InsaneJournal

Nellie: Lost and Found
[Long-time-ago Mushroom Grove RP between Kas and myself. I heart the NellxCom romance. what can I say. :3 Commodore's parts are written by her; Nell's by myself. :)]

Nellie lay stretched out on her felt blanket, her eyelids flickering as she drifted in and out of fitful sleep. Times like these were the worst. The children weren't here, the Master wasn't here, and Mistress was busy about the house - she always firmly but kindly pushed Nellie out of the way despite the Pomeranian's friendly overtures, and when she was done, the whole place would smell of sharp, odd fragrances that pricked Nellie's nose uncomfortably. It was times like these that Nellie retired to her dog bed to lie and think. Mostly she thought about having dinner, or how she wished there was grass that she could run about on, or how much she loved her family and couldn't wait for them to all be reunited again. But nowadays she found her thoughts drifting of their own accord towards her dear friend, Commodore.

It was true they had only met twice, but each time had felt like something momentous and terribly important. She thought she had caught sight of him once, a flash of white, as they had been driving along the streets in their car, but by the time she reached the window, eagerly scanning the pavement for him, the dog that might have been him was long gone. Nellie already felt very close and comfortable with the spaniel cross, and her mind dwelt upon his soft, expressive eyes, his welcome scent, his deep, kindly bark and the gentle jaws that had pulled her out of the hole in the ice that last time they had met. Her own jaws parted in a smile, and she wondered absently when she would see him again, if ever. She hoped it would be soon.

There was a click followed by a loud whirr from the next room, and Nellie's sensitive ears flattened against her head apprehensively. That dratted machine again! At first she had thought it was some kind of monster that was attacking Mistress, and she had attempted to frighten it away but she was shooed off and unceremoniously imprisoned in the kitchen. Since then Nellie had learnt that the machine was welcome in the home, though she could never figure out why, and whenever it appeared she simply avoided it by leaving through her own little door into the backyard. This she now did, and lying in the sunlight on the tiled path that weaved its way through the flowerbeds, she again began to think of Commodore. Absently she looked through the iron bars of the fence that bordered the little garden, almost as if she hoped to see him come ambling past, smiling at her.

Luckily for her, the big dog was actually walking slowly along that very area, his eyes searching the road and the grassy areas ahead of him for anything he recognized. He was thinner than he had been, though his thick fur helped to hide that. But his gait was not a bouncy as it had been, his eyes a little dulled. He’d been walking for some time and with little food back at the empty apartment, it was bound to effect him some how.

Pausing in the grass outside the fence he sniffed a little, thinking he’d caught a scent he recognized. Nellie?

Nellie sniffed, wrinkling her little black nose. Funny how wanting to see somebody really badly could even conjure up their scent. She could almost swear there was the faintest hint of Commodore on the fickle breeze that gently riffled through her fur, and she raised her muzzle and inhaled, wishing it were somehow real and he was near.

With a start she heard footfalls rustling on the grass just outside her fence, and her ears were instantly alert, only half believing what she saw. There he was, large as life, outside her very door! Nellie's breath caught in her throat, and as if he might disappear at any moment, she made her way lightly over to the fence.

Around when the thought of her entered his mind he heard a slight noise at the near by fence. Glancing that way he was about to dismiss it when he did a double take. Voicing his mind aloud, he spoke with surprise. “Nellie?”

Moving cautiously to the very spot she stood he sniffed at the pom through the cracks. No, he wasn’t going nuts. It really was her. Wagging his tail happily he gave a yip of excitement. “I found you!”

Nellie stepped back at his excited greeting, hardly able to keep her own body still. He seemed so pleased to see her, so different from the dignified creature she had first met that evening in the park. Almost... puppylike. She smiled.

"It's good to see you too," she responded, suddenly shy. Why was she being so nervous? It was Commodore, her dear friend Commodore.. but this time was different from the last time she had met him. Then, she had simply been happy to see him, but now her feelings seemed a mixture of excitement and a strange breed of uncertainty. She wasn't sure whether or not she liked this new strange feeling, but she was despite all things overjoyed to see him again. There he was, the same large and wonderful dog she remembered.

The big mutt’s entire hind end wiggled as he paced the fences a few steps in each direction. “It is very good to see you as well.” There was one other change about him besides his weight and lack of grooming. His collar was gone. Strange.

Pushing his nose through the fence a little he watched her. She looked lovely and with a smile on his wide jaws, he listened to her.

