Spice [NaNoWriMo 2023 Winner]

Balance

Victor and Yuuri headed for the local shelter the next morning, excited to find the perfect little family member for their little pack.

"We are thinking of a small dog, someone good with cats, travel and other dogs," Yuuri explained as Victor peered into a visitation room where a young girl was getting to know some cats.

"Okay, we have a couple of little someones who match this, although travel behavior is more of a training aspect, but most of our dogs are well behaved," The desk attendant said, "Let's set you up in a room and we'll bring in the dogs for you to meet."

"Perfect," Victor smiled and they followed her into a meeting room. They had agreed that this dog would stay with Yuuri until Victor and Yuri came up with a schedule for themselves. Yuuri himself was rooted firmly in Japan and Yuri could train from anywhere if he wanted, but he had Yakov to answer too so there was that. This new pup would be staying in the onsen until Vicchan was no longer able to travel. Victor was even thinking that he would be staying in Japan until Makkachin was no longer with him. His poodle was so deliriously happy and he didn't want to take that from him, but that was another plan for later.

"Okay, here we go!" The attendant smiled and brought in four small dogs and let them off leash. There were two Inu Shibas, one terrier mix and a cotton ball with legs. The Inu Shibas dashed for Yuuri and he giggled, petting them both as the terrier went and found something else to do. The other pooch sniffed around the floor before prancing over to Victor and promptly lay down in his lap. Victor made a high pitched noise and ran his fingers through long silky fur and looked at Yuuri with delight. The Shibas were adorable, one black the other blond but they were high energy and so very stubborn, the little dog in Victor's lap seemed quite content and very happy to be there.

"Hello pretty," Victor cooed and laughed as the dog rolled onto her back and sneezed, her entire body jerking with the movement. She was bigger than Vicchan, but not by much, was an orange colour with dark brown markings around her neck, ears and tail. White paws, chest and face with a dark nose and paw pads. She had contorted herself on Victor's lap and he was playing with her paws.

"She is some kind of Pomeranian cross, we think with a collie or sheltie dog, very smart, very sweet,"

"How old is she?" Yuuri asked as he scratched at her chin and muzzle, laughing as small paws flapped around in the air.

"We think she's three or four, she's been spayed, has all her shots and she passed her behavioral testing," The attendant smiled, calling someone in to get the other three dogs. "We have been calling her Suki."

"Suki," Yuuri said and pulled her out from Victor's lap and laughed when she pressed her paws on his chest and licked at his face. Victor snorted as Yuuri's glasses skewed, but his laughter was true and Suki barked as her tail wagged behind her. "Your name means love."

"Oh that's perfect," Victor said and laughed as Suki wiggled, getting out from Yuuri's grip and bouncing back to Victor, paws on knees with tippy taps. She was excited with them and they had fallen for her big brown eyes and charm.

"Well, Suki, I think it's you and us, what do you think?" Yuuri asked and stood up, watching Suki as she backed up and looked up at them, sitting herself down and trembling. Yuuri wondered how many people had seen Suki and bypassed her and why they would. He supposed her excitement and energy could turn some people off from her, but she was so sweet and attentive and that was what they needed. He reached down and picked her up and watched her face brighten, her little legs tucking in against her as she opened her mouth and panted. Her tail smacked against his body as they moved to fill out the adoption forms for her.