2019-11-18 - Dog Days

As is the case in many shelters around the country, many of the animals housed here spend a not-insignificant amount of their time waiting for the overworked volunteers to pay them any attention, if they get any at all. Dogs bark periodically from the kennels in the back of the shelter proper, while other animals of various size and species chitter and skreech from where they're housed. This evening, however, at least some of them are getting some attention. Addy sits patiently in the center of a large, removably fence that's been set up in the lobby--more of a suggestion than anything else, really, but a suggestion that seems enough to keep the three medium-sized dogs held within. Criss-cross on the ground, they patiently wait for one of the three to sit at their request before handing them a treat, the others quietly sniffing around and enjoying the relative freedom.

What could be better for the soul than hanging out with some cute animals for a little while? That might be what has brought Lalo here tonight -- or maybe he's looking to adopt a pet. Whatever the case, he comes inside, looking around in the way of someone who's probably never been there before. It's not a long look, though, because the dogs are the main draw, and they're right there.

"Looks like I came to the right place," he says as he starts toward the fence, though he doesn't step over yet. Instead, he crouches a little bit, holding out a hand over it toward one of them as he looks up to Addy. "Hey," he says. "This a private party or can anyone join?" He smiles widely as he says this.

The moment the dog in front of Addy--a lovely b rindle-colored girl of some pit mix--sits, they beam brightly, all-teeth and relaxed positive energy. Though they don't hesitate, they're still careful to offer the treat in a safe way, held between fingers and extended just far enough for her to reach out and take it enthusiastically. Lalo's approach has the young person turning their attention his way, smile offered in greeting as they look first to the dogs, then back to the teenager behind the lobby's desk. "I don't mind," they start softly, though welcomingly, before they reach up to adjust their ratty vest and tick their head towards the desk, "They usually want you to sign in first, though." With that they give the pit a friendly rub on the neck before briefly rising to turn their attention to another nearby pup.

"Oh, so you gotta be on the list. I see how it is." Lalo stands up then, turning to start for the desk. It doesn't take long for him to write his name on the sheet, and then he's beading back toward the enclosure. Or 'enclosure.' It's relatively enclosed, anyway. He makes his way around the edge, pulling the fence back to keep at least the idea of a blockade once he's inside, and then he just sits down to wait until one of the dogs gets interested in him. "Now I feel like a V.I.P."

It seems Addy has the same idea. After leaving the pit behind they shift a few steps to another, some kind of black retriever, and slowly drop back into a sitting position, content entirely to wait until the dog's attention turns to them. Lalo's words draw out another grin and a glance first at him, then back towards the lobby's desk, before they nod their head and look back his way, "You are. Our friends here think so, I bet." They offer one last lingering pause hefore pulling another treat out of their pocket and breaking it in half, quiet suggestion for the pup's attention to turn their way.

"Hopefully," Lalo agrees with a nod as his hand moves out to give one of the dogs a scratch behind the ear. That dog was just passing, though, on its way toward Addy, who is now likely to become the most popular person inside, considering the treats. "Trying to one-up me with the treats, huh? I see you." His words are laced with amusement, though, and the smile still on his face, as well as the tone, is certainly friendly. He shifts on the floor, pivoting onto his hip to reach across and offer a hand. "Lalo," he says.

It seems the treats are rather effective, and when the dogs move to crowd around Addy they spend a moment holding their hand out quietly, ushering the dogs to still as they set the treat down in front of them. One listens, the other doesn't. A momentary win. "It does help in making friends," Addy starts with a grin as they spend a brief moment sliding their index and middle finger into their vest pocket and uses the moment to both shake Lalo's hand and slip the treat into his palm, "Hi Lalo, I'm Addy."

"Hey, Addy. Good to meet you." Lalo pulls back his hand with the treat in it, inclining his head in a grateful nod. "And yes, I will take a pity treat. Thanks." He grins, before he settles back again, holding the treat out to see whether there are any takers. The yellow lab who had more or less snubbed him before seems much more interested now, and when the dog comes over to investigate, Lalo gives up the treat with one hand while the other comes up to scratch behind the dog's ears.

He is seated on the floor behind a movable fence that has been set up in the lobby, and the makeshift enclosure also contained three medium-sized dogs, and Addy. "So," Lalo continues now that he has a furry friend hanging out with him, too, "come here often?"

