Author's Note: That moment you meant to write a one-shot but it ended up being five pages long and isn't even done. I am actual trash and I've been wanting to write this for a while so, here you go. Probably one or two chapters more of this.
In all of her life, Beca Mitchell has never owned a pet. As a child, she had asked for a puppy many times, but her parents always told her that puppies were a big responsibility and ultimately denied her. When Beca was seven and her dad left them without so much as a glance back, Beca stopped asking. She stopped asking for anything in general because her mother was usually never sober enough to register any sort of conversation and her father didn't spare her so much as a phone call. So Beca usually fended for herself.
The second she graduated high school, she packed her shit and left for LA, intent on making something of herself. She hasn't spoken to her mother in four years and her father- well, she hasn't spoken to him since she was seven. That all changes though, because on her way home from work, she gets a phone call from her father.
He spouts some bullshit about how he's met the love of his life and is getting married and he wants to 'reconcile' with Beca and help her get into college and he wants her at his wedding and Beca just feels sick. She tells him to fuck off and hangs up, hands tightening over the steering wheel as the familiar feeling of hurt and abandonment rush through her. She's twenty-fucking-two years old and if she didn't want to go to college when she graduated high school, she sure as shit doesn't want to now. She doesn't need his help - hasn't needed it or anyone else's in years. She can make her own decisions.
She's not sure how she got here, or why she's here, but she gets out anyway, staring up at the sign in the parking lot. 'West Los Angeles Animal Shelter'. Her eyes drift to the chalkboard just outside the door, reading over the loopy handwriting. 'Dogs and cats half off today!'. She frowns slightly, wondering why it sounds so desperate, but she guesses they need to keep animals moving out so that they can save and take in more.
Beca glances back at her car, still wondering why she's here… Except, god- she's lonely and sad and- she's got the time and she can afford it. She works as an intern at a music production company and Deejays on the side and while she's not rolling in cash, she's not hurting either. She's worked hard to get here, and she's going to continue to work hard until she gets to the top. She's got plenty of space, too. At least, room enough for her and a medium sized dog, maybe. And she already goes to the park most days to sit under a tree and mix - she can totally see herself bringing her dog there, or even to the beach!
Yeah, the more she thinks about it, the more appealing the idea becomes.
After a few more seconds of hyping herself up, she heads into the building and toward the front desk. There are two young girls about her age behind it - a blonde and brunette - chatting in between what looks like paperwork. As she gets closer, she notes their nametags, Jessica and Ashley. Jessica is the first to notice her and she smiles brightly. "Hi! How how can I help you?"
Beca pushes her aviators up over her eyes to rest on top of her head. "Uh- well, I was uhm- thinking about maybe adopting a dog?" It comes out more of a question than a statement, but Jessica just smiles enthusiastically, giving her co-worker a slight nod before stepping from behind the desk.
"Great! We've got all sorts of dogs just waiting to be adopted. Did you have an age in mind?" She asks, beginning to talk down a hall that is decorated with dog art.
Beca bites the inside of her cheek, thoughtful. "Uh- well, I've never really like… owned a dog, so I'm thinking maybe not a puppy." Jessica seems pleased with this as she stops outside a door with a sign that says 'DOGS'.
"Awesome! It always makes me happy to learn that someone is interested in adopting a dog and not a puppy. Everyone always wants a puppy. Puppies, you don't know what you're going to get and sometimes, they just turn around and dump them back here when they get older. But with dogs, we already know their temperament and personality. Now, for a first time dog owner, we've got some really relaxed and sweet dogs. Are you a runner or more of a stay at home person?"
Beca is anxious to go in and see the dogs, but she does her best to pay attention to the girl in front of her. "Not much of a runner. I mean, I walk most places, but I don't need something with too high energy."
Jessica nods, still smiling. "Alright, we've got plenty to choose from. Names and breeds, as well as anything else you might want to know are attached to the doors of the cages and if you'd like to get a closer look, just let me know. I'll wait near the door." She opens the door and the sound of dogs barking and whining can be heard. It's not overly loud, though. She offers Jessica a thankful smile before she starts down the long, cemented corridor.
The cages are big enough to house two dogs at a time if need be and there's a doggy door that leads outside to another cage, but Beca doesn't like the fact that everything is cement. She realizes though, that it's probably to help keep things clean, and the dogs all have cots to sleep on and a few toys. Still, it tugs on her heartstrings.
She stops outside of each cage to look at each dog and read their information. Some jump at the cage immediately, wanting attention and Beca grants it, hand reaching through the chainlink to scratch under chins and behind ears and receive licks. She wishes she could take them all home.
When she gets to the tenth cage, she finds a medium, long haired dog sitting in the corner with it's head down and pressed against the wall. It's coat doesn't look as shiny as Beca thinks it probably should, but Beca really likes the light red, almost diluted brown splotches with a few darker, chocolate brown patches with the rest of the coat being white.
Beca reads over the information sheet clipped to the cage door.
ANNIE / SP / F / 1 YR(S) | BORDER COLLIE MIX
Annie was found abandoned outside of a house. It's speculated that her previous owners didn't want to take her to wherever they moved because she was found sitting on a mattress outside the house at the curb, ready to be picked up by the garbage truck. She's very shy and timid and really needs someone who has the time to spend with her to gain her trust and show her the love she deserves.