Suddenly Nellie frowned, noticing how lean he looked. "Are you all right? Have you been eating enough?"

Commodore’s excitement and happiness slowly faded. Sighing he glanced down that the grass. “Not really… There wasn’t much left at home. I…” He went silent for a moment, but soon looked to her once more. “I… I think something happened…”

At the big dog's next words, Nellie's delight at seeing him evaporated into a deep concern.

"Something.. happened?" She trotted right up to the fence, rearing onto her hindlegs and balancing herself with her paws against the iron bars. "What d'you mean, happened?"

Closer up, especially now that her initial joyfulness had sobered, she could see how... worn he looked, compared to how she had seen him last. His collar was gone, and he looked like he hadn't seen a groomer - or food, for that matter - in quite some time. Nellie knew how important grooming was to a dog with a long coat, and you could ask any dog how important food was.

She whimpered slightly, worried. "Why hasn't your owner fed you?"

“’E never came home…” He said quickly looking a little ashamed. Curling his tail between his legs a little, he glanced at her though the corner of his eyes. “He took off moi collar an’ said he was leaving for a little bit… But he didn’ come home ag’in.”

The big dog looked so much smaller than usual, his emotions reflecting in his posture. “So Oi tried to find ya… Oi’m sorry if Oi shouldn’t ‘ave done that.” His ears lifted slightly as he let his eyes look fully upon her once more. He felt safer with her near, like he wasn’t alone any more. Moving to sit against the bars, he pushed his nose through at her once more.

Nellie fretted, listening to him speak. Her paws shuffled anxiously. She had heard of this happening, many times: puppies in cardboard boxes dumped in forgotten alleyways, dogs' owners disappearing, never to return.. it was the same old story, but somehow, as tragic as it was, and as much as she had grieved for such unfortunate animals, in the end she had gone inside to sit on the plush sofa in the warm living room, surrounded by the love of her family and counting her own blessings. It had never seemed as real to her as it did now, staring her in the face of her own dearest friend, already showing the teltale signs of neglect.

He pushed his nose through the fence, obviously seeking some form of comfort, and Nellie was nothing if not a comforter. All her self-consciousness had been replaced with sadness and the need to help Commodore.

"Of course I don't mind you coming here. I don't mind it at all.. I'm happy that you did."

She nuzzled his nose with her tiny one, whining in sympathy and curling her fluffy little body around as much of his muzzle as she could.

Suddenly it seemed clear to her as to what she had to do next. Filled with a new resolve, she stood up and shook herself with conviction.

"Stay here, Com," she told him. "I'll be right back!" and giving him a final encouraging lick on the nose she dashed back into the house, yapping at the top of her tiny lungs.

The mutt closed his eyes as she nosed him. It was comforting, it was good to see a familiar and friendly face after the last couple weeks. The moment didn’t last as long as he’d hoped but at least she was approving of him being there. When she shook off and started for the house, Com tilted his head. With the last lick he smiled, he would do as she said, waiting patiently for what ever she was doing.

His wavy furred ears lifted slightly as he heard her barking. She was definitely trying to make a point to her human or humans which ever the case may be. He wasn’t sure if her human would want him here, but he trusted Nellie.

The noisy machine was still whirring merrily when Nellie burst into the next room, her short high bark piercing the air. She aimed an uncharacteristically malevolent growl at the hateful machine itself before leaping in circles around her mistress.

The woman switched off the vacuum in exasperation. She knew Nellie's dislike of it, but the small dog had never been this frenetic in her hatred. Come to think of it, Nellie usually wasn't this frenetic at all. The little bitch's eyes were wide and staring, and she looked almost panicked.

"Nell, is something wrong, girl?"

She knelt down, trying to coax the Pom towards her so she could calm her down, but Nellie stayed where she was, barking. Finally she tried to grab her and scoop her up, but the little dog just darted away, her high shrill Pomeranian voice not losing a beat - in fact, growing in intensity. The woman was getting worried as she looked at her dog. It wasn't like Nell at all.

Nellie darted out her dog door, more than confident her mistress would follow. She wasn't normally a noisy dog at all, but desperate times called for desparate measures. Running up to where Commodore still lay by the fence, she took up her position beside him once more, curled around his head. Giving a few more 'here I am; here we are' calls for good measure in the direction of the house, she laid her head beside his, giving his cheek a reassuring lick and nuzzle.