Addy's situated a few feet away, all smiles within the cage as they take their time getting to know the animals. Dressed in a ratty sleeveless vest that reveals their tattoo'd arms and what must be at least a half-dozen ripped and torn t-shirts that /still/ don't manage to cover their torso entirely, they offer the pit in front of them a gentle, soft brush of their fingertips back along their head to their neck. Something about Lalo's phrasing draws out a more directed grin, and with a brief look Addy eventually shakes their head, "Nope. Not yet." They seem momentarily comfortable to leave it at that, but with another side glance they lean in and press their hand more firmly against the dog's side, scratching away, "I come to shelters when I get to new places. My new friends don't get a lot of visitors, but I love saying hi."

The door first cracks open a bit followed by a boot being used to fully open the door. A heavily loaded man with a duffel bag on his chest and one on his back, not to mention the bags under each arm, manages to slide in before the door closes. He slowly makes his way to the desk. Once there, "Donated pet supplies from the fire department," is stated by Devlin.

"Oh, you're new in town? Me, too. I was starting to feel like I was gonna be the only one who wasn't gonna get any of the inside jokes. Everyone here already seems to know each other. I guess it makes sense, but still." The dog that Lalo is petting rolls over onto its back, and Lalo obliges with some belly rubs. "You been to that diner with all the bears yet?" he asks. "It's amazing. A+."

Devlin's arrival has him looking that way, though, and he lifts a hand toward the other man. "Hey," he says. "That's nice of you all."

"I don't know how long I'll be here," Addy responds immediately, their attention drifting away from Lalo back to the pup in front of them even as they continue speaking, "But I like it so far. I've made a lot of friends, people and otherwise. Played a lot of music. It's very pretty. I don't know anything about bear diners, I don't uh--" They pause, pursing their lips for a moment before glancing back to Lalo, "I don't eat at restaurants much." This seems to be the perfect opportunity to look Devlin over more fully as they shift in with the bag, a kind of pleased appreciation a result of the appraisal. "Do you have big ropes?" They call out to the paramedic-in-training, if their raised voice can even be called that, "I think the pit bull wants to play."

Devlin bends his knees as he sets the bags under his arms down and then slides off each duffel bag. "Might, I was in a bit of a hurry getting all this packed up so I could move it easy." He then opens one duffel bag and the top is loaded with various toys for dogs and cats. He then starts to empty it, "Ah.. figure eight rope with handle.. will that do?" he offers. "A hell of a lot of cat nip toys it seems. Hi there, I'm Devlin." He continues to empty the duffel bags and stacks things for the staff.

The pause before the reply is noted, but Lalo doesn't comment on it, just nods. "Well, if you want to check it out, let me know. My treat, 'cause I think everyone should get to eat some bacon surrounded by taxidermied bears wearing hats and shit at least once in their life." He grins, rubbing the dog's belly a little bit more vigorously, before he leans back to rest his back against the wall and looks over to Devlin again. "Lalo," he says, "good to meet you."

He might have said more, but just then, his pocket buzzes. Awkward. Oh wait, no, it's a phone. He takes it out, looking at the number, before he pushes himself to his feet. "Gotta head out," he says, looking from Devlin to Addy again. "But come find me if you want to hang out. I need new friends." This seems to be directed at both of them. "I work over at Addington Memorial." With that, he makes his way out from behind the fence, then to the exit and out.

Addy seems content to listen entirely to Lalo, even as they move to stand and depart. A quiet agreement and farewell is given as they wiggle their fingers in the man's direction before they turn to Devlin more fully. "That sounds lovely," they start as they press their hands against their knees and rise up in one swift motion, the dogs looking up at them as they make their way to the edge of the enclosed area, "I love pits. Lots of my friends in lots of different places have them, they're very friendly, even if they bark when they're excited." They don't move to take the rope themselves, instead waiting for it to be passed over, "Hi Devlin, I'm Addy."

Devlin grabs the toy, still in packaging. "Nice to meet you. Volunteer?" He then passes it to you. "Mon loved her retrievers... even though dad wanted a Rotweiler. Of course my sisters, brought cats in.. real circus growing up for me. Never spent much time around pits myself."

The question has Addy looking back towards the desk, then the dogs, as they accept the packed toy. "For today," they respond with a smile as they quietly and carefully undo the packaging to free the rope and spend a moment looking it over, "Shelter animals don't get enough visits, I think. So today I'm making new friends." With that, they step back in front of the pit--already excited at the toy they hold--and drop back into a criss cross position. "You're a firefighter?" they ask back to Devlin quietly as they slowly extend the toy in the dog's direction--the other side grabbed readily and pulled taught within seconds.

