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Owen has been back in New York for 6 months now. It was an adjustment at first, coming back after being away for so long. He has so many memories attached to this place- the good, the bad and the ugly.
But he’s now settled back into his life in this city- he goes to work, goes out to eat at his favourite places from before the move to Austin, takes Buttercup out on walks and gets to see the kids of his old 252 brothers and sisters thrive and serve the community just like their parents did.
The move was an adjustment for Buttercup as well, but it was not long before the dog started to love New York too- the dog park that they are currently walking to was one of the main reasons why. Getting to interact and play with all these other dogs made him so happy. The boy is definitely a social butterfly.
Today is a beautiful day, the sun is shining, there’s a gentle breeze going and Buttercup seems to be really excited- if the way his giant ears are flopping as he’s walking beside him is anything to go by. Owen thinks it’s because he’s eager to see Zara the Husky. His boy definitely has a crush on her- he goes all lovey and googly-eyed when they play together.
As they near the dog park Buttercup picks up his pace. He’s clearly in a hurry to get there. People passing by get excited to see this huge dog and on any other day they would get stopped by at least one or two people looking to pet this giant goofball. But today Buttercup is feeling impatient and doesn’t want to stop for pets.
As they are standing at the intersection and waiting for the light to turn green, Owen hears two people behind him talking. “Oh did you see it was the Dogist back there in front of that shop photographing that cute Golden? It was so cool!”
The Dogist. That name rings a bell. He remembers as he was packing up the last of his stuff at the house in Austin that Mateo was telling him about it.
“Cap, think of how it would be so cool for Buttercup to get featured on his Instagram! The guy photographs dogs! He’s so famous in New York! You gotta make an account for Buttercup so that he can get tagged on it! It would be so cool!”
Mateo had been jumping up and down from the couch all excited about it (just like Buttercup got when TK and Carlos visited, because his son was definitely his dog’s favourite human). Mateo insisted on helping him set up the Instagram page. “Cap, I’m so bored still being on desk duty at the firehouse! You gotta let me do this for you!”
He had relented and now Buttercup has an Instagram- buttercup_the_bernerdog. The account has gained quite a lot of followers. Owen posts pictures at least once a week- pictures at the dog park, pictures in his dog bed at his Chief’s office in the FDNY headquarters and people’s favorite- pictures in this firefighter dog costume that TK and Carlos had sent over.
The light turns green and they cross the street. And just after they have got on the sidewalk, Owen hears someone else behind him. “Excuse me, may I take a photo of your dog quickly?”
Owen turns around and lo and behold what do you know, it's the Dogist guy! Mateo is going to love this!
“Oh my god yes! You're the Dogist, right?”
“Yes I am. So who's this?”
“This is Buttercup.”
Buttercup woofs upon hearing his name.
”Can he have a treat?”
That gets Buttercup to jump up in excitement.
”Yeah of course.”
As the guy brings the treat out Buttercup jumps with his front leg on this man’s leg and gobbles up the offered treat, then does a little excited spin at the sound of the camera click.
”So what’s his back story?”
”A few years ago when I had cancer and was getting immunotherapy treatments, the clinic in Austin where I was getting my treatments also treated dogs with cancer. Buttercup was a patient as well. His previous owner abandoned him and the clinic let me adopt him. He became my canine counterpart.”
”Oh wow that's incredible.” He brings out the squeaky ball and squeezes it. Buttercup tilts his head curiously. Click. Click. Click. And another jump. Oh boy Buttercup is loving this!
“He then became our firehouse dog. Would come with me to every shift.”
“Firehouse? You are a firefighter?“
”Yes, I used to be Captain of the 126 back in Austin. And now that I’ve moved back to New York he’s come along with me. I love going with Buttercup to the places I used to go to before when I lived here and I was Captain of the 252.”
All this while as they’ve been talking, the Dogist has been clicking away at Buttercup’s antics. He suddenly pauses and looks up from his camera.
”Wait a second, the 126 from Austin, the 252 here- are you Owen Strand, Fire Chief of New York?”
”Yes, that’s me.”
”It’s an absolute honor to meet you, sir. Your bravery, your courage, your actions for the people of this city all those years ago on 9/11- truly thank you for your service.”
”Much appreciated.”
Buttercup leans on him and butts his head against Owen’s leg. Owen pats his head. “I know, I know, we’re supposed to be talking about you.”
”So, any funny stories about him?” the Dogist asks, focusing his attention and his camera back on Buttercup. “Has he gotten into mischief?”
”Oh boy there’s so many- one time I was about to take him out on a walk and I found him lying on his side near the dinner table, he did not look good. I rushed him to the vet and it was a bowel blockage- they thought it was most likely a new tumor. But when they x-rayed him, it turns out he had swallowed a sloth slow tea infuser. Gave us a scare with that one, he did!”
”Oh no, naughty Buttercup.”
“There’s more- initially when I got him he chewed up my son’s shoes.”
”Oh no way!”
”But yeah, I think my son is his favorite human! When he was shot in the line of duty, Buttercup would not sleep anywhere other than his bunk at the firehouse. And back in Austin whenever he would see my son, he would get so excited.”
”That’s so sweet!”
He takes some more photos of Owen and Buttercup. And then Buttercup gets one final treat and they’re done.
”Does he have an Instagram?”
”Yes he does, it’s buttercup_the_bernerdog.”
”Well thank you for sharing him and it was an honour to meet you.”
”Likewise. Thank you so much.”
And with that they head to the dog park.
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A few days later the video and pictures are posted on Instagram and soon enough Owen’s phone is flooded with messages.
“CAP OH MY GOD BUTTERCUP DID GET FEATURED ON THE DOGIST! I MANIFESTED THIS?”
“Dad, this is so cool! Jonah loves it that Buttercup is a star!’’
He agrees- Buttercup is a star and a good boy.