"Are you feeling alright?" she asked anxiously, as if he might have evaporated while she had been gone. She wasn't about to let that happen.

He relaxed a little once more nosing at her when she was close enough. “Oi’m alright… Could be better, could be worse, eh?” Commodore gave a reassuring smile. It was true, he could be worse.

There was the sound of footsteps, and her mistress appeared. The woman recognised the large dog that had played with Nellie in the park, the one her children had seemed so happy to play with, too. The dog had been so gentle.. and here he was, outside their house? Who would have thought it? What the children would have thought if they'd been here..

As she knelt beside him, she noticed how uncared-for he looked, compared to when she had seen him last. "Why, you poor boy... what's happened to you?" she murmured, stroking his head and ears.

The mutt’s attention moved to the adult human as she entered the yard. Letting his tail wag slightly he made sure to look gentle and puppy-like incase she though he might hurt her or Nellie. But when she knelt and rubbed him, his tail went like made and he pushed as close to the bars as he possibly could, giving a whine.

Nellie couldn't help feeling slightly more at ease at the big dog's calmness. So many other dogs would have gone simply mad, worked themselves into a tizzy at the notion that their owners might not be coming back - certainly she knew that she would not have taken a long and unexplained absence like this calmly. He had simply been waiting, quietly. She admired his spirit.

There was no need for Commodore to have worried - the woman before him had never had a dog before Nellie, and it didn't occur to her that the big gentle looking mutt before her could or would hurt either of them. Certainly not after she had seen him playing in the park with her children. She continued to stroke the friendly dog as his tail lashed.

He probably belonged to somebody, she surmised. But what was he doing here, with no collar and looking like he'd been outside for a while? Either way, it couldn't hurt to give him some food - or a place to lay his head. The woman opened the small gate in the fence, as Nellie, tail wagging furiously, trotted to the opening.

"Come on inside, Com." Knowing that he was in good hands, at least for now, her odd shyness was returning, and her movements more hesitant as she sat by the gate, tail fluffing against the floor. "You're welcome here."

Mistress, who had disappeared into the house, was now coming out again with a plateful of food, which she set on the floor with a smile.

"That'll do you good, boy. You look like you could use it."

Commodore waited patiently as the woman stood. As she started opening the gate he couldn’t help but bound inside, his entire hind end wiggling with happiness. He was allowed into their domain! Barking slightly he wiggled back and forth before the woman, tail going crazy and a bit of sparkle back in his brown eyes. As the human headed off, he looked back to Nellie who’d been speaking to him.

He nearly attacked her with big kisses of his huge wet tongue. It would cover her entire face, smearing back her fur. He couldn’t help it. The mutt barked once more laying down before her to stop himself from dancing. But then the human had returned and with food! And he was up again licking her hands before the plate could even touch the grass. When it was down he’d swallowed the food in hunks, no chewing. He was so hungry and this was something too good to resist.

Nellie sat beside Commodore as he wolfed down the plate of food. It was her food, she knew, but she wasn't a particularly possessive dog when it came to food - and she never ate overly much anyway. It made her smile to see him enjoying it so - goodness knows he looked like he needed a square meal. That would put the shine back in his coat for sure.

Mistress smiled and returned to the house. She was used to leaving things like this in Nellie's charge. They were obviously friends, and the big dog seemed to know his way around town. She thought of how much thinner he looked, wondering briefly if she should give the dog pound or the police a call, but decided against it, at least for now. They'd only lock him up, she thought. Much better for him to be here for a while, before they could decide what was to be done with him.

The small Pom lay down against one of the mutt's huge footpaws, watching him as he ate.

"How long has it been?" she asked finally - the details of the situation still troubled her. If Commodore was an abandoned dog then they must set that right immediately. "How long since your Master has been gone?"

Once the food was gone, the mutt sat back and cleaned off his muzzle of any remaining food particles. Looking dreamy for a moment, he soon noticed Nellie was next to him and glanced down at her, a bit of drool clinging to his jowls.

Thinking about it he finally answered her. “More than a week… He’d left a lot of food out… and water. But that ran out a while a go. Maybe tis more than two weeks. Oi don’t know time that well.” He sighed, laying down beside her and stretching out a bit. “Oi don’t think he’s coming back, Nellie… Oi don’t know why.” Sighing he’d lay his head upon his forepaws, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

Nellie shook her head, tsking. Where had Commodore's human gone? It was a mystery, to be sure... how could anyone desert their pack members like that Nellie could not fathom. The entire concept of abandonment was alien to the motherly little Pom, and her heart went out to her friend.