Devlin says, "Will be an EMT once I pass my exams. Some bureaucrats are worried worried about some issues when I was in LA, so.. have to take the certifications rather than get them wavered." His tone mildly annoyed by that. "But, yes I will be expected to go into structure fires with the department if needed. As to that, yeah, I will be getting a lot of training."

"Oh come on, are you sureeee you don't want another one?" One of the permanent employees - Becky - is asking Kelsey as she walks with her out into the play area.

Kelsey, who was literally just here a few days ago, laughs. "I don't have room for another one. Or I might be tempted." But there was already limited space in her Elm Street home and Wishbone was occupying that. Edgar was occupying the rest when he wasn't sleeping over at Garrett's. Yay for pet co-parenting. Dark blue eyes linger on pitbull that is standing by the two unfamiliar faces. "I'll pick up Edgar's shot records on my way out." Because you couldn't not visit the shelter and not look at the animals right?

"Alright, they'll be at the front." In all the flurry of excitement the other day of two dogs going at once, Kelsey had forgotten them. Becky left her to it! Kelsey wandered a little closer to the two people. "He's a cutie. Or is it a she?" Asking as she motioned to the dog. Her long hair was pulled back into some kind of excuse for a ponytail and she wore a pair of 'torn' black jeans with a faded Aerosmith T-shirt.

Addy periodically glances back off towards Devlin as he speaks, their attention otherwise on the pit that's lightly growling with each tug at the rope they hold between them. The poorly-dressed young person doesn't overtly /pull/, but they do hold it firm, giving just enough tension for the dog to have to tug backwards. The Oogle sits in the middle of a temporary enclosure, movable fencing housing them and three dogs--the latter two sniffing around and enjoying the open space. "You sound frustrated," they offer back to the man, without judgement, as they lean back to give themselves leverage, "I think I would be too. I hope you can help people soon, Devlin. I think the work you do is really, really important. Do you like it?" Kelsey's new arrival draws Addy's attention quietly, a silent look of appraisal given for a brief second before they look back to the pit, "She. I like her, she's comfortable and quiet and knows what she likes. I appreciate it." They pause a moment, looking back, "Are you adopting?"

Devlin smiles watching the dogs play tug with Addy. "I like being a medic. Twelve years active duty with the 82nd Airborne, two tours to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. A little time in the guard. Just some trouble down in LA is all. Learned a brutal lesson about politicians." He moves to give one of the dogs a good scritch on it's head. "Yeah, I can see where these animals do not get enough people time. I remember this camp dog.. Blackie, she was a sweetheart. I think someone from Charlie company adopted her.. hell of a paper work exercise and a lot of money to do. A lot of us chipped in to help."

Kelsey shook her head, offering a wry touch of a smile to Addy. "Nah. I was just here with my friend the other day because he wanted to get a dog...and we walked away with a dog for him and one that we're sharing. Zeus and Edgar. They're both fucking adorable." She looks to the other two dogs for a moment, then back to them. "And I don't think either of us have any more room for any more animals. I just forgot some paperwork when we were leaving with them." She listened with a mild interest to Devlin talk about his time in the military. "That's great that she was able to get adopted. They make it so ridiculous sometimes." Glancing over her shoulder to the building briefly. "This place isn't too bad though on that front." A beat of pause. "Kelsey, by the way. Nice to meet you both."

"I don't like soldiers," Addy says without even a hint of shame or hesitation, "I'm happy for your dog friend. They deserve quiet after that. They deserved quiet before, too." With a crescendo of a growl and one more big tug from the pit the rope is pulled from the transient's hands--which immediately clap together in celebration, "Good girl. Very good girl." Taking in a deep breath as the dog moves to the corner of the enclosure to slowly rip strands of the rope out, Addy turns to look back to Devlin one more time, adding, "Sorry." Another kind of apologetic look lingers as they look the man over before they turn back to Kelsey, "Addy. Nice to meet you. Is Zeus fixed? It's important. I don't think it's good luck to name a dog Zeus and not get them fixed."

"Being a soldier isn't for everyone. And I'll be the first to admit, there are a lot of assholes in uniform. It's ok. I'm only doing it part time over with a unit in Tacoma." Devlin says, not sounding offended by Addy's statement. "Good to meet you, Kelsey. I'm Devlin.. and hopefully I do not have to use my first aide skills here." his tone shifting to one of kidding.

