If You Could, Would You?
It had been a while since Ryder's freak out over Chase and Rocky, and a couple dates with Katie had done a lot to reduce his anxiety over the pup's health. Still though, his initial fears about Chase would occasionally return, even though he knew they probably weren't rational. Tonight however, he would dispel some more, likely imagined, anxieties. Then, as if on que, Chase walked in the room.
"You wanted to see me?" asked Chase
"Yes," began Ryder, "There are some questions I wanted to ask you."
The shepherd simply nodded and sat down.
"Chase, if Skye asked to mate with you, and I allowed you to do so, would you?" asked Ryder and as serious a tone as he could manage.
The little Alsatian nodded solemnly.
Ryder's eyes widened. It would've been an understatement to say he found Chase's answer to be little startling.
"You are aware of what that would entail, from your bodies I mean," countered Ryder.
The Deutscher hund nodded, and realizing Ryder wanted an explanation, began, "I'd put…my… into… hers," managed Chase with visible discomfort.
Ryder breathed a sigh of relief. After his initial startling answer, it felt almost calming to hear the hesitancy in his voice. After taking a breath, Ryder continued. "I meant the other things regarding your bodies," explained Ryder.
The little pup looked back at him confused. It could not have been more obvious that Chase had no idea what Ryder was talking about.
"More proof that he just isn't ready," thought Ryder. "Here's what I don't understand Chase, the idea of actually doing it seems to make you feel uncomfortable, and you don't entirely understand how to do it, so why would you want to mate with her?"
Chase looked toward the ground, and quietly, but powerfully stated, "Because it would make her happy."
Ryder felt his heart melt. That was one of the sweetest things he'd ever heard. Similarly, this was quite stoic, even for him.
"Chase, come here," beckoned Ryder.
The black and tan dog walked over to his master, who then scooped him into his lap.
After a good five-minute cuddle, Ryder began to speak. "Chase, do you remember that time a couple of weeks ago when you gave me that scare when you tried to…"
Chase nodded.
"A good part of why you couldn't do that was because you didn't understand what you were doing, and there is a certain amount about this particular activity you don't understand either. You could get hurt if you rush into something this big without understanding what you're doing, and I don't want to see that happen," explained Ryder.
"Yes sir," said Chase softly.
"Mating isn't just about making her happy, it's about sharing a happy experience together," explained Ryder. "I appreciate you wanting to make her happy, but there are parts of this experience she would expect, that you, for the time being, would, in the best case, have a difficult time providing, and she'd probably be disappointed. Wouldn't you rather wait until you're older, and you can give her the best possible experience?"
Chase gave another quiet nod, and Ryder swore he could see a tear in the corner of his eye. "Skye is so lucky to have him," he thought.
The End
