It's Nice To Have A Friend

40) Hot Dog

FP stood with his hands in his pockets, shifting from one leg to the other as he took a look around, feeling out of his element.

He had gone to the shelter in an impulse, believing a pet would make him feel better. But now he was here, he was suddenly doubting whether it was good idea or not.

However, there was a sweet woman who noticed he needed some guidance, which is why she made her way towards him with a warm and welcoming smile.

"What can we do for you today?" She asked politely.

"I was just taking a look around." FP said, nervously casting his eyes away.

"Are you thinking of adopting a dog?" She questioned, somehow sensing that he needed someone to pull this conversation.

"Actually, I am." FP perked up a little.

"Do you have enough time on your hands to care for a pet?" She had to ask, considering it happened a little too often that people adopted a pet and eventually left it once they had enough of it.

"When I make a commitment, I stick with it." FP promised determinedly. She believed him. He was truly intending to bring home a new friend.

"And what brought you here today?" The woman gave him a small smile as they walked to the kennels, for him to take a look.

"Grief." FP said quietly. He hadn't spoken about it with anyone ever since.

Alice had eventually fallen asleep in his arms, and he hadn't dared to move. He just looked at her, knowing that while she was asleep, she temporarily didn't know about her pain. He had laid awake all night, while he just held Alice as tightly as he could.

In the morning neither of them knew what there was left to say. He had made her breakfast (while knowing she wouldn't eat it), and tried to take care of her best as he could.

A week had passed since they lost their baby, and sometimes that meant they would simply lie on the couch together, in silence. Other times, it meant he was drying her tears when she would cry, while trying not to cry himself. He had even tried to play her guitar, which felt vulnerable to him. It had pulled her to sleep, which he believed was a good thing.

"I need some cheering up." FP said, snapping himself out of his own thoughts.

"Well, we do have a lot of happy dogs here. You can walk around and see if there is anyone you have a connection with."

She gestured for him to come further, and he was met with a bunch of tail wagging dogs, who were trying to reach them through the door of their kennel. While they looked enthusiastic, it was the dog in the back that just laid in the corner of his kennel that caught his attention.

"Who's this one?" FP had spotted him from the corner of his eye, noticing he was on his own. He looked calm, and a tad sad as if he wasn't even expecting anyone to pick him up anymore.

"He's been here for three years now. He's really to himself." She told him, giving the dog a sympathetic smile.

Everyone always walked past him, barely noticing the dog was even there. But not FP. He made his way to the kennel and bent down to his knees, smiling a little when the dog finally seemed to notice someone was trying to give him attention.

"He kinda looks like a Hot Dog." FP grinned.

"Hey, buddy. I'm FP." He extended his hand, and the dog carefully sniffed it before licking the back, telling him that he was comfortable.

"Do you want to come home with me? We could both use some cuddles, don't we?" He said sweetly, as he noticed that maybe this dog was as lonely as he was feeling right now. They could be each other's friend.