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Spencer held back a sigh as he looked up at the house. This was the third he and Luke had visited in the hopes of getting Luke's dream dog. The last two had been nerve inducing as the mama dogs had constantly growled and barked at him and the puppies had followed suit yipping. The sellers had tried to tell them it would be okay that the puppies would grow to like him but Luke had shaken his head. The man hadn't shown any disappointment when they had left but Spencer knew that he had felt it.
"Luke maybe you should just..." Spencer said slowly but his hand was soon gripping his squeezing at his fingers.
"Cariño the whole point is getting us a dog that likes you..." he said and Spencer shook his head chewing on the corner of his mouth.
"I don't think a dog like that exists..." he said grimly wondering what he was doing wrong. He tried to be calm and relaxed to show no fear and to not look threatening, he'd even had treats in his pocket at the last house but nothing was working. Dogs simply didn't like him.
"It does, Spencer...the dogs here aren't puppies they're a little older, they're ex service dogs so they need a little extra care and attention..." Luke explained as they left the jeep. Spencer nodded grimly squaring his shoulders and sucking in a breath. "They're not a serial killer, cariño, you don't need your game face on..."
"Sorry, I just really want you to get your dog, Luke..." he sighed tried to relax. Luke let out a laugh taking his hand and guiding him up to the large home.
"Our dog cariño, and we will get them, if not today then another..." Luke sounded so certain that Spencer couldn't but nod in agreement even if his heart wasn't in it. Luke pressed the doorbell and unlike in the other places they had been there wasn't a chorus of barks that greeted them just silence.
"When you say service dogs..."
"Army, police and fire ones that have either retired or can no longer serve" Luke answered and Spencer gave another nod knowing that this was more important then all the other places they had been. It had been the service dogs in Iraq that had made Luke want a dog of his own. They had waited a few minutes and then the door opened to reveal a tall woman with cropped hair wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She was smiling as she reached out to shake their hands.
"Luke Alvez! Good to see you again" she said her voice booming. Spencers eyes widened at the familiarity.
"Pam, great to see you again ...may I introduce my partner Dr Spencer Reid...Spencer, this is Pam Wright. She was military working dog handler. She trained most of the dogs I worked with in Iraq..." Luke said happily making the introductions Pam reached out a hand to him and Spencer gave a little wave like he always did before flushing and carefully offering his hand back.
"Nice to meet you..." he said the hand was rough to the touch and he tried not to think about how many germs they would be sharing and instead wondered why Luke hadn't just brought him here first.
"And you, come in, come in..." she beckoned stepping back into the house.
"I was surprised you were running an adoption agency now and no longer training..." Luke said staying by Spencer's side and Pam gave a chuckle.
"...I'm with my babies from start to finish...the dogs are through here...I've only got five in at the minute and only one ex military...she only served one tour, youngest retired dog I've had but she's been through a lot and needs a special kind of family..." Pam explained opening a gate that led into a sun/dog play room. There were chewed up toys everywhere along with tunnels and other obstacles pushed to one side. There were two couches that had seen far better days and on one of them were three dogs. Different breeds including a German shepherd and a dalmatian.
The dogs looked up as they approached and Spencer held his breath trying not to let his body tense but it was a difficult thing. None of them moved though and more importantly none barked but thet were holding themselves stiff and were watching every movement he made with intelligent eyes. "These three are Lucky, Malcom, and Daisy. Ex police dogs..." Pam said cheerfully moving to the dogs and encouraging Luke and Spencer to do the same. Holding his breath Spencer inched forward trying and failing to present an air of calm confidence. "Say hello guys..." Pam addressed the dogs and although they didn't bark they weren't overly friendly either. It was impossible, Spencer thought even as Luke reached out and stroked their heads, not even trained dogs liked him.
"Oh..." he gasped feeling something wet and warm lap at his free hand. He looked down and saw the most beautiful dog he had ever seen gazing up at him it's tail wagging enthusiastically. "...hello..."
"That's Roxy...the military dog..." Pam said seemingly holding her own breath as she watched them. "Haven't had her with me long...her handler was killed in action, she took some damage to her side..."
"H-hello...Roxy..." Spencer said softly holding his hand out to the dog to sniff. Now that Pam had mentioned it he could see scaring on the dogs left side, her hair was growing back but there was still a few patches missing. "...you're a beautiful dog..." he mumbled awkwardly as the dog continued to stare at him with eyes that sort of reminded him of Luke's. They were warm and friendly as though she was smiling. Her head cocked to one side for a minute before she trotted away only a few feet to where she grabbed a chew toy and brought it over dropping it at Spencer's feet. Not daring to move Spencer looked up at Luke and Pam who were watching with smiles on their faces.
"She wants you to play, cariño..." Luke said and slowly grimacing just a little at the slobber on the toy Spencer picked it up. Roxy dropped down on her front her tail and butt wagging from side to side until Spencer threw the toy and she was off chasing after it on shaky legs that had a little bit of a limp. The toy was soon back at Spencer's feet and with a little more confidence Spencer repeated the action sending the dog trotting after it.
Spencer played with the dog until she dropped the toy and laid down at his feet looking up at him with her loving brown eyes. Unable to stop himself Spencer dropped to the floor and let her rest her head on his leg his fingers running through her fur until she fell asleep.
"I told you we'd find our dog, cariño..." Luke chuckled and Spencer rolled his eyes not wanting to move and disturb Roxy. While he had been playing with the dog Luke and Pam had been going over details of what Roxy had been through and what kind of care plan she would need. The dog twitched against him her paws moving against the floor and with a soothing hum Spencer gently stroked her the way he did Luke when he was having a bad dream knowing no matter what this dog was coming home with them.