On the Table

Ralph cleared some stock from a nearby display table and encouraged Chloe to climb up onto it.

"Are you deaf? I already said no. Get the fuck away from me, all three of you!" she threatened.

"Okay, looks like it's taser time!"

The vet seemed less than enthused as Ralph pulled the stun gun from his pocket and aimed it at Chloe.

"You don't use that thing on her, do you?" he asked disapprovingly.

"I haven't had to, yet, but it's the only thing that works with Chloe. She seems to be intelligent enough to understand the consequences of disobeying me when I switch it on"

"I have no doubt it can be effective, but it really isn't a method of behaviour modification I'd encourage, outside of a last resort"

"I'm telling you, there is no other way you are getting Chloe on all fours on that table. She may look cute, but you wouldn't believe how violent she gets the second you touch her"

"Fine, I'll allow it this once since I'm in a hurry. Before I leave, I'll teach you some more ethical ways to bring Chloe's into line when she is misbehaving"

"Okay, girl. Up on the table, and let's see that butt of yours before I have to zap it!"

Still not willing to risk calling Ralph's bluff on the stun gun, Chloe resentfully complied.

"You two are so fucked when I get out of here and tell people about this!" she growled as she clambered onto all fours and presented her rear.

"She's a beauty isn't she?" Ralph folded his arms and shook his head "It's why I'm so determined to fix her unruly attitude. I'd hate to have to send her to the animal shelter when she could be such a high demand pet. I couldn't in good faith sell her to anyone as she is now though"

"The animal shelter? What the fuck are you even talking about?" Chloe seethed "I'm not a stray dog, I have my own flat!"

"I see what you mean, she's an angry little thing isn't she?" the vet conceded "At first glance she appears to be in immaculate health, though. What do you know about Chloe's history?"

"Not much. According to her documentation she is twenty years old and, from her time here, I would say she is about average intelligence for her species. She is generally quite lethargic, if a little snappy, but then there are these occasional bouts of **** aggression, especially whenever I attempt to handle her"

"I'm sorry if I don't like being groped by a disgusting old man!" Chloe hissed, though she was starting to wonder if there was any point in her even talking now, since apparently nothing she said mattered to anyone.

"It sounds like she hasn't been trained properly" the vet guessed "That's nothing that can't be fixed, but it could be a little more challenging at her age. She's hardly a pup"

"I could train Chloe"

The two men turned to Alex, who had been observing the scene keenly.

"You wouldn't have to pay me. I love animals, which is why I work here, and I've had a lot of pets. I'd also be happy to take Chloe home with me in the evenings until she finds a proper owner. It can't be good to leave her cooped up in the pet store overnight"

"Well, I'd still want her here during the day" Ralph caveated "But if you were prepared to take care of her in the evenings, I'd be very grateful to you"

"It's no problem, I hate the idea of Chloe ending up in the shelter and, like you say, she is a beauty"

"Are you fuckers done talking about me like I'm not here while staring at my arse?" Chloe snapped "Because I've had just about enough of this shit!"

"It looks like she's getting agitated again" Ralph sighed as he turned back the the vet "You'd better do your thing now before she gets out of control again"

"Fine" the animal doctor nodded "I'll give her a full body examination, check her temperature and test her reflexes. If, as I suspect, Chloe is fully healthy but badly trained, we can leave her in the no doubt capable hands of your young assistant here"