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"Uh, whatever order you want, just make sure it gets set up. I recommend setting it up before the kittens go where you're setting the stuff up, then showing them the spot," Averill recommended as the guirls left.

"Thanks!" Maria said, opening the door.

Maria walked out to meet Lyra and Toshimi.

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Josh had remembered about his job at the last minute and was forced to put off present shopping until the next day. He was at the shelter not long after they opened and hurried inside. The cacophony of animal noises that greeted him was initially overwhelming. He walked up to the counter, distinctly aware a woman's voice among the animals. There was a bell on the counter and Josh rang it. A few moments later, a woman emerged from the back, looking quite stressed.

"Oh, hello. Are you looking to adopt a friend?" Josh suppressed a multitude of snarky comments with some difficulty.

"Yes, actually. I was looking for a dog." The woman nodded and took him into the back and into the rows upon rows of yappy dogs and malcontent cats. Most looked like they had been there for quite some time. Josh stopped short as a large black cat hissed furiously at him.

"Oh, Morgan...” The woman sighed, "Don't mind her, she's been upset ever since the new guy came in."

"New guy?" To answer his question, the woman pointed to a cage on Josh's left. Inside was a lump of white and brown speckled fur.

"His name is Gladius Maximus. He was left here this morning. Would you like to see him?" Josh nodded and the girl opened the cage. The dog had perked up slightly at the sound of his name and lumbered over to sniff at Josh. The bell rang from the front of the store. "I'll let you two get acquainted."

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Penelope's mood had begun to decay from the moment she saw the bug parked outside the shelter. The looks her sister kept shooting her weren't helping, either.

"Hello! My, what a busy day we're having!" The young woman who hurried out from the back instantly struck Penelope as being way too bubbly. She led the two girls and their mother into the back.

"Remember, girls, you're looking for an animal you really connect with. You might not find here, and that's okay." Mrs. Greenhill stood back as Elizabeth and Penelope started down the rows of cages.

"Excuse me?" Josh asked, "I think I'd like to adopt this guy." He laughed as the basset had rolled over onto it's back as if to demand a belly scratch. He looked up, and smiled when he saw the Greenhills. "Hello, Penelope!"

She merely bit her lip and became much more interested in the inhabitants of nearby cages. The young woman took Josh and the dog out to the front to fill out the paper work, turning back to the girls before she left.

Afterwards>>>

"If you want to see any of the animals up close- Oh, be careful with that one, miss!" Penelope's eyes had just fallen on the large cat that continued to his angrily at the leaving dog. She put a finger through the wires of the cage and touched the feline's paw. The cat jumped at looked her straight in the eyes. For a moment, nothing moved. Then, the cat began to purr and rub itself against Penelope's hand. "I don't believe it! I've never seen Morgan take so kindly to a stranger before!"

"Mom," Penelope whispered, a smile quickly forming on her face, "I think I've found her."

Afterwards>>>