Canids came in all shapes and sizes, just like humans really. It was an odd juxtaposition sometimes, handling the instincts and traits he'd been born with, so close to human but not quite so. Sometimes he wondered if he would've been better off being raised by another canid, someone who actually understood him as he was, and not the pet-like childhood his Nona raised him in. Esdras didn't blame her; call it unbounded empathy, or just a fucked up mindset, he could never hate her for at least raising him and not tossing him out on the side of the road like thousands of unwanted canid children.

And well, that same empathy had helped him get his current job, where his heritage was an advantage over something to be picked over. A therapy dog. And he did love his job certainly, a