The Youtuber's Obsession

{Two}

Sam is woken up by the bed shaking, slobber dripping down his cheek from the soft tongue that licks at his face and various nudging of paws or kicks of legs. Groaning, he ignores his own need for sleep to drag himself to the bathroom, blinking the fuzziness from his vision. Why do I have dogs again? Is a short thought, quickly forgotten when his blabber screams. The time is eight-thirty, enough time to shower, walk the dogs and grab a quick breakfast before his shift at the bakery at nine-thirty. Hurriedly, he showers and dries off, dressing in the uniform. The shirt is a pale sky blue with deep black slacks, and the cupcake cartoon logo design of the building is on the breast pocket. 

The slacks are a tight fit, but he can breathe and move and that's what's important to him. Letting his short hair air dry, he's herded to the kitchen by three sets of paws and shoulder bumps on his legs to keep him moving. Fenrir talking, demanding breakfast, with deep rumbling growls and gentle nibbling of fingers. Sam laughs, gathering the big bowls and supplies for their light breakfast. Measuring out a healthy amount of food, adding the correct powders to help joints or digestion, and two carrots each.

Setting the bowls down on the respective mats in the corners of the kitchen, the dogs sit patiently at their bowls for the go-ahead to eat. A sharp whistle puts them in action, eating as quickly as the mazes in each bowel allow. It's to keep them from choking or flipping their stomachs, eating too quickly can cause issues and Sam wants to avoid that. They haven't learned to slow down just yet and he's taking precautions. As he waits for them to finish, he eats oatmeal to get something in his stomach before the walk. It's plain, nothing added to make it taste better rather than cinnamon. However bland, it is only meant to be a snack before his meal. When Fenrir, Orthrus, and Cerberus finish eating, they all prance around like excited ponies, ready to go walking. 

Grabbing the colored harnesses he gets them ready; black for the dark-coated eldest Fenrir, the middle sibling in blue that shines against the sleek gray coat of Cerberus, and red for the youngest light brown spotted white Orthrus. While the dogs may not be able to see colors, they know which one is theirs by the hooks they hang from. Fenrir's harness hangs closer to the door, Cerberus is in the middle, and last, Orthrus is at the end. They sit, squirming in excitement as they're secured in the harnesses. Sam pets and praises them, kissing heads and scratching behind ears, taking joy in playing with them. He grabs his keys and phone, connecting the harnesses to the multiple-clip single leash he has, one leash that connects all three dogs.

They guide him out into the hall, using soft, quiet barks or happy growls to show how excited they are. Sam is always secretly proud when they use their 'inside voice' as he trained them, so they don't bother the neighbors with loud barking. It took a lot of work on all parts, the human had to take classes to train the dogs and the animals had to be taught by a student trainer. It wasn't easy, but eventually, it worked out. The dogs are trained nearly perfectly for what their daily schedule is and what the surroundings are, for an apartment building. They nudge him gently and wiggle, wet noses slicking his wrist or elbows as he locks the door. Soon, they're leading the way to the elevator to go down to the lobby, tails wagging and big smiles with long tongues hanging out. The morning work rush brings out a lot of neighbors, the elevator has three people in it when it stops for them. 

Two older gentlemen in suits and a teenage girl in a school uniform, the slacks and t-shirt bland and unfaltering. Once the dogs are acknowledged they receive vast reactions from the people, the girl grins at them while one of the men shifts into the corner further away from them. Sam settles in the middle, knowing from experience that people would rather walk behind the dogs instead of in the front. The breeds have a bad reputation and no matter how liked they are to neighbors, there are still others in the building that aren't as used to them. The scary looks of them create a circle of uncertainty around Sam, with others mostly unwilling to test the dogs. The girl is the only one of the three who steps closer, respectively asking to pet the dogs before touching or getting closer. At the quiet nod she can, she grins and pets each wiggling body and asks their names.