Mavery curled up in her kennel, trying to sleep off her depression.  She'd been at this shelter for   18 long weeks and no human had seen fit to adopt her.  She was depressed because she really wanted a good and stable home.

Meanwhile,  Iyke was attacking his food dish playfully. “Today's the day, Maves, I can smell it"

“Maybe for you"

“Aw, don't be that way."

“Why not?"

“Tell ya what. When I get adopted, I won't leave unless they take you with me, okay? That way we get to be  like brother  and sister and best friends of course"

“Thanks, Iyke.  You're a pal" Mavery said brightening a bit.  Iyke was adorable and full of energy and upbeat attitude it was hard to stay depressed around him too long.  

The door opened.

“Oooh, Humans! Put on your happy face, Maves"

Bry and Kells were seeing each other for  3 years and wanted to bring their relationship to the next level.  Both women agreed that a puppy was the way to go. So they stopped by the shelter.  Bry wanted a sporting dog, one with energy who she could take on her morning runs. Kells wanted a  working dog that they could trust to protect them at night.

So they agreed to get a mutt from a shelter and hope it was in the cards that they find what they both wanted and needed.  Torush, who was a short Indian gentleman, and the owner of the shelter lead them to the first of the four kennels in the large no-kill shelter that never seemed to have enough space but never turned a pup in need away.

Batz, a doberman/australian shepherd mix in the kennel next to Mavery, spoke up, “I bet they'll pick me, not either of you, two runts.  Look  can't you tell  they want a guard dog?"

“Psh,  whatever, can you smell the sweat and look at that one's legs, I bet she wants a fun dog to play and run with, like me!" Iyke retorted.  

All the dogs were barking loudly,  as the prospective owners walked the halls of  Kennel A. All the dogs, of course…. Except for Mavery. She lay her head on her paws and looked up, pathetically sad. Kells saw her.  “Oh look, Bry,  this one is adorable"

“Oh, I don't know…" Bry looked at the label tag on her cage.

Mavery.  German Shepherd/Golden Retriever Mix. 18 months old.  Female.

“She doesn't look like a runner or a guard dog. What about him?"

Bry was gesturing to Batz in the cage next to Mavery.

“I suppose,"   Kells said as  Bry's attention was stolen by  Iyke's high energy tricks.  

“You're a ball of energy, aren't ya .. Iyke?" she said as she looked at his label.

Iyke.   Terrier/??? Mix. Definite Mutt.  Male.  9 months old.  

Torush came in and checked on them.  “See any you love?"

“Yes!"

“Great!"

And at the same time, Kells and Bry replied,

“That one!"

“These two!"

Bry looked at her girlfriend. “Two? Kells,   we agreed on one dog"

“But what if they get lonely?"

“Then we get two, maybe,  but we can't afford  three!"

“Well you shouldn't have shown me, Batz"

“Bat-- oh the doberman mix." Bry sighed, “What  is it about the girl dog that has you so attached to her?"

“I don't know. I just … connected with her" Kells said as she waved at Mavery, who was sitting up, ears perked a little, tail twitching, hope in her eyes.

“Look at that face!  You can't say no to that face!"

Bry turned and looked at the hopeful Mavery. Then the enthusiastic,  Iyke, and the protective stance of  Batz, who was a full-year-old.  Mavery was the oldest being a little over a year.  It would make them hard but not impossible to train.  But she couldn't say no to any of them."

“How much for the three of them?"

Torush grinned.  “For those three? How about an even 300. Including shots, spaying fees and vet insurance up to a year.Then you'll have to renew of course."

Bry and Kells looked at each other and smiled back at Torush.  “Done," they said in unison again.

“I'll get the paperwork…"

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