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Subject: {ASSM} Shamus Canine and Company (furry) TBD
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Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:10:02 -0400
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Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d

Strangely, I have no plans to write anything that involves these
folks.  The character studies were something I wanted to do as a way
to play around.  Plenty of stories here, but the reader will have to
fill in the details.  <G>

Update:  I did start a story based on these characters.  Part of it
got lost because my archive wasn't fully updated.  What follows is
what I had saved in an off site archive.
---

Character Studies:
---

Shamus Canine

Born in an alley and abandoned shortly after he was weaned, Shamus,
originally named a rather mundane 'George', has done well for himself
during the years since.  He was seeking a meal in one of his favorite
dumpsters when he discovered a collection of seamy detective novels.
Attracted to the hard bitten side of life portrayed in them, he found
himself a hat that matched the style shown, started hand rolling his
herbal cigarettes, and adopted the mannerisms of his new heros.

He quickly discovered that the new lifestyle made it easier for him to
engage in his favorite passtime, running scams on people less
intelligent than himself, of which there are plenty!

His life got even better when he met...
--

Fluffy Le Pom-Pom

She is originally from that nebulous area that forms the border
between the good and bad sides of the city.

Her mother is a Poodle, her father was a slumming Afghan Hound.  She
got his body, her mother's fur and the result can only be described as
'Cute', something she learned to take advantage of at an early age.

Her mother's street smarts and her father's passion merged to produce
a coldly calculating mind that is as quick as the reflexes she
inherited from her father.  She made her first kill before she entered
puberty, and people quickly learned that if they wanted to survive, it
was best not to annoy her.

She prefers to leave her victims alive, and looking forward to the
next time she fleeces them, an activity she enjoys far more than
ripping throats out.

She and Shamus met when she was in heat and dumpster diving in his
part of the city.  She was already in a dumpster, he leapt in without
checking for competition, and during the resulting pheromone inspired
tussle, they found themselves tied.  With nothing better to do, they
talked, and discovered they had too much in common to hold any grudges
about the way they met.

Their part of the city hasn't been the same, since.
---

Boomer and Belle

Massive Rottweilers and brother and sister.   Both are capable of
producing teeth rattling growls, and when one barks, they can be heard
for blocks.

Smart, but not as smart as Shamus and Fluffy, their idea of amusement
is to act harmless and entice in a street pack, which they then play
with until they get tired of the game, at which point they break a few
bones and head home.  Word is out though, and most of the street packs
avoid them, no matter how vulnerable they act.

They were in a running battle that could have gone either way when
they interrupted one of Shamus' and Fluffy's scams.  Intrigued by the
rapidly approaching confrontation, Fluffy decided to have some fun of
her own.  When the melee came around the corner, it was met by a
canine buzzsaw that left most of the pack bleeding or with broken
bones before they managed to break away and head home.

Much to her chagrin, Boomer and Belle were so impressed they adopted
her as their Alpha.  She still hasn't figured out what made her let
them get away with it.

Shamus just grins, and finds ways to work them into their scams, when
she complains.
---


Growler

An average sized German Shepherd, he's the main cop on the beat in
Shamus' part of the city.  He long ago figured out that if the scum
wanted to prey on the scum, it was fine with him.  He only gets
serious when it spills over, or the prey is someone slumming.  Even
then, he's pragmatic enough to just shrug if a slummer complains about
losing money.  His usual reaction is a weary 'You're alive to bitch
about it.  Now, go home and don't show up in my part of town, again.'

Shamus and Fluffy amuse him more than worry him.  He hopes he will
never have to get serious about bringing them in.  Way he sees it,
they help him keep the place calm, and he doesn't have to worry about
paying them.

He's also relieved that somehow Boomer and Belle linked with Shamus
and Fluffy.  Some of the street packs had been discussing a vendetta,
but when they found out they'd be dealing with Fluffy, they decided to
write their losses off and go back to the petty crime they usually
performed.

If he can be said to have a worry, it is the nagging feeling that
Shamus and Fluffy are setting things up for their BIG score, and
somehow it will involve getting the street packs helping them.

