A/N: Sorry, I fell off the face of the earth for a while there. I'm a little stuck with Babysitting Blues (but I'll try to get back to it), and this idea won't leave me alone, so I'm going to appease my psychosis and start another fic.

Shame on me…

Anyway, this will eventually be Huddy, but starts Luddy (EEWWW!!!!!). I would also like to mention that I am very disappointed in the writers for having Wilson kick House out when it's obviously the last thing he needs, for having House be all alcoholic-y (very upsetting), and for using fanfics as guides for episodes (at least use the Huddy ones, guys!). And if this season doesn't end Huddy (which it probably won't), I am going to be very upset.

Ahem. Sorry about the rant. Anyway, I did do research, but feel free to correct me if I make any mistakes. And please review! It makes my day.

House sat on his couch, scotch in hand, and stared blankly at the TV.

He wasn't sure what to do with himself, frustrated with himself for getting too comfortable, for not seeing this coming. He should've known that Wilson would kick him out eventually.

He drained his glass and poured another drink.

It seemed like he was ALWAYS frustrated these days. He was frustrated that Wilson had a happy relationship and didn't want him around anymore. Frustrated that Nolan's treatment wasn't working. Frustated that Lucas, someone who had once been a friend, had betrayed him. Frustrated that Cuddy was with Lucas and didn't seem to care about him.

But most of all, he was frustrated that he was still alone. It felt like no one wanted or needed him. Theoretically, yes, he was needed, and perhaps even WANTED, at the hospital, but he couldn't work 24/7. Besides, the team was probably tired of him. Hell, he was tired of himself! When had he become such a Gloomy Gus?

House sighed and leaned his head back on the couch.

What now?

Nolan watched House as he explained this at his appointment a few days later. It was obvious that House was much more upset than he was letting on, but to be honest, Nolan was more concerned about the drinking. House certainly did NOT need a new addiction to deal with. Granted, he probably had an addictive personality, as he could sometimes become obsessed with things, but Nolan really didn't want to see House fighting the cravings for TWO addictive substances!

And House being alone all the time only made the situation worse. Nobody should have to be alone all the time, and definitely, no one should drink alone.

He needs a distraction, Nolan thought. Something to keep his mind off everything and help him to wind down after work. A girlfriend would probably be the best option, but seeing as House was still hung up on Cuddy, that probably would not go over well with the extra-grumpy diagnostician.

"A pet!" Nolan cried suddenly, proud of his own little epiphany.

House stared at him as though he had three heads. Had Nolan been listening at all?
"What?"

"A pet! You should get a pet. It can provide a distraction, and sometimes, having someone depending on you can help you to make better choices and to feel like you have a… like you have a good REASON to make the better choices. Besides, you won't be lonely, and having a pet is, well, fun. Haven't you ever wanted a pet?"

House pursed his lips and stared out the window. "I had a rat once. Steve McQueen. And I did kind of want to get a dog when I was a kid. They seemed, I don't know, kind of cool. We couldn't get one because we moved around so much." He looked back at Nolan. "But do you really think I could walk a dog with my leg?"

Nolan considered this. "What if you get a less rambunctious dog, maybe one that's easily trained or a full-grown adult? Why don't you do a little research, or head down to an animal shelter?"

House finally conceded with a nod. A dog didn't sound so horrible. Maybe Nolan was actually right for once.

The next day, while the team ran tests for their latest patient, House sat at his computer and searched for a nearby animal shelter. He'd decided that a puppy was probably NOT the best idea, considering he had no experience with dogs yet, and wouldn't be able to chase after it should it escape his appartement. Besides, if he got a dog from a shelter, it would be up-to-date on vaccinations and such, and it would give House more time to find a good vet and figure out how everything WORKS when you're a dog owner.

House successfully found a place nearby that sounded pretty reputable. He decided to head down there the next day after work- and after dog-proofing his appartement.

House found the place easily. He wasn't sure what to expect; he had never actually been in an animal shelter before. Or owned a dog, but that was another matter in itself.

He was greeted by a scruffy, easy-going young man with shaggy hair and baggy clothes.

"Hey! Can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah," House said awkwardly, looking around the relatively small building. "I'm looking for a dog…"

The man smiled brightly. "Then you've come to just the right place! I'm Alain, by the way."

Alain led House to an adjoined room full of dog cages. Several of the dogs bounded against the doors, barking excitedly, while others shrank back and cowered in the corner.