She moved up to rest her head in the fine white fur of his neck. "No matter what happens, Com, you'll always be welcome here," she said softly, into his floppy ear. "Always. Mistress will see to you, you'll see... and we can find your Master again. I'm sure he meant to come back.. he probably just got delayed by something."

She began grooming him, nibbling his long fur and pulling strands of it through her teeth. "At any rate.." she paused for a minute before continuing, her voice lowered, "if you're right, and he doesn't come back, you could, you know. Stay with my family and me. The children love you, and I'm sure Master and Mistress would too."

As confused by the concept of abandonment as she was, Nellie couldn't help, in some part of her, wishing that Commodore would be able to stay with her after all. The thought of seeing him every day warmed her strangely. She licked him behind his ear, wondering.

How kind she was, it was more than a pleasure to just be in her company let alone be given attention and even affection by her. “I can’t thank you enough… I’ve been rather lost the last bit and now I am happier.” As she groomed at his fur, he stayed still, partly from surprise and the rest just enjoyment. He’d never been groomed by any other than his own mother and that was a long, long time ago.

As she licked behind his ear, he turned his great head enough that he could lick her as well, making it more of a mutual grooming. And so he managed to lick her side, his eyes closed as he listened to the sound of her jaws and breathing as well as his own. This was nice. It was not hard for Commodore to see him staying here, with her and her family. If they really would have him.

His warm tongue slicked her peach-coloured fur against her body, and Nellie smiled, liking the idea of him staying more and more. She was getting less and less self-conscious about her affection for him by the minute, as odd as it had semed at first, and after several more swipes with her tongue against the root of his ear, she leaned her head against the dome of his skull and half-closed her eyes.

They were still there by the time the children got home from school.

"Hey, look, it's the big dog! Nell's friend!" Little David was pointing a chubby finger at the brown and white heap of dog in their garden.

"How'd he get here?" Sonia, the middle child.

"He was looking for Nell, that's how. Dogs know their way around streets," Tammy said with the all-knowing air of the eldest child. "Here, boy, here! Remember us?"

All three of them rushed upon Commodore and Nellie with shouts of delight, and Tammy snatched up a rubbery chew-toy that was lying nearby.

"Come on, guys! Let's play fetch!"

Commodore smiled as he too paused his licking to rest his head against her. This was the nicest moment he’d had in a very, very long time. And she smelled good too. But all too soon their little moment was interrupted by the children. Which wasn’t that bad of a thing.

He stood as they closer, wagging his tail and licking the hands that came near him. They tasted like crayons and peanut butter. Not a bad combination. Wiggling he barked slightly enjoying their attention. The mutt hadn’t really had human attention in far too long so this was wonderful.

Noticing the toy he let his jaw hang open, eyes locked on the object. He got to play too? This was just too much wonderfulness for one day! Getting down into a play bow, the massive dog would wait for them to do something.

Delighted, Tammy wiggled the bone in front of the big spaniel's nose before throwing it across the garden. Nellie dashed after it with all speed, leaping up to twice her height in her excitement. Sonia laughed.

"Get it, Nell, get it before he does!"

"We should see if he knows any tricks," interjected David, and he scuttled off into the kitchen for some dog biscuits.

"If he doesn't we can teach him! or else Nell will. She knows tons, don't you, girl?"

Trotting back from the retrieve, Nellie wagged her tail. This was working out very well indeed. She had known her children had taken to him from the start, but this whole play session was coming so naturally. It practically felt like they were a proper pack now. She smiled at Commodore. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad at all if the big dog's master never returned.

From inside the house, the two adults watched silently from the kitchen window. The husband shook his head.

"Doris, the last time we saw that dog he definitely belonged to someone. Now he's here, and he looks neglected. I say we call the authorities."

"But Will. Look how happy the kids are with him. And don't you think if he was happy with his owner he'd still be there with him? Why can't we just let him stay with us, at least for now?" She smiled. "He's such a marvellous dog, too. Look at the size of him, and that coat! And little Nell obviously likes him..."

"Someone could be out there worried about him and looking for him. I'm calling the police. They'll find out who his owner is."

Catching sight of his wife's troubled expression, he sighed and took her hand, patting it reassuringly. "Look, it's just to get to the bottom of this. If nobody claims him, of course we can keep him. He seems to fit right in. But if this dog is owned by somebody then we could be keeping him from them, and I'm not about to do that."

