There were people and pets everywhere. The waiting room was packed and people looked very annoyed. Mendalie tried smiling at them but got plenty of frowns as she pushed her way through the crowd as politely as possible. The girl at the front desk looked upset.

"You're next, Mr. Elam, I promise. Please have a seat and I'll call you when we're ready for Nipper," the girl told him.

"There's nowhere to sit," Mr. Elam told her. He was a slightly balding man in his fifties. He was standing there with some kind of smooth haired white terrier with black ears.

"I'm sorry," she said. "If anyone would like to reschedule, I have a coupon for 15% off." The girl looked like she could cry. She had only been working there temporarily part time. She was Marie Hunter's niece, Katelyn and she had just turned 16 a couple months ago. She had dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was cute and mostly quiet. She was certainly overwhelmed today and trying her best to keep everything together. Mendalie wondered if she would still like animals after this.

Mendalie caught sight of Marie Hunter in the back. She looked frazzled. The dogs were barking like crazy at her, as she ran back and forth. Mendalie, who had helped at the animal clinic when she was a teenager went to the back and said, "Could you use a hand?"

Marie looked up at her. "Oh my god Mendalie!" she exclaimed. "Yes. Yes I could."