It isn't good to be a cop with an overactive imagination, and he tries
to not lose any sleep because of his worries.
---

Mr Ling

An Akita, if it goes in the body somehow and it's illegal, he gets a
cut of the price.  He used to supply Shamus with his smoke, until he
decided that it would be safer to have such a free spirit under more
direct control.

He woke up to a smoke filled bag over his head and Shamus casually
pumping his chest while he chanted 'breathe, breathe'...  Once Shamus
knew he was awake, he got a gentle tap on his muzzle and a calm
warning.  "Be glad you're losing a customer and not your life."

It was months before the craving was gone and he never did figure out
how Shamus had managed to invade his private quarters to administer
his warning.

Smart enough to know when he was competing out of his league, he kept
his mouth shut about the incident and what had triggered it.
---

Fifi

A Poodle, she's every dog's fantasy companion for a night on the town,
or in a bedroom.  She can be had, if you pay her price, which is high.
A 'social expeditor', she's usually found being escorted by anyone who
is someone, or on their way to becoming someone.

She runs a high class operation, and naturally, nobody pays any
attention when it gets raided.  All the houses get raided on a regular
basis, just to keep them reasonably honest.  An astute observer would
notice that Growler is usually there during the raids, but he's on
enough of them that his focus on Fifi hasn't been noticed, they hope.

She's also an information broker, but few take advantage of that part
of her service, since the prices are far higher than for her usual
services.

She's an honest whore, takes pride in her job and is generally content
with how life turned out after she decided, as a young bitch, to spend
her life on the 'other side of the city'.

Nobody knows her past, and she hasn't talked, as far as anyone knows.

She's never looked closely at the fact she's in love with Growler,
prefering to accept that part of her life is something that just
happened.  

She's also Fluffy's mother, and she has mixed emotions about her
daughter's success as a criminal mastermind.
---

Spike

Spike is a typical mongrel and an Alpha of one of the street packs. He
and his pack have had their physical encounters with Boomer and Belle,
and they quickly learned to ignore their increasingly insulting
attempts to draw them into open battle.  Instead, he and his pack
confine themselves to jeering and insults instead of physical attempts
of persuasion.  Boomer and Belle have left them alone, so they accept
the resulting truce as a win.

Tradition and inceasant minor turf wars have established the
boundaries of the packs' territories, so they seldom change unless a
street pack is dissolved, or its numbers are reduced to below a viable
level by a battle of some sort.

His big dream is to someday get noticed by someone who matters, and be
promoted into a pack with more authority.  In the meantime, he and his
pack consider themselves favored when dogs like Shamus and Fluffy
deign to notice them, or ask them to do small favors for them.

Like any of the street packs, they go belly up when Growler decides to
notice them.  He's fair, but mean when crossed.  Because of this they
keep their predation low key and confined to other denizens of the
area.  Fleecing a tourist is a rare treat, but he is always careful
about how he does it.

He likes his freedom and Growler has made it clear, what would happen
if he and his pack go past fleecing.
---

Jaws

She's a Bull Terrier. She and her small pack of other Bull Terrier
bitches, derisively nick-named 'The Bitch Patrol', are who the street
packs pay their dues to, and who they look to when disputes need to be
settled without violence.

Most folks would rather get busted by Growler instead of finding
themselves facing her version of justice.

For all practical purposes, she, Fluffy, and Fifi are the ruling
female triumvirate in their mostly dog-eat-dog world.

Only Fluffy knows that her heart belongs to Shamus.  He could ask her
to do anything--and she'd do it for free.
---

Paddy

When it's time for booze, bitches and a place to unwind without
worrying if you might wake up rolled, the knowledgable dogs and
bitches spend their time at Paddington's Bar.  Nobody knows where this
Irish Wolfhound came from, and anybody who wants to avoid his rolled
up newspaper, will never ask.

He's a mellow sort who serves anything that pours, in whatever
combination is asked for.  A master of street psychology, few argue
with him after a gentle bap on the nose with the newspaper.