The large brown eyes of the mutt followed the toy ready to go after it, but of course the little female was far quicker and did a leap to get it. Barking slightly he bounded over to her, nosing at her side before taking a gentle hold on one end. He wasn’t going to rip the toy from her, but he did want to play with her. It was clear that he was smiling around the toy as he looked down at Nellie.

Not really knowing that the kids were getting him food to do tricks the big dog would continue to play with the little bitch. But of course when they would come out and give him a command he’d pay attention. He knew a few tricks, the most common that all dogs should know: sit, down, stay. Other then that, he didn’t know much.

They’d have some time to play with him before a car pulled up outside on the street and a pair of animal officers started up the side walk to the front door, only to ring the bell. Both were female and like the animal cops on the TV they had police rights and cared greatly for animals. Their clothing was a dark blue and they wore belts with guns and cuffs and such. Not to mention those shinny badges. One waited by the front door while the other glance over the fence at the kids and dogs playing in the yard. “That big fellow must be the one.”

Davi waved a dog biscuit before Commodore's floppy muzzle at just the right distance; he had learnt from Nellie not to dangle it too close. "Now.. roll over, boy!" he commanded authoritatively.

Nellie, knowing the command, flipped onto her back and back onto her front again, not to be outdone. This was turning into an amateur obedience competition of sorts, and everyone was having fun.

That biscuit was just too good smelling. Drooling a bit from his loose jowls. He didn’t know that command so instead he went through the ones he knew hoping then were right. First he sat down, then laid down. Why wasn’t he getting the food? But he didn’t get to think much farther into it before there were a couple of strangers a few yards away. With everyone else’s attention moving to the pair, he too focused on them. Like his small companion he was ready to defend her and the rest if the need arose, but as they didn’t seem like threats he just stayed as he was, not wagging his tail, but not acting aggressive either.

The appearance of the officers in their dark blue uniforms outside the gate made all three of the children pause in their game, startled. They looked at the figures with some reserve until one of the cops, a youngish-looking blonde, gave them a genuinely friendly smile.

"Hello there. Now.. which of these is your dog?"

Nellie wagged her tail, politely but guardedly. These two were strangers, but they didn't have the malevolent smell about them that meant trouble. She would be on guard in case they tried anything. What were they here for?

"They're both our dogs," David burst out protectively, just as his parents came into the yard.

"Good evening officer... yes, this fellow is the dog I called about."

The other cop, her dark glossy hair pulled back into a bun, nodded, gazing at Commodore as her companion stretched out a hand for him to sniff.

When the adults came from the house and the one officer came closer, he rose unsure as to what to think of this. Everyone sounded rather serious. Had he done something bad? Looking between them he hoped for reassurance. When none came and the officer offered him a hand to sniff, he would, stretching out his neck and taking in large whiffs. She smelled of soap and other animals.

"He does look like he's been neglected, you're right. And you say he's been around you before? Yes... well, he's obviously not a pedigreed dog, but we may be able to find out where he lives. Thank you very much for your time, sir. We'll be taking him away now, just for the duration of the case."

She smiled ruefully at Commodore. "Come on then, big fellow. Let's go."

Wait? Was she talking about taking him away from them? Swallowing he lowered himself a little. He didn’t like this any more. ‘let’s go’. Oh he knew those words. He didn’t want to go. Whining he cowered, glancing around quickly, looking for a place to hide. Spotting that doggie door the Pom had gone through he moved quickly, not touching any of the people before trying to get through it. Of course he was far to large and only ended up getting his head and a single foot inside. Other then that he curled, whimpering. He was definitely not leaving without being a big pain.

Nellie gazed, horrified, as Commodore tried to get into the house through her dog door. Were these two ladies going to take him away? It certainly seemed as though that were the case. Commodore might not be quite officially a member of her pack, but she wasn't about to let them take him against his own will. Standing in front of his exposed rump, she drew herself up and emitted several warning barks - not outright aggressive, but adamant enough to let them know that she wasn't standing for any nonsense.

"Excuse me, but I think you're making a mistake. My friend belongs here. Here!"

"Nell." Her master's voice was quiet but firm. "Be quiet, girl. It's alright."

When his dog refused to move, the man scooped her up. Nellie stopped barking, and glanced from his face to the policewomen's, her eyes wide and staring. If Master was going to let Commodore be taken, then she couldn't object. She whined, frustrated, shifting her paws where they rested on Master's arm.

