Read Online Alice Fantastic by Maggie Estep - Free Book Online Page B

fours. He was probably some insane person digging for treasure as his poor dog looked on.
    Freak , I thought. As I walked past him, he craned his neck, saw me, and asked if I could help him. I imagined something sinister or disgusting and made a grunting sound, not wanting to just totally ignore the guy on the off chance he had a legitimate reason for being on all fours in the shrubbery, but not wanting to seem like some sunny-dispositioned bleeding heart who’d just humor whatever lunacy he had in mind.
    â€œThere’s a dog here that needs help,” the guy said.
    That got my attention. I took a step closer and saw a black-and-white pit bull lying in the shrubbery with blood seeping out of his belly.
    â€œOh, shit,” I said.
    â€œCan you get a cop?” the guy asked.
    â€œYeah, I’ll be right back.”
    I headed out to the roadway, frantically searching for a police officer.
    â€œHave you seen any cops anywhere in the park?” I asked a woman who was jogging by slowly. She looked at me like I was an insect and kept moving. I asked a tourist, who cold-shouldered me too. Finally, I pulled my phone out and dialed 911. They told me to dial 311. 311 said they’d call Animal Control.
    â€œNo, no, don’t do that, never mind,” I told the 311 operator, imagining the dog being taken in by the kill shelter and immediately put to death.
    I called information, got the number for the ASPCA, and explained the situation. They said they’d send a humane officer.
    â€œHow soon?” I asked, anxious over the dog’s fate. But the woman at the other end had already hung up.
    Candy trotted at my side as I hurried back to the bleeding dog and the man.
    â€œHow is he?” I asked, leaning into the bushes.
    â€œNot good. Look,” he said, indicating a bloody foot-print on the dog’s white haunch, “he was kicked. And apparently dragged—his paw pads are bleeding.”
    The dog was staring ahead and looked resigned to death.
    I thought I might vomit. I put my hand over my mouth.
    â€œThe ASPCA is coming,” I said when I could speak again.
    â€œThe ASPCA? What about the cops?”
    â€œCouldn’t find one. Anyway, they’d just call Animal Control and the dog would be put to death since he’s a pit bull and has clearly been abused.”
    I saw the guy glance over at his own dog and wince, probably imagining it being put to death. I looked down at Candy. She was uncharacteristically still.
    The afternoon had suddenly turned much cooler and the park didn’t seem lovely anymore. The dog’s breathing was labored.
    After what felt like hours, but was in fact only about twenty minutes, two humane law enforcement officers appeared. A man and a woman. The man looked sick to his stomach. The woman was matter of fact, poring over the dog’s injuries before going back to the van to get some equipment. The guy and I stood back as they moved the dog and carried him over to their van. The animal just stared ahead, long past caring what any human did to him.
    The female officer asked for my name and contact information then walked over to the guy to do the same.
    â€œThank you,” she said to both of us.
    â€œYeah,” I replied weakly.
    The guy nodded at the officer then we both watched as the ASPCA van pulled away. We looked at each other. He shook his head. “That was awful,” he said softly.
    â€œYes.” There was an awkward moment. Like we were supposed to do something now, make some sort of pact for future dog rescues, at least introduce ourselves. But we didn’t. He, I imagine, was sick to his stomach same as I was.
    â€œTake care,” he said. He was holding his dog’s lead closely, as if afraid something awful might befall her too. He nodded then turned and walked away.
    For a little while, Candy and I stayed rooted to our spot. It was nearly dusk now. The park was still infested with joggers and bike riders