☑ 1st Security Check [Video]

[always_alert]

[Oh hey, it's that redhead who was too paranoid to introduce himself on the network until now.]

[The video opens to a scrawny, (literally) red-haired man who looks like he could use a few consecutive weeks of sleep, given how dark and sunken in his eyes are. His expression is one of thinly-veiled exasperation, which seems aimed solely at the camera, as if it offended him somehow. Probably because he actually has to, you know, use it. To communicate with people. Most of whom he doesn't know or trust; which is sort of a big deal to him.]


I found this hiding behind a trash-receptacle nearby my place of residence.

[He holds up a small, underweight puppy with dirty paws for a few moments, before placing it back on the floor once it starts squirming and trying to lick his face.]

I've contacted the local animal shelters, and to their knowledge, no one has reported a missing animal matching this one's description. If this...dog belongs to you or someone you know, please contact me at the earliest convenience.  Preferably with some sort of verification of ownership.

[He leans forward to shut of the feed, but just before he can, the puppy jumps onto his lap, smearing it's dirty paws all over his clean white shirt. He makes a face, mutters something unflattering in his native language, then scoops up the pup and shuts of the camera.]

Comments

[Permavid]

[dogwitch]

[Have a dogeared girl looking about like she's going at the sight of the most adorable puppy ever.]

Aaaaw, the poor thing. More than likely he's a stray that has no owner. He just wants some love and food.

Voice

[always_alert]

[Well, he is a very adorable puppy.]

I take it the latter is the reason why he keeps trying to lick my face?

[He only sounds half-sarcastic when he says that, and in the background, the sound of running water can be heard.]

[That pup is getting a bath before he stains anymore good dress shirts.]

[dogwitch]

The licking is how they show love. It's their version of kisses. [She smiles brightly, her white ears flick back and forth.]

He's just really happy to have someone looking out for him.

Voice

[always_alert]

[There's more splashing sounds in the background, accompanied by the occasional yip or scrabble of tiny claws against what is presumably a sink.]

I suppose there are...stranger ways of showing gratitude. [Not to mention more sanitary ones.]

[dogwitch]

He could be one of those dogs that pees on you when he's really excited. [She gives a little laugh.]

Permavoice

[always_alert]

[Oh that would be all kinds of unpleasant.]

...I wasn't aware of that. Thank you for the warning.

[Seriously, he knows pretty much nothing about dogs. He had no idea that was even a thing.]

[dogwitch]

[Jade smiles and nods.] You're welcome!

I take it you've never had a dog before, huh?

[always_alert]

No, I haven't.

[Or any other animal, for that matter. Organic or Cybertronian.]

It's not exactly an experience I ever pictured myself having.

[dogwitch]

If you plan on keeping him here's some information you might want to look at. [She sends a file that has a list of books on dogs and dog training as well as some helpful videos.]

[always_alert]

[Jade, you are a lifesaver. He's so going to go over all of these in depth as soon as he isn't elbow-deep in puppy bath-water.]

...Thank you. [If he sounds surprised, it's because he is. He's not the type to expect kindness from strangers.]

I'm honestly not sure where to begin with all this, so I could use the advice.

[dogwitch]

[She smiles brightly and nods.]

It's no big deal. What would you like to know right now?

[always_alert]

[There are a lot of things he'd like to know, honestly, so narrowing it down is a bit of a challenge.]

I'd appreciate anything you have to tell me, honestly.

[dogwitch]

Well, first things first, you should probably take him to the vet to make sure he doesn't have anything nasty. Like worms or any other parasites. They can also give him vaccinations that'll help keep him from getting sick.

And since you're bathing him you should check for fleas or ticks. I'm not sure if ticks are a problem around here but both are parasites that feed on blood. Fleas are tiny and jump around while ticks are much larger and are slow moving.

Also try to keep water out of the ears. It would be horrible if he ended up with an ear infection. [She winces and lays back her own ears at the thought.]

As far as feeding him goes it better to not give him any processed food meant for humans. Like humans some dogs, and cats, have a gluten allergy. So you'll want to avoid any dog kibble that has corn meal as the first ingredient. In fact, sticking to holistic kibble is probably the best idea. If you're unsure, check the ingredient list first. The good foods will have stuff like chicken as the first thing listed.

[She pauses and taps her chin, trying to think of anything else that he might need to know right now.]

Oh! Another thing about feeding is that it's best not to just leave a bowl of food out for him at all times. Set a schedule of when he's fed, that'll keep him from over eating.

[always_alert]

[It's times like these that Red Alert is grateful for having such a great attention for detail, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to remember all that on the first listen.]

That covers a lot of what I wanted to know, thanks--

[There's the distinct sound of water being drained, followed by the unmistakeable noise of a pelt being shaken dry. Water-droplets can be heard spraying everywhere, as can Red Alert's short cry of surprise as he's caught in the line of fire.]

[More noises fill the background, the rustling of a towel over fur, a few muttered Cybertronian words, and plenty of excited yipping from the source of all Red Alert's current troubles.]

[dogwitch]

[At least he could turn the comm to transcribe mode and have it all in text if he wanted?]

No problems. The list I gave you should be of additional help. [She laughs at what she's hearing.]

Good luck with getting him dry!

[always_alert]

[He does even better--he fumbles with the comm. for a moment, before switching it back to video. The front of his shirt is completely drenched, his hair is damp and plastered to his forehead, and in his arms he holds a freshly cleaned puppy who looks all too happy with himself.]

I don't think luck is going to be enough to dry this little hellion.

[He smiles faintly as he says this, ruffling the towel over the pup's coat once again for good measure.]

But I appreciate the sentiment none the less.

[dogwitch]

[She giggles at the sight of him and the dog.]

I think he really likes you! At the very least he's certainly grateful you've picked him up and given him some much needed attention.

[always_alert]

Or maybe he's just unreasonably affectionate.

[He means this as a joke, despite saying it with a straight face. He looks down at the black and (now) white ball of fluff in his arms with a slight smile, before glancing back up at Jade.]

I'm sorry, I forgot to ask your name. Or give my own, for that matter.

[dogwitch]

[She giggles again.]

It's better than him being aggressive.

[A beat.] Oh, yes! I'm Jade Harley.

[always_alert]

Well then, Jade Harley, I'd like to thank you once again for all the assistance. Primus knows I need it.

[He pauses to adjust the puppy a little more comfortably before continuing.]

My name is Red Alert, though you can just call me Red if you'd like.

[Pretty much everyone else does.]

[dogwitch]

It's not a problem! I'm always glad to help out others, especially when it comes to animals.

[Smiling brightly.]

It's very nice to meet you Red. Any ideas on what you're going to call your new friend?

[always_alert]

A few, though I can't really say whether they're any good or not.

[He's not really good at coming up with names. Just look at his human alias.]

[dogwitch]

You could tell me them and I could tell you if they're good?

[always_alert]

I'd appreciate the input, thanks.

[He takes another look down at the pup, who's quieted down considerably now that he's being held, before glancing back up at the camera.]

Right now, the only names I have are Cobalt and Scout.

[A metal and an occupation; Typical Cybertronian naming conventions.]

[dogwitch]

[She doesn't even give the names thought she just smiles brightly.]

I think those are both great names!