K9 Companions

8

Buck turned to Sirius, his expression earnest and bright, the kind of look that made Sirius’s heart swell with affection. “I think we should get another dog,” he said, his voice filled with excitement. “But one that’s trained to protect the baby. Maybe a German Shepherd or another Malinois, or even a Doberman.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the idea but also slightly overwhelmed. “We could,” he replied slowly, gauging Buck’s enthusiasm. “But that’s going to be a lot of work, you know? Are you ready to train another dog on top of everything else we’ve got going on?”

Buck nodded, a determined smile plastered on his face. “I want to help. Plus, you still have your certification in protection training, so it’s not like we’re starting from scratch here. Please, Sirius?” His eyes sparkled with hope, and it was clear he had already envisioned their future with an additional furry family member.

Sirius chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair as he considered the proposition. The idea of welcoming another dog into their home was enticing. It would mean more companionship, more love, and an added layer of security for their soon-to-arrive baby. “I know, but I want to make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew,” he replied, his tone teasing yet genuine.

“Come on,” Buck said, leaning closer, his excitement palpable. “We can do it together! Just think about it. A protective dog for our little one—it would be perfect. They can bond early, and who doesn’t love a little puppy energy in the house?”

Sirius couldn’t help but smile at Buck’s enthusiasm. The thought of their child growing up with not just one, but two protective dogs filled him with warmth. “Okay, okay, you’ve got a point. But we need to be realistic. Training takes time and patience, and I don’t want to overwhelm you,” he said, his voice softening as he looked at Buck.

“I’m ready for it, Sirius. I really am,” Buck insisted, his tone filled with sincerity. “I want to make sure our baby has the best protection we can offer. I want to be involved every step of the way. Plus, it’ll keep Archive company while we’re training.”

Sirius couldn’t help but admire Buck’s determination. He knew how much Buck cared about their family and the lengths he would go to ensure they were safe and happy. “Alright, then,” Sirius said finally, a grin breaking across his face. “Let’s do this. But we’re going to need a plan. We can’t just rush into it.”

“Of course!” Buck said, his enthusiasm bubbling over. “We can research breeds, find a good trainer, and figure out a schedule that works for us. I’ve even seen some trainers that specialize in protection for families with kids. We can check them out!”

“Sounds like you’ve already been thinking about this,” Sirius replied, amused. “Alright, let’s do some research together then. But I want to make sure we’re on the same page. This is going to be a big commitment for both of us.”

Buck nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’ll even help with the training! I know I’m not as experienced as you, but I’m a quick learner, and I really want to be involved.”

Sirius smiled, heart swelling with pride at Buck’s determination. “I appreciate that. I know you’ll be a great help. But let’s not forget that we’ll need to introduce the new dog to Archive, too. We want to make sure they get along.”

“Definitely!” Buck said, his enthusiasm unwavering. “We’ll make it a family affair. And just think about how much fun it’ll be to see them play together. I can already imagine it!”

Sirius could already picture the scenario Buck was painting in his mind: Archive running alongside a new puppy, their energy infectious as they chased each other around the yard, both eager to protect their family. The image brought a smile to his face, and he felt a surge of excitement at the thought of expanding their little family.

“Okay, how about this,” Sirius suggested, leaning back on the couch as he gathered his thoughts. “Let’s take the next few days to look into it. We can write down our ideas for breeds, training methods, and even how we plan to introduce them to Archive. And then we’ll figure out the best way to move forward.”

Buck’s face lit up with excitement, and he nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I love it! I’ll start looking up trainers tonight!”

Sirius chuckled, seeing Buck’s eagerness. “And I’ll handle the research on breeds. We can compare notes later. But remember, we also have to consider what’s best for our family—both now and in the future.”

“Absolutely,” Buck agreed, his voice steady. “I just want to make sure we’re prepared for everything.”

With that, the conversation flowed naturally, and Sirius felt a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose as they brainstormed ideas for their future dog. They spent the next hour discussing various breeds, their characteristics, and the qualities they would want in a protective companion for their baby.

As they wrapped up their discussion, Sirius leaned back against the couch, a satisfied smile on his face. “I think this is going to be great for us. I can already picture the three of them playing in the yard, our little family growing together,” he mused.

“Me too,” Buck replied, his gaze thoughtful. “And it’ll be nice for Archive to have a buddy. He’s so loyal, and I think he’d love having someone to play with.”

“Exactly,” Sirius said, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. “We’ll make this work, together.”

As the evening wore on, they shifted their focus to the television, enjoying the calming ambiance of the familiar setting. Archive, who had been lying peacefully at their feet, lifted his head occasionally, watching the flickering screen with a mix of curiosity and indifference.

Sirius felt a wave of contentment wash over him as he settled into the moment, the excitement of their discussion lingering in the air. He glanced over at Buck, who was absorbed in a video about German Shepherds, his brow furrowed in concentration. The sight filled Sirius with warmth.

With a soft smile, Sirius reached over, giving Buck’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m really glad we’re in this together,” he said quietly, wanting to acknowledge the bond they shared.

Buck looked up, meeting Sirius’s gaze, and for a moment, everything else faded away. “Me too, Sirius. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

As they sat there, the world outside seemed to melt away, leaving just the two of them, bound together by love and the promise of the future they were creating.