Looking up to see his huge body towering over a beligerent drunk calms
most folks, anyway.  Few argue when he mildly notes:  "Last one for
you.  After this, it's the stuff that lets you sober up so you can
make it home unrolled."

It helps that Jaws works as his head barmaid while the rest of her
pack works as waitresses and bouncers.
--

For elegant dining and deal brokering, 'Adolf and Pierre's' is the
smart set's first choice

Adolf is a Doberman and has wallpapered his office with the
certificates and awards he's received as a chef.  Phlegmatic most of
the time, he's animated only when someone disputes his cooking skills.
Otherwise he's nothing but suave efficiency.

Pierre, in spite of his French name, is a Chihuahua-Beagle mix who is
the only cook Adolf will admit is better than he is 'at some types of
cooking'.  He disdains the frippery of elegance and usually opts to
give a special flair to ordinary foods.  It's not unusual for him to
spend part of the day preparing hamburgers to be shipped throughout
the nicer parts of the city.

Both are gay, with no interest in bitches.  Their devotion to each
other has frustrated the plans of many bitches, and dogs, to seduce
them away from each other so their cooking skills can be put to use
elsewhere, and for someone else's profit.

They could do better for themselves, in a better location, but both
freely admit the atmosphere generated by having an elegant restaurant
in the seedy part of the city adds something special to the dining
experience.

'Adolf and Pierre's' is one of the few places where a violation of its
neutrality gets the violator summarily culled by their fellow guests,
no appeal possible.

Shamus, when he isn't running a scam, works there as a greeter, the
only time he abandons his hard-bitten PI role.  Fluffy's limber form
can often be seen working the tables as one of the waitresses, and
much of the non-deal brokering business consists of dogs who want a
chance to see her up close and personal, in circumstances that aren't
likely to expose her teeth in something other than a friendly smile.

Nobody admits it openly, but her and Shamus' carefully understated
lethality provides the anchor for an atmosphere that lets the 'dogs
and bitches who are power' feel comfortable with shedding their
bodyguards while they eat.
====

And now...  Put all the studies together, to get...

Alliance?
---

"Yo!  Shamus!"

The dog leaning against the lamp post raised his head and studied the
speaker before he spoke easily.  "Evening, Growler.  If you don't mind
my saying it, you act like a dog with  a serious problem."

Growler's lip curled into an incipient snarl, then he relaxed slightly
and studied his target.  "I'm a head cop with a problem.  Interested?"

"Something Fifi can't deal with?  Sure.  You want Fluffy in on this
one?"

"Hell if I know.  Might be a good idea to have someone watching your
back until this one is over, Shamus.  Fifi doesn't know about this
one, I hope."

"And you don't want her to know until it's too late.  Well, shit.
Someone's gonna tell her you were chatting with me, so I'm glad
dealing with her is your problem, and not mine.  What's the Top Cop
doing, that he thinks he suddenly has time for the resident head scam
artist?"

"He's wondering if what's going on in the better part of the city is
the Big Score, finally."

"Big Score?  You been into Mr Ling's private stock?  Fluff and I have
everthing we want already, and messing with newly corrupted honesty
is...  Not the kind of thrill we live for.  We like our corruption
straight, and you should know that by now."

"Your word, that you four have nothing to do with it?"

"Four?  I can vouch for two of us.  You'll have to talk to Boomer and
Belle, to find out what they've been up to recently."

"Damnit, Shamus.  You're still too fast.  I can't find them.  I can't
believe they'd be able to dig a hole that I can't find, locally, and
that...  Scares me."

"So you want Fluffy to check on her 'pack'?"

"Definitely.  I'm hoping the stuff I've seen in a couple of reports is
a bad case of a similar MO, instead of Boomer and Belle expanding
their territory."

"Shit.  More likely, they're bored, and moonlighting somewhere."

"Let's hope it's that.  Do me a favor?"

"Maybe.  Let's hear it."

Growler took the time to study their surroundings before he sighed and
lowered his voice.  "Some very important Dogs and Bitches are nervous,
and not thinking with their heads right now.  You have a week, to find
The Twins and get them to dig that hole, so I don't have to give a
culling order, at the end of that week.  It doesn't matter if they are
innocent."

