I was looking for a puppy, mostly Labrador?

Posted on Wed 13th Jun, 2018 @ 9:46pm by Wyatt Keller
Edited on on Wed 13th Jun, 2018 @ 9:47pm

579 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Brushfires
Location: Cosmic Creatures
Timeline: MD 15 mid-morning

Garcia wanted to do some exploring on the base. Tossed right into going on duty, with the pirate emergency, his free time was limited, so he was taking advantage of a short break. Seeing a pet store as he wandered the Promenade, he stopped inside. The shop was more like a playground than a store, and he smiled.

A bird landed on his forearm, "Well hello, my small friend. Tell me, are you the owner here or the sales-clerk?" Darren said softly.

Wyatt heard someone in the shop and walked out from the back room where he'd been preparing lunch for the animals. "He's the free advertisement." Wyatt chuckled and offered his hand. "Wyatt Keller, how can I help you?"

The bird hung on as Garcia accepted the handshake readily. "Hello, Wyatt, Darren Garcia. I stopped in to ask you how well dogs do on the base. I would like to have one, but I don't have time for a mental puppy. A normal one is enough work as it is."

Turning serious, Darren continued, "Really, I was thinking of a friend and sort of a mascot for my Marine fighter flight. He'd live with me, but the techs in my maintenance crew would look out for him when I'm on mission. I spoke with them about it already, and they're excited about the prospect."

"I'm sure any animal you would purchase would be well taken care of." Wyatt smiled and gave the man a nod. "Dogs seem to be a favorite on the station and they do pretty well. There are plenty of walking areas, and the gardens provide a mixture of fresh air and sunshine -ish." Wyatt grinned. "I have a couple of Akitas left from the litter we rescued ... they're about a year old. But if you're looking for something smaller or younger, come on in the back, and I'll show you what we have in the kennel areas."

"How big is an Akita? I was thinking of something along the lines of a lab or a greyhound, but maybe that isn't practical here," Garcia said.

"Well, an Akita is like a large husky." Wyatt explained. "They can be anywhere from 75 to 110 pounds at maturity."

"Oh. 75 might be all right, but 110 ... a bit too much. Maybe you better show me something else," Darren said. "I don't want some yippy little thing, so I do want a good-sized one, but something not too muscular, presuming that's what accounts for the weight. I actually want a running companion.

"I don't suppose this bird runs?" he joked, as the thing was still clutching his arm, though not painfully. "He seems to have taken a liking to me, at least."

Wyatt laughed. "I really don't have much else right now, but if you're really interested, there is a shelter on deck 1551. I believe it's called The Commiseration Animal Shelter." He stopped to think a minute and then continued. "Sometimes people adopt out animals they can't keep, or sometimes they are transferred and can't take them." He shook his head a little sad. "I try to refer prospective pet parents to them because there is such a need to find these poor critters homes and companions."

"That sounds like something I need to pursue then. Thanks for the tip. If I ever want a bird, I'll be back," Garcia said, holding his arm toward the pet store owner, bird still firmly attached. "Heck, I might come by just for visitation rights!"

 

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