Bond

Pup

Today, my human Charlie is taking us somewhere after work; our shift seemed shorter than normal. So I hop in my compartment in the back and sit pretty for him. That earns me a Charlie special pat. As we drive I sniff around and smell the outside world. What's strange is that every once in a while, the car smells faintly of another dog. I know Charlie would never hurt me like that, though. Turning towards him for a second feeling and seeing the slight sadness and pain in his eyes. No... he wouldn't do that to me... I think... Huffing, I bark at him wanting to know where we are going. My human and I understand each other better than anyone else!! That's what the other humans say at the station.

   With a chuckle, Charlie glances in the rearview mirror after pulling next to a huge, loud building. "Shadow, we're here. My daughter is going to be living with us from now on. So we got to be on our best behavior okay?" I bark in agreement, wanting nothing more than his happiness. Watching him get out of the car and let me out, I know not to go anywhere with my work vest on. So I sit beside him on alert, looking up at him and making sure he's okay.

   After a long while, I sniff the air, huh? Tilting my head, that smell is similar to my human. Not moving from my spot next to him, the chief pets my head and stands up. You smell it too, Charlie, right? It smells like you but doesn't at the same time! My head never leaves the direction the scent is in. "You smell her, girl?" My bark echoes throughout the entrance, alerting the humans around us of our presence. You see, my human likes to talk to me all the time. I can tell when he is about to say something and stops. He becomes very sad so I don't push him to tell me anything. Although I do get extra cuddles on those sad days, not that I'm complaining, I love Charlie's cuddles and pets!!! Well, I just love Charlie!!

   As the scent gets closer, Charlie starts smelling anxious and excited. Waiting for her human's command, Shadow sits patiently. Even though she's still considered a puppy, she knows her rules. Vest on means we're working no time for nonsense. "Bells, you made it in one piece, I see." Hearing his voice makes me perk up again. Tilting my head at what I think is his pup, who kind of looks like him, I can confirm that she smells like him, anxiety and all. "I forgot to tell you, this is Shadow, the new K9 at our station. They set her up with me since I had Bear..." My head tilted at him, who's Bear and why do they both smell sad now? Why do I feel sad about the way he said that? Aren't I his partner?

   "It's okay. Um, hi, Shadow." Charlie's pup said to me uncertainly, and he gave me the command to greet her. So I stood up and barked while wagging my tail, sniffing her outstretched hand. I was right; she is his pup! She laughs slightly, "I guess she likes me." After another awkward mini-conversation, they start loading up the trunk. I took that as the sign to get back into the car. So I sat by my door staring at it, waiting to be let in because the windows weren't down. Charlie opened my door and signaled for me to hop in. He gave me a treat for being a good girl, my tail wagging uncontrollably at his praise. You see, along with the commands, Shadow also learned the hand signals that go along with them. It's in case they are in a position where speaking is not an option. "Why is there all this extra stuff in the back, Charlie?"

   This made Shadow make a confused sound as she looked next to her, not seeing anyone back there but her. Charlie chuckles at his companion's reaction as he drives. "That is the K9 unit. You were too little to remember, and it's always been back there." His pup looks back through the black block. As I watch her through what we like to call my bad guy window. My human tells me it's to scare the bad guy during the ride so they don't do anything to hurt him or others. "The plexiglass doesn't go all the way down. It's just enough for her to see the person's face. It intimidates the person. Plus, she also likes to be able to see everything, hence the little plexiglass door that you missed." His pup looks shocked at my door; she's an interesting pup. I'll have to keep an eye on her. I don't want her to hurt my human, no matter if she's his pup or not.

   The long drive was so fun for Shadow, who stuck her snout out of the opened window, panting happily as the different smells, cars, and shapes passed by them. As they got into town, she quickly stood in attention as her human spoke. After an awkward encounter on both parts, I got slightly antsy, seeing we were almost home. I didn't make a fuss because I was still on the job. "She's different from Bear, more on edge than I remember him being."

   "Yeah, you saw Bear when we were home. Shadow is also more up to date; she knows that when her uniform is on, she is to be serious." Charlie explains, "You'll see she's completely different once it comes off. Just remember she isn't a pet. She's an officer." This Bear... sounds important to these two humans. Before I could continue my thoughts, we stopped at the house. Oh yes!! Finally! I can get this thing off and use the potty.

   Happily scooting closer to my door as my human and his pup, 'Bells,' gets out. The pup opens my door this time, but I don't move until someone gives the signal. The pup, as I've decided to dub her, holds open the door, looking super confused. That was until Charlie whistled, "Shadow, out!" He commanded. I happily jump out, instantly going to Charlie's side, sniffing the ground around him as he grabs the bags, and we all head inside.

   Once inside, Charlie sets the bags down and takes off my vest, knowing how confused I'd be if his pup decided to play or pet me. I happily wait to be released, shaking off as my vest is off and on its reachable hook. I sniff the pups' bags and grab one between my teeth to help my human. "Um, is she going to tear up my bag?" Following my human up the stairs, I growl at the insinuation. I am a good girl, and I would never do such nonsense!

   "No, Bella," Charlie says in a laugh. Although I don't see what she said as funny, she insulted me. "She has training outside of the K9 training. She's just being polite and carrying your bag to your room." Bella nods, watching her father and his dog as she follows behind them. Once in her room, Charlie set her bags down, and Shadow placed the bag she had next to them. Before she sniffs around the room, she smells the familiar dog smell that wasn't hers. Leaving and trotting to her bowls, barking happily. Well, if he is happy, I will play nice.