3 chapters left

Recap: Merle and Daryl went to face the robbers. Daryl lost his temper and beat one unconscious and shot another one. Merle called an ambulance to save them but made sure they all agreed it was someone else who had done it. Daryl wanted them to die but allowed his brother to take care of it. Daryl and Merle took a lot of money from them and Merle took drugs for himself that they had. Daryl had decided to get a dog.

So as I previously said, there are only 3 chapters left to this story. Chapter 20 will be the last one to this story. The last few chapters are going to be great and I'm hoping they are going to tie up this story with no loose ends and it will be something you will enjoy. Thank you to those of you still reading this story, it is much appreciated. Also, thank you to those of you who have followed, favourited and reviewed, it is much appreciated.

Disclaimer: TWD and its characters do not belong to me

Waitress: Chapter 17: Dixie

Daryl
Ever since the robbery I have been thinking about getting a dog, another line of defence to deter anyone else who thinks it might be a good idea to rob me. I wanted to get a dog that would defend but also to fit in with me and what I do for a living so I went to the local shelter to see what they had or get an idea of what kind of dog I was looking for and I found the perfect one. She was a gorgeous 6 month old Bullmastiff called Dixie; I fell in love with her instantly.

When I first saw her she had only just been brought in and before she could be adopted out the shelter had to do medical tests on her and a behaviour evaluation. They also wanted to get her socialised with people before adopting her out because she wasn't used to many people. She had been brought to them after a raid on a puppy farm; she had been born there and didn't have much of a life outside of her kennel. If she hadn't been sold by the people running the place she would've stayed there and become a breeding machine for them. Dixie had a rough life and I wanted to give her a better one where she'd get loved on and petted all day, given treats, a comfortable bed and space to roam around.

After taking the money from the two dumb fucks I decided that I was 100% going to bring her home and the money that I took would pay for everything I would need for her as well as replace what was taken. The shelter said they had a collar, leash and bed for her but I wanted to get her new things... she didn't need the things of her old sad life, new belongings to go with her new home and her new life. Beth was excited that I was getting a dog and had arranged for me to bring Dixie to her daddy's vet clinic for a check up to make sure she was ok. I trusted the shelter but it never hurt to have a second opinion.

I had made an appointment to go and bring Dixie home today. The shelter was happy that I had decided to adopt her and all I had to do when I got there was sign the paper and pay the fee. Beth wanted to come with me to pick her up but I wanted it to be a surprise so I was going to tell Beth when to come home, she wasn't working today so she would be able to come over after she's finished classes.

I thought about going to the store and getting Dixie's things before going to pick her up but decided to wait until I picked her up. I was going to bring her to the store with me and let her choose her toys and what treats she wanted. The shelter had food to give me that Dixie liked so I didn't need to worry about that for a week or so, I was actually excited to go and get her.

When I was a kid we had a Pitbull called Monty. Merle had found him just wondering the streets on his own; he was skinny and covered in fleas. Merle brought him home then went and robbed some place to get flea stuff and treats. My pops was so mad when he saw Monty and then wanted to train him for dog fighting but Merle wasn't having it and fought my dad and eventually my momma got my dad to leave the dog alone. My pops was so scared of Monty; he kept away from me and Merle when Monty was about. Monty bit my pops a few times, each time he bit him it was because he had hit me or was about to hit me. So when my dad decided to wanted to beat the shit out of me or Merle he put Monty in the backyard and locked the door so he couldn't get in.

Once my pops was beating Merle with a belt, really going at him with it and I was in my bedroom. Monty was in the backyard fighting to get in cause he heard what was happening, he was growling and doing what he could to open the door. I ran to the backdoor as fast as I could and opened it for him, Monty came running in so fast I barely saw him and he went at my dad. He grabbed the arm that had the belt and he was going at it like a toy, pops was screaming for help but neither me nor Merle did. Monty eventually let go but my pops couldn't use his arm for a couple months after that.

We had Monty for years; he was the only little bit of happy I remember from my childhood. Monty died of old age and it broke Merle's heart, it was the first time I had seen him cry, he buried Monty in the backyard and we made a marker for his grave. My pops had run off by the time Monty had died so we got to bury him in peace but that night Merle and I sat next to Monty's grave with a few beers and told our favourite stories.

I've always wanted another dog after that but then I got busy with the bar and I never found one I really clicked with. After the robbery I knew I had to get some kind of protection, just for the girls more than anything. I've got a gun and crossbow... I'm ok but the girls need something they can rely on too. Dixie was the perfect age for me to train her to be a good dog but also a good guard dog.

Beth
Daryl called and told me he was home with the new dog, I was so excited, I have been dying to meet this dog since he told me he was getting it. I know nothing apart from its only 6 months old and rescued from a puppy farm. I had been thinking about what breed of dog Daryl might have got and I decided that the dog is either gonna be a German Shepherd type dog or a Pitbull. He had a Pitbull when he was a kid, he loved that dog and he always wanted another one. I've been texting him all day asking for hints but he keeps telling me it's a surprise and I have to wait, but not for much longer.

I pulled up to Daryl's and used the back entrance to go up to the apartment. As I climbed the stairs there was a big bark from the apartment, it wasn't a Pitbull, that bark belonged to a big dog. I knocked on the door and waited for Daryl, he opened the door a second later and we went into the living room.

