The Decision That Changed My Life

The Shelter

'I can't believe I'm actually doing this' I think to myself as I enter the room filled with kennels and terrified hybrids. My name is Niall Horan and I am 23 years old. I live alone in a big two story house in London England. I recently decided that I'm tired of being alone and that the best way to do that is to find someone I can take care of. I don't want a relationship with someone that just wants my money and I'm not ready to be a dad so adopting a kid is definitely out. So I figured a hybrid would be the best choice, they're cuddly and just want to be loved and taken care of. I've never had one before and for the past few weeks I've been reading about how to care for them. This visit is just to look and see my options, and if I do find one then that's an added bonus. I begin walking farther into the room and look at all of the male and female dog and cat hybrids. I go up to some of the cages to get a closer look but none of them catch my eye or just don't want to be near me. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. Suddenly an employee enters the room and brushes past me as he goes to the back kennels I follow him curiously and stay a few feet behind him only to see three frightened beautiful male brunette dog hybrids about my age huddled up in the back of their kennel clinging to each other like their lives depend on it.
"Sorry boys but your time is up" the employee says gruffly as he unlocks the cage. I gasp as he goes onto the kennel and yanks the one with the long curly hair and green eyes out by his beautiful locks.
"Harry! No please don't take him" one of the boys cries out, reaching through the now locked cage to try and grab at his friend.
"Shut up mutt!" the employee growls before smacking the boy's hand hard.
'That's it!' I think to myself, I'm not going to let this guy hurt them.
"Hey!" I say loudly, grabbing the man by his arm.
"What the hell are you doing? Leave him alone!" I growl and the guy scoffs, shaking off my hand.
"Sorry but these boys are about to be euthanized, they've been here four years and haven't been adopted. We need room for new hybrids so these ones have to go" the employee says and the boy he's yanking on yelps when he pulls on his hair too hard. He looks up at me sadly with tears in his eyes as he begins being dragged away and his friends cry out desperately. I stand there stunned for a few seconds before snapping out of it, I can't just let this happen.
"Wait!" I call out when they're halfway across across the room. The employee huffs but stops and looks back at me with a bored expression.
"Yes?" he says blankly and my eyes narrow.
"I'll take them, all three of them" I say and he freezes. He's so shocked that his grip loosens and the boy called 'Harry' scrambles away from him and runs to me only to collapse at my feet. He hugs my legs desperately and I feel my heart break as I see tears slide down his cheeks.
"There there,it's going to be alright" I say soothingly, gently rubbing the top of his head as he nuzzles his face into my knees, being careful to avoid hurting his head even more.
"Ha! There's no way you can afford all of them! Just pick one" the employee scoffs as he approaches us. I glare at him and pull out my wallet. I open it and show him my ID. His eyes widen and he stammers.
"My apologies Mr. Horan, it won't happen again" he apologizes quickly as he goes past me and immediately unlocks the cage that holds the rest of my boys. He opens it and the two immediately run to me, dropping to their knees as soon as they're in front of me. I smile down at the three of them and take turns rubbing between the cute little triangles on the top of their heads.
"Come on boys, I just need to fill out the paperwork and then we'll go home" I say gently and they all smile up at me happily, and I'm sure that if they had tails they'd be wagging right now.
"Yes Sir" the one that had cried out to Harry says with a cute little grin as I help them stand up.
"And what are your names? I already know that this is one is Harry" I say with a smile as we follow the employee out of the kennels and to the front office, taking Harry's hand which is shaking very hard.
"I'm Louis, Sir" the boy with shaggy brown hair says and I grin at him, Louis smiles back at me and his green eyes sparkle.
"And I'm Liam" the other boy says. Liam has slightly messy hair and warm brown eyes. All three of them have light tans and are looking at me like I am the best person in the world.
"Well it's very nice to meet you Harry, Louis and Liam, I'm Niall" I say with a smile as we reach the front desk. I speak to the woman behind the desk and she smiles before getting the necessary paperwork for me to sign. I quickly fill it out and write out the check. I give them to her and we're finally allowed to leave. As soon as we're out of that horrible building the boys let out excited whoops. I laugh and lead them over to my car. I unlock it and help Liam and Louis buckle up in the back seats. I turn to Harry ready to help him next and he looks at me shyly.
"Can I sit up front with you? Please?" he says hopefully and I smile at him.
"Of course" I say before giving my other two boys one more smile before closing the back door. I open the passenger seat and help Harry get settled in before running to the drivers side and getting in the car.
"You boys ready to see your new home?" I say with a smile and from the mirror I see Louis and Liam nod enthusiastically from their seats.
"Alright then, first we'll go the store and get you guys some clothes, I also need to get you a collar and we'll get some groceries" I say and they all smile at me. I start the car and they all yelp at the sudden sound and movement.
"Shhh it's alright, it's just the car" I say soothingly and take Harry's hand, who is now looking at me with frightened eyes.
"I won't let anything happen to you, I promise" I say as I turn in my seat to look at my frightened boys.
"Everything is going to be alright, I'll take great care of you. And you'll never have to see this horrible place ever again" I swear to them, I am never going to let them come back here. I see they all still look a bit scared and move a bit closer.
"Unbuckle for a second boys" I say gently as I release Harry's hand, and they all begin doing what I ask. Once they're unbuckled they all lean towards me and I pull them into an awkward hug. I rub my nose against their necks and jaws in a comforting manor, according to an article I read this gesture makes hybrids feel safe and secure. They take turns nuzzling me back and I smile, glad they're beginning to trust me.
"Thank you Mr. Horan" Louis mumbles after we break the hug and I shake my head slightly.
"Call me Niall please, Mr. Horan is my father" I laugh and they all giggle slightly. I open my mouth to stay something but get cut off by the sound of a stomach growling. I laugh and look over at Harry who is now blushing madly.
"We can talk more later, right now I need to get my boys fed" I say playfully with a wink before turning around in my seat and buckling up. I hear them all buckle themselves in and I pull out of the parking lot, happy to leave this horrible place as soon as possible and start my new life with my boys.