Chasing Stanley Read Online Free PDF Page B

friend. I’d feel very comfortable leaving him in your care—if you’ll have us.”
    â€œHere’s the deal,” said Delilah. “I’d like to meet with you and Stanley once a week. I charge fifty dollars for an hour-long lesson, and expect owners”—her gaze was unnervingly direct—“to practice with their dogs for a minimum of fifteen minutes every day. Like I said last week: I’m not just training Stanley, I’m training you, too.” She started scratching Stanley behind the ears. “Dogs live to please the leader of their pack. If you assume that role and stick to it, Stan will do the rest.”
    Jason nodded. “Okay.” He was pretty sure he could carve out fifteen minutes a day to work with Stan.
    â€œOnce he’s trained,” Delilah continued, “we can set up a schedule for me to walk him. I charge twenty-five dollars for an hour-long walk, fifteen dollars for a half an hour, and twelve dollars for your basic pee and poo.”
    â€œAnd boarding him?”
    â€œThat’ll cost you fifty dollars a night if I have room. But like I said before, I won’t take him in as a boarder until he’s trained.”
    This wasn’t what Jason wanted to hear. Suppose Stanley was a bad pupil and wasn’t anywhere near trained by the time of the Blades’ first road trip of the season? What then? It wasn’t like he could always get Eric to do it; he might also be on the road. Jason would just have to make sure he and Stan were whipped into shape by the time the season formally began.
    â€œI think that’s it.” Delilah’s fingers began fiddling with the zipper of her fanny pack. “Is there anything you want to ask me?”
    â€œWhat got you into this?”
    â€œI’ve loved dogs from the time I was a little girl. I got my first dog when I was five, a miniature poodle named Harry. He was gray and white with the cutest little nose and I got him this little pink collar and—” She stopped, checking her watch. “I hate to be rude, but I have to go.” She stood. “I have another client I have to meet with.”
    Jason wondered if she was telling the truth. She couldn’t be that shy; her business put her in contact with lots of people. Maybe she just felt shy around him?
    Meanwhile, Stanley had stood, too, and was once again trying to nudge his way through Delilah’s legs.
    â€œHe doesn’t want you to go,” said Jason.
    â€œIt’s okay, big guy,” Delilah cooed. “We’ll see each other soon.” As if he understood, Stanley backed off and headed for the kitchen; there came the sound of loud slurping. Jason sighed.
    â€œHalf the water he drinks winds up on the floor,” he told Delilah.
    â€œIt’s that way with every Newf.”
    Delilah seemed to relax again now that they were back to discussing dogs. She intrigued him. She was cute, smart, and kinda shy. Best of all, she wasn’t repulsed by big, ol’, hairy, drooly Stanley. If anything, it was the opposite.
    â€œWhen can we meet for our first lesson?” Jason asked, trying not to sound too eager.
    Delilah pulled a PalmPilot out of one of the compartments of her fanny pack. “How does Thursday afternoon sound, around four?”
    â€œHang on.” Jason’s eyes scoured the room. What the hell had he done with his Blades schedule? Most of his life was still in boxes, though he was trying to unpack as fast as he could so he’d start to feel at home. He spotted the schedule peeking out from under a pile of newspapers and grabbed it, giving it a quick glance. “Thursday at four looks good. Where?”
    â€œI’ll meet you guys here. It’s important we start out in a familiar setting. I think the first thing Stanley needs to learn is the proper way to behave on a leash.”
    â€œYou mean twining himself around me is unacceptable?”
    â€œStanley has so