"Oh yeah. He's an adult. Both of them are. So they're all good." Kelsey snickered a bit. 'You're right though, Addy. It wouldn't have been good luck at all. Unless you wanted a litter of puppies...then it might be the luckiest thing in the world." Kelsey shrugged, pushing a hand through some strands of hair that had fallen out of the ponytail. She doesn't comment one way or the other on whether she likes soldiers or not. Simply because that's just not in her sphere of things she focuses on actively. No sense in contributing when it doesn't really add to anything right?

Kelsey look a little amused at Devlin's comment. Her player forgot to mention that, because she is wearing a short sleeved shirt, her right arm is exposed and shows a series of scars on her forearm that look like her arm had been stitched back together from a bunch of pieces. Her 'Frankenstein arm' as she calls it. "I hope not. I'm pretty over getting injured. And I don't want anyone else getting injured either." She leans down carefully, giving the pit a few good scratches.

A young looking guy dressed in a black hoodie, leather jacket, and blue sweater, charcoal colored jeans, and all black, rubber and canvas hi-tops. His hands are jammed into his jacket pockets as he walks, slightly hunched against the cold from outside, his gaze trending downward with glances up for navigation. He walks toward the corkboards.

Devlin says, "Say.. weren't you at Dr. Kosimar's place for that meeting?" he asks of Kelsey. "Hope things went better. I left early with Thewlis as he was having issues coping with the chaos." He pets the pit and takes up the rope as the pit is not done yet. Seems a arm over the fencing is better than no arm in the pit's eyes. Of course with a playful growl she starts pulling and Devlin naturally shifts into a horse stance. "Looks like she wants to test my stance.." He smiles as you can see the tension in his arm. "Mind if I ask about the arm? Doesn't look like a wound pattern I have seen before." He the looks over to the new comer and greets, "Evening."

Kelsey's attention flickers to Blake when he comes in. "Anything interesting on there?" She asks him. Then her attention shifts back to Devlin. "I was there for a few yeah. But honestly I slipped out before it really got started. I was feeling shitty. Like I was coming down with that flu. Thankfully it passed though." She watched as he played tug of war, smiling a bit before looking to her arm. "Got caught in a woodchipper. Lucky I didn't lose it." Also highly unlikely that she didn't lose it. So, you know, either she's damn lucky or she's lying. But it's the story she's sticking to. "The stitches have finally dissolved and stuff - they say the scarring will heal eventually too. Most of it at least. Dunno if I believe 'em though."

Blake looks over to Kelsey and offers a wan grin as if out of habit, but still there's a hesitation built in. "I don't know. How do you know if a dog will get along with another dog?" He presses his lips together at that sincere quandary, as if this concern just snuck up on him. "I dog sit a...husky." He glances toward Devlin and then back to Kelsey.

Devlin hmms, "Good question.. I would guess you would have to have them meet in a neutral place." He ponders a bit, "Then see how it goes.. " He looks to Kelsey, "Any ideas on your end?" Yup... if he is going to say something about the wound, this doesn't seem like the time he will.

"Ohh is it named Rosie? The husky?" A fleeting bit of interest in her eyes. "And...well. I'd say bring the dog here so they could meet...thats' what my friend and I did. Brought my dog down to make sure that the dog he got would get along with him." She offers up when Devlin asks if she has any ideas. "But if you can't do that...then I guess it would be better to like, ask how they interact with the other dogs here and get one that is generally friendly with all of them."

"I mean...I think it's a husky? It's not my dog. Could be something else, or a mutt," Blake shrugs. "I'm not sure if the owners would be up for that, but I can ask. This dog is an alpha. Intelligent. Sometimes she tricks me," Blake admits as if the dog has found some kind of soft spot and exploited it. He kind of grins and looks off to the side. "I've never owned a dog though-oh, did I interrupt?" He glances between the other two.

Devlin shakes his head, "Not at all." he points to a pile of dog and cat food bags a long with a lot of toys that a staff member is sorting and putting a way. "I brought some donations over. Just taking a moment to familiarize myself with this place a little. Still living in a hotel for the moment, but once I have a home.. may look into a dog or cat.. assuming I can find a reliable person for when I have weekend drills.. and of course.. two week summer training."

"Nah." Kelsey assures Blake. He didn't interrupt anything at all. "I've only been here about a year and a half or so...never really wanted an animal before. But then this chick Minerva found some puppies on the side of the road in a box and I couldn't help myself. I told her I'd take one in and he's definitely been nice to have around the house. " She looks over to the stuff that Devlin donated. "Pretty sweet donation. Look at all that stuff." She mused. "Well - there's lots of places you can find around here. Cheaper side is gonna be the Trailer Park and Elm Street. I live on Elm so I know that much. Better neighborhoods are gonna be on Oak and...Spruce I think." Kelsey didn't pay much attention to street names.