Oh my God! The most adorable dog... some kind of mastiff... was sitting on a dog's bed. The dog was a light sand colour with a dark muzzle; it had big paws that it hadn't grown into yet and a dopey look on its face.

"Dixie, come here," Daryl said to the dog kindly.

"Dixie?" I questioned with a laugh.

"She was already named." He answered.

Dixie came over to us and sniffed my hand then nudged it so I would stroke her. I started petting her and sat down on the floor with her, she laid down as I petted her. She was such a sweetheart, Daryl sat down next to us and started scratching her side and she laid down to expose her belly to us. The ultimate sign of submission. Daryl started scratching her belly and he hit a certain spot that started her leg going, we both laughed but Daryl stopped after a few seconds and started patting her.

I looked around his apartment briefly and you would think that a dog had always lived her; the dogs bed, the toys, the leash hanging on the coat rack, the tub of treats, the food and water bowl. She has definitely made herself at home!

"She's gorgeous," I commented "I can't believe she's this big at six months," I added.

"She's gonna get bigger," He replied.

"Oh, that reminds me; your appointment is all set with my daddy, he said to come by around lunchtime tomorrow," I told him.

"Thanks... just wanna make sure the shelter did their homework," He said.

"Better safe than sorry." I agreed.

Daryl
I liked Beth's family, don't get me wrong. Her daddy was always kind to me, her momma always offered me food to bring home and her brother always shook my hand. I know they must think of me as some old man after their baby but they kept their opinions to themselves, however going to see her daddy one on one was not something I had experienced before. I appreciated him taking the time to look over Dixie and be my vet for her but I don't do well in socially awkward situations. I wanted Beth to come with me but she was busy so it was just gonna be me, Hershel and Dixie... great.

"C'mon in Daryl." Hershel called from the examination room. Dixie and I walked in and Hershel closed the door behind us "How you doin' son?" He asked kindly.

"Good thanks... how's the family?" I asked.

"Yeah they're good. Annette said to go on up t' the house after, she's got some food f'r ya," He told me.

"'Preciate it," I replied.

"Ok... now who is this?" He questioned as he stroked Dixie.

"Dixie," I answered and handed him the paperwork the shelter had given me on her; vaccine dates, age, breed, notes on her health and such "She's seems all good but jus' wanted t' make sure," I added.

"She looks in good shape," He commented as he patted her down "Lift her on the table f'r me," He instructed and I did as he asked, he looked through her notes and nodded along with whatever he was reading "Seems the shelter kept her up to date on vaccinations, flea, tick and worming treatment so that's good. I can give ya her next lot to do at home. The flea stuff just put on the back of her neck, its oily so don't touch it with ya hands jus' let it soak int' her skin. The worming medication ya just put in her food," He explained.

"A'right," I agreed.

"She's a sweet girl," He commented as he played with her, her tail was wagging and she seemed happy for the attention "What do ya know 'bout her?" He asked.

"She came from a puppy mill," I answered "They were gonna sell her, if they couldn't sell her she was gonna be used f'r breedin'," I added.

"I hate those damn puppy mills," He said angrily "Those dogs don't have no life. The ones that do get brought always end up dyin' young or have tons of health issues from inbreedin'... we need t' clear the shelters before goin' to these puppy mills," He said and shook his head "Ya know I've had all kindsa animals my whole life, we had dogs and sometime we'd end up with the odd litter but we never sold puppies. We gave them to good families who would take care of them, not use them to fill their wallet," He added.

"It was actually gonna ask ya 'bout spayin' her," I suggested.

"I can do that f'r ya, not a problem. Do ya know if she's had a season yet?" He asked.

"The shelter said no," I replied.

"A'right that's good. Its better t' spay them before they get their first season. I can book ya in next week," He told me.

"Perfect," I answered.

"Well she's all good. I'll grab the flea, tick and worming treatment and tell ya when to give her it. After that its every four weeks for the flea and tick treatment and every eight weeks for the wormin' treatment," I put Dixie back on the ground and gave her a pat on the head for being good "Her vaccinations are good for another six months, I'll make a note of it and remind ya nearer the time," He said and handed me the treatments.

"Great. How much do I owe ya for the visit?" I asked.

"Nothin'," He replied with a wave of his hand.

"What?"

"I'll be ya vet Daryl, no charge. Yer seein' my daughter after all, I can't charge ya... perks of datin' Beth Greene," He said.

"Thanks Hershel," We shook hands.

"Go on up t' the house. I got one more appointment then I'll come join ya. Mrs Reid's cat is comin' in to get her bandages off... that damn cat has gotta learn to stop fightin' dogs." He rolled his eyes making me chuckle lightly.

Hershel opened the door for me and Dixie and I walked her out the surgery, I saw an old woman walking up with a cat in a pet carrier... I'm assuming this is the bully cat in question that likes to fight dogs.

Isn't Dixie just the perfect name? I thought about all kinds of names for Daryl's dog and I thought a girl dog names Dixie Dixon was just perfect!

I hope you enjoyed that chapter. The next one is going to be a fun one, its Daryl's birthday and the celebrations are gonna be in full swing! We're going to see a different and funny side to Beth I haven't explored on here yet and of course we're going to see more of the beautiful Dixie Dixon.

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