"I'm sorry, officers. I'm afraid our dog has gotten rather attached to the big guy. They've been friends for some time."

"That's alright, sir," said the blonde cop, grasping the big spaniel by the scruff of his neck. "Come along, boy. Out you come."

Commodore was very glad for Nellie to try and help, but it seemed they would have to listen to the humans. He went still as she took a hold of his scruff. His posture wasn’t aggressive, but it was clear he didn’t want to leave. Swallowing, the normally cool and collected fellow shivered, his tail tight between his legs.

Where were they taking him? Would he be allowed to return? Whining once more, he ceased his fighting, standing still and waiting for what ever it was they were going to do next. As he expected the one holding onto him slipped a looped leash about his neck to keep him from running off.

They all watched as Commodore was tethered. The children stood silently, all wishing that they could have kept the big friendly dog but none of them daring to protest. The mother's face was troubled, and the father put a hand on her arm, still holding Nellie in the other. The little dog stared mournfully after Commodore, her entire small body quivering.

Glancing to Nellie who was in her master’s arms, the big mutt gruffed a little. “You tried… I will see you again.” That was a promise.

Nellie whined, anxiously, a little louder this time, straining towards him. The man looked down at the dog in his arms.

"I must say, I've never seen Nellie like this before."

"Here," said the blonde officer, looking back at the glum group. "I can see all of you are fond of this dog. Why don't you all take the time to say goodbye to him?"

David and Sonia dashed forward instantly, burying their faces in Commodore's white ruff. Tammy, instead, had run to her father and taken Nellie from his arms. She walked over to Commodore and held the little dog out to him.

"I hope that you will come back," Nellie whispered, kissing his nose one last time before they led him away.

"You... will let us know if you don't find an owner," the mother suddenly said.

"Of course, ma'am." The dark-haired officer smiled. "A neglected dog means something is wrong somewhere. We just need to find out what happened. If nobody comes to claim him, he's as good as yours."

Commodore was all set to be lead to his fate when he was given the chance to say good bye. That was a small blessing. Wagging his tail the dog leaned into the children nuzzling their hair like they were his pups. Of course when the one he would really miss was brought to him and kissed his nose, he reciprocated licking her in return before being taken toward their car.

He was worried for several reasons. One was that he rarely if ever was in a car. Another was he didn’t know them or where he was being taken. But he went with them without an issue. Hoping up into the back seat since they didn’t have a large enough vehicle to have cages. Once there he curled against the seat, worried brown eyes watching them shut the door. When that happened he moved to the other side to look out at the family he wished he was staying with.

Over the next several weeks the SPCA of the area would clean the mutt up and get him back to health while the officers investigated what happened to his owner and where he came from. Of course without a collar it wasn’t as easy until they realized he was micro chipped.

From there it was a matter of tracking down the man’s address. However they’d find, just as Com knew, the man was not in his apartment and had not shown up for weeks and weeks. Eventually they discovered that Nic had been found out… He had been living on a student greencard for the past 8 years. Not wishing to go to jail, he prepared to stay away from his place for a while, leaving everything he had including his dog. Thus the food and water he’d left for the mutt. But it wasn’t possible to return and so, he didn’t.

This of course left the mutt stranded and alone. The one thing they couldn’t figure out is how or why he found his way the family they’d taken him from. They knew that the family had played with the dog in the park a few times, but still.

Well, after this long, it was concluded that the dog had been abandoned, there was no way to press charges on Nic and the dog had passed all the personality tests… so, he was ready for a new and hopefully permanent home. To keep with their promise, the blonde officer that had helped bring him to the SPCA called up the family. “Hello? Yes, this is the Mushroom Grove SPCA, we are calling about a dog we picked up from your property about a month ago…”

The call came some time between morning and afternoon. The woman had been cleaning the windows, and picking up the phone, held it to her ear against her shoulder.

"Hello? Yes... oh, yes, that dog... How is he? Oh, really? How wonderful! We can pick him up at once?"

It was another lazy day for Nellie. The noisy machine hadn't made an appearance yet, but she supposed it would at some point. She pricked her ears and raised her head, though, as Mistress began to speak to the talky-machine. Mistress's voice was getting more and more excited, and for some reason this excitement filled Nellie's small body too - excitement for she knew not what.

