"Sienna and Josh meets new furry family member"

Sienna and Josh have been living together for a couple years now. It has been really nice and they have loved every moment of it. They've had a few arguments and fights, but those are normal. Everyone fights and has arguments. Their relationship was healthy and strong, so those fights never lasted long and they always made up quickly. It was a part of life and relationships. So, they both knew those arguments and fights were nothing serious and were something they could work through. And they have been able to work through them and move past it.

The two of them have had a lot of adventures and good times since moving in together. They went on vacations and took weekend trips to different places. They've gone camping, hiked, went on a few road trips, and more. With college, Josh was in the soccer team and Sienna always did her best to go to as most games as she could. She was his biggest supporter. She loved watching him play. He was amazing at soccer and she loved seeing him have fun. And Josh did the same for her. He did his best to go to her competitions, recitals, and other events. She had joined the orchestra the college had and did a few solo performances with playing piano. He would always bring flowers to her performances and after them, he would tell her how amazing she was and give her a big hug and a kiss. It always made her feel special. The same with him when he was done with soccer games. Even if he and his team didn't win, she would tell him he was still the best and gave him a kiss and hug. They both supported each other and loved each other. And they were very happy with their lives together.

Sienna and Josh also did a lot of stuff together. They had a tradition of doing a monthly (sometimes weekly) date night and a weekly movie night. Date night usually was something romantic or a movie night was something fun and adventurous. Sometimes, it was a little bit of both. Date night would be romantic, such as dinner and a movie or going to a park and watching the stars. Other times, it was more adventurous, like a laser tag place or an escape room. There was even a few times they went go-karting. But, no matter what they did, it was always fun. They loved going on dates and doing things together. It was nice and gave them some time alone. With movie nights they would either watch a new movie, re-watch a favorite, or watch a series. A lot of the time they would cuddle and watch it on the couch. Other times, they would make popcorn and make a fort with pillows and blankets and watch it. No matter what they did, they had a great time. And it was a nice way for them to unwind and relax after a long week.

Lately they've been talking about getting a pet. Neither one of them had one growing up and they always thought a pet would be a nice addition to their little family. So, a couple months ago, they started looking into it. They weren't sure what kind of pet they wanted or if they even wanted a cat or dog. They had a few talks about it and what they were thinking and had decided they wanted to adopt from the shelter. They both liked the idea of helping a homeless animal and giving them a loving home. Plus, the shelter had a bunch of animals there that needed a home. And the couple had often volunteered there in their free time and had fallen in love with some of the animals there. They had a lot of conversations about it and they were both on the same page about adopting from the shelter. They also both agreed they were willing to give any animal a chance, no matter the age, breed, or health.

So, yesterday, they had decided to go visit the shelter and see if they could find a pet that would fit them and their apartment. They had went on a few visits and met a few animals, but didn't click with any of them. But, the couple were not giving up and would continue to visit the shelter until they found a pet that fit their family. Plus, they still had time to decide and think about it. So, after class the next day, they decided to go back and look some more.

****

The couple walks into the shelter, holding hands and smiles on their faces. The lady behind the desk recognizes them and gives them a wave, smiling friendly. "Hey, guys. What brings you two here today?" She questioned, wondering if they were back to see the pets again or if they were here to volunteer.

"Hey, Margaret." Sienna greets with a smile. "We're back to see the pets again." She answers her question. "We haven't decided on a pet yet, but we're still looking." She adds, looking over at her boyfriend with a soft smile. "We're going to find the right one. It's only a matter of time." She reassured him, squeezing his hand gently.

"Maybe today is the day." Josh hoped, returning the smile. He knew they would find a pet soon. It was only a matter of time and they would find a pet that would fit them. And if they didn't, they would keep looking until they found the right one. He was determined to find the right pet for their little family.

Margaret smiles, nodding her head. "Yeah, you two will find the right one. I'm sure of it." She responds, believing they would. "Well, if you need anything, let me know." She added, giving them a smile.

Sienna smiles, nodding her head. "Will do. Thank you." She responds. "We're going to head out now and look around." She informed her. The two say goodbye to the lady and head towards the back area where the pets were. It was a large area filled with kennels and cages, each housing a different animal waiting for their forever home.

Sienna and Josh walked slowly down the rows, stopping at each kennel to peer inside and see the animals. They saw dogs of all breeds and sizes, cats of all colors and patterns, and even a few small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. Each animal looked hopeful as they approached, their tails wagging or their eyes bright with anticipation. They gave them all attention, petting and scratching them through the bars and giving them soft words of encouragement. Some of the animals were friendly and eager to make contact, while others were more reserved and cautious. Regardless, Sienna and Josh took their time with each one, trying to get a sense of who they were and what kind of home they might be a good fit for.

