whispered in Denise’s ear, And I get the tips. Chucky’s owner is a generous tipper. While Jessica was getting herself another dry towel, Bob whispered in the mastiff’s ear, Chucky, that new grooming assistant’s a mess! If she doesn’t get any better, I’m gonna call her Jessica the Messica!

Denise then took Jessica into the grooming area and tried to teach her how to use the vacuum. That was another experience. All of Priscilla’s fur and toenails made Jessica slip a few times, so Christine had to finish vacuuming. Denise told Jessica to take the towels out of the dryer and fold them.

While she was gone, Denise looked at Christine. What are we going to do with Jessica?

Christine responded, Let’s be patient. Maybe Stacy will have better luck training her. But that wouldn’t be a very nice thing to do. The last thing Stacy needs right now, besides morning sickness, is to train someone as incompetent as Jessica.

Stacy Martin, a thirty-five-year-old mother expecting another baby, was the third groomer employed at Dog Wash. She had been working at Denise’s salon for five years. Stacy had hazel eyes and short, naturally curly, dark brown hair. She was happily married with two small children, a boy and girl. She was three months along. Stacy planned on working only three days a week once the baby was born. That would give Denise about six months to find another groomer. Stacy needed at least one weekend day with her children; therefore, she did not work on Saturdays. And on the weekends, Denise needed three full-time groomers, or she’d lose good customers to her competitors.

An hour later, the third grooming assistant, Cheryl Cuthbert, showed up at Dog Wash. She worked on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Cheryl also worked part-time as a veterinary assistant on Wednesdays and Fridays and loved both jobs. She had long, light brown hair that she always wore in two pigtails, which made her resemble Pippi Longstocking.

Like her manager, Cheryl had an enormous love for all things dog. But unlike her colleagues at Dog Wash, Cheryl was content to remain a grooming assistant and a vet assistant. She was twenty-five years old and had been a grooming assistant for six years, having worked the last two at Dog Wash. She lived in an apartment with two friends she knew from high school.

Cheryl had the cutest speech impediment. Like many others who had a lisp, she made a swishy sound from the sides of her mouth when pronouncing the letter S. Denise wanted to recommend her for grooming school; however, Cheryl would prefer to study to be a veterinary technician.

When Cheryl started her shift, Christine informed her as discreetly as possible about the new grooming assistant. And it wasn’t complimentary. Cheryl was more than willing to help with the training, but Christine warned her not to volunteer.

Jessica regretted taking her mother’s advice and knew she didn’t want this job now. Ironically a homeless man about a mile away from Your Pets would do just about anything for a job right now, especially Jessica’s.

3

Where Do You Go to Get

a Meal Around Here?

That unemployed man tried to ignore the growling in his stomach because he hadn’t eaten anything in almost twenty-four hours. He lost track of time while he was job hunting during the late afternoon yesterday and missed the free dinner at a facility that fed the homeless. Wearing the combat jacket and cap that were issued to him when he served for three years in the US Army, twenty-two-year-old veteran Tony Lovic walked mile after mile with a backpack slung over his shoulders. It carried all his belongings: one pair of jeans, a pair of khaki pants, one sweater, two shirts, a pair of tennis shoes, an expensive clarinet, a couple of music books, his important papers (birth, baptismal, and confirmation certificates, along with his DD-214 discharge papers from the army), a few toiletry articles, and a brown plastic rosary that the army chaplain gave him. He also had about a dozen CDs of his favorite music, jazz and classical. His wallet, stuffed into the front pocket of his only other pair of jeans, held his driver’s license, which was only good for identification; his Social Security card; and a few pictures of family and friends.

Tony removed his army cap and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, which was almost shoulder length since he left the service a little over a year ago. He hadn’t had a haircut in months because he didn’t care anymore and he didn’t have any money. Tony, who was out of shaving cream and down to his last razor blade, shaved only every other day. And finding food every day was difficult. Getting to facilities that offered free meals, therefore, was crucial. Despite the heat and humidity, Tony was wearing his army-issued boots because they took more space in his backpack than his tennis shoes did.

Tony had been up since seven. To be precise, he had been woken up at seven o’clock at the homeless shelter where he had been sleeping at night for the last two months. That day, like every other day, Tony went to various stores—grocery, hardware, and so forth—asking about employment opportunities. However, what few businesses were hiring told him that he had to apply online. When one is living in a shelter with no one to assist, applying for a job was like pulling teeth. Yes, he found a library with computers, and Tony was computer savvy. This homeless veteran, however, no longer had a fixed address or telephone number to put on the employment application. Since he had no job or money, Tony didn’t have a cell phone, and the last thing he wanted was to give a potential employer the phone number for a homeless shelter.

Most days he would go to the public library where he could get out of the hot sun and rain on some days, read the newspapers, and use the computers. Even that got tedious after two or more hours.

Tony thought to himself, But what else is there to do without money?

Tony used to entertain himself at home. He would escape to his bedroom, where he had a TV, stereo system, and computer. He enjoyed playing classical and jazz music on his clarinet. Every semester that Tony was in middle and high school, he had a class in band or orchestra. On three occasions, Tony was chosen to play solo musical scores at school pageants.

Once he graduated from high school, Tony was a very good musician and missed playing in the school orchestra. He enjoyed practicing in his bedroom, although his mother’s husband Brad hated it. But Tony and Brad never got along. Brad accepted Tony only grudgingly after he married his mother when Tony was twelve years old. Unfortunately Tony never had any brothers and sisters. His mother divorced his father when Tony was only three years old. He begged his mom for a brother or sister, but Brad never wanted children. Without siblings, Tony felt uncomfortable around his mother’s husband and used to ride his Schwinn bike every day, just to get out of Brad’s house.

Brad was a contractor who did painting and home repairs. He took Tony with him on many contracting jobs, and Tony did get extensive experience. Brad hoped that Tony would learn enough in time, get a job, and move out on his own as soon as he was old enough. As a matter of fact, before Tony graduated from high-school, it was Brad who suggested that Tony join the military with the intention that it would get his wife’s son out of the house permanently so that Brad could, after five years, be alone with his wife.

Tony agreed to enlist in the army, and his mother Sylvia allowed her son to join the service as soon as he graduated. She went to the army recruiting station