Chapter 10

How long has your life revolved around work and Checkers, though? Remember why you got the furball to begin with?

At that moment her best friend lay sprawled out on his back, upper lip drooping to reveal a few teeth, front paws curled. Allie set down her mug with every intention of sneaking over to give Checkers a surprise belly rub, but the squeak of her desk chair might as well have been the doorbell. Checkers was up and staring at her, tail wagging, and all Allie had managed to do was get to her feet.

“Who’s my handsome, boy?” She cooed, scratching his back near the base of his tail. In response Checkers made happy dog groans, doing a tippy-tap dance with his back paws. “Does my favorite boy want to go outside, hm? Go soak up sun, maybe chase a squirrel up a tree? What do you say?”