They had a feeling that they were getting closer to finding their match. The next cage held a male German Shepherd, his fur a deep brown with a black mask across its eyes. He was curled up in the corner, he seemed to be more shy than the other dogs. He perked up as the couple approached. His ears perked up and his tail wagged a bit, but he didn't get up. The couple also noticed that one of his ears had a cut on it which made them wonder how he got it.

Suddenly a new voice spoke, startling them. "This is Zeus. We rescued him from one of those underground dog fights. He's been through a lot, but he's a sweet boy once he warms up to you." The voice belonged to a shelter worker who had been observing the couple as they looked at Zeus. She opens the cage door and steps inside, kneeling down next to the dog. Zeus' tail wags when she came in, but he didn't move as she sat by him. He did lean into her hand when she scratched behind his ears. "He's a bit shy at first, but he's very loyal and affectionate once he trusts you."

Sienna and Josh exchanges a glance, their hearts going out to Zeus as they listened to the shelter worker's explanation. They could only imagine the hardships he had endured, but they also felt a surge of compassion and determination to give him the loving home he deserved. "Do you mind if we spend some time with him?" Sienna asked, her voice gentle as she looked at the shelter worker.

The worker smiles warmly and nods. "Of course, take your time. I'll be right outside if you need anything." She replied.

With the worker's approval, the couple stepped inside the cage and settled onto the floor next to the dog. They kept their movements slow and deliberate, not wanting to scare him away. Zeus had tensed up and seemed to back away, curling in on himself even more when they entered the cage.

Josh took the initiative, holding out a hand palm up. "Hey there, Zeus. You're a good boy, aren't you?" He crooned, his voice soft and soothing. "You don't have to be afraid, we just want to get to know you."

Zeus' tail began to wag, but he didn't make any attempt to move closer. Sienna and Josh waited patiently, their hearts full of hope and compassion for the frightened dog. Zeus looked at them curiously, his tail still wagging slowly. The couple could see the pain and fear in his eyes, but also a glimmer of hope.

After a few moments, Zeus uncurls and leans his head closer to Josh's outstretched hand. Josh continued to speak softly, praising him for his bravery and offering comfort. When he felt the soft fur of Zeus' muzzle against his skin, he couldn't help but smile. Sienna watched as the dog slowly made his way over, sniffing at Josh's hand before gently licking it. Her heart swelled as she watched the interaction, her mind made up. This was the dog for them. She knew it would take a long time for him to warm up to them completely, but she wanted to give this sweet boy a home where he could feel safe and loved. He deserved that, and so much more.

As the two of them continue to bond, the shelter worker reappeared, standing off to the side as she watched. She was surprised Zeus had warmed up to the couple quicker than he did with most people. He had even moved from his corner to lay in front of them. It was rare for him to let people come close to him, much less touch him. But here he was, accepting their touch and showing signs of affection. She knew they would be the perfect owners for him. She had a feeling they would be back and wanted to let them know how much she appreciated them.

Sienna and Josh were unaware of the worker's presence as they sat on the ground, their focus entirely on Zeus. They were thrilled that he had chosen to approach them and were determined to show him that they were worthy of his trust. "You're such a good boy." Sienna praised him, gently stroking his fur. She was happy he let her pet him. She was worried he wouldn't since it took longer with him warming up to her than it did with Josh.

Josh nods in agreement, his smile widening. "That's right, Zeus. You're the best boy ever." He says, scratching behind his ears. His tail was wagging now, thumping against the ground. He was starting to look like a happy dog instead of the scared dog they seen when they first walked in. "How would you feel about coming home with us?" He asked, his voice soft. He wanted to see if Zeus would react positively.

Zeus seemed to understand, his tail wagging even faster and his eyes bright. He gave a quiet bark, a sign of approval. He moved closer to them, nudging Josh's hand and then leaning over to Sienna to nudge her. Sienna and Josh exchanged glances, their smiles matching each other. Their hearts were full and their minds were made up. Zeus was going to be part of their family.

The shelter worker steps forward, her smile wide. "Looks like you've found a match." She says, looking between the three. She couldn't be happier. Zeus deserved a great home, and she had no doubt he'd find it with the couple. "You've got yourselves a new family member."

Josh smiles and nods, a look of happiness on his face. "I think so."

Sienna's eyes shine with excitement and joy as she gazes at Zeus, who now seems more relaxed and content than before. "We definitely have. Welcome to the family, Zeus."