Mistress stopped talking, and Nellie lay back down. It had been several weeks since Commodore's visit, and Nellie was beginning to wonder, wistfully, when the big dog would make good his promise to see her again. The children had been wonderful, but somehow it wasn't the same, playing with them without Commodore. The scene felt somehow incomplete.

The children had missed him too, and they had noticed the change in Nellie's demeanour. They had long suspected Nellie's illness, though the little dog herself had never entertained thoughts of love and romance. She simply knew that she missed her friend, and she desperately wished she could see him again.

Suddenly Mistress was bustling into the kitchen where Nellie lay on her dog bed. She scooped up the startled Pom, clipping her leash to her collar.

"Come on, girl! We're going to get your old boyfriend."

Commodore was in one of the back cages at the pound, where all the unavailable dogs were kept. He’d been treated well, even dewormed and given the shots he had needed. Not that he had parasites and such but it was a good precaution.

He was lounging around in his kennel as always. Some days volunteers would take him out into the grass or to socialize with people that worked here. But for the most part he was stuck. It was boring and he missed Nellie. Most of the day he was semi happy, but when all was quiet at night he had even more time to think, he became a little more depressed.

Today he’d not been fed which was very strange. And his blanket and things had been taken out as well. What were they doing? One of the humans had mentioned something about a pick up but he didn’t really know what that meant!

When the Mistress and the Pomeranian would arrive they’d be greeted by one of the officers that had been handling the case. Explaining everything they’d found to her, the woman would lead the pair back to the back cages and down along the hall. Commodore was in the last cage.

“...and his name was Commodore,” she said as they arrived at the cage.

Of course he’d been listening to their footsteps long before they appeared and when it was clear they were heading his way he stood, pressing his nose through the cage door, whining a little. It was then he realized who it was…

Nellie was growing more and more intrigued as they progressed down the hallways of the strange building. Finally they entered a room that smelt of dogs - but to the little Pomeranian only one scent stood out, the others fading into unimportance as she sniffed, her little tail wagging excitedly.

And suddenly, there he was, curled up in a cage near the back row. Yipping with eagerness, Nellie wriggled slightly. She had never been one of those dogs that wriggled and squirmed and stuck paws into their humans' faces when they were being held, but on this occasion she could hardly keep her excitement and happiness in.

Mistress put her down, chuckling, and she dashed to the cage, tail lashing.

"Com, Com," she barked, pressing her small head through the bars. "It's you!"

"Commodore." The woman tried the name out. "It suits him."

"Fantastic," smiled the officer. "Now, if you'd just fill out all the necessary paperwork, ma'am, you can be on your way with your new dog."

The big mutt barked loudly, unable to keep it in. “Nellie! Thank ‘eavn!” Wiggling and pounding his thick paws on the floor he tried to push his nose out to her, licking the air with happiness.

He looked back to the way he’d been when they first met, his coat thick and shinny, swaying with each movement. He was fit and healthy and with her here, that sparkle was back in his large brown eyes.

Actually howling slightly he lifted himself up, placing those wide paws on the wire. “Oh please let me out!”

Nellie pressed her nose to his, no longer holding back on her affection as she kissed every part of his muzzle she could reach. "I thought I'd never see you again!"

The officer laughed. "It looks like those two will be very happy together."

The mother smiled. "It does, doesn't it? He's such a sweet dog, but I'm not sure if we'd have considered adopting him if little Nell hadn't been so fond of him. Just look at them."

The necessary paperwork was soon completed, and the blonde officer bent to open Commodore's cage. No sooner was the door open than Nellie dashed around it and up to him, dancing around the big dog's head on her hind legs, her entire body a-wag.

"Thank you very much for all your help, officer. Come on, you two. Let's go home."

Snapping a leash onto Commodore's new collar, she led them off back to the car.

Of course the big dog could barely wait for the door to be opened. His hind end wriggled as he waited, nails clicking on the hard floor and tail beating the sides. When the door was even slightly open he pushed, getting out only to have his little friend bounce around his head, making it hard to lick her. “I missed you far too much…”

When the Mistress showed that she had a collar and leash, he’d try to hold still, all but his tail doing so. Once clipped her barked happily, rearing up, though he didn’t put a paw on her, to lick at her hands in thanks.

