Chapter Text
“Fili & Zeus”
A Story for chelidona
By WithywindlesDaughter
“I need a favor.”
Fili rolled his eyes at the voice on the phone. “Tell me again why I got my contractor’s license?”
“So you could build things for us!”
“Oh yeah,” Fili laughed. His long-time friend was a volunteer for Running Dog Rescue, a charity founded by a couple of old hippies from the Bay Area. They specialized in the rescue, foster and adoption of large, special needs dogs - mostly great danes, greyhounds, afghans and borzois and occasionally a few more exotic; all dogs bought by people as a novelty without any thought to how big they would get or much work they would be. He contributed labor building extra large-sized dog houses and fencing in kennels and dog runs.
“I need someone to foster a dog for a couple of weeks.”
Fili looked around at the property he had just moved into. It was a large wide-open acreage dotted with oak trees and golden grass covering rolling hills. He had bought the property with intentions of fixing up the old farmhouse and living in it. “Which dog?”
“He’s new. His name is Zeus and his owner died. She was a long-time supporter of the rescue. He’s really depressed and unresponsive being here. We think he needs to be in a house with someone - at least until we can find him a permanent family.”
Fili thought about himself with a black and white great dane by his side or a hound running across the golden fields around his new home. What the hell, he had the room and he had taken a few weeks off to work on the new place. “Sure! I don’t see why not.”
**********
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“Oh, come on, Fee - it’s not that bad!”
Fili stood there looking at the dog. It was white and fluffy, a giant puffball of mismatched hair length, regarding him with shiny black eyes.
“What is it?”
Tauriel tucked her short hair daintily behind her ears. “His name is Zeus and he is a standard poodle.”
“What’s wrong with his hair?” Fili was highly skeptical of this entire enterprise.
“It’s a show cut, but it’s grown out.” She handed him a card. “You’ll need to take him to the groomers and have it done.”
“You’re asking me to cash in my man-card here, T!” He wheedled. “Can’t it be one of the danes?”
“No!” She set out some paperwork for him to sign. “He needs someone and you said you’d do it!”
Fili glared at the dog and glared at the paperwork and glared at the pen as he signed it. “Okay, but you owe me bigtime for this.”
“Now, here’s a list of what you’ll need to pick-up for him and what dog food he eats. The groomer’s waiting for you. I’ll call and tell her you’re on your way.” Tauriel handed him the handle of the dog’s leash.
Fili shot her one more look and then turned to the dog in question. “Hey there!”
The dog regarded him, but made no move to stand or wag his tail.
Fili looked back at Tauriel. “See, he doesn’t like me!”
Tauriel pointed towards the door. “Out. Both of you. And play nice.”
Fili wasn’t sure if that last bit was directed towards him or the dog. “Fine,” he huffed. “Com’on Zeus, let’s go.”
Zeus stood and, with great dignity, headed for the door. Fili steered him towards the truck, where he proceeded to the passenger door. “Most dogs want to ride in the back,” Fili told him. Zeus regarded him with his black eyes and then turned back towards the door. Fili loaded the dog into the passenger seat and walked around to the driver’s side. “Zeus almighty,” he muttered. “What did I sign on for?”
****************
They drove into the business part of town where the groomer’s was located and parked the truck. The dog had been quiet during the ride, looking out at the passing shops and people with interest. The groomer’s was a large storefront with the name Wash-n-Growl and frisky-looking dogs painted on the windows. Inside he could see large washing stations and grooming tables. “Looks like this is the place!”
He pushed the door open and a bell attached to the door tinkled merrily. “I’ll be right out,” called someone from the back. A young woman in well-worn jeans and a Passiflora t-shirt walked out. Zeus immediately stood up on his hind legs and placed his front paws on the counter to greet her.
“Well hello there,” she laughed. “You’re new!”
Fili was immediately struck by how pretty she was with her wide smile and her light brown hair up in a twist. He was also aware that the dog he was supposed to be in charge of was not making a very good first impression. “Zeus! Get down!”
“Is this Zeus?” She asked. She held out her hand to the blond man at her counter. “I’m Amy.”
