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[ the phone is obviously propped up somewhere when the feed begins, because there's some out-of-focus fussing, then joshua steps back, smiling a little shyly. he lifts a hand to wave it, looking a little nervous. the palm is wrapped in bandages-- both of them, actually, and there are several bandaids across his brow, only visible because his curls have been pulled away from his face in a ponytail.

it looks like he might be in someone's large back yard-- or perhaps a dog park, considering the number of canines running around behind him, playing and barking. he gestures behind himself as if to illustrate hey!! dogs!! then holds up an index finger as if to ask for a moment. he ducks down out of the frame of the video, and pops back up a moment later with this sweet little old lady in his arms. he gently sets her down on the picnic table the phone is propped up on, and she settles comfortably, stretching her nose out to sniff before glancing back at josh once more.

there's a fidgety moment, his face a little red beneath his freckles, and his lips part.. then shut. they part again, and haltingly: ] Her name is Gemma. [ his hands move as he speaks, signing the words, as if he can't help himself. he doesn't like speaking, which is probably obvious from the slightly uncomfortable expression, but he's also aware that most people don't exactly understand his language. ]

She's ten and she's been here for two years. She's really sweet. The shelter thinks she wasn't being adopted because she.. had a heart problem and arthritis, but.. I fixed it. [ he reaches to scratch her ears, and she stretches out underneath his hand, resting her chin on her paws.

he glances back up a moment later, plucking a little at his bandages. ] .. If you know anyone looking for an easygoing small dog.. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you!

Comments

video;

[extremeteenbible]

Between you and that elf guy, there's been a lotta dogs on this network lately...

[ Merle thinks he'd better hide the phones from Magnus, lest he get any ideas about adopting a third dog. ]

( text )

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oh i saw that!!
he bought a guard dog tho and i dont really care for that sort of thing
i mean i know that certain breeds are around for a reason but
well anyway ive been working at this shelter and gemma is really sweet and good and she deserves a home!
they all deserve a home but gemmas been here the longest

( text )

[extremeteenbible]

[ Merle doesn't really get why the switch to text, but whatever, he follows suit. ]

a working dog's Gotta work!

Yah, she seems like a sweet gal. but I'm not in the market for a pet. 2 dogs, a fish, and a snake is a bit much for a house already.

[fettering]

[ sorry merle... he's shy!! ]

i guess so! i know some dogs like to work
ive watched enough animal planet.....

a snake! ive never met many reptiles
mostly little lizards
that is a lot of pets for one house though ig

[extremeteenbible]

YEAH well. stephen (That's the fish) lives in a glass ball so he doesn;t take up much room.

[ Did... did he mean to say "bowl?" ]

But Taylor swift and the boys are kind of all over the place.

video

[h2no]

How'd you fix it?

[maybe if this guy has animal healing too they could do something a little more coherent together.]

( text )

[fettering]

im a healer! kind of
its a long story
anyway bottom line is i can fix stuff sometimes

Re: ( text )

[h2no]

ME TOO!!!!
MINE IS FOR ANIMALS SPECIFICALLY.
MAYBE WE COULD HELP ALL THE ONES WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS AT THE SHELTER BETWEEN US?

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mine isnt that reliable but i know the shelter would love to have someone come help out!!
im in heropa but i think any shelter you go to would be grateful too

[h2no]

SNAP. HEROPA TOO.
IF YOU'RE SURE. I GENERALLY JUST DO WHATEVER PEOPLE BRING TO ME.

[Video + Text]

[versusseeker]

[!!!

[Cue Red, with a little blonde chihuahua of his own in his arms, its entire body wagging along with its tail. Pikachu is, of course, perched on Red's shoulder as well (and you're not mistaken if you think it looks a little irritated).

[He gives Joshua a small wave, then starts typing around the little dog.]

gud w othr dogs?

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[ OMG... he's gonna cry if she gets adopted this fast!! what a sweet little chi!! WHAT A CUTE POKEMON?? ]

yes!!
and cats and children!!
mostly she just wants to be held and cuddled
and shes too old for puppies but it doesnt look like yours is a puppy

[versusseeker]

he was
hes a gud boy

[The little thing yips in Red's arms - almost as if he can understand what Red just typed? It's not that, exactly. But he can hear Red's thoughts.

[Speaking of which, if that Gemma is just your average, every day dog, he should be able to talk to her too...

[Sorry Joshua, but he's going to space out for a minute here and focus on little Gemma, sending her a message with his mind.

[Hey, girl. Can you hear me?

[Then, because he's learned slowly that people don't really like it when he ignores them in order to stare silently at their animals, he sends Josh another quick text.]

i can tlk 2 them
anmls + pkmn

[fettering]

[ clearly, gemma heard something, because she perks up and tilts her head, whining softly. josh scratches her back to settle her again. ]

holy cow thats a cool power
what do dogs think about?? sleep and food and chasing stuff?
i feel like they probably think about the people they love too

text

[h2no]

NO.

[versusseeker]

?

[Innocent. Perfectly innocent. He doesn't know what you're talking about, Archie.]

[h2no]

THE TWO DOG CLAUSE EXTENDS TO RANDOM DOGS OFFERED ON THE NETWORK.
YOU HAVE ENOUGH.
IT'S GOING TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO CARE FOR THEM ALL.

video

[am_i_a_monster]

She's beautiful. Hi Gemma.

[She waves to the dog.]

Was she around cats at the shelter?

( text )

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[ sorry, text is easier and less embarrassing for him.. ]

not many here at the shelter
but she apparently used to live with two cats before she was surrendered
shes pretty good with them!

( text )

[am_i_a_monster]

I have a cat. I think they'd get along.
I could make a good home for Gemma.

[fettering]

would you like to come by and meet her??
theres an adoption process, but it would be good for you to see how you two get along!

video.

[functusofficio]

She's beautiful. I'm so glad you could help her.

[ But she noticed both the bandages and the hesitation, and her voice is gentle when she asks ]

Are you hurt? Have you received enough medical attention?

( text )

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shes a very good girl!
i hope someone will give her a very good home

[ .. hurt? oh his bandages. ]

no im ok!
its kind of a chronic condition thing
its complicated

fine josh text it is!!

[functusofficio]

I've never really had pets, honestly, so I doubt I would be able to, but I share your hopes that someone will be able to provide her with a safe home soon.

Are you receiving adequate care for it here? Clearly someone has bandaged you, but do they know the details and are you being provided for?

listen he's shy and text is easy!!

[fettering]

me neither.. lu was never a big animal person

oh i bandage myself!
its ok ive been doing it for years
my blood makes lu kind of sick