You are an honest to god animal lover. But, not any animal would fit you; you were a special animal rescuer. Only taking in animals that were given up on and had little time to live. You tried to give them a life they couldn't have had before until the moment their eyes close as you held them. It was your duty, you felt. You didn't call yourself a hero, but you knew what you were doing was right. Your only policy was that you only rescued once until their time came. You wanted to give your full attention to them and no other. A freak in the eyes of society but you ask those people how high your karma must be by now. They can never give you an answer. It was also how you kept company and had fun. Your novels allowed you to retire early so you had your life to spend with the animals you loved. Your cat Dem died last week.
You walked into the rescue center not even needing to say anything to the clerk as he showed you to the serious case room. You never wanted him to tell you their conditions, they weren't merchandise and besides that you knew. Many of the animals knew you and jumped, or at least tried their best to, to get your attention. As you looked through the group there was a collie that caught your eye, less than a year you could tell. But there was one that made your heart stop in sorrow at the mid-end of the row. A small puppy that could fit in your hand was nestled in the back of a cage. He shivered and could not open his eyes as he smelled your hand over him. He tried to lick your hand but fell back struggling to sit. "Less then a month, two weeks tops," the clerk said.
"I'll take him, how old is he?"
"He was just born three days ago, we named him Cody after his dad. Hid dad died little less than a week ago. And his mother abandoned him.
"He was never breast fed..." you just nodded to him as he opened the cage. You carefully held him after picking him up with the blanket you brought. He was a tiny black mixed dog, you could tell he had a lot of blood mixed. You couldn't go back in your car, the bumpy roads would kill him. You'd have to come back for it later.
"Cody can you hear me?" you softly spoke to him as you walked through your front door. He twitched, not sure what was happening, "this is your new home." He scurried in your arms trying to look around and trying to force his eyes open. "Stop it, don't force yourself." In response he tried to climb up to your face, whining as he did. He was trying to show his affection, but it wasn't helping his health. You tilted your head down to make him stop, he sniffed you and pressed his muzzle to your face. He was cold.
You brought him to your couch and set him down on a cushion and let him scurry around in his blanket. It was too sad, all he wanted to do was play. But, even if his heart were to beat just a little too fats it would be too much. You made sure he was tightly bundled so he wouldn't move. You began your relationship by giving him his first meal.
...
After a few days Cody was finally able to stand on his own, but he still couldn't see. You clapped to help him find you and gave him small pets along with a little treat when he got to you. You felt the same way you did when you were with a pet, but it was always renewed, the joy, love, and finally the sorrow in the end.
...
After a few more days, you knew it was almost time. You always cried when they left, but you also made sure they were happy. Cody was finally able to open his eyes and make small barks. You gave him as much love as you could when he gave you his. He was even able to lick your face on his own now.
...
One night you had nestled Cody in a basket next to your bed. You didn't even hear him as light of a sleeper as you were. It wasn't until you woke up the next day that you found him. Cody was sprawled on the floor laying on his side, not breathing. It must have been late at night, he tried to climb into bed with you...then...
You couldn't...you didn't want to think at the moment, but you still let yourself cry. You couldn't allow your self not to cry, "It's alright...Cody, you can get into...into..." you raised his little body up to your chest lightly kissing him as you took him downstairs. You set him on your couch and grabbed your keys. You had to go get what you needed for him.
You hated this as much as you loved it, the reason why you took in animals that were already given up on. Was so you couldn't feel lonely anymore. And when one died you realized just how alone you were. That's why you were able to smile when you took in the next one. You hated yourself more than you hated burying each animal in your home.
When you got back you took the things you got and were about to open the door. You always hesitated, because you'll find exactly what you left. But you still opened the door.
Something was odd when you stepped inside though. You didn't feel the sad and encroaching feeling you did when you left. Something was on your couch that wasn't Cody, "who's there?" A black figure was laying on your couch. You dropped your things and walked to it.
As you did the figure stood up, it's back facing you. It was covered in black fur and had ears coming off the top of its head, "is this come kind of joke!" The ears folded down as its face turned to you. "Master?"
You saw the same colored eyes as Cody's on the creatures face. It stood up and began wobbling towards you, "master, I finally learned how to walk...you said you were proud of me...didn't you?" You couldn't speak as he walked up to you. Tears flowing down both of your faces. "...did Cody do something bad...did Cody make...make master sad..."
You watched as the figure pull at your shirt, "please...don't be sad...Cody no mean make sad...didn't mean fall off bed..." shock ran down your spine. He cried furiously as he tugged on your shirt. "...only wanted...want to cuddle...cuddle with master..."
You didn't even notice that you were holding him until you spoke, "it-it's okay, Cody I know...I know you just wanted to climb in bed...with me...It's alright...but please, don't...don't leave me like that again..."
"You are an amazing person you know that," a voice came from Cody's mouth that wasn't his. You looked down and saw Cody's grey eyes turn violet as his fur turned white. Wings sprouting from his back. You only watched as Cody rose into the air. "You don't even know just how good of a person you are. You've sent so many of my children back to me with warmth in their hearts. And for that I give you this reward. Cody will be my vessel as I am reborn into this world. He will never leave you even after death."
"Who are you?"
"Hehe...I don't actually have a name. But, for now just call me...Cody...I promise that'll you'll never feel lonely again." After he said this the wings and white fur faded as Cody dropped from the air unconscious. You caught him before he hit the floor, but what were you going to do now. Never lonely again you thought...
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