If Dogs Could Talk

༺ Otis ༻

I look up to inspect the sluggish rain clouds, pulling through the sky like melting cotton.

"Looks like it's going to be stormy today."

"Mhm."

Sora doesn't pay any attention to what is going on above our heads as she flicks through the pages of a magazine.

Sitting together on the stone wall in front of Building C, waiting for my dad, is a feeling very familiar to me.

Sora and I have been friends for a good five years and tend to spend every second together.

But that's the point. We are just friends.

I try once more to build a conversation.

"I love heavy rain."

"I know you do."

"Just the sound of the drops drumming onto the dome. It's very calming."

Sora looks up from the article on electronic billboards and takes a long look at me.

"It is. But aren't you happy that we are inside and don't have to face the rain? We get to watch it and hear it but it can't hurt us."

"I doubt rain hurts. I imagine it to be like a cold shower."

But I can't say that for sure.

Because of the dome, August is shielded off from all weather.

When it's warm outside, we enjoy the sun. When it's snowing, we turn on the heating system. And when it rains, the water runs down the glass so our heads stay dry.

Some joke that this is why our state is called The August Country, because it is like an eternal summer.

A beautiful, safe environment where every day we are greeted with the perfect temperature.

And I hate it.

As the world around me changes in the most fascinating ways, I have been stuck in the same season for almost 20 years now.

Will I ever be able to touch snow or experience scoring heat? Will I ever know what it's like to walk through rain?

The answer is no and once again I am reminded of the parrot inside its golden cage. Luckily, just as my thoughts become too depressing, I hear the sound of an engine approaching.

"Alright, I guess it's time for me to go."

We both get up from the small stone wall as my dad's car drives onto the parking lot.

"Can I come over later to meet your new puppy?"

I look at Sora's beautiful smile and almost say yes until I remember my dad's words.

"Maybe not today. It will probably need some time to get used to its new home, I don't want it to be overwhelmed."

Sora nods. "Right, right. But you have to tell me. everything tomorrow!"

I smile and pull her into a short hug. "Promise."

My dad has stopped right in front of us and I swing open the silver door.

"Let's do this!"

He grins.

I fall onto the seat and as my father starts the engine I turn around to wave at Sora but she has already picked up her magazine again.

Then we take off.

⤐

The closest animal shelter is located in District 3, 42nd avenue. When we arrive at the small border control, we show the guard our IDs and he lets us pass with a nonchalant nod.

It's an old, insignificant formality from The Big Panic that was meant to keep people inside their districts and minimize the exchange of information.

The Big Panic happened about 25 years ago and gave the government reason to limit electronic media as much as possible. Today we don't have phones, television or even radios. Strictly monitored newspapers and magazines are our only sources of information.

What was The Big Panic you ask?

All I know is that one day a group of rebels hacked several TV stations to stream news broadcasts from outside August.

This was and still is highly illegal. Why? I don't know.

I can't imagine what information could have possibly been this dangerous to cause such a regression.

When talking to others and doing some research I have come across the name The Sanctum a couple of times. But I don't know who or what that is so sadly I'm as clueless as you are.

During my entire life I have only ever seen smartphones in photographs in old archives. They seem to be similar to the landlines each household has to call each other, just way more complex.

"Ready?"

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't even noticed how my dad had stopped the car.

We are standing in front of a nameless animal shelter. The grey facade seems a bit somber but I don't want to judge yet.

"Let's get a dog!"

I jump out of the car and walk over to the entrance with excited steps.

I love dogs and always wanted to have one and now that I've become an adult and will be moving out soon, my parents seem to understand that a trusty companion would only benefit me.

The first room we enter seems to be a reception and a young woman greets us with a smile.

"Welcome! How may I help you?"

Before my dad can say anything, I step forward.

"We would like to adopt a dog."

"Great! Let me call one of my colleagues, she will be right with you."

The woman picks up a phone, dials a short number and then waits for an answer. Meanwhile, I take a look around.

The walls are full of informative posters. How to adopt a pet. What to know before adopting a pet. How to pick the right food for your pet. And so on.

One poster showcases different breeds of dogs and I am already overwhelmed. Do I want a big one? Short one? Long hair? Or easy to groom?

The door next to the reception desk opens and a woman with short black hair steps through.

"Hi, follow me."

We walk through a corridor until we enter a wider hallway, both sides filled with big kennels full of dogs.

Naked lightbulbs are hanging from the grey ceiling but despite this cold furnishing, I feel a warmth.

"Are you looking for a puppy or an adult?"

I hesitate. "I'm not sure. What's the difference?"

"Well, grown dogs require less care but a puppy will get used to you faster. Many of our adult dogs have been abused or neglected by their previous owners and can be quite apprehensive or even aggressive. Have you had a dog before?"

"No."

Past trauma. I really didn't consider that to be a possibility. I guess adopting a pet isn't as easy breezy as I thought, maybe I should have taken a closer look at the posters.

The woman stops in front of a kennel.

"These are Joy and Cleo, two very tame females. Usually I wouldn't recommend splitting siblings but they would probably be able to handle it well."

I kneel down to look at the white dogs. They are really cute and inspect me with friendly eyes. But could I really adopt one and leave the other one behind?

"Then there is Dexter, very energetic and affectionate."

But as I follow her, another animal catches my eye.

To my right, a greyish white wolf-like dog freezes as he stares at me.

What? Do I really look that scary?

"Hello there!"

I kneel down again and wait for the dog's reaction.

After a little while, he slowly comes closer and I hold my hand close to the metal bars so he can investigate it.

"What about this one?" I ask the woman.

"Hmm." Her and my dad come over to me.

"That's Ren, a Tamaskan, about 2 years old. He is usually very shy and quite the loner. He arrived only a week ago."

"What's a Tamaskan?"

I watch as Ren sniffs my hand carefully before he stares into my eyes.

"A special breed, pretty rare. He looks like a mix between a husky and wolf but behaves like a domestic dog. A bit of a mish-mash but pretty cute, right?"

"A mish mash? Just like me," I mumble to myself.

Then I get up. "Can I pet him?"

"Sure."

The woman unlocks the kennel and holds Ren so she can put a leash on his collar.

Ren seems very timid and only takes a few unsure steps out of his familiar surroundings.

I kneel down again and let my hand glide over his long fur. The dog looks at me curiously as I do so but doesn't shy away.

"But Ren is a strange name for a dog. Can we change it?"

"You can't change a dog's name, Otis," my dad replies as he kneels down as well.

Looking at him, Ren stumbles back a bit, almost as if he is trying to hide behind me.

My dad sighs. "What a pity."

"Don't worry, he'll get used to you." I pat Ren's head and he looks into my smiling face.

His light blue eyes bore themselves into me and it's almost like I can read his thoughts.

'Please adopt me.'

But that's obviously not real.