"So…" Alain started, gesturing to the cages, "what kind of dog are you looking for? Do you have a specific breed in mind?"

"Well, I've never had a dog before, so I'd rather not get a puppy. Breed doesn't really matter. I guess I'm just looking for a…a companion."

Alain nodded thoughtfully, and brought House further into the room.

"These dogs back here are around two and three years old. They're still pretty young, but some of them are trained already because their previous families had to give them away for some reason or another. See any you like?"

House went up and down the row, looking at the dogs: an Airedale, a pug, a sheltie, a few mutts, and some other dog breeds he couldn't name stared back at him, some wagging their tails or sniffing at the cage door.

The dog at the end of the row caught his eye. It was a German Shepherd who lay toward the back of the cage, eyeing House mournfully. The dog was actually quite beautiful, with rich black-and-tan coloring and almond eyes. House couldn't understand what a dog like that, surely a purebred, would be in a shelter of all places.

Alain saw the look on House's face. He knelt by the cage and gestured for the dog to come closer. The dog stood up and walked cautiously to the wire door as commanded, and it was then that House realized why the dog had not yet been adopted. He was missing an ear.

Well, not missing exactly. It was more accurately gnarled, and it was obvious an attempt at reconstruction had been made- and had failed.

"What's his story?" House asked, bending over a little bit to have a closer look.

"This is Casey. He was trained to be a service dog, graduated successfully, and was apparently very good at his job. But his owner's husband had a psychotic episode. He beat Casey nearly to death and shot him- luckily he missed and only hit the cartilage of his ear. Needless to say, he was rescued immediately. They tried to fix his ear, but as you can see, it didn't work out. Even though the rest of him healed well, no one wants to adopt him because they just can't get past that messed up ear. Personally, I don't think it takes away from him too much, but…" Alain trailed off with a sigh.

"Anyway, we're pretty sure he's deaf in that ear, but he won't let anyone touch it. He really is a great dog, though. Wanna meet him?"

House agreed, and stood back so Alain could get Casey out of the cage. House tentatively reached a hand out. Casey sniffed his hand just as hesitantly, but soon started to wag his tail a little bit.

Well, you seem all right. He seemed to say.

House patted Casey on the head. "He's seems nice."

"He is," Alain said, smiling. "German Shepherds won't lend themselves to immediate friendships, but once he trusts you, he'll be incredibly loyal. I've heard of cases where they even have separation anxiety when they are away from their humans."

He hesitated before adding gently, "Casey is still a service dog. He used to pull his previous owner's wheelchair, carry things in a backpack, pick things up that she dropped, even open and close doors or work light switches for her. He could…help you if you need it. You can get him a harness, cape or backpack if you plan on having him as your service dog…"

House stared at Casey, thinking. He didn't really want to admit it, but it was a little hard for him to pick thing up from the floor when he dropped them. Maybe some help wouldn't be SO bad. Besides, it would give him a reason for the dog to hang around him all the time.

"All right. What do I need?"

After getting into his car, House sighed and shook his head. He could not believe he had just spent so much money on a dog. Granted, it wasn't like House didn't make more money than he actually needed. He didn't really have to spend all that much beyond living expenses, being a bachelor and all, so he usually set aside the rest of his cash for future medical care and to splurge on cool sneakers, fancy guitars, or any book that caught his interest.

But still! Dogs sure needed a lot of crap…collar, dog tags, leash, bowls, food, chew toys…House's head was spinning a little.

Casey sat quietly in the passenger's seat. He still seemed a little unsure about House, but Alain insisted that they just had to get to know each other first. German Shepherds and their humans can become quite inseparable.

The drive back to his appartement was uneventful. House led Casey inside.

"Well, here it is. Home sweet home."

He set up Casey's bowls in the kitchen and put a chew toy on the floor while Casey explored and sniffed around. He came to a stop next to House.

"So…do you want to eat now?"

He poured dog food and water into Casey's bowls. Casey sniffed suspiciously, but when he realized that it was the stuff that he'd eaten before, he began to relax.

House sat down on the couch. He felt somewhat unsure about this whole dog thing.

That is, he DID, until Casey trotted into the living room and sat at House's feet, wagging his tail and with a doggy grin on his face.

Casey had decided that he liked House.

And, reaching out to pet Casey, House suddenly felt a tiny bit…better.