[ 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]

"Well, yeah, but you should get to know him first," he counters, even as he ruffles the pit bull's ears. "Besides--"

That's as far as he gets before a solid thump announces Alpine's descent from the counter. The little cat scrambles up Bucky's back and peers over his shoulder at the scene below.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon laughs and reaches up to stroke Alpine's head, being careful of the tender spot where the vet had injected the chip. "Somebody's feeling a little jealous?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Maybe." Alpine butts his head against Sharon's fingers, purring. "Or he wants to be sure we remember he's here."

The dog twists his head to look up as Bucky pets along his throat, and lets out a hopeful whine as his tail thumps harder.

[from_the_outside]

"No fear of that, buddy," Sharon assures the little cat. "Nobody could ever replace you."

The dog rolls over as Bucky pets along his throat, offering up his belly hopefully, his tail whacking against the floor.

[nerves_of_ice]

He rubs in circles on the pit's belly and chest, chuckling. "Who's a good dog, huh?"

Alpine stretches his neck out, sniffing suspiciously in the dog's direction.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon takes advantage of Alpine's stretched neck to stroke his throat, feeling him begin a surprised purr at the sensation.

"He really is," she agrees. "I can't believe no one took him before. I guess they thought he was too scary looking."

[nerves_of_ice]

"This guy? He's not scary at all." He pats the dog's chest firmly, then sighs as the pit rolls over and sits up with an excited whine, bracing against the claws he's expecting to feel in his shoulder.

[from_the_outside]

"Pit bulls have a bad rap. People use them in fighting rings and those dogs come out of them pretty traumatized and touchy."

Not this guy; he doesn't seem to have any scars or bad habits. Maybe he was too young to go into the fighting pits.

The dog, a little more cautious, pushes his head forward, nostrils flaring as he sniffs at Alpine. Sharon chuckles, watching with interest. "Be nice, you two."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Understandable," he murmurs, keeping his voice low so as not to startle either the dog or the cat. "I'd be touchy too in a situation like that."

Alpine doesn't hiss, at least, but he crouches lower on Bucky's shoulder and makes a low rumbling sound, watching the dog intently.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon puts a calming hand on the dog's back, feeling him tremble with excitement. "He wants to be friends so bad," she laughs. "Give it some time, bud. Alpine will come around."

[nerves_of_ice]

“You know, I really think he will,” Bucky murmurs. “He’s not scared, or anything like that.”

[from_the_outside]

Alpine's tail lashes, and he continues making a low growling sound, but she thinks Bucky's right: he's just letting the dog know who's in charge. "Let's hope it stays that way."

[nerves_of_ice]

"No kidding." He ruffles the dog's ears and cautiously moves to stand without disturbing Alpine's balance.

"Let me sit on the couch with him for a bit and just kind of keep an eye on things, while they get used to each other."

[from_the_outside]

"Okay." She gets up, too, and pats her leg to get the dog's attention. "Come on, Bucky put some food out for you. Are you hungry?"

The dog looks wistfully back at Alpine, then gets to his feet and follows along with her to the kitchen, where he immediately slurps up some water and gets to work crunching food.

[nerves_of_ice]

He takes a careful seat on the couch as Sharon and the dog leave the main room, then holds his hand up to Alpine - the one he'd been petting the dog with.

Alpine sniffs his fingers, then starts going over every inch of his hand, sniffing thoroughly. Amused, Bucky tolerates it for a couple of minutes.

When the little cat stops to nudge his head against Bucky's jaw with a quizzical sound, Bucky scoops him up and sets him in his lap, petting him in the way he likes. "There you go, buddy. Confusing day, huh? You're fine. You're safe, we're here."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon leans onto the passthrough, arms folded, and smiles over at them.

"How's he doing?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins back at her. "He's good. Just a little confused and trying to figure things out, I think, but look."

He hasn't stopped petting the white cat, who's curled up under his hand in a comfortable ball now.

[from_the_outside]

"He looks pretty relaxed," she observes, smiling at the way the little cat stays curled on Bucky's lap. "He can always have some alone time in the bedroom, if he needs."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles. "I think he's curious enough to want to be where the action is. Just tired."

He tips his head a little to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of the dog. "How's the new guy doing in there?"

[from_the_outside]

She looks over at the dog, now back at the water bowl. "Good. I guess he was thirsty from all that running around earlier."

With a little luck, he'll be so tired out from the excitement of the day that he'll crash, and they'll have a little time to figure out a bed for him.

[nerves_of_ice]

"He's had a busy day too," Bucky laughs.

[from_the_outside]

"It's been a big day for all of us."

She comes out of the kitchen, leaving the dog to his food, and comes to sit next to him on the couch, then leans to kiss his cheek. "You're extremely good to me, you know that?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He puts his arm around her shoulders and draws her in. "You deserve nothing less."

Alpine rolls over and stretches out to his full length, putting two paws on Sharon's leg.

[from_the_outside]

"Sweetheart," she murmurs. She curls into his side, reaching to pat Alpine gently.

"I hope you'll forgive me, buddy," she tells him. "I promise I'll always love you, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

He turns his head to kiss her hair, then smiles against it. "Doesn't look like he's holding any grudges."