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Daisuke was devastated when Eira passed away. Poor girl was already starting to show her age by the time Daisuke officially moved in. Her once black and amber coat had dulled into a shaggy mix of salt and pepper and her muzzle looked as if someone had dusted powdered sugar on it. She hadn’t gotten sick or anything; guess it was just old girl’s time to go.
“You alright Sunshine?” Swansea put a concerned hand on Daisuke’s shoulder.
He was sitting in the living room alcove holding Eira’s urn in his hands. His gaze was somewhat distant.
“I miss her,” he whispered gloomily, his shoulders sagging. His once bright and bubbly demeanor subdued.
He hadn’t known Eira for long, but they quickly became inseparable. He still remembers the way her tail would whip back and forth with so much force, you would worry she might hurt herself. The way her ears would perk up whenever Daisuke would call her over for treats. And the warmth she would radiate as they laid down cuddling on the couch watching whatever god awful reality show Daisuke was obsessed with at the time.
Swansea’s gaze softened and he put an arm around the young man.
“I know,” he placed a tender kiss on Daisuke's temple and gently rubbed small circles onto his arm. A long moment of silence was shared between them before Daisuke finally spoke.
“You remember when we went on a walk to the dog park and she tied your legs together and you almost fell into the duck pond?” Daisuke chuckled lightly.
“Yeah- and I distinctly remember you laughing your smug little ass off as I was struggling to get untangled,” Swansea huffed, but smiled as he saw a soft chuckle bubbling in Daisuke’s throat.
“What can I say, you looked pretty nice all tied up~” Daisuke winked. Swansea playfully swatted back at him.
“You wouldn’t have thought it was funny if it was you who almost fell in a giant pile worth of goose shit,” Daisuke bursted out laughing.
Swansea’s heart warmed at the way Daisuke’s bright smile practically lit up the room. The cute way his eyes creased at the sides. He was so beautiful.
“Hey Swansea? Do you ever plan on getting a new dog?” He asked, rotating the urn in his hands and running the pad of his thumb over the engraving of Eira’s name.
“Might be too old to think about getting another pet now,” he responded languidly.
After all, he got Eira back when he was a younger man, she was a gift to his ex-wife who loved dogs. He got her from a neighbor whose dog had puppies. She was so little then, quite the trouble maker too. He can’t even mention the amount of his personal sneaker collection that rambunctious pup chewed through. It’s unfortunate that after the divorce she couldn’t bear to even look at Eira, “brings back too many sore memories.” she would say coldly. He looks back at those memories solemnly. But in the end he ended up meeting Daisuke and his life has been all the better for it.
“Oh-” Daisuke nodded a bit sadly, “I understand.” He got up from his spot on the alcove and pecked Swansea on the lips. “I’m gonna go get started on dinner. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” He pecked him on the lips one more time and headed towards the kitchen, stopping to put Eira’s urn on the mantle and heading towards the hook in the kitchen that held his apron.
It was the sadness in Daisuke's response that pushed him towards getting in contact with the nearest animal shelter near their home.
“Hello, Sunnyhill Animal Shelter, this is Ellie speaking! How can I help you?” Swansea swallowed and cleared his throat.
“Uh- hi, I was just calling to see if you guys had any adoption events or in-person appointments where we can come in and meet some of the dogs? See, I’ve never actually adopted from a shelter before so I’m not too sure how this all works.” Swansea nervously scratched the back of his head.
“Aww, That’s okay- I can explain it to you.” She responded in a chirpy tone “So we do hold monthly adoption events but, unfortunately this month’s was last weekend. Don’t worry though, we have plenty of friendly pups still looking for good homes. Did you want to set up an appointment?"
“Yeah, let’s set one up.”
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Just like that they were set up with an appointment. Daisuke, hopping into Swansea’s old beat up pickup trick on their way to some place his boyfriend would only refer to as a “Surprise.”
“Soooo- where are we headed?” Daisuke asked in a sing-song way, his feet swinging in time to the music playing on the radio.
“For the hundredth time, you’ll find out once we get there.” Swansea gruffed out. He loved the young man but geez- one more question of where they were going and he might actually toss him out the window. Daisuke snickered at his grumpy expression and turned the volume up on the radio.
They eventually pulled into a long rocky driveway that rounded into the main entrance of the shelter. The front was covered in lush flower beds and perfectly trimmed bushes. Near the sidewalk leading to the front door, stood the statue of a dog holding a ball in its mouth. The words “Sunnyhill Animal Shelter” engraved in the stone panel under its paws.
“No way!” Daisuke gushed “for real?” He was practically vibrating in his seat as Swansea parked the car.
“I know you’ve been pretty upset about Eira and I know you really miss having a dog in the house. I’ve been thinking it over and I think getting another dog would be a great idea.” Swansea could hardly finish his sentence before Daisuke grabbed his face and pulled him in for a big kiss.
“I have the best- most handsome boyfriend ever!” he said in between kisses. Swansea hummed into the kiss, the sides of his lips curving into a warm smile.
