When Mike's plane landed, there was a man waiting by the gangway that had his name on it.
"Well, this is service," Mike remarked as the man guided him to a waiting van at the curb.
"Get in," the man said.
"Oh, my luggage?"
"It has been arranged for, Mike," said the uniformed man, "In, sit."
Mike got in, and sat down.
"Good bo-" the man said as he closed the door before he caught himself.
When the driver sat down, "Did you say, "Good boy" to me?" Mike asked.
"Sorry, I don't usually drive. I mostly work with the dogs," explained the driver, "Force of habit."
"Oh, well good, I've heard a lot about the Academy, and I thought maybe you-"
The guy cranked the radio drowning out Mike's yapping voice.
The drive to the Academy took 10 minutes. The driver stopped and opened Mike's door, and disappeared. A woman in a pants suit appeared from the building.
"Ah, Mike, welcome to the Academy," said the woman, "I'm Doctor Smithers."
"Hello, Dr. Smithers, so when do I meet our new dog," Mike asked.
"You will meet him in an hour, but first you need to shower," she said guiding him into the building.
"I do?" Mike said raising his arm to sniff his pit.
"All new arrivals need to be clean. Animals need to know their owners natural scent. Here is your guest room, please put your clothing in the armoire, shower, and put on the robe and slippers provided."
"What about my clothes?"
"Oh, they will be sanitized,"
"...and my luggage?"
"It too will also be deodorized. Fabric softener can interfere with the animal's proper bonding."
Mike thought it was weird, but Rachel had got a super deal, and he couldn't disappoint her.
He was wearing the robe and slippers, when there was a knock at the door.
He opened it, and there was his boss' son standing there in a Polo shirt and khaki pants.
"Ross?"
"Hey, Mike, I heard you arrived."
"Oh, you're here to get a dog too?"
"Yeah, they make the best custom trained pets. I, mean, where else can you get a fully trained cock hound."
"Cock hound?" asked Mike adjusting his robe to cover more skin.
There was another knock at the door, but it opened before Mike could reach it.
"Ah, good, you've already met," the doctor said entering. Three others in white coats followed behind her.
"Yes, Mikey, here works for my dad," said Ross brightly.
She nodded, as she already knew this, and said, "Mike, come over to the exam table, and these gentlemen will give you a once over."
"What? I - uh."
"Oh, I already had my shots," Ross, "Go right ahead."
"Wait shots?"
Two of the men pulled his robe off him, while the third shoved a bottle of sweet smelling something under his nose. He was naked, but he forgot to cover himself. His mind just drifted away. The men had him up on the exam table on all fours with a blank expression on his face.
Ross clapped his hands together and smiled, "Yes, yes, he will make an excellent cock hound."
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