An Unwanted Pet/Deconditioning
My first attempt at what I think is called a drabble?
TW; conditioning/deconditioning, implied torture, sterilization mention
Characters; OCs Storm and Cari (currently called Stella)
Storm walked into the animal shelter, clutching the paper she’d printed out from the internet in her hand. She’d glance it every few seconds, trying to ignore the cacophony of dogs barking and jumping up and down in their chainlink runs, and claws scrambling against the concrete floors. She was there for a very specific dog, the one who’s picture she had in her hand.
From the moment she’d seen it while scrolling an adoption page on her therapist's orders, she knew exactly what “Stella A780111″ actually was. She wasn't a dog, she didn’t belong here in the pound. Her heart had sunk when she read the rest of the information that the shelter had uploaded. “Llewellyn setter, Spayed Female. Age 2″ Storm guessed she’d be in her late teens or early twenties. “Quiet, Obedient, knows basic commands, underweight needs to gain 20-30lbs.”
She stopped in front of the only kennel who’s resident didn’t jump up and down, begging for her attention. Curled up in the corner furthest from the door, her fur slightly damp and very matted, was what Storm had come for. The little dog, no taller than a foot and a half at the shoulder and taking up about as much space as a throw pillow, looked up at her and wagged her stumpy docked tail anxiously as her face stretched into what looked like a smile. Storm stared at her for a long minute then stood up and went back to the front desk.
“I want to adopt Stella.” She said, placing the adoption fee on the counter with the prefilled out adoption form she’d been clutching.
“But you haven’t even taken her out yet? We can take her to the adoption room and let you interact with -”
Storm shook her head. “No, I don't need to. I already know I want her.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. You can always bring her back at any time if you need to.” The worker said as she started entering information into the computer.
Storm nodded. “I know. I won’t though.” She sat down impatiently to wait.
“Do you have a collar for her?”
Storm’s heart leaped up into her throat. She’d forgotten that she would need a collar and leash to walk her out, she couldn't just ask her to shift right there, they would all know what they were. “Uh.. um... Could i buy one from here? I didn't know what size to get.” She pointed at the bright and happily colored slip leashes the shelter sold as a fundraiser.
“Of course. They’re $20.”
Storm handed over another bill and selected a pink lead. At least pink was a happy color. She’d take it off as soon as she got in the car, she told herself.
Finally, a shelter worker led Stella into the lobby and Storm was handed all her paperwork as she knelt down to gently put the leash over her head and remove the shelter lead. Stella didn’t lift her gaze from the floor at all as Storm slowly and gently led her to the car and lifted her into the passenger seat. Stella sat up, ramrod straight, her breaths small and shallow.
Storm got in the driver's side door and leaned over to take the lead of Stella.
Stella let out a plaintive whimper as the loop slipped over her head.
“Shhh shhh, it’s ok.” Storm assured her, gently stroking her head. “You’re free now. You don't have to belong to be or anyone anymore.” She stroked Stella’s cheek with her thumb. “I know you're scared right now, but you can smell that I’m just like you, can’t you?”
Stella nodded hesitantly. She didn’t know what was happening. She’d been in those kennels every since her first master left her there, chained to the front door with the command “Stay”. How long had it been? A week? Two weeks? Longer than that? She wasn't really sure. She was never sure of much. But she could smell the scent on Storm. The slightly doggish, slightly woodsy scent mingling with the dominant smell of human. She was like her, a mutt, a half-breed. But that didn't make her safe. Shifters could be just as cruel as humans if they wanted to be. Right now, she would be good, focus on obeying, minimizing the reasons there would be to punish her. She was good at that. She even liked it. Being good made her happy.
Storm smiled gently at her, not showing any teeth. She started the car and turned on some very soft classical music. Stella stayed sitting up perfectly straight until they arrived at Storm’s home, a little apartment on the edge of town. “We’re home!” She said, parking the car and turning off the music. “Ready to go inside?”
“Of- Of course ma’am,” Stella said quietly. “Do you wish for me be in human or animal form ma’am?”
“Animal form for now but when we get inside you can pick which one.” Storm said. “I’m sorry, I have to put the leash back on for a moment.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” She bowed her head to accept the leash.
Storm’s heart sank. “This is just for show, you don’t have to wear this, it’s just so people don’t get suspicious.” She said gently.
“Yes, ma’am.” She agreed. “Please, may you put the collar on?” She looked up with pleading eyes.
Storm gulped and gently put the lead over her head. “It’s just temporary, just to get inside.” She told her again.
“Yes, ma’am.” She nodded, relaxing as the collar settled on her neck.
Storm got out of the car and gently led her out of the car and to her apartment on the first floor. She opened the door and led her in, then gently slipped off the leash. Stella whimpered softly and sat down as Storm took off her shoes.
“Ok, let's get you cleaned up.” Storm headed to the bathroom. “Come on, follow me.” She coaxed.
Stella got up and followed her, her head lowered. She had tried to stay clean, but it was hard when she couldn’t shift into human form to use her hands. And only eating nasty dry dog kibble in the kennels only made her lose more weight, she was so boney now, surely her new master would be displeased that she wasn’t soft and good to cuddle. And her coat... Oh her coat, it was ruined, it would have to be shaved. She could feel tears pricking at her eyelids just thinking about how ashamed master would be of her without her fur. She should've taken better care of herself.
Storm was filling up the tub with warm water, a towel and comb resting on the counter by the sink. “Do you want me to help you get cleaned up, or do you want to do it yourself?”
Stella trembled. She didn’t like choices, she didn’t like not knowing. “Whichever you desire, master.” She hoped that her deference would prevent any punishments.
Storm sighed. Stella was so broken, she didn't know if she could help. For now, she would do what she could to get her cleaned up. Unraveling those deep mental wounds would have to wait.
