"The dog down the block keeps following the mailperson."
"To where?" she asked.
"His truck. I think he wants to go home with him. He's a nice dog, but I don't think he's happy living where he is."
"Did he say that?"
"More or less."
"What does that mean?"
"He made me promise not to tell his family...where he goes. I think there are too many kids and they're driving him insane."
"Kids can do that," she sighed. "Poor dog."
"He keeps running away but he has tags, so people keep bring him back. He slept with a homeless person the other night and said it was the happiest he's been in a long time. It was quiet."
"How terrible."
"Yeah. He asked if he could live with the cats but I don't know if he would be happy here either."
"Probably not."
"His name is Gregory. He hates that too."
"Is there anything he does like?"
"He said he has a squeaky toy that looks like a banana, and he likes it very much. He said one of the kids threw up in his bed and now it smells funny, so he sleeps under a table where they can't reach him."
"I feel really bad for him. Maybe there's something I can do to help him."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Take him for a walk. Talk to him. Give him hugs."
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, why?"
"How would you feel if a stranger came to your house and said she wanted to take your dog for a walk?"
"You have a point," she said.
"I know."
"How are all the cats?"
"Fine. No one is looking forward to the cold weather, so a lot of them are planning on staying with you."
"Great. I would love that. The entire first floor apartment is yours. That's why I bought a two-flat."
"Yeah. Good thinking. I like that idea better than your original one."
"You mean a shelter?"
"Yes. This is much better," he said. It's a home."
"I love you," she mumbled, burying her face in his fur.
"Don't start this again," he said, leaning into her.
"I haven't seen Jinx in awhile."
"He's staying with a snow white Persian named Suzie Bell. She has blue eyes. I don't know what he sees in her, but he seems to like her a lot."
"Suzie Bell?"
"I know, right? What a name, especially for a Persian. I think she's a pure bred. She's not at all snobby, like some of them. She's actually kind of nice, and Jinx is still doing his job, it's just that he's..."
"Not hanging around with you as much, right?"
"I guess."
"His relationships don't usually last very long."
"Always a first time," he said.
"True."
"You are beautiful," she said, kissing him.
"I know."
"I love you."
"I know that too," he said, head butting her face.
"Are you nice to Suzi Bell?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Jinx is my best friend and second in command. We grew up together."
"I'm going to kiss you a lot, right now." She grabbed him and made num-num noises all over him.
"Ack!" he hissed, struggling to get away.
She let him go with one big kiss and then smiled at him. "Sometimes love can be annoying."
"Ya think!"
She straightened his fur then packed her tote bag.
"See you tonight?"
"Probably. Jinx and are going to patrol the park, down by the pond. Some of the cats said there are kids there who are mean to them and to the fish."
"Be careful."
"Always."
"Say hi to Jinx for me and tell him I'd like to meet Suzi."
"It's Suzi Bell. She doesn't like being called Suzi."
"Got it," she said, walking away.
"Look both ways when you cross the street," he said.
She nodded and waved, knowing he was already curling into a ball getting ready for a nap.
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