#;dawn

Dawn - German Shepherd, USMC trained dog, retired.

In the midst of the fluster in the NHL drafts and Ashton joining the U18s national team development program, he had to be in and out of the house a lot, the more experienced he got the more his name was noticed, the more games he played out of state, and out of country. And as different as it was from his father, there was always that silly anxiety - another Ryder leaving home often, what if he doesn't come back? After high school, Ash signed on with Kings and trained a lot in LA, Ruth continued her own path into medicine, and Ash didn't feel right in leaving his mother all alone at home, in a house that feels too big and makes one feel too small. But it was their home, the home his parents bought, the home he and Ruth grew up in, and it's hard to give up the home that holds so many memories and so much love.

Varina had always stayed in contact with the USMC after Ash's father passed, keeping in touch with the unit that first sergeant Finley Ryder belonged to, his closest friends and comrades that knew him best. Before his death, Finley always wanted to have the opportunity to train a military dog, even promising his son that when it retired, it could come live with them. It might've been a long forgotten promise like all others broken, his unit didn't forget. Almost a decade later they reached out to the Ryders, asking if they'll foster a retiring military dog, it would've been one that Finley got to train, already picked a name in advanced and everything - Dawn, like the dawn of a new day. The dog was retired early due to a post traumatic stress response from a mission, no longer fit for duty, but she was still young, and much more life to live, and Ashton was the first to immediately say yes, hoping also that when he's not home, Varina wouldn't be alone either.

Within a week, they knew she was meant to be with them, and they were filing the adoption papers making the foster a permanent addition to the Ryder family.

It's been a handful of years now and Dawn's been adjusting to a civilian life of walks, treats, pets, hikes, lazing in the afternoon. She's come to know and love most regulars in Carroll, as soft as a dog can be, despite the title of a military trained German Shepherd. Has the sharpest nose possible, once trained to sniff out explosives and drugs, now simply sniff out delicious food and other dogs, and the comforting scent of her family close by. Dawn is usually sweet and docile even to strangers in Carroll, well trained to listen to a handful of people, the Ryders and the close circle around them, but a dog's intuition is strong, and when she senses something is wrong or someone had bad intentions, she will make it known, Ashton usually listens. And if Ash isn't home, she will protect Varina doing whatever she needs to do.

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"Oh Dawn.. I miss her. I met the old lady when she was just a lil pup rascal and I was still a fresh recruit in the marines. She was my dog to train essentially and I had her by my side throughout my time at USMC, not on every mission but the ones that would require her skills. She's surprisingly good at sniffing out explosives and drugs. Too smart for her own good sometimes, has a little bit of a sass to her, stubborn, but I love her with all my heart. And when I.. when I left the force, Dawn just refused to listen to any other marine, so they told me that she'd retire early and I grabbed at the chance to adopt her immediately. Since then she's had a few nice years in retirement lazing around like a normal dog like she deserves, perhaps both of us needed the time to step away from conflict and for her to experience a different life outside of her job, just full of walks, pets and cuddles. Mom has been the one taking care of her since I left for New York and she, her. I hope they're still taking care of each other now."

Unprompted ask. - @frostspoken​ said: "You look lost, Were you looking for someone in particular?" - A silvery haired other asked even as they stepped up to Chloe, They held a stack of papers they'd clearly been reading over before noting her. A Vaporeon stood at their legs.

It wasn’t always easy for the girl to navigate through a new city, and the same ordeal when trying to reach towards other people for help due her shyness.

“Y-yes, ma’am, I d-don’t know where w-we are...” Chloe softly answered. “And I-I don’t think s-so, we’re j-just looking s-somewhere to stay t-tonight...” At least that was she thought, her memories were a complete haze ever since. 