Pretty soon they were off along the road back home, Nellie and Commodore lying side by side on the back seat. Nellie rested her tiny head against Commodore's huge one, her eyes half closed. At intervals she pulled her head back to look into his eyes, wonderingly, as if she couldn't believe it was really him, before pressing another kiss with nose or tongue to a different part of his muzzle - where before she had been shyer and more reserved, she couldn't seem to stop expressing her affection, now. She had decided, some time ago, that should she ever see Commodore again, she would make sure that he was accepted as a part of her pack.

"I missed you," she said softly. "I don't want you to leave again. I want you to be a part of my pack - perhaps I wanted that right from the beginning - and I think that's what's happening now."

She settled back again, with a soft little sigh. "I'm glad for that."

Commodore was utterly comfortable. Never had he felt this way about another being and now that he did and it was clear she felt the same, he couldn’t stop. Every movement, every sound, every breath she made his attention was attuned to. As she licked as him eh moved his head just enough so that his large wavy furred ear flopped over her like a blanket.

“There’s nothing I’d love more than to be apart of your pack... for my entire life.” Sighing comfortable, he’d lick her in return, trying not to make her head fur too wet. “You smell so good…” He said the last part quietly, nosing gently at her tiny ear.

They made an odd couple, but it didn’t matter in the least. Perhaps this little union would make for the happiest time in the mutt’s life. And, for now, it certainly was. He was getting a new home, he had her with him, and there was no way he would be left behind like his old human had.

Once they arrived back at the house, the big dog lifted his head and glanced out. Yep, this was a place he would now call home. Wagging his tail, he smiled and looked to the peach colored bitch. “You will have to show me around…”

Nellie nipped at his ear, playful and coquettish, as they got down and out of the car. "You can be sure I will," she yipped eagerly, and scampered into the house.

"You've seen the garden. This is the kitchen, and that's my den." She wagged her tail, sitting daintily on her little dog-bed. "It's a little small for you, but I'm sure you'll get your own now that you're going to live with us." Her tail began to wag again at the welcome thought.

The big fellow trotted easily behind her listening intently. This was a much bigger and nicer house than what he’d come from. The apartment was always messy and was so small. Letting that tail with the long, silk white fur wave back and forth, he’d follow her to her little bed. “Oi wouldn’t moind either way, neva had a den before anyway.” He sniffed at hers, amused by it. It seemed soft and well loved. Not that he wouldn’t mind having one, it seemed really nice.

"And this is where they all sit and stare at the fuzzy-box. I don't know if you've ever seen one but it goes fuzzy and makes noises - squeaky noises, and sometimes it talks like a person, and sometimes it sounds like you're outside. It even barks sometimes. Doesn't smell very much of anything, though. Not particularly interesting. Still, my family thinks it is, and I like to sit with them when they're all here. They pet me, and I can just doze and not look at the fuzzy-box."

“Ah, so tis true that all humans ‘ave fuzzy boxes.” He chuckled, his nice tenor voice rolling. Humans weren’t too hard to figure out, though some did strange things every now and again.

"I'm not allowed in master and mistress's room," she continued, trotting up the stairs, "but I can come into the children's rooms whenever I like. They like having me with them, and I used to sleep there when I was a puppy, too." She smiled wistfully at the memories, trotting to each door in turn and inhaling. "Don't they smell nice?"

It was good that she was giving him the tour. He wanted to make sure he didn’t do anything wrong. “Alroight, no Master and Mistress room… Got ‘et.” Nodding to himself, he’d let her mount the stairs first, easily catching up with hi large stride. Glancing in the rooms of the three he smiled. He’d not lived with children before, but he rather liked them. They were like puppies… but bigger. “Aye, they do.”

"Nelliiiieeee! Commodoooore!"

Nellie's ears pricked. "She knows your name now," she said to Commodore cheerfully, dashing back into the kitchen. He gave a deeper gruff before moving after Nellie, keeping his pace to her own.

Mistress had put down some old blankets next to Nellie's bed. "There you are, boy. We'll have to go out and get you a proper dog bed, and bowls and toys of your own sometime, but this will do for now."

As they arrived and he saw the blanket he smiled widely, his tongue partly out of his mouth. This was too nice. He’d listen to the Mistress, tilted his great head for a moment.

She smiled. "I'm going to leave the two of you here. The kids will be back any minute, and it'll be a big surprise. They'll be thrilled to see you again, Commodore - and to know that you're our dog now. You look after him, Nell."

And as she left them there he joined Nellie by the bed, laying down, his side to her bed. Nellie sank down onto her bed and looked at him, her eyes shining.

"I'm so happy, Com."

“As am I… love.”