Frankie

Hutch takes the spotty dog home for the night but Starsky worries in case he is setting himself up for a painful parting.

Related to Snowstorm.

Starsky rolled his eyes as Hutch came staggering out of the pet store carrying a huge bag of dry dog food and a paper bag that clearly had more than a dog bowl in it. He jumped out of the car and opened up the trunk. Hutch deposited his shopping with a grateful sigh.

“Lot of stuff for one night,” Starsky observed.

“Well, we have to give the flyers a chance…maybe two nights.”

Starsky sighed. Hutch was setting himself up for a painful parting. They should have taken the spotty canine straight to an animal shelter but they both felt like the owed the dog something for saving their lives. They got back in the car and their companion woofed cheerfully and wagged his tail.

“Good boy,” Hutch said and rewarded him with a treat that magically appeared from his pocket.

Starsky shook his head in fond exasperation. Then he started the car and headed towards Hutch’s place.

“You know you can’t keep him, Hutch,” Starsky felt he had to point out even though he hated bursting Hutch’s moment of joy.

“I know…but I can enjoy him for a night or two. I miss having a dog around.”

Starsky nodded.

As they drew up outside the cottage, Hutch spoke: “So Frankie, this is where you’re going to live for a couple of days. What do you think?”

Hutch opened the door to let the dog out, who wagged his tail, licked Hutch’s hand and then started snuffling around.

“Frankie, huh?”

“Well, I have to call him something and he didn’t seem to mind.”

The two of them carried the dog merchandise towards the cottage. When Frankie was called, he came. Hutch smiled happily and Starsky couldn’t help but smile too.

*****

The next morning, when Starsky came to collect Hutch, he asked, “Who’s walking Frankie while we’re at work?”

“I’ve already taken him for a jog with me this morning but Fifi is going to walk him around midday. She said I could ring if I need her to walk him again later.”

“Okay. We’d better head out.”

Starsky watched as Hutch made a fuss of Frankie and then told him to stay. Having a dog suited his friend. He wished Hutch’s work and home life were different so that he could keep Frankie. Maybe one day it would be possible. As they drove away from the cottage, Starsky found himself noticing all the people out walking dogs.

*****

A day turned into two and then three. Hutch had coerced different neighbours into walking and feeding Frankie. Now it was the weekend and he was looking forward to spending time with Frankie although he knew that come Monday morning he would have to take Frankie to the local animal shelter.

He took Frankie to the park and played fetch with him for over an hour then they jogged home. He was surprised to see Starsky’s car parked behind his and even more surprised to find no sign of Starsky inside the cottage. He frowned but wasn’t too worried. If his partner had gone looking for him, he would be back soon.

Ten minutes later the front door opened and Starsky appeared, but he wasn’t alone. Behind him stood a young boy and a woman.

“Hutch, these are your neighbours from down along. Annie and Ricky. They might be interested in taking Frankie on. They have one dog already. I thought maybe they could meet Frankie and see if he likes them.”

Hutch swallowed hard and then smiled, “Hello Annie. Hello Ricky. I think I’ve seen you sometimes when I’ve been out rinning. Nice to meet you officially. Come on in and meet Frankie. Maybe we could see where you live and see if Frankie would like it there?”

“Of course, Mr Hutchinson.”

“Please call me Ken…Frankie, this is Annie and Ricky.”

Frankie, who had been dutifully sitting by Hutch’s side, got up and went to greet the visitors. He wagged his tail and seemed quite at ease with both of them.

“Why don’t you take Frankie outside and play fetch with him, Ricky?” Hutch suggested, throwing the squishy ball he had bought for the dog to the boy.

Ricky headed outside with Frankie and the three adults followed and watched as the two of them played. Hutch asked Annie some questions and arranged to bring Frankie for a visit later that day and, if Frankie seemed at home, to drop him over on Sunday to start life in his new home.

After Annie and Ricky had gone, Starsky said, “I hope I did the right thing, pal. I knew you couldn’t bear taking him to a shelter. This way, he’s got a good home and you can still see him regularly.”

Hutch nodded. “You did good, partner.”

As he ruffled Frankie’s ears, Starsky observed, “That Annie seems a nice lady.”

“Yeah, she seemed very nice.”

“She’s also single,” Starsky mentioned.

“Is she?”

“Yep.”

“Oh…You hungry?”

“Always.”

As Hutch went towards the kitchen to find something for them to eat, Starsky smiled to himself. Maybe finding Annie and Ricky would be good for Hutch in more ways than one. You never knew what random occurrences could lead to. He heaved himself off the couch.

“Come on Frankie, let’s go see what’s for lunch.”