Joey stood back for a moment and just... watched her laugh, taking in the whole picture of her by the window with an armful of fluffy puppy and that huge sweet smile. Finally when her breath got a little short from giggling he reached over and gently gathered the puppy out of her arms, lifting the little fluffball to rest on his shoulder instead.

The pup went still for a minute, sniffing Joey's shirt, seeming to take a moment to warm up to him. Her tail still wagged but slower, cautiously. Joey gave her a reassuring pet on the head, stroking her drooping ears and soft ruffle of fur at her neck. In response, she tilted her head, then gave him one almost plaintive lick on the nose.


...Joey bit the inside of his cheek, resisting the base urge to cart the pup home (which would have been much to the chagrin of Lady and the cats, surely.)