What would a mother not do for her child What lengths would a mother not go There's a bond that exists between mother and child With no end to how strong it can grow It's a promise for life between mother and child It begins from the moment of birth And your shaken to your soul With an ache you've never known And you look into their eyes And find your looking in your own

And there's a pain you can't imagine A special kind of torture you can feel A cut that bleeds from somewhere deep inside you A past regret you can't heal And no one guesses all the while your praying That screaming little stranger in your arms Might just grow up and save you after all Might just grow up and save you after all

What would a mother not do for her child What heights would a mother not climb There's a bond the exists between mother and child And it only goes deeper with time It's a promise for life between mother and child And to break it there is no greater pain And your shaken to your soul With an ache that you can't erase Like the tears you never cried but still keep scrubbing off your face

And there's a pain you can't imagine The little talk that keeps you wide awake That somehow turns to bold determination That you won't ever make the same mistake And so you've got to feed your little future Assuring that her talent, poise and charm Might just grow up and save you after all Might just grow up and save you after all

Some dreams die upon the vine Some they never have a chance Sweeter than the sweetest wine That mine becomes The Queen of France

And it's a relief you can't imagine It's filling every sinew, bone and nerve To that you can get out of this hell hole And finally live the life that you deserve And that you leave the past you knew would haunt you And all the regret you didn't show Might just grow up and save you after all Might just grow up and save you Might just grow up and save you after all

What would a mother not do for her child What lengths would a mother not go There's a bond that exists between mother and child Ah, but then again, How would you know?

"Uh huh, sure you did. Anyone that tries to kick Dawn would probably lose a foot. I don't know, I've been told I'm pretty good with animals, so maybe you misheard."

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The strangest and most interesting thing to come up in his years staying here was Zach’s request to consult Ash on a few things. Inviting him over for a meal and a drink and literally just sitting down and answering Zach’s questions, or take a look at a prototype of his game that he needed a professional opinion on. Ranging from the hand to hand combat, military weapons, to animations on physics, zero gravity logic, and even space related research. While Ash never got into the gaming world, it was easy enough to help Zach with these things, simply pointing out areas that were incorrect and what to fix. But it was actually a fun experience, taking a curious peak behind the curtains on what Zach does for a living, how games were made. Zach even promised a little easter egg in the games in tribute for the help Ash has given, though Ash never went out of his way to find out what they were. It's only been recently that Zach has managed to get Ash into at least picking up some some games to play, with nothing much else to do but bide their time.

Doom and Dawn had a play date once when his mom came to visit and drove all the way over from Minnesota to New York with Dawn. The two dogs having fun together by Central Park, as the moment the two dogs crossed paths while going on a walk they became best of friends instantly even if it was just for that holidays. And that was that, letting the old lady Dawn and much younger energetic Doom play, letting Dawn really have a taste of being a regular dog again. They played catch, rolled around the grass, chased birds, and Dawn got tired quickly but even then Doom would come by and lay with her while they rested and basked in the sun. It was something really special for Ash to be able to see his companion happy and he thanked Zach for taking the time to let them hang out for the duration of the time she came to visit. Dawn was reluctant to leave Ash when it was time to head back but she also whined by the hallway, as if looking out for her new friend to at least say goodbye. He had to bring her upstairs to meet Doom one last time before she was willing to hop back into the car for the long drive back home.

Zach and Ash over time had cozied up the scouts HQ, decorating or just bringing some homeliness to other areas of the apartment not used for their work. Ash disagreed at first, seeing no point in doing it when the most important resources were there in front of them, enough for them to plan out runs and supplies list. But Zach just started bringing in a new thing every time they had a meeting in there; comfort items, snacks, indoor slippers, boardgames, fashioned a corner just for Doom - Ash only could think of a plant to contribute. And they turned the bedroom into a rest area, napping corner if you will. And now it’s actually become a nice lil crash pad if they ever wanted a small corner of quiet and a change of scenery from their own apartments, or even just a break from the work. Unless the doors were wide open and unlocked with a sign on the door, indicators that they were working and available, it was an escape from the rest of the building, quietly using it and no one would really know where they were. Some pocket of sanity to keep to themselves and anyone they invited.