Sharon Carter is a super spy (exshieldagent) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-06-04 21:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, david nolan (prince charming), sharon carter |
Who: David Nolan and Sharon Carter
When: May 22ish
Where: Huntington OCSPCA shelter
What: Looking at dogs
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete
Sharon wasn’t really sure what she was doing. She didn’t really need a dog, though she thought the companionship might actually be good for her. There were a lot of unlucky dogs in the world, and she had a good home. Sure, she worked a lot, but she could carve time out every morning to jog, right? Couldn’t she carve out some time for a walk? And give a dog a good home?
The shop wasn’t that busy when she stepped in through the front door. She wasn’t really sure what she was expecting--something out of Lady and the Tramp?--but the place was quite nice. Clean and bright. She stepped over to the counter, waiting for someone to notice she’d come in.
Weekdays were usually quieter around the shelter. Weekends were busy when the kids didn’t have school and their parents could bring them, and now that it was almost summer there was a lot of interest in family pets. He heard someone walk in and headed out front, giving the woman a bright smile.
“Hi,” he said, going over to the desk. “What can I do for you?”
“Hi.” Sharon gave a smile as she saw the rather handsome fellow approach. She nodded once. “It sounds a little crazy, but a guy in a 350 square foot apartment mentioned that there were dogs here in need of good homes, so… Here I am.”
David laughed. “I think that’d be me. You know, the seedy one?” He gave her an amused look and shrugged. “I’m glad you decided to stop by. I’m David, by the way.”
Sharon went a little pink as she broke into a smile. She thought maybe he looked familiar? Though it was hard to tell from those little icons. “Right, the seedy one. Hi, David, I’m Sharon.” She held out her hand for him to shake. “It’s nice to meet you face to face.”
“You too,” he said, laughing as he shook her hand. “So. You were thinking of a dog, right?” Given how a few months ago he couldn’t remember a whole lot of anything, he was pretty proud of himself for recalling that. “But … You weren’t sure if you should be worried about a place being too small? Do you live in in apartment or a house or …?”
“Dog. Yes.” Sharon nodded, a little surprised and humbled that he remembered so well. Did he just remember everyone who randomly talked to him online, or was she special for some reason? “I live in an apartment. It’s two bedrooms, but only around eight hundred square feet.”
David nodded as he listened, pulling out some papers just in case she found a dog she liked. “That’s not bad. I’d suggest maybe a medium sized dog might be better. A bigger dog would be all right, but a smaller dog would have more space to move around and all. Do you want to come take a look?”
“That’s what I’m here for.” Sharon said with a shrug of her shoulders and a smile. “I’ve gotta be honest, though, I’m really picky when it comes to this kind of thing.” She knew she probably shouldn’t be--that she was fortunate, and should share in her good fortune--but it was a big, huge decision. And she wanted to make sure she made it right both for herself and for the dog. “I mean… I don’t want to rush into things.”
“That’s good,” he said, reassuring her, “it’s all right to be picky. I mean, a dog is a responsibility, and it’s better for both the owner and the dog that it’s a good match. A lot of people get drawn in by cuteness and then it’s a disaster.” David gave her a smile. “I’d rather you take the time, honestly.”
“Oh, good.” Sharon was relieved. She wouldn’t mind taking some time today, mulling it over, and coming back again another time. Besides, this David fellow was rather nice. She wouldn’t mind seeing him again, either. “Thanks.” She returned his smile. “All right, let’s see what pups need a good home.” Hopefully they could find her a good match.
“Good,” David said, laughing a bit. He motioned at Sharon to follow him as he went into the back, taking her to the room where they kept their dogs. At the sight of people, most of them got excited and David just shrugged, smiling. “It’s a pretty happy group.”
There were tails wagging and barking, and lots of happy, bouncing dogs putting paws up on the doors of their kennels, panting happily and whimpering. Sharon’s heart nearly broke at the sight. So many full kennels, so many dogs needing homes. “...goodness. I wish I could take them all home.”
“I know the feeling.” He bent over to ruffle the ears of some. “Have a look around. I know them all so I can definitely answer any questions. If you want to see a few out of the kennel we can do that, too.”
Sharon gave him a nod of thanks. The dogs all looked so eager, so excited. This place was both wonderful and terrible at the same time. The dogs were here both out of despair and hope. Sharon stopped in front of a kennel that held one smallish dog, young, too, by the look of his paws. He was some sort of a Welsh Terrier Mix, and looked healthy enough. She turned to glance at David. “Who’s this?”
