Rick's POV 

I never thought of myself as dog owner material. I'd been a soldier for years, and like anyone in that line of work, I just never knew when I was coming home. It seemed unfair to have a dog, or any pet if I wasn't going to be around regularly. 

"Who's a good boy?" I asked my new buddy Steve, rubbing him dry after his bath. "Steve's a good boy!" 

Steve gave me a toothy grin and stood still while I carefully finished toweling him off. He ...