CHAPTER ONE
Avery
Early morning was Avery’s favorite time at the Canine Companion Camp. Three years of getting up early to be the first one to greet the dogs under their care still brought happiness to Avery’s heart. He had worked hard; first as an intern, then a part-time employee, and now holding an important role within the organization as Avery was finally graduating with his degree later that week. Even though it wasn’t his responsibility any longer, Avery still made waking up and feeding the dogs his first task.
Punching in the code to the climate control building where the canine’s kennels were, Avery grinned when the light turned green, allowing him entrance.
The automatic lights in the entrance flickered on as Avery stepped inside, closing the door behind him securely.
“Good morning, friends!” Avery called out his daily greeting.
A series of barks, yowls, and even a few whines were his response. They currently had eight dogs in their care. All the canines were either at the end of their training or already certified. Six dogs were certified and up for finding their forever companion. Two only had another few weeks of training tocomplete. In the three years that Avery worked for the camp, every group of dogs was his favorite. Every single time. Except this time Avery had found a connection with a canine that surprised even him. One of the canines that Avery loved so very much.
Down the first aisle of empty but clean kennels, at the very end a gorgeous shining black German shepherd sat peering through the bars at him. Avery skipped forward. “Morning, Grumpy Gus!”
Grumpy Gus came by his nickname honestly. In all the time that Avery had been working with the canines, none had the standoffish and regal personality that Avery’s favorite had claimed. He was a true grump to everyone except Avery. And Grumpy Gus was the most talented dog ever. Certified in three different specialties. He would make the perfect partner as soon as the canine decided who he wanted.
And yes, Avery was aware that most people believed that the human picked the dog. That was not Avery’s experience. Even the most driven dog had to have a connection with their companion or it just didn’t work.
Gus might be picky but Avery knew that the wonderful dog was just waiting for his perfect human. Just like Avery had waited for his Daddy Jace to find him. Avery giggled at that thought.
His life would be completely different if Avery and Jace hadn’t found each other.
Sometimes Avery stared at himself in the mirror and wondered where that scared and broken lost boy had gone. Or if he might come back. Avery’s confidence hadn’t just grown when it came to figuring out what he wanted to do with his life. Avery had found a true group of friends that turned out to be more like family. And then there was the lifestyle he lived with Jace.
Age regression and being a little with the most amazing Daddy ever had transformed Avery’s life. Avery even spoke to new littles and those interested in the lifestyle every couple of months at the club they were a member of.
Avery unlatched Gus’s door before swinging it open. Gus stepped out and gave a massive stretch before trotting off toward the back of the building. He knew where the food was kept and that it was breakfast.
Passing the other dogs, Avery released each one as he followed behind Gus.
Unlike Gus who only had one thing on his mind, the other dogs went about taking care of their business in the indoor bathroom area or they greeted their friends. By the time Avery reached the table where he would go about fixing bowls of food, Gus was sitting and waiting patiently.
The interior door leading from the office opened and Avery’s boss, Clint, stuck his head out. “Morning, Avery.”
“Morning, boss!” Avery gave a finger wave to Clint as Gus nudged his side.
Clint let the door close behind him as he shook his head. “I swear he’s the smartest dog that I’ve ever worked with. It’s like he doesn’t wantto leave here.”
Averyunderstood his boss’s frustration. Gus had completed training four months ago buthadn’tbeen matched with his person.Threemeet and greetshadn’tresulted in Gusfinding his forever human.Gus would make someone the perfect companion, trained for PTSD responses, alerting, and more. He really was thebestestand smartest dog that had come through the training center.“He’ll know his person when the time comes.”
And of course that would devastate Avery.
When the first canines were placed andleft,Avery had cried for days. Okay, he still cried as each dog went to theirforeverhomes.He just loved them so much! But Avery understood that they had a greater purpose. They were trained to care for their humancompanionand the human was trained to care for the canine.But losing Gus was going to break Avery’s heartinto itty bitty pieces no matter how much Avery was tryingto preparehimself.
Since completelyhis training four months ago, Gus had beenconsidered for threeveteransthat had come seeking a service dog. Gus had all the certificates.He’dmake a greatchoicebut each time Gus was in front of theprospecthe sat in the corner andwouldn’teven look at the person.
Two men and a woman had left with other companions from the center. Sugar,Heli, and Bosco had all gone with their people. Avery had just updated the website with pictures of them from their companions thathe’dgotten via email.He lovedsharingupdateson their success stories.
“The new applicant arrived this morning,”Clinttold him.
“You’re going to try Gus again,” Avery said. It wasn’t a surprise. Avery had helped get everything set up with their newest guest, even talking to Thomas on the phone multiple times to make sure everything was perfect.
“Gus, Lizzie, and Aero,” Conner responded.
“Good choices.” And all weretrained for PTSD and not physical disability like some of theothersalthough Gus was certified for both.He was just that awesome.
“I have a feeling about this one,”Clintsaid. He started to pull down bowls and help Avery fill each up with the special food that was prepared in advance.
