The Psychology of Dogs
Title: The Psychology of Dogs
Author: kmmerc
Characters: Finch/Reese, Bear
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 678
They walked toward the park, Bear only mildly interested in the surroundings - not his normal demeanor, thought John.
“I hadn’t noticed, until now, that he wasn’t happy,” John confessed.
“You haven’t been around much lately,” answered Harold, pointedly.
Shamefaced, John noticed that both the dog and Finch looked thin, almost haggard.
“So, have we got another number?” asked John, apologetically.
“No, we have a date.”
“You got me a date?” John asked with trepidation. How in the world would that help their little family?
“Not you. Bear.”
Arriving at the park, Finch released Bear, who bounded off, chasing a beautiful Golden Retriever and her smiling owner. The tired pair sat down on the nearest park bench, watching the dogs frolic.
John sighed, moving closer to Finch. “I’m sorry I let … Bear down. I was should have listened to you, Harold. I know that now.”
“Bear was really quite despondent, John -almost heartbroken. We…he missed you, so much,” whispered Finch. “He still hasn’t recovered - not by a long shot, though I thought he’d cheer up, playing with a friend. But he’s such a sensitive, intelligent dog - I honestly don’t know if this will be enough.”
They continued sitting, watching Bear play.
“Did you know, Harold, that even with careful breeding, they are lucky to get even one pup of Bear’s caliber in a litter? Half wash-out from the start - either too shy or too docile or not smart enough. A war dog like Bear has to strong, able to think for himself - doing what's right, even if it means ignoring his handler’s command. He isn’t a killer at heart but has the willingness to do whatever is needed of him. And most importantly, he has to be able to bond with that one person - to follow him through hell, if necessary.”
Finch glanced sideways, catching the shine of tears in John’s eyes.
“And if it’s betrayed,” continued John. “If it’s abandoned, kicked to the side and left for dead. Or even just constantly misused, like Bear - well, something inside breaks and it just wants to crawl somewhere and wait for the end.”
Reaching over, slightly, Finch’s hand covered John’s, their eyes still fixed ahead - watching Bear tug his gentle playmate around the park.
“But John, what happens when someone rescues such a creature. Takes care of him and gives him a new purpose - a new reason to keep living. Is that enough?”
John turned his palm up, lacing his fingers through Finch’s.
“I don’t think so, Harold. It’s might be, for a while. But sometimes a new master, however well meaning, keeps a distance from his new pet. Maybe the new person is afraid and sends it away every night. A kennel is not what it wants - it wants to sleep next to the person he loves - to breathe his air and share his warmth. He’ll never feel grounded or secure if he isn’t allowed to share his master’s bed. Not after what he’s been through. They would both be the better for it, I think.”
Finch squeezed John’s hand and released it. “Mr. Reese - John, the wind is chilling me -do you mind?” John glanced carefully before sliding his arm over Finch’s shoulder, pulling them tightly together. Finch closed his eyes, for a second, basking against John’s warm side before moving his hand to capture John’s knee.
“John, I’ve made up my mind. We haven’t been fair to Bear - he deserves a two-parent household,” said Finch. “Sacrifices must be made! I insist that you move in with us. For Bear’s sake.”
Leaning over, John’s lips brushed against Finch’s ear. “Anything - for Bear’s sake,” he whispered. Finch carefully tilted his head to the side, exposing the side of his neck. Nuzzling, John’s unshaven chin scratched delicate skin until Finch turned some more and their lips met, softly yet thoroughly, as if they’d done it a thousand times before. They were interrupted as Bear jumped between them, licking both his fathers’ faces as he sensed that his worlds had suddenly fallen into place.
“Shall we go home?” asked Harold.
Author: kmmerc
Characters: Finch/Reese, Bear
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 678
They walked toward the park, Bear only mildly interested in the surroundings - not his normal demeanor, thought John.
“I hadn’t noticed, until now, that he wasn’t happy,” John confessed.
“You haven’t been around much lately,” answered Harold, pointedly.
Shamefaced, John noticed that both the dog and Finch looked thin, almost haggard.
“So, have we got another number?” asked John, apologetically.
“No, we have a date.”
“You got me a date?” John asked with trepidation. How in the world would that help their little family?
“Not you. Bear.”
Arriving at the park, Finch released Bear, who bounded off, chasing a beautiful Golden Retriever and her smiling owner. The tired pair sat down on the nearest park bench, watching the dogs frolic.
John sighed, moving closer to Finch. “I’m sorry I let … Bear down. I was should have listened to you, Harold. I know that now.”
“Bear was really quite despondent, John -almost heartbroken. We…he missed you, so much,” whispered Finch. “He still hasn’t recovered - not by a long shot, though I thought he’d cheer up, playing with a friend. But he’s such a sensitive, intelligent dog - I honestly don’t know if this will be enough.”
They continued sitting, watching Bear play.
“Did you know, Harold, that even with careful breeding, they are lucky to get even one pup of Bear’s caliber in a litter? Half wash-out from the start - either too shy or too docile or not smart enough. A war dog like Bear has to strong, able to think for himself - doing what's right, even if it means ignoring his handler’s command. He isn’t a killer at heart but has the willingness to do whatever is needed of him. And most importantly, he has to be able to bond with that one person - to follow him through hell, if necessary.”
Finch glanced sideways, catching the shine of tears in John’s eyes.
“And if it’s betrayed,” continued John. “If it’s abandoned, kicked to the side and left for dead. Or even just constantly misused, like Bear - well, something inside breaks and it just wants to crawl somewhere and wait for the end.”
Reaching over, slightly, Finch’s hand covered John’s, their eyes still fixed ahead - watching Bear tug his gentle playmate around the park.
“But John, what happens when someone rescues such a creature. Takes care of him and gives him a new purpose - a new reason to keep living. Is that enough?”
John turned his palm up, lacing his fingers through Finch’s.
“I don’t think so, Harold. It’s might be, for a while. But sometimes a new master, however well meaning, keeps a distance from his new pet. Maybe the new person is afraid and sends it away every night. A kennel is not what it wants - it wants to sleep next to the person he loves - to breathe his air and share his warmth. He’ll never feel grounded or secure if he isn’t allowed to share his master’s bed. Not after what he’s been through. They would both be the better for it, I think.”
Finch squeezed John’s hand and released it. “Mr. Reese - John, the wind is chilling me -do you mind?” John glanced carefully before sliding his arm over Finch’s shoulder, pulling them tightly together. Finch closed his eyes, for a second, basking against John’s warm side before moving his hand to capture John’s knee.
“John, I’ve made up my mind. We haven’t been fair to Bear - he deserves a two-parent household,” said Finch. “Sacrifices must be made! I insist that you move in with us. For Bear’s sake.”
Leaning over, John’s lips brushed against Finch’s ear. “Anything - for Bear’s sake,” he whispered. Finch carefully tilted his head to the side, exposing the side of his neck. Nuzzling, John’s unshaven chin scratched delicate skin until Finch turned some more and their lips met, softly yet thoroughly, as if they’d done it a thousand times before. They were interrupted as Bear jumped between them, licking both his fathers’ faces as he sensed that his worlds had suddenly fallen into place.
“Shall we go home?” asked Harold.