Blake glances toward the donations and then back to Devlin, listening. "I live on Elm too." He looks as if he might say something more, but it's almost as if he's recharging a talking meter. His eyes are active though and bounce back to the corkboard nearest to him for a moment, though he doesn't seem to jump at the chance to volunteer to pet sit for Devlin as if the opportunity whooshed right over his head, as if he'd been lost in his thoughts. "So is it possible to volunteer here?" He looks back to the other two.

Devlin says, "I am still looking around for a place. And most shelters do take volunteers. Bet if you ask at the desk, they'll tell you how." He nods a bit, "Kelsey, if you want someone to take check the mobility of your arm as the healing completes, I may be able to clue you in on questions to ask the doctor when you go for the last check ups." He then hmms, "Been looking at different areas. At least out here, not as bad as it was in LA for driving and just how much they charged for a shoe box to live in.""

"Oh yeah? Neat. I live at number 7. But I've mostly been a hermit until like, the last few months." Kelsey offered up. It's true. Even for living here for so long already she still barely knew anyone on a level higher than 'oh hey that face looks familiar'. She looked down at her arm, instinctively curling it a little before letting it fall back to her side at Devlin's suggestion. "Sure. You have a similar kind of injury before? Or just seen them?" Her brow quirked, curious. "Shit, yeah. It's a good deal for what you get. I'm just renting my place but I got lucky - worked out a deal where everything's included so I only have one bill to worry about on the housing front."

"Right." Blake glances left, right with his lips pressed together. "21. Me too, except to support my friend, I mostly stay at home." He nods to the other two and then turns to step up to the front desk, but instead of engaging with anyone, he just grabs some relevant pamphlets and forms that are laid out to the side. Then he tucks them under his hoodie as he leaves while the others continue talking. He pauses just at the door and then mumbles a low, "Thank you," before finally slipping out.

Devlin nods, "I have seen a lot. Twelve years as a 68 Whiskey.. or medic in the Army. Two tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. I have also been involved in a lot of wound recovery evaluations and helping with recovery. So to answer you, yes, pretty sure I can be of help." He shrugs a little, "Besides.. I am going a little stir crazy studying for certifications all the time and doing.. little busy things at the office.. like bring" he points to the donated things, "that stuff here."

"That's pretty intense. " Kelsey leaned a hand on the fence lightly. "I've never been in the army but I know plenty about seeing some shit." She shakes her head. "Anyhow. I'm up for help. Trying to get better at the whole 'being social' thing anyway." There's a chuckle with that. "What brings you over here to Gray Harbor of all places?"

Devlin takes a breath, "Well.. do you want the Reader's digest version or the long version.. "

Kelsey's lips twitched in a smirk at that. "Long version's always the better one. You wanna walk and talk?"

Devlin smiles, "Well, I can give you a lift in my Rubicon if that works? So.. long version.. ok." He moves to the door to get it for you, "I had realized that in order to compete for promotions past Staff Sergeant it was going to be some intense work to get there. So I left, because the system is move up or move out as they say. As I was exiting, a friend mentioned he was going home to LA to try out for a SWAT Team Medic slot. Figured.. why not? So I went"

"Works for me." Kelsey agreed, moving over to the desk to grab the paperwork she had come for and then headed outside with him as she listened. "Huh. Alright, I can see leaving for that. So you went with this friend to LA to try out too?" She would let him lead the way over to his car. "How'd that go?"

Devlin walks with you to the car and unlocks it, "Hop in. I was not doing to bad. Mind you, I am a much better medic than I am a marksmen.. but I didn't need to be a sniper, just able to protect myself and my patient if needed. I was taking classes, drilling with SWAT trainees, and other things. For me, just another day at work with the infantry. Part of the process was going out with regular EMS on runs to get used to the LA way of doing things. Had a little excitement with a gang banger once. Gunshot wound victim in the street, we got there before the cops. My trainer refuses to get out and I can see this guy bleeding out. So I get out anyways and start treating the guy. Someone tells me to stop or they'll shoot me. I ignore the guy and keep working. Now, I could see where his shadow was and he started getting bold because he was behind me. He came up close and poked my head with his gun. That was his mistake.. I swept his leg with my leg, took the weapon, and used five fifty cord to cuff him. Left him hog tied and saved my patient. Cops were rather amused."