Palmer and McGee Adopt Dogs
The fate of Jethro the dog was still in the balance. It is protocol for a dog who attacks to be put down, but Jethro didn't attack his human. Would he have to go back to the Naval Base?
No, Abby informed me that Gibbs called the base commander and he is letting the dog stay with her. The dog would be allowed to live. He would be loved. He would have a girl who would spoil him, or at least that's what we all thought until Abby’s landlord wouldn't let her have a dog like Jethro. Breed restrictions, weight limits, a bunch of other excuses. It didn't matter that Jethro was a highly trained former Military Working Dog. He was a German Shepherd, a tough-looking dog with a bad reputation.
We all go down to Abby’s lab after the case. She looks sad as she hugs the dog. She doesn't want to let go, but he was never meant to be hers.
“I have to find Jethro a good home.He's a distinguished veteran. He deserves to be happy,” says Abby.
They both deserve to be happy, but Abby chose to stay in her apartment instead of adopting this dog. It was probably the most practical choice, but I'm not sure if she even tried to find another way. Abby made her choice, and now we have a homeless dog.
“Tony?” she tries even though he's not a dog person.
“Sorry Abs. I don't think my landlord would love it. Besides, I barely have time for Kate the fish,” he says
“Jimmy?” she asks me
I would have taken the dog if it wasn't for the fact that I knew that I was getting one soon. After years on a waitlist, it was finally time for me to get a medical alert dog. Jethro probably could have been retrained as a service dog, he has the drive and intelligence for it, but I don't have the time or skills to train him to fit my needs. I needed a specific dog, I was getting a specific dog. Jethro the dog deserved a pet home. He deserved to retire in style.
Why do I need a service dog, one might ask? The team certainly would be curious, but I have magic on my side to help hide my little canine helper. I would tell them the truth if it didn't mean revealing past traumas, including the child abuse. If they ever visited me at my home, they would know I had a dog, but the only one who ever visits me is Dr.Mallard and he knows I am not as healthy as one might think someone my age should be.
My years with the Dursleys left a mark, I developed diabetes from the lack of nutrition in my childhood. Whereas non-insulin-dependent diabetes is generally associated with overnutrition, diabetes is also associated with undernutrition. I was barely fed for the first eleven years of my life. It stunted my growth and harmed my pancreas.
There were signs that were always there. I was always skinny and tired easily. My vision was blurry, more than would be usual from a head injury or bad genetics, although wearing glasses does help some. Going undiagnosed for a number of years also didn't help, the magical world sees diabetes as a Muggle disease and had no idea that I was suffering.
While I could have gotten a service dog sooner, I wasn't ready. I could barely take care of myself after the war and after I lost my family. I drank too much and didn't manage my health well. While I wanted a pet, I'm not sure I was ready. Hedwig was my first friend and she died for me. I had Snuffles but Sirius' death was traumatic even if I only loved him for a short time. I loved Mischief, the family cat but he burned alive with my wife.
However, after a little over a year into my sobriety, and about to move to DC to start a brighter part of my life, I was ready. I applied to get a service dog right before I moved down to DC to help me manage my diabetes and any PTSD that would flair up from working in law enforcement again. However, the waitlist is long and after three years of struggling to manage on my own, a dog was ready for me.
The agency called me last week and I get to take her home tonight. I met her a few times to see if it was a good fit. I am the new handler of a cuddly yellow lab. She's 2 years old and sixty pounds of love. Her fancy registered name is Turn the Light On, a perfect name. The agency calls her Lumos, all her litter has Latin names. I'll probably call her Lu just so I don't turn on lights with unintentional wandless magic.
The team never has to know. Here at work, I can cast a Disillusionment Charm on my dog so she blends into her surroundings and a scent clearing charm on the lab, which I do anyway so I don't get a headache from all the formaldehyde. That way Lu can work without people trying to distract her. It's the best for everyone.
“I can't Abby, landlord issues.” I lied.
I don't have a landlord, I own the building I live in as it's an old Potter property from a branch that lived in America. However the team doesn't know I'm rich, I'm just plain old Palmer to them.
“McGee?” asks Abby
“Abby, no, no, no,” replies McGee emphatically. But Abby knows she can guilt her ex-boyfriend into it.
“You have been looking for a dog, Timmy” argues Abby
“That dog tasted my blood, and I think he liked it,” yells Tim
“Okay, sometimes you have to look
at the reality in front of you and just accept it. You are taking Jethro. Accept it. McGee, Jethro, shake,” orders Abby.
McGee doesn't move. He doesn't want to give in but he eventually dies.
“All right, Jethro, you're gonna have to be the bigger man,” commands Abby and the dog sits up offering McGee his paw. McGee takes it.
Tim and I walked out of the building together that day. “I guess I have a dog,” grumbles McGre
“Im sorry Tim,” I apologize. Abby didn't care that McGee didn't feel comfortable taking Jethro home
“It’s fine. My sister has been begging me for a dog and I guess now we have one. We will learn to get along, but if he bites me again he's out,” Tim replies
“Sometimes you don't get the dog you want, but the dog you need,” I tell him. Hopefully things work out.
I picked up Lu on my way home. I was tired after this long day at work and she immediately alerts as soon as we meet. I check my blood sugar, unsure of the last time I consumed anything. It’s low but not dangerously so, but I still stop and pick up some juice at the nearest gas station and buy a hot dog for Lu.
“Good girl,” I tell her.
This is the start to a beautiful friendship. I won't be so alone at home and I will have someone to help me. I hop on the couch and turn on the TV. Lu curls up on my feet. We both end up falling asleep in the living room.
I trust Lu to save my life, and maybe she can save my heart too. I'm a lot happier these days but I am still angry about a lot. My brain got used to pain and forgot how to be happy, but dogs remind us how to live. There eyes full of hope and their bodies radiating joy. The case today reminded me of the power of the dog, without Jethro the killer might never have been caught.
For me, I know that I will be okay, Everyone knows the best medicine has four legs and a wet nose. I'll just have to have my daily dose of dog, and with a loving dog like Lu, I know that puppy cuddles will not be in short supply.