"Well, you're gonna have to learn how to. Otherwise she'll wind up the boss of you instead of the other way around."

He ruffles at her ears again, then takes deep breath and looks around toward the shopkeeper again. He's gone back to reading a magazine, takes a moment to sense he's being watched.

"Made a decision?" he prompts.

"Can you hold her a day or two while we dog-proof the place?"

The man gives a non-committal half shrug, begins rummaging for bits of paper under his desk then sets down some forms and begins filling things in.