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When they made it to the front desk, a young woman with thick glasses, brunette hair pulled into a ponytail, and a plastic nametag displaying the name “Ellie” greeted them with a big smile and a chirpy “Welcome in!”
“Hi, I’m Swansea. I called yesterday about an adoption appointment.”
“Oh! Yes, I remember.” She pulled a clipboard out and started writing down his name “And this is?” she pointed at Daisuke.
“My boyfriend,” he said warmly. Daisuke waved from behind him.
“I’m Daisuke.” He smiled brightly.
“Swansea and Daisuke,” she repeated as she finished writing and passed them their visitor badges.
“We’re so happy to have you! If you wanna follow me I can take you to the back to see the dogs. Unfortunately, due to the adoption event we held last week, most of the younger puppies have already been adopted but feel free to look around,” she walked them back with a pep in her step.
Daisuke had never seen so many dogs before. His family was mostly cat people so he never really got the opportunity to have a dog. Not that he minded too much, his childhood cat Mochi was the best cat he could have ever asked for. It was so disheartening when she got sick and passed away. He was too young to truly remember everything but she was a big part of his childhood and considered part of the family. It wasn’t until he got together with Swansea and met Eira that he realized just how great dogs really are. He’s so grateful to have met Eira before she passed away. He just wishes he could have thanked her for being such an amazing dog and taking care of Swansea all those years.
“Hey kid, you alright?” Swansea placed a hand on his elbow. Daisuke shook himself free from his thoughts.
“Yeah! Sorry I just got stuck in my head.” He chuckled nervously. Suddenly he gasped “Babe look!” He pointed at what Swansea would only describe as a walking barking ball of cotton.
“This is Izzy. She’s a Bichon Frise. She’s a pretty dog and ironically- has quite the temper on her.” Izzy barked loudly over Ellie’s explanation and Daisuke smiled down at the pup.
“Aww she’s so cute!” Daisuke waggles his finger at the cage and almost loses it to Izzy’s teeth.
“Careful Dai, I think this one has a taste for human flesh,” Swansea chuckled.
“Sorry, she’s just a bit skittish is all,” Ellie smiled apologetically.
The next couple dogs were a bit of a blur, he met a golden retriever with the silkiest coat he’s ever seen, a scottish terrier with the cutest little mustache, a pitch black Borzoi that he couldn’t help but to take a picture of and send to Anya with the caption “she kinda looks like you!” with a little heart and laughing emoji attached.
He stops at the cage of a young pomeranian named “Biskit” yipping and running. She did little energetic circles around her cage.
“Hiya!” Daisuke crouched down and put his fingers in through the bars of the cage. The energetic pup immediately yipped and started licking at Daisuke’s hand happily.
“She seems to like you.” Swansea smiled, crouching down and reaching in to scratch the wiggly pup between the ears.
Suddenly a low solemn howl rang out from the cage across from the pomeranian. Daisuke turned around to face where the sound was coming from and saw a mountain of white and brown fur curled in on itself in the furthest corner of the cage.
Daisuke dusted the knees of his pants and made his way over to the other cage. Swansea raised a brow and followed behind him.
“Oh, this is Rufus.” She referred to the big dog who has the saddest eyes Daisuke has ever seen. “He’s a Saint Bernard, he’s a little older now but he’s an amazing dog. He’s been having a hard time getting adopted due to his size and age. From what I heard, the poor guy got dumped here when his old family got a brand new puppy,” Ellie explained in a somber tone.
Rufus breathed out another whine and turned towards the wall, his big tail curled around himself .
“Him!” Daisuke pointed at the dog. “I want to adopt him!” Daisuke exclaimed confidently.
“Dai, don’t you think he’s a bit- older?” Swansea uttered.
“Nope.” Daisuke smiled warmly, “He’s perfect.”
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They got the paperwork finalized and after paying the adoption fee they were free to finally get Rufus from his cage and take him home.
“C’mere boy!” Daisuke called to him. Rufus seemed a little wary at first but gave Daisuke’s hand a cautious sniff. “Aww you’re so cute.” Rufus’ tongue lulled out into a happy slobbery smile and his tail pounded against the rubber mat of his cage.
“Need some help Sunshine?” Swansea offered, balancing the big bag of dog food the shelter provided them on one arm.
“Nope! I got it,” he clicked the leash onto Rufus’ collar and they headed out.
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It took a while for Rufus to get used to his new environment. He was so used to the four walls of his cage that being free to roam the house at his leisure was a bit overwhelming. He usually just laid in the corner of the living room on his dog bed only really getting up to eat or drink some water.
Daisuke didn’t mind it, he would just lay next to him and pet his ears and back as he played his Game boy.
Over time he warmed up to Daisuke and evidently, also got really close to Swansea. Usually catching them falling asleep on the couch together or sneaking late night snacks in the kitchen.
Daisuke had never been happier. They’re little family was once again complete, the picture of Eira hanging from the mantel smiling down at them.