“That’s Pete,” David said, heading over. “He’s been a little longer than the rest, most people want the popular dogs like they see on TV.” Which was, in his mind, ridiculous. “He’s a little shy but once he settles in you’d never know.”
“He seems really sweet.” Sharon bent down and Pete seemed to get super excited. Though he was trying to keep himself in check. His little stump of a tail was going crazy, swinging back and forth, and he looked like he wanted to jump up and down. When she stuck her fingers through the bars of his kennel, Pete started licking them frantically. Sharon giggled.
“Yeah, he’s a real prince charming.” He looked a bit amused. “And really well behaved. I’ve never seen him not get along with somebody.”
Sharon really hadn’t thought she was going to fall in love with any of the dogs today. She knew she really should sleep on it, give the idea some time to sink in. But this Pete fellow seemed to be … well, he was kind of a perfect match. “Can I take him out?” She asked, turning to look at David. “Maybe take a little walk around?”
David tried not to look too happy at the request. Of course, he still would understand if Sharon needed a night or something to think it over, but it was always pretty impressive how people found a pet sooner than they thought. “Yeah, of course. There’s a spot outside where we can walk them, we can take him out there so he can run around a bit.” David got one of the leashes and let Pete out of the kennel, then handed Sharon the leash. “Just follow me. Once we’re out there, we can take him off the leash a bit.”
Sharon nodded. She liked the way that even though the dog was obviously thrilled to be getting out of his kennel, and excited to be meeting someone new… he was keeping himself in check. When they walked along behind David, Pete didn’t pull on the leash at all. He must have been very well trained, because he heeled properly. And when they reached the outdoor area, Pete sat down patiently to wait for his leash to be taken off.
“Wow. Where did he come from? He must have come from a good home.” Sharon said. She bent down to unclick the leash and then tossed a ball for Pete to chase. The number of dogs in pounds and adoption centers had gone up recently, she knew, because people were forced out of their homes and couldn’t take animals with them. But that was some time ago--when the housing market bubble burst.
“He was brought in. Someone found him on the streets. Our best guess is that his family moved and left him behind. We put up some ads saying we had him but no one claimed him.” It was sad. That was why David stuck with the job, if only to make sure they all found good homes. “And he’s not a very high maintenance dog. So if work keeps you busy or something, you won’t need to worry about him too much.”
“He seems really well trained. I mean, he seems well behaved. Or is that just because he wants me to take him home?” She asked, teasing just a little, and then threw the toy for the dog again.
David laughed. “First I’m shady and now the dog is?” He gave Sharon an amused look. “No, he is really good. He’s the sort of dog that we’d try to give to a home that doesn’t have the time or resources to commit to training a pet, or a smaller home. He’s pretty receptive with everyone, but I can tell he likes you.”
“I was not planning on coming in here and finding a dog today. I’m not at all prepared. I think I’m going to have to leave him here and… come back tomorrow? When I’ve slept on it.” Sharon said. Though, she was pretty sure she was going to go straight to PetCo and buy dog food on her way home.
He gave her an understanding nod. “I think that’s a good idea. Really. Especially if you hadn’t planned on it. There’s nothing worse than bringing home a new pet and realizing you don’t have anything ready. I’ll give you a couple of things we give new owners anyway. A quick guide and everything. And a shopping list, too, just in case.”
“Okay.” Sharon gave him a smile, then bent down to scratch Pete’s ears and take the toy from him. “Let’s take you back inside, then, Pete. Get you back in your kennel. And maybe I’ll come back for you tomorrow.” She had a feeling she’d be back.
David as watched as the dog wiggled a bit and barked, then he led the way back inside. There, he put Pete back in his kennel. “All right, let’s go get those things for you,” he told Sharon. Back at the main desk, David got together a little stack of papers and information, which he put in a folder and handed over. “Hopefully we’ll see you back soon.”
Sharon accepted the folder and gave the man a smile. “Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be back really soon.” She said, and patted the thing against her palm. “Also… thanks for your help today. It was really nice.” She said. Then went slightly pink, and turned to let herself out. Silly girl didn’t know how to be social and not awkward anymore.
If she was awkward, David didn’t notice. Or he didn’t let on, anyway, but he didn’t think that was the case. He gave her a little grin and a wave. “I’ll see you soon, then,” he said, going back to his work once she left.