To Steve, it felt like they had been walking forever.

They passed building after building of stained concrete and brick. He must have fallen asleep for a good amount of time, for when he woke it was closer to sundown. He hurt all over and the scruff of his neck was starting to grow sore.

"Joe," Steve asked. "How much further?"

The big dog set him down as gently as possible. "Not too far. You think you can walk the rest of the way?"

"Yeah." The pup replied, steadying himself.

As they continued walking, the limp in Steve's leg was becoming increasingly worse and he was starting to feel woozy with the pain. Eventually, Joe just stopped. The golden pup wasn't paying attention and walked right into one of his back legs. Steve tumbled backward.

"Sorry." Steve apologized.

"It's all good pup. We're here."

He looked up. The sign was blurred to his eyes but the store front was big glass windows that had somehow remained un-shattered. They were empty though, like the store was no longer in business.

The door opened suddenly.

"Hey Joe, you old boy. Come here." A young lady knelt down, a kind smile on her face.

The Shepard came over to her wagging his tail in a friendly manner. She started scratching down his sides and rubbed his head.

"I've been seeing you all over the news today. The savior of New York." She craned her neck looking over him. "And your little trooper pup there." She put her hand out at Steve. "Come'ere little guy, I won't hurt you."

Steve limped over and set his muzzle in her hand.

"You're in really bad shape little guy."

Joe whined to her. They made eye contact and the dog and the human just looked at each other for a time. Steve sat down watching through tired eyes.

"You want me to take care of him?" The brunette woman asked.

The older dog yipped and shoved his head into her stomach.

"All right, all right." She gave him a playful, light shove. She turned to Steve. "Can I pick you up?"

Steve just sat there. Should he nod or something? Stay still? Before he could act, the lady scooped him up very slowly. She let his front feet dangle and supported him by his now rumbling belly. She propped the door open with her foot.

"In, Joe. We'll get you both something to eat."

The German Shepard stood up, swinging his tail. The first room they entered was mostly empty, decorated only with worn seats and the strong scent of stale animal hung in the air. There had probably been several hundred dogs and cats through here Steve decided as they passed a big desk into a hall way behind it. The woman held the swinging gate open for Joe again, then proceeded back to a closed door. The woman opened it and let Joe in then set Steve down on a high table with a really cold top.

"It's like a doctor's office." Steve commented shifting his paws off the metal.

Joe reared up on his hind legs and put his paws on the table to be closer to Steve. "It probably is. This is the Veterinarian, like a doctor for dogs. Her name is Wendy. I've been seeing her even since I was a puppy even younger than you. She'll fix you right up."

Wendy finished riffling through the cabinet she had stuck her head into. A light pink towel was laid across the metal top. Steve stepped onto it and gave her a thankful look.

"It's ok, fella." She sat down on a wheeled stool. "I'm going to look at your leg now. It might hurt a little. Can you be brave for me and old Joe here?"

Steve flopped down on his stomach and rolled onto his side and stretched out his legs as far as he could without it hurting. She probed the bone gently and Steve whimpered in pain but held his body still. Thankfully, she worked quickly, trying to keep the examination short.

"Jeez little guy, you really busted that leg." She pushed back and pulled off her rubber gloves. "It's a nice clean break though. I can press it back in place and cast it."

She looked at Joe again.

"You have somewhere for him to go, don't you?" She asked like she already knew the answer.

Joe barked.

Wendy smiled to the puppy. "I'm really glad you have somewhere to go. I won't stop you, just stay one night and let me feed you both."

Steve's belly rumbled loudly, and he ducked his head shame-facedly.

Wendy and Joe just laughed.

"Here, fella."

She made quick work of wrapping his broken leg in a pure white cast. It hurt, but Steve took it like a man. He knew that normally his metabolism would have this healed in a day or two but he didn't know? the rules for this. Wendy cleaned all his wounds and stitched up the laceration on his back.

"I'm not going to put a cone on you, but don't bite at the stiches bud. I'll be right back guys." She said setting Steve on the floor with his towel.

Joe sniffed over Steve's bandages. "You better now?"

"I feel pretty hungry." Steve said drowsily.

"I'm back boys." Wendy set down two dishes. "I had some leftover turkey gravy in my lunch from Thanksgiving, so you two have special dinners. I have to get home for the night, but you'll be warmer in here for tonight. There's water in the corner."

Joe barked and settled down.

"See you tomorrow. It's supposed to be a little warmer." She smiled and closed the door on her way out.

The two dogs ate ravenously. Kibble wasn't bad at all, Steve decided. If he had to choose it over starving, he would definitely choose Kibble. He was so tired and the gravy sat like a hot water bottle in his stomach. After a quick drink, Joe laid back down. Steve curled up to the German Shepard's warm belly.

He fell asleep almost instantly.