With that, the trio head back to the main room after closing the door to the cage and the couple promising Zeus they would be back, where the paperwork for the adoption is completed. Sienna and Josh feel a sense of pride and satisfaction as they sign the documents and take ownership of their new family member. It's a big responsibility, but one they're ready to take on.

****

After signing the paperwork, the two of them leave the shelter, taking Zeus with them. Zeus was on a leash and he was wearing a collar that had a tag with their address and phone number. Zeus was calm and well-behaved as they walked down the sidewalk, his tail wagging and his ears perked up. He did seem more timid though once they got outside, sticking by their sides, though he still looked around curiously at everything. Sienna and Josh didn't mind and would occasionally stop and scratch his head or pat his side.

They were heading to the local pet store so they could get him food, treats, a bed, toys, a crate, and a couple other things they'd need. Plus, it would be a good chance to get Zeus used to going out in public. They wondered if they shouldn't bring him out in public too much, but decided to do it anyway. He would need to learn how to deal with people and other animals.

Sienna and Josh held hands, their fingers laced together as they walked down the sidewalk. Josh was the one holding the leash, Zeus staying close to his side. Every once and awhile, they would stop and talk to him, making sure he was okay. Zeus would just look at them and his tail would wag, a sign that he was alright. The couple smiled at each other and then continued walking. They were already enjoying having Zeus as part of their family.

Soon, the trio arrived at the pet store, entering the building. The place was packed with people, but Sienna and Josh didn't mind. Though Zeus froze, his ears folding back. They could see that he was starting to get a bit overwhelmed. Sienna and Josh exchange a look, silently communicating with each other. They decided to take things slow and reassure Zeus that everything was okay. Sienna knelt down beside him, offering him gentle words of encouragement while Josh continued to hold onto the leash, giving Zeus a sense of security. They didn't rush him or force him to interact with anyone if he wasn't ready.

After a few minutes of reassurance, Zeus seemed to relax a bit, his tail wagging tentatively as he sniffed at the air. Sienna and Josh took this as a good sign and slowly began to guide him through the store, allowing him to explore at his own pace. They made sure to keep a close eye on him, ready to intervene if he showed signs of stress or discomfort. As they walked through the aisles, Sienna and Josh picked out all the essentials they needed for Zeus - food, treats, a comfortable bed, toys, and a crate for him to sleep in at night. They also took their time introducing him to different people and animals in the store, giving him plenty of positive experiences to build his confidence.

By the time they finished shopping, Zeus seemed much more relaxed and comfortable in his new surroundings. His tail was wagging more freely and he even gave a few friendly sniffs to some of the other dogs in the store. Sienna and Josh couldn't help but smile at his progress, feeling proud of how far he had come in such a short amount of time. With their shopping done and Zeus feeling more settled, the trio made their way back home, excited to start this new chapter of their lives together. They knew there would be challenges ahead as they adjusted to life with a new pet, but they were ready to face them together as a family. And as they walked hand in hand, with Zeus happily trotting alongside them, they couldn't help but feel grateful for the love and companionship they had found in each other.

****

It has been a week since Sienna and Josh adopted Zeus. It took him awhile to fully settle in, but he was finally starting to feel at home in his new environment. Sienna and Josh had been patient with him, giving him plenty of love, attention, and positive reinforcement as he adjusted to his new surroundings. They had also started him on a training regimen, helping him learn basic commands and proper behavior. Zeus had already shown remarkable progress in just a week. He was becoming more confident and outgoing, eagerly exploring his new home and bonding closely with Sienna and Josh. He had also formed a strong attachment to them, following them around the house and seeking out their affection whenever he could.

Sienna and Josh were thrilled to see Zeus thriving in his new environment. They had fallen in love with him more and more each day, grateful for the opportunity to provide him with a loving and caring home. They had also discovered that Zeus had a playful side, enjoying games of fetch in the backyard and romping around with his toys. Despite the challenges they had faced, Sienna and Josh couldn't imagine their lives without Zeus now. He had brought so much joy and love into their home, filling it with his boundless energy and unwavering loyalty. They knew that they had made the right decision in adopting him, and they looked forward to many happy years together as a family.

As they sat together on the couch one evening, with Zeus curled up at their feet, Sienna and Josh shared a contented smile. They were grateful for the love and companionship they had found in each other and in their sweet dog, Zeus. And as they looked ahead to the future, they knew that their bond would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day.

A/N ugh i love sienna & josh so much, they're so cute. i thought it would be fun to do some more original chapters before i get to the last one. im gonna miss writing this couple.