[ Brooklyn ] a visit to the vet

[from_the_outside]

Getting Bucky to agree to the chip had been like pulling teeth, but he'd eventually given in. Neutering had been a whole other conversation, and she's still not sure he's totally on board with the idea. 

But agree to the chip he had, and an appointment had been made, and now she's waiting by the door of the apartment, checking the time as Bucky wrangles an unsuspecting Alpine. "Baby, do you need some help getting him in the carrier? We've got to get going."

Picking the vet had been a whole other adventure, but they'd finally settled on one nearby that had glowing reviews from multiple pet owners. Still, she thinks Bucky's more nervous about the whole idea than Alpine himself.

Comments

[nerves_of_ice]

"There are. The Blip was hard on animals, too. So we do what we can to help out." She rubs Alpine's ears. "Just a little sting," she reassures him, and depresses the plunger.

Alpine lets out a sharp yowl and flattens his ears. Bucky reaches for him.

[from_the_outside]

"It's okay," Sharon says, quickly, though whether she's talking to Alpine or Bucky even she doesn't know. "Bucky, let her finish up."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's in," the vet assures them, all three. "You can hold him while I get the scanner to check the placement."

Bucky scoops Alpine into his arms, wrapping and all, and cradles him close, but the little cat doesn't seem troubled beyond the loud yell. He rests his chin on Bucky's forearm and watches them all with bright eyes.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon reaches up to rub her fingers gently over the little cat's forehead, stroking his fur. "You did so good," she praises. "Good job, Alpine. Almost done."

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's it, buddy. Sharon's right, you're doing great," Bucky murmurs, and holds still as Dr. Kendall runs the scanner over Alpine's shoulders. It beeps obligingly and she turns it so they can see. "All set." She hands the packaging to Sharon. "Make sure to register that online, and we've got a vet's registration here too, so he'll be doubly protected."

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks." She takes the packaging and tucks it into the tote she's started carrying once more, then looks back at the vet. "All set for today?"

"All set. The girl at the desk will take care of checking you out," the vet tells them, before smiling at Alpine. "See you next time, Alpine."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky brings Alpine over to the carrier, where he loosens the wrapping and lets the cat wiggle free and back inside. He zips it up and straightens, meeting the vet's eyes.

"Thanks. I, uh, appreciate it."

[from_the_outside]

Kendall smiles and nods to them, then goes briskly back through the door, while Alpine shakes himself and settles down to groom his tail.

Sharon gives the carrier a pat, then comes over and pushes onto her toes to kiss Bucky's cheek. "You did great, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

He wraps his arms around her and holds her close for a moment. "I don't mind saying that was rough. Thanks for being here, baby."

[from_the_outside]

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

She puts her arms around him in turn, holding him close. "How about we take care of the bill and head home, and then I think you and Alpine both deserve some extra treats today."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I think that sounds like a great idea." He drops a kiss on her hair before letting go and gathering up the carrier. "Want to stop by and say bye to that dog?"

[from_the_outside]

She laughs, a little surprised, but it's not strange he'd picked up on how much she'd enjoyed that. "If he's around," she says. "I can't believe nobody's adopted him, he seems so sweet."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We can take a look." He holds the door for her as they retrace their steps. "He does seem like a good dog."

[from_the_outside]

The pitbull isn't in his cage and neither is the lab when they go through, and the receptionist smiles as Sharon signs their paperwork and asks about them. "They're probably out back with the rest of the day care pack," she tells them. "You can go look, if you want."

Sharon glances up at Bucky, wavering. "We don't have to."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky glances down at Alpine, who's curled up in a sleepy ball around his catnip mouse, and smiles at her. "We've got time. Let's go see."

[from_the_outside]

She still thinks that smile of his is the most beautiful thing she's ever seen, and she's still powerless to resist it. "Okay."

The yard is really a small green area, tucked away behind the building and between a few others, but it seems to be paradise for the pack of dogs running around in it, playing and tussling with each other. The pitbull's there, in the thick of it, and Sharon grins as he goes leaping after a ball tossed by a volunteer. "Seems pretty happy."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Pretty friendly, too. He's not snapping or standoffish at all," Bucky notes. That's a good sign.

[from_the_outside]

A smaller dog comes to chew on the pit's ear, and he allows himself to be taken under, growling happily as Sharon laughs. "Yeah, no kidding."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Patient, too." Which is an even better sign, given what he's considering now.

"You know, I forgot to ask about following up on the tests for the little guy here. Why don't you hang out here while I take care of that?"

[from_the_outside]

"Okay, baby." She leans on the fence, watching as the dogs play and run around, enjoy their simple delight. "I'll be right here."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Back in a few," he promises, and heads inside. Bucky waits until he's out of earshot before he murmurs to Alpine, "Buddy, I know it's been a big day for you, but let's just see, okay?"

[from_the_outside]

After a few moments, the volunteer comes jogging over, holding out a ball. "Want to throw a few?"

Sharon laughs and takes it. "Sure. These guys seem like they're having a great time."

[nerves_of_ice]

He talks with the receptionist first, who directs him to the vet tech who heads up the adoption program, and explains what he'd like to do. "I have to look out for the little guy here," he says, holding Alpine's carrier up a little. "So I was wondering if there was a chance for some kind of home visit, or trial period or something?"

The tech nods. "Normally we need to run a background check first," she says. "But--"

Her glance drops to his arm and holds for a moment before she looks back up at him. "In this case I think we can make an exception. Let's get a couple of forms filled out, and get you a visit supply kit."

[from_the_outside]

After everything, she's not sure she could even have imagined a simple pleasure like this: throwing the ball for a happy pack of jostling dogs, laughing as they wrestle and play.

Maybe she'll come back and visit, now and again. It's not like it's far from the apartment.

[nerves_of_ice]

He slings the backpack of dog supplies on his shoulder and walks with the tech back to the yard, grateful that Alpine’s still snoozing in his carrier.

One look at the joy on Sharon’s face as she plays with the dogs and his heart lifts. He walks over to join her as the tech heads for the volunteer.

“Having fun, baby?”