“Fili,” he introduced himself. “And, yeah, this giant puffball is Zeus.”
“Tauriel called and said you’d be coming.” Amy unbolted the little door to the grooming area and opened it. To Fili’s complete surprise Zeus trotted eagerly through it as if this were a regular part of his day.
“Most dogs don’t look forward to getting a bath,” Fili commented.
“For a dog like this regular pampering is a must.” She pushed a large photo album towards him and opened to several photos of poodles in various show clips. “My Afghan, Jammer, is the same.”
“Um…” Fili looked at the photos while Amy fed Zeus a biscuit. “I live on sort of a farm that I’m fixing up. I don’t think any of these would be very practical.”
She flipped the page backwards to a picture of a dog with a smooth, even cut all over his body. “This is a puppy cut. It’s meant to be easier maintenance and a lot of people who don’t show their dogs do this one.”
“Ok,” he agreed. “That looks good. I’m going to the pet store to pick-up some things. What time should I come back?”
“Around 2 o’clock,” Amy answered. “He’ll get a bath, haircut, blowout and pedicure.”
“Pedicure?” Fili laughed.
“Well, yeah!” Amy laughed. “Give me your number and I’ll text you when he’s ready.”
******************
The next stop was the Feed & Pet store for an extra large dog bed, brush, comb, food and water dishes, and the special food Tauriel had put on the list. He also grabbed a box of the biscuits Amy had at the Wash-n-Growl and tossed in a couple of likely-looking toys for good measure, not sure which ones the dog would like. He briefly contemplated buying him a crate, but the whole point of having the dog with him was to keep him out of a kennel so he decided not to.
At the register the girl looked over his purchases with a raised eyebrow. “New pet?”
“Yeah,” Fili answered. “Well, he’s a foster while he’s waiting to be adopted.”
“Awww… well you might want some of these, then!” She handed him a box of blue pooper bags.
“Thanks,” he looked at them, bemused at the thought of all the dog logs he’d be scooping up. The girl handed him his receipt and waved him out the door with a grin.
Fili decided he had enough time to visit the tool store and browse for a bit before it was time to go back to the groomers so he grabbed an orange cart and loaded-up on a few extra boxes of the screws and nails that he used on every job. He was on his way to go look at cordless drills when he noticed a stand of books next to a display of bright green artificial turf and a large wooden doghouse. Fili eye’d it for a moment then spotted a colorful book titled How to Build Indoor Dog Houses. He hadn’t intended on going to any such measures, but soon he found himself leafing through the pages looking at building plans and instructions on how to assemble each of the very novel dog houses pictured within.
Many of the designed seemed to have been made with small dogs in mind. He especially liked the little wooden replica Airstream trailers. One or two of the designs looked like interesting projects, maybe something the rescue could use. His phone buzzed and he looked at the screen. ‘Your boy is ready to pick up.’ Fili tapped out a quick reply and tossed the book into his cart, power tools forgotten.
When he got back to the Wash-n-Growl Zeus was lounging on a bench, being fussed over by several young women in aprons. The dog did actually look happier, and much more comfortable in his short cut. He also noticed the little blue ribbons tied into the long hair on his ears and the shiny black toenail polish. The groomers were gently fluffing and arranging his white coat. Fili chuckled. “Zeus, what are you doing?”
Amy came walking out. “He was an angel. His owner must have had him groomed on a regular schedule.”
“Good boy,” Fili said. He pulled out his wallet to pay for the service with a tip. “Anything special I need to know care and maintenance?”
Amy rang him up. “Have you ever lived with one of these dogs?”
“No, I grew up with big shaggy mutts. Why?”
She carefully clipped Zeus’ lead to his collar. “These dogs can be a real handful. They’re very smart and they need a lot of interaction and things to do."
“Well, maybe you could give me some tips.” Fili took the lead in hand. “Maybe coffee down on the corner?”
He looked so cute and hopeful that she had to smile. She looked back at the other two women who nodded enthusiastically. “Ok, let’s go!”
- TBC -