Beca's heart nearly shatters as she looks back into the cage. Who would abandon an animal like that, how could someone be so heartless? Then again, how could someone abandon their daughter, leave her crying in the rain and calling out for her daddy? Beca swallows thickly at the emotion building in her throat and steps forward, bending slightly to stick her hand through the cage. "C'mere, Annie." She calls gently, but the dog doesn't move from her position.
"She's been here for a while." Jessica says from behind her, sadly. "She won't play with any of the staff or accept treats. She eats, but not enough. We're all certain she's depressed."
Beca frowns and stands up. "Would you uh- open the gate? I mean can I-?"
Jessica smiles and Beca notes that she looks slightly hopeful. "Certainly! She's very sweet, despite everything." She moves and opens the gate, allowing Beca in.
Even with the sound of the gate opening, Annie doesn't budge, but Beca squats a few inches in front of the dog before reaching out and gently running her fingers over Annie's coat. The dog finally moves her head and Beca is surprised when she's greeted with one bright blue eyes and one coffee brown one. "Hi, girl." Beca says softly, honestly not really fond of the name choice. Beca moves her hand away but only just enough so that the dog can sniff it.
Annie's nearly pink nose brushes against Beca's knuckle before the dog dips her head and nudges Beca's hand, allowing the girl to pet her. Behind her, she hears Jessica gasp in surprise. "She's never outwardly sought affection before."
Beca smiles softly, keeping her eyes on the dog. "Yeah, well… I think she recognizes a kindred spirit." She says as she begins to gently brush her fingers over the dog's head. "I know what it's like to be abandoned." She says, more so to herself, but she misses the sad look Jessica gives her, clearly having heard the DJ. "I'll take her." Beca finally says, standing.
She turns to see Jessica smiling wide and nodding. "Great! Let's go fill out some paperwork, and I'll have Ashley come back and get miss Annie, here for you."
Beca smiles and nods, looking back at the dog who watches her with sad eyes. "I'll see you soon." Her attention is brought back to Jessica as she leads the way back to the courtesy desk. "How attached to the name do you think she is?"
Jessica chuckles. "Not a fan? That's alright. Most dogs are renamed, anyway. Some dogs don't even know the name they're given when they're brought here, so they'll easily adapt to a new name. Did you have a new name in mind? So that I can put it on her paperwork?" She asks as they near the desk.
Beca leans against the desk in thought for a moment, she tries to think of something witty, eyes looking around the room until she glances down at her hands resting on the desk. She looks over the tattoo of headphones on her wrist before looking back up at Jessica. "Melody- it might sound lame, but, it's just- I'm in the music business."
Jessica waves her hand. "It's perfect. I think it fits her. Soft and delicate."
Ashley looks up from the paperwork she'd been looking up. "Make a decision?"
Jessica grins wide as she looks down at her companion almost knowingly. "She's taking Annie, in cage ten."
Ashley seems to grin wider at this information. "Oh, good!"
Beca glances between the two of them, brows scrunching slightly. "You guys seem really eager to get her out of here. Is there something like- wrong with her?"
Both the girls look down sadly, but Ashley is quickly shaking her head. "Oh, no… It's just…" She frowns and looks at Jessica.
"She didn't have a lot of time left, ya know? She's been here so long…" Jessica finishes, glancing away.
Beca's heart drops to her stomach. "You mean like… they were gonna put her down?"
The both of them nod sadly. But then Jessica is smiling again. "So, you see, we're really happy that you came along when you did. Ashley and I were trying to devise some sort of plan to get her out of here, but thanks to you, we don't have to worry. So, should we get started on that paperwork?"
20 minutes later, Beca is walking out of the building with a dog. Annie- or Melody, as she's now called, looks more alert than before, big ears standing tall on her head with the right one flopping a little at the top. It makes Beca chuckle. And now that Beca can really see her better, she notes that Melody's face is all white with one chocolate splotch over her left eye - the blue one - with the rest of her coat a splotchy mixture of diluted browns that dips low down her legs and sides until it's cut off into more white. Ashley had called her a lilac merle. It was apparently a color in Border Collies, which seemed to be the dominant gene even though Melody was basically just a mutt.
Jessica had told her that while Melody was up to date on all her shots and spayed, Beca should make an appointment with her preferred vet so that she could find a primary one that she liked and could rely on. Jessica had also said it wasn't necessarily pressing matter, since their on staff vet had seen her a month ago for her flea and tick treatment, but that it would just be easier to have one that she knew she liked when the time came.
So after a trip to the pet store for a new collar and leash and some food and treats and- basically Beca is pretty sure she just bought the entire store, she goes home to do some research on veterinarians near her.
With Melody at her feet in front of the couch, Beca searches google. She comes across a place called 'Paws And Claws Vet Clinic' that has 4 out of 4 stars and raving reviews about the kind hearted Veterinarian that runs and owns it as well as the rest of the staff. So Beca makes an appointment for the next day for Melody's first checkup.