Harvey is able to keep his new pet a secret from his friends until Donna says she's bringing by some client's contact information and billable history. He only allows it without trying to meet her somewhere or refusing her entrance into his apartment because it's Donna, and she's the only person in all the world that might be better at detecting his bullshit than Harvey's own is also similar to his mother in the fact that they both are not animal lovers. When Mike sees Donna for the first time, he yaps excitedly and runs to say hi by wagging his tail and running a circle around her. A quick, "Shoo!" from Donna has the pup scampering behind Harvey. Harvey grabs the information and tries to ignore The Eyebrow of Spill Everything Now."I didn't know you were one to dogsit. Your day job not paying enough, boss?""Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get it over with," Harvey huffs out and heads to his kitchen to grab a bottle of water for his guest as well as himself. He returns to find Mike laying down as far away from Donna as he can get, cautiously keeping an eye on her while he props his head on his front paws."No, I'm serious Harvey. The domestic look really suits you, boss," Donna says as he hands over the water. Apparently, his dog gains his confidence back with his owner back in the room because Mike is now approaching the woman slowly. He extends his neck to gently sniff at the woman's shoes before letting out a gentle sneeze, much like he did when being introduced to the puppy pads for the first time."That's Prada that you're turning your nose up at, mutt," Donna huffs. Mike tentatively wags his tail at her acknowledgement. Harvey spends a moment idly thinking about how some people who were obviously not Harvey could find Mike's floppy ears and fluffy body adorable."So please tell me what has you so enthralled with this little beast that you are willing to bring him into your life? I need to know so I can give advice to the women at work who want to land you so they know how to best appeal to your caring nature," Donna says carefully examining her manicured nails."Woah, I'm not keeping him. Mike's just temporary until I fatten him up a bit and find him a good home. Donna, this dog is weird," Harvey says and Mike whines by Harvey's feet, looking up at the man."See?" Harvey exclaims. "It's like he knows what I'm talking about. Donna, he doesn't go to the bathroom in the house. He doesn't chase after cats, or growl at people, and I swear yesterday he turned the television on by himself. And possibly changed the channel to the cartoon channel. This dog is not normal,'' Harvey rants, not really meaning to vent this all out on Donna, but it all comes spilling out defensively. Donna is chuckling by the end of it anyway so the point is mainly moot."Harvey, usually if you plan on getting rid of the dog , you don't buy a crate, doggie mattress, and food bowls for it. Only you would worry about having the best dog in the world. Did you actually complain about him not pottying all over your carpet. And Mike? You don't name pets if you don't want to become attached to them""He came with the name, and he's definitely a weird dog," Harvey grumbles not wanting to admit that his colleague has a point."Whatever, boss. I'm going home now. I'll see you tomorrow," Donna says and heads towards the door. "Donna, Jessica doesn't have to know about this," Harvey tries to say in an authoritative way. Donna looks confused but makes the connection suddenly. "If you wanted to keep Mike a secret, you shouldn't have left me alone in the living room," Donna says and gapes his mouth open and closed before spitting out, " I left you alone for maybe thirty seconds!""And it takes me less time than that to text 'OMG Harvey has a puppy' to our boss. You should know this," Donna scoffs, waves and starts walking to the stairs. Harvey can't think of a witty rejoinder because she's right, so he shuts the door and notices that his little ball of fluff is nowhere to be found. This is odd because he trails after Harvey like the puppy that he is on a constant basis.
A few minutes later, Harvey finds Mike in his crate nose pointed away from Harvey. Mike never goes in the crate willingly."Mike, you okay buddy?"The small body huffs and refuses to look at him. Harvey gets on his knees and lifts Mike out of his crate. When he turns that small body towards himself, sad blue eyes look up at him. Harvey thinks about how his dog is above average in intelligence and finds himself apologizing in his own way."I lied okay? I knew Donna was going to give me crap and I wanted to avoid it. I'm not abandoning you. I'm not finding you a new home. You are home, so quit sulking and come eat."Mike can't help but wag his tail a little before looking deliberately away. Harvey forgets that he's talking to his dog, because Mike has more personality than many of the people he works with, Louis included. "Oh come on. That's the best you're going to get, Mike. I called you weird, but I stand firm in that opinion." Harvey doesn't say that it's the weirdness that kind of what makes him like Mike so freakin' much, but the pup gets it anyway and licks the corner of his jaw with a soft tongue before barking plaintively.
