This is by request of my friend PGF, who asked specifically for a Basil/Toby ficlet...
"Rrrrrrr!"
"Watson, keep that dog quiet!"
"Rowrrr!"
"Desist, Toby!"
"Holmes, can't you just stay 'sit' like normal people?" I asked amusedly.
Holmes sniffed, rummaging through his desk for his magnifying lens.
"Toby is a highly intelligent animal, Watson," he shot over his shoulder.
I glanced at the droopy-eared dog, a mixture of more than two unidentifiable breeds, and restrained a snicker.
But apparently the other occupant of the room was not so inhibited. I heard a high-pitched squeak from close to my feet, and I bent to see a now-familiar mouse.
"Hallo, Dr. Watson!"
"Good morning, Basil."
Just then Toby came bouncing over, eagerly chewing on a now-bedraggled object he had stolen from Holmes's bedroom, and I hastily offered my hand to Basil for fear the dog would go after him.
"No, no, Doctor – I know Toby better than you do, I'll wager," he said, smiling.
And sure enough, the mutt skidded to a halt in front of him and lowered his nose to the floor, tail wagging.
"Rrrrrrr!"
Holmes gaped as the mouse climbed nimbly onto the dog's back, holding to his collar, and began to scratch Toby behind his floppy ears.
Basil grinned at Holmes's spluttering.
"Rowrrr!"
"Toby, Mr. Holmes wants you to stop that," Basil directed sternly, "sit!"
The dog sat.
I've never seen Holmes's eyes any bigger.