Seventy - Safe

                                    

                                          
Dan unlocked the door and walked inside, feeling oddly nervous to be alone with Kirby. He had a brief moment where he wondered if she'd like her new home. 
                          
Locking the door behind him since he had a feeling he probably wouldn't be going out again, Dan squatted down beside Kirby and started to feel over her vest.
                          
"Okay, let's get you out this thing so you can take a look around your new home," he said aloud as he started to unfasten it.
                          
It was a matter of seconds before it was off and Dan hung it up by the door, making a mental note of where it was. He then pulled out his phone to check the time. It was a little after 11 and he smiled; they had the whole day ahead of them.
                          
He felt Kirby brush against his legs and had a feeling that she was looking up at him.
                          
"Wha's wrong, Kirb?" he asked, smiling wider.
                          
His smile seemed to relax her and she padded away from him. Her steps were slow and kept changing direction as she looked over the room. Dan heard a faint whine leave her mouth at the unfamiliar surroundings. Following the sound and approaching her he crouched down and reached out for her.
                          
She moved into his hand and he rubbed her side, grinning as he heard her tail start to wag. She came closer and started to lick his stubble, tickling him and making him laugh. Dan maneuvered himself into a sitting position on the floor so he was at her level. The dog's excitement started to increase as she started to walk around him, going back and forth. 
                          
At some point she flopped down next to him, laying her head in his lap as her tail continued to rap against the wood floor. Dan ran his hand up and down her back gently. His heart swelled with love for his new companion as he listened to every little sound she made. Her fur was silky beneath his fingers and he could feel her body moving with each breath.
                          
After a while he started to move to get up. On cue Kirby moved as well, standing up in a flash as she watched him climb to his feet, ready to try and steady him if he stumbled. He didn't, and she relaxed again. Turning around she started to pad in the direction of the kitchen, stopping just before the door to see if Dan was following her. She saw him go in the opposite direction, however, and wasted no time in rushing to his side to help, believing that he was going off course. She pressed herself to his legs like before, trying to steer him. Dan stopped, angling his head down towards her as he huffed out a laugh.
                          
"Aw, Kirby, I appreciate it, but I'm fine. I took your vest off, girl," he assured her softly, "You don't have to guide me just now."
                          
The black dog tilted her head up at him, whining again; she just wanted to help. Dan smiled sympathetically, reaching down and rubbing her ears. "Here, watch."
                          
He made his way over to the living room and to the couch. He still used his cane, but he knew his house pretty well. Kirby followed just behind, watching carefully each step he took. Dan, placing his cane down at his side, lowered himself into the couch and got comfortable. Kirby, not allowed on the furniture, sat at his feet looking up at him curiously.
                          
What was he doing?
                          
Dan leaned down to her slightly and she gave his nose a quick lick to let him know she was there. Dan smiled.
                          
"See, Kirb? I'm safe here. Not gonna trip over sat here, am I? Why don't you go have a sniff around, and if it makes you feel better I can sit here the whole time?" he explained, rubbing her ears again.
                          
She wagged her tail and moved her head to lick his hand.
                          
Okay.
                          
Satisfied that he would be okay for a while, Kirby once again started her way to the kitchen, this time at more of a trot. She looked back once more before she went in - he was still okay.
                          
She was sure she'd smelled something nice in here, which was why she decided to check it out first.
                          
Sure enough, as she walked inside and wood turned to tile beneath her paws she smelled it again. Following her nose took her to a closed cupboard. It was coming from inside. She stared at it for a moment, wondering if it would open for her. Nothing happened and she turned away, diverting her attention to two large dishes on the floor, both of which smelled very different from anything else in the kitchen. They were new and didn't smell like they really belonged there. 
                          
After having another snoop around Kirby left the kitchen. She found a peculiar closed door which also didn't open for her. A quick sniff told her that there was nothing of interest inside and she moved away, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. She looked up the long ascending passage, surveying the steps carefully.
                          
They were higher up than the floor, so did they count as furniture? She wasn't allowed on furniture, so could she also not go on them? She wanted to investigate, but she didn't want to get in trouble with her new friend on her first day. She decided to ask him.
                          
Trotting back into the living room and thankfully finding Dan where she left him, Kirby sat down by his feet again. Dan shifted in his seat, having heard her approach. She let out another whine since her training disallowed her from barking unless in emergency. Somehow this didn't seem that important.
                          
Dan, hearing her whine, sat up more and frowned a little in concern.
                          
"What's wrong? I'm still here, girl," he assured with a gentle smile.
                          
Kirby pawed at his leg to get her point across.
                          
Follow me.
                          
She stood up and walked a few places away, turning back and waiting expectantly.
                          
"You wanna show me something?" Dan asked, taking a guess.
                          
Kirby quickly came back and licked his hand which was on the side of the couch.
                          
Yes.
                          
Dan smiled, reading her behaviour in the way she intended and got to his feet, picking up his cane again. Kirby started to lead him, keeping close to his legs so that he could feel where she was going. She stopped at the stairs again and looked up at him, whining to let him know that this was the problem. Feeling the rail of the stairs and where they were in the house, Dan gave a knowing smile. "You wanna go upstairs?"
                          
She licked his hand again.
                          
Yes.
                          
Dan chuckled, reaching down to pet her head. She wagged her tail at the affection as she awaited an answer.
                          
"Of course you can, Kirb. Go on, I'll be down here when you come back."
                          
Hearing his light tone and seeing his smile, Kirby deduced that she had permission and licked Dan's hand in thanks before heading up. The whole time she wagged her tail, excited to continue her exploration of her new home.