Not a sigh and not a sorrow

[andhiswife]

Greta had given herself plenty of time. She'd needed it. There was a lot to read about modern-day dog ownership, and plenty of supplies to acquire. On top of that, she'd wanted to give her enthusiasm time to fade, if it was going to. The idea of getting a dog had struck suddenly enough to qualify as a whim. She needed to be certain that she wanted a dog for its own sake, and not just because she was desperate for something to do.

But her research hadn't put her off, and her enthusiasm hadn't waned. She staggered her supply runs, giving herself ample time to reconsider. But, two weeks after she first started seriously thinking about it, she finds herself with everything a dog might require. (Except for a bed. The necessity of that seems questionable, and she wouldn't know what size to get until she chose a dog, anyway.)

There's really no need to put it off any longer.

She calls Demelza, intending to suggest they find a time over the next few days, but she isn't surprised when her friend insists that they can make today work, and she doesn't argue. Within the hour, Demelza's cheerfully leading her towards one of Darrow's animal shelters.

"Thank you for this," Greta says for the nth time, her arm linked with her friend's and a long-absent bounce in her step. "It'll be good to have a second opinion."

Comments

[letitbetrue]

What is truly good, in Demelza's opinion, is seeing Greta in such good spirits, seeing that smile on her face and her mood clearly improved. What she's learned, the horrible things about her story finally being known, there's no undoing that, but Demelza is of the mind that people are often stronger than they believe themselves to be and so she imagines it's only time that Greta needs until most of the awfulness is behind her and the days ahead look bright once more.

"You're welcome," she says cheerfully, though she believes she ought to be the one thanking Greta instead. This is an opportunity she might not have had otherwise, as she knows better than to bring home any other animals while Garrick is still around. Ross would likely make space in their home for another dog by insisting Demelza sleep on the sofa. Helping a friend choose a dog, though, relieves her of the burden of taking one home herself, all while giving her the chance to enjoy choosing an animal.

"Have 'ee thought about whether you'd like a puppy or a full grown dog?" she asks as they head toward the shelter. "I had Garrick as a pup, but tis different now and I d'think I understand why someone might want an adult dog instead of a puppy."