Maisie, continued.
Came the appointed hour for us to leave, der Brucer sent me downstairs to take Maisie back to the car. She wasn't too sure about leaving, however. She circled around the downstairs twice, with me following...and then she disappeared! I mean, it was like she totally vanished, not a trace, not a sound. I spent at least ten minutes searching through the basement, which is admittedly filled with clutter. I'm just glad der B decided against bring the big green dragon costume east with us when we moved.
Finally, I checked under the stairs themselves, behind the water heater. There she was, hiding, not hostile but wanting to be left alone. She accepted the leash being put on her again, however, and followed me out to the car. Der Brucer was waiting there for us, and soon we were on the road again, me in the back seat once more with Maisie.
Again, she settled down fairly quickly. We hadn't taken her temperature, but she still seemed nervous, and was panting again, but less than before. She even napped a little.
In less than an hour, we were at the rest stop, the same one where we'd delivered Cici and Coco, the Pointer sisters, a few months earlier. Our contact, an enthusiastic brunette named Diane, was already there. She noted now Maisie was quivering, and panting, and reached down to check one of her teats. "Yep, I'd say she'll be giving birth in a day, two at the most."
Der Brucer leaned down to pet Maisie one more time, and she gave his hand a lick. She did the same when I leaned down. "Have a good life, Maisie," I told her.
And we drove south again, while Diane drove Maisie north. Tomorrow we get up early, to take a boxer lass to the same exchange point.