Shamus sighed.  "Hell of a Favor, Growler.  Fluff and I will do
whatever we can."

"Thanks.  I was told to use all my available resources."

Shamus took a last drag, then ground his herbal cigarette out on one
of his pads.  "Speaking off the record, it might be a good idea if you
spend some of your next afterglow, digging for what Fifi remembers
about Fluff's father.  Stuff I've been hearing says he might be the
one you're looking for."

"Crap!  Do you know who he is?!"

"Yep.  Look on the bright side.  If he's your man, you aren't going to
have to worry about newly corrupted honesty being at the root of that
particular problem.  Should make your job a lot easier, right?"

"Easier?  I'm a dog who loves lurking in the shadows for his prey, and
you know it."

"Sure do.  Doesn't matter if the twins are involved, or not, because
whoever the Alpha is, he's headed right at you, and he doesn't know
it.  You go pay whatever Fifi asks, and I bet you'll find out which
shadow will let you get the best blood bite."

"Hell, Shamus.  I hope that isn't common knowledge."

"Relax.  You two aren't the only dog and bitch who use the afterglow
for more than...  Languid recovery.  As far as we know, nobody else
has figured it out.  If you can handle the noise, maybe you should
actually haul her in once in awhile, so you can sweat her on the
record, for a change of pace."

"Hmm..."

Growler finally nodded his thanks and resumed his walking and scanning
of the shadows.

Shamus watched until Growler turned the corner, then he sighed and
looked around.

After he spoted the members of the local street pack, he crooked a
finger at them and they ambled over, then ranged themselves in front
of him.  Their Alpha bobbed his head slightly.  "Whatcha want,
Shamus?"

"First, Growler wasn't being sloppy."

"Yeah.  None of us had that dream.  We figured our best move was to
freeze until he left, and hope he decided he didn't see us."

"He didn't see *me*, so relax."

"He was never here?"

"Exactly."

"Easy one.  What else?"

"The Twins.  When was the last time you saw them?"

"Couple weeks, maybe longer.  Nobody we know has seen them, and we
were kind of hoping we'd never see them again."

"Well, shit.  Put the word out.  I want them found.  They have 48
hours to show up and tell their Alphas what the fuck they've been
doing, by not checking in like they're supposed to.  We've never made
it an issue before, so if they get...  Touchy, remind them they've
never been this sloppy, before."

"You want *us* to get in the middle of that?!"

"Sorry.  Wasn't thinking right.  Find them, then let one of the Bitch
Patrol deliver the message.  Better?"

"Yeah.  They'll be through in a bit, anyway."

"Fluffy and I will be at Adolph and Pierre's, when you have anything
for us."

"Hold it, Shamus.  Is that 'you', us, or anyone who has information?"

"You and your pack.  For some reason, Growler wants you in on this, or
he wouldn't have made sure you know more than you want to know."

"We're some of his 'available resources'?"

"Yep.  Tell Jaws that Fluffy and I are making you our street pack
until we decide what to do with you."

"This because we're useful, or permanent?"

"Both.  You got the same 48 hours to decide if you want the job, or
make suggestions about who you think should be the ones we tap.
Personally, I think Growler already decided it should be you folks,
and I don't think you should argue about it."

"So we're finally a Made Pack."  He held out his hand.  "We're yours."

They shook, and Shamus nodded.  "For now, act normal, and get the word
out."

Shamus winked.  "At least you folks don't have to deliver the bad news
to Fluff, right?"

"Yeah!"

He laughed, turned away, then spoke easily.  "Send a runner when you
have something.  Looks like I'm going to be working a long shift this
evening."

"Got it!"

He laughed again, then started walking briskly.  He had a place he
needed to be at, as soon as possible.  He didn't know what the Hell
he'd do when he got there, but at least he'd have company who had the
same problem.

* * *

Adolph spotted Shamus when he walked in, and pointed at the pantry
before Shamus could go put on his working outfit.

Shamus raised his ears slightly, then sighed and headed for the door.

