Post by James "Nails" Kyle on Feb 28, 2015 19:48:12 GMT
Smooth, gentle hands rolled through thick shifting fur as the small body under them squirmed about happily. Two paws raised themselves and set upon hunched shoulders before a face was rather quickly licked. “Easy boy, easy,” a small laugh escaped from the dark haired young volunteer as he gently took the forelegs of the dog and set them on the ground again. The animal, some sort Beagle mix sat back but ushered a rather loud bellow reminiscent of his forefather species. A laugh escaped from the young man in response. “I’m happy to see you too,” he assured quietly after a moment. Reaching up to clasp those floppy ears lightly, he rolled his fingers over the blood veins just under the surface. The tail thumping the gesture received in response earned a small smile.
“I know I haven’t been here in a few weeks; I’ve been studying a lot.” An inaudible sigh escaped from the young man at his own words. The last few weeks had been beyond stressful, but now that rounds of testing had lulled back into simple lectures once more, he could afford to take a small breath and start volunteering again. More than anything, Nails understood the animals there needed personalized attention and care in more than just veterinary ways. They needed affection and a chance to be what they were bred to be in relation to man: companions. Unrolling the leash from his forearm, he clasped it around the collar and began to lead the dog out towards the fields out back where wider gates gave a ‘backyard’ affect and toys awaited.
Drawing out and closing one of the gates behind him, James unleashed the beagle and fished up one of the tennis balls left off to the side. Watching as the creature backed up but never once gazed away from the ball, the young man took a step back before tossing it rather hard. Instantly, the beagle ushered out yet another bellow before tearing after it. The game was afoot, and they would play like that for a while.
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