Crossing Boundaries

Pet Store

Sang, Gabriel and Luke piled into the car with Kota at the driver's seat. Nathan was called on a job somewhere so he wouldn't be joining them. He pecked Sang on the cheek and waved as the car backed out of the driveway. Sang was rather looking forward to this kind of shopping trip. Gabriel usually commandeered any kind of shopping Sang or the boys went on and this was no exception. He rattled of a list of pet stores they just had to try out. As far as Sang knew, Gabriel had no pets of his own so how he knew all this information was a mystery to Sang but she shouldn't have been surprised, this was Gabriel after all.

Kota fiddled with the radio for a while trying to find something they all could agree on. Luke and Gabriel sang along to some rock song that Sang only vaguely knew.

The first pet store they came upon was huge. Sang stared at the massive building and was shocked that such a place existed that had only pet things you could buy. Kota pulled into a parking space. "I think it's best if we just have a look first and maybe focus on the nec..." Kota started but Gabriel interrupted, "This is Sang's first pet we are talking about. We have to spoil her a bit."

Sang tried to interject but Luke got there before her, "Oh yes, Shep will want for nothing."

Sang and Kota sighed but kept pace with Gabriel and Luke who were chattering up ahead of all the cool things that are available for dogs. Sang knew from past experiences that there was no way to argue with Gabriel and Luke at the helm.

Kota grabbed a cart before they stepped into the air-conditioned building. Gabriel led the way past aisles and aisles of accessories, food, bedding and other paraphernalia for pets that Sang had never seen before. There was like three aisles just for rabbits and other rodent like pets. Over at the back there were lots of cages, terrariums and aquariums full of exotic pets. Sang had heard about what kind of pets could be kept in these habitats but she had never been up and personal with them. She was eager to check them out but Gabriel and Luke were clearly on a mission. Gabriel was mumbling to himself and picking up various objects and putting them back. They flew past more aisles filled with different kinds of beddings for cats and dogs. Some were tiny and covered, maybe more appropriate for a rat while others were as big as a bed for toddlers. Sang wondered what kind of animal would occupy that bed. She tried to look at the price tag but Luke kept steering her away from looking too closely at them.

Once in a while, Gabriel would throw something into the cart only for Kota to pick it up and put it back. "You know, I actually have a dog so I know what kind of things they need," Kota tried to say but Gabriel pretended that he did not hear. They did pick up some useful things though like a crate for Shep and a soft mat as his bed. They picked up a blanket as well so Shep could join them in the living room. The next aisle they came upon was filled with rows and rows of hanging collars and leashes. Gabriel was studying some collars that looked like it had rhinestones and diamantes on them. Sang stepped forward and placed her hand on Gabriel, "Definitely not those, Meanie. Shep is a boy and he's not the delicate type to travel in handbags."

"Actually, I was thinking they would look quite good on you."

Sang gave Gabriel a 'you have to be kidding me look' while Luke snickered in the background.

They eventually found a blue and white striped collar and matching leash that Sang really liked the look of. Kota also picked up a dark blue harness for training purposes. After moseying around a few more aisles and picking up a few more things, they came to the food bowls and dog food. Kota found a slow-feed bowl similar to the one that Max had used.

Sang looked into the cart and decided that it didn't look that bad. She had thought that Gabriel would try and fill it to the brim. Actually he probably would have if Kota hadn't come along. Sang begged and pleaded with the boys to come and have a look at the back section with the exotic pets. No one could say no to her so they took a little detour.

Sang felt like she was in another world. She had never seen so many different kinds of animals before. She remember going to the zoo with her family when she was very young; but that was before her mother got sick and since then, they never did anything as a family together. Sang went from cage to cage. She cooed at the baby bunnies and shied away from the lizards and spiders. Her eyes got big when she saw the massive aquarium at the back with an astonishing array of colourful fish. There were even seahorses bobbing along. The boys were staring at Sang again. They loved this side of Sang and promised each other that they would introduce Sang to more new things where she could take in the experience and get excited about them.

Sang spent a good 15 minutes ogling all the animals before she realized that they needed to get back to Shep. After the checkout (where Sang was not allowed to look at the bill), they loaded all the packages in the car. The crate was a collapsible one so luckily it was able to fit into the car. Sang got into the front with Kota this time. She couldn't sit still in her seat; she was impatient to try out all the new things they bought for Shep.