Adolph held it open, then closed it behind himself after Shamus
settled on a stack of potato sacks.  "Shamus.  There are problems in
our office.  Fluffy is attempting to...  Find out how bad they are."

"Where's Pierre?"

"In the office with them."

"And you're not there, too?"

"The presense of a Doberman was contraindicated."

"Shit.  Who, and should I go in there?  I have some bad news I need to
tell Fluffy."

"She knows.  The Twins, and her father, are in there."

Shamus glared in the direction of the office.  "Well, when I get a
chance, I'll tell the street to stop looking for them, so they can
check in with their Alphas."

"Would it help, if I used one of my runners?"

"Defintely.  Send the word to the Seventeenth Street Pack.  They'll do
the rest."

"Seventeenth?  Spike and his crew?"

"Yeah.  Growler gave me some bad news while they were within hearing
distance, so I didn't have a choice about turning them into a Made
Pack."

"Not like him, to carry his own bad news."

"Special circumstances.  He wanted to know if that stuff happening on
the other side of town was something the four of us were doing, and if
he was finally seeing The Big Score.  I spoke for two of us and
reassured him it wasn't us."

Adolph sneezed his disgusted amusement.  "He hasn't figured it out,
yet?"

"Guess not.  Anyway, he says some important people are nervous and
looking for some scapegoats.  A couple of reports he saw, say Boomer
and Belle might be mixed up in it, because the MO is the same as
theirs.  We have a week, to convince them to dig a hole somewhere.
After that week is up, he'll have to issue a culling order, with The
Twins as the lucky targets, if they don't back off."

"The Twins?  They're Enforcers, not Masterminds, and everyone knows
it!"

"Yep.  I think one of the Masterminds is sitting in your office, and
it isn't Fluffy or Pierre."

Adolph thought about it, then sighed.  "You know the rules.  Besides,
you know how Pierre is, when there's blood on the carpet."

Shamus chuckled.  "Well, I don't think that's going to be a problem,
this time.  Anything else?"

"Be careful in there.  Words can be more lethal than a knife, and that
Dog is a Master."

"Thanks for the warning.  I already suggested that Growler should find
the right shadow, because the Alpha he's looking for doesn't know
Growler is out there, waiting for him.  Glad I made that call before I
got here."

He stood and stretched before he smiled.  "I was planning on working a
long shift.  Will that be ok?"

"As long as you clock in and out at your usual times, no.  Glad to
have the two of you here, Shamus.  You're good for business."

"Thanks.  I'll go knock and announce myself, so nobody makes any
stupid mistakes."

* * *

Shamus knocked on the door.  "Shamus!  I have a message for Boomer and
Belle!"

Pierre opened the door and studied him.  "No messages for your mate?"

"Not any more and the personal stuff can wait."

"The situation is tense, but calm.  Come in."

"Thanks, Pierre."

Shamus entered, then went over to stand next to Fluffy while he
studied the other three.  "This one's from Growler, but it's up to you
folks, how you want to answer it.  Some reports crossed his desk, and
he's hoping the MO he spotted in another part of the city, isn't
Boomer and Belle.  The real message is fairly simple.  He asked me to
find you two, then tell you that you have a week from today, to dig
yourselves a hole he can't find, because if he sees that MO before
then, he's going to be told to give a culling order for you two, that
will have nothing to do with innocent or guilty."

He glared at the two rottweilers, then sighed.  "I can find out what
you've been up to, later, from Fluffy, because I have the feeling this
isn't a social call, by any of you."

Boomer dipped his head slightly.  "Good call.  We dropped by to let
you know we're finally moving on.  Better pay, interesting work.  You
know how it is."

"I do.  Good luck."

He tipped his head slightly.  "Bodyguards?"

"Yeah.  Someone fucks with Mr. Kessel, we fuck back, and we don't have
to worry about the fallout.  It's about the sweetest deal we could
get."

Shamus peeled his lips back in a grin.  "Sounds good.  Just remember,
if Growler gives that culling order, I'm no longer your friend.  For
old time's sake, I won't go out of my way to find you, but don't make
it easy by showing up and expecting me to do you any favors, ok?"

Boomer turned his head slightly.  "Mr Kessel?  We told you they think
alike."

The Afghan nodded slightly.  "So you did.  Since we've been
unsuccessful here, we'll go talk to some of your other contacts.
Perhaps they'd like to relocate."

"Yeah.  Maybe."

Shamus had been watching the byplay and he suddenly spoke up.  "Expect
the Seventeenth Street Pack to give you a no of some sort, but if they
say yes, no hard feelings.  Same rules for them, as for you and
Belle."

Mr. Kessel studied Shamus.  "Is it something I'm allowed to know,
before I go talk to them?"

"Yeah.  They're a Made Pack, now.  Mine and Fluffy's.  Like I said, no
hard feelings if they decide you folks are a better future.  Lots of
other packs we can make the offer to."

"Thanks.  Since my daughter politely turned down my offer, we'll leave
and trouble you no more, as long as you don't...  Do something to get
my attention."

"Got it.  If I ever find myself in a position that will place me on
your turf, I'll check in before I do anything.  Usual cut be ok?"

"Forty percent of the take, Shamus.  That should still leave you
enough for expenses."

"Deal.  Appreciate it, if you send a runner after things settle, so we
know the boundaries."

"Deal."

They left, and after a few minutes Fluffy sighed and settled in one of
the chairs.  "Dad thinks he's going to run this part of town,
eventually."

Shamus laughed.  "I wish him luck.  "

"Oh?"

"Sure.  First, if he's sensible about it, he's smart enough to
consolidate his position at home, before he tries annexing more
territory.  Then, folks here are going to be pretty wait and see,
before they take him seriously.  Things are pretty stable right now,
and the folks who matter, like that, because it's good for business.
If Mr. Kessel isn't careful, he could wind up convincing people he's
bad for business.  If he does, things could get interesting."

Pierre barked his amusement.  "We will consign Mr. Kessel to an
interesting life, for now, and worry about him when he shows up again.
The crisis is over, and you two are not scheduled to be on duty for
almost an hour.  Stay, and I will send in a light dinner for the two
of you, so you may take the time to catch up on personal news, before
you let yourselves be seen in public again."

Fluffy laughed.  "Thanks.  Be a dear, and send word to the Bitch
Patrol, that we'd enjoy having them here as soon as they can arrive?"

Pierre sobered.  "I will let them know that Boomer and Belle are no
longer our trusted friends, and that Mr. Kessel is a dog who is
destined for greatness."

"Thanks, Pierre."

Shamus laughed, then got serious.  "May I use your phone to call Mr.
Ling, so I can invite him to a special dinner?"

Pierre's ears perked.  "You know him that well?!"

"He supplied my herbal smoke, before I found a cheaper supplier.  It's
not something we talk about, because what I bought from him was
legal."

Pierre glanced at the desk, then shrugged.  "If anyone finds out, it
will not be from me.  It will be nice to see him again.  He has a rare
appreciation for the ordinary in life, and is a pleasure to serve.
Call him, and extend our invitation as well."

"I shall."

Shamus made the call, had the invitation declined, but Mr. Ling agreed
to send one of his runners who had earned a bonus.

After he hung up Shamus touched an object on the desk and sighed.
"Looked like you got the news about the same time Growler found me."

"If you were scratching your back on your favorite lamp post, he
wasn't looking for you, he had something to tell you, and he knew
where you were.  What's this insanity about us having a Made Pack?"

"Blame Growler.  They were in the alley when Growler pulled his best
friends act and told me some stuff and gave me that message.  He
wanted them to know, and his parting shot about being told to use all
his available resources made it pretty clear I was supposed to keep an
eye on them."

"Shit!  What's he up to?"

"Only thing I'm sure of, because he emphasized his MO, is that he's
looking for his shadow so he can get a damn good blood bite, this
time.  Oh, when I asked if I should get you involved, he said that he
didn't know, but having someone watch my back might be a good idea."
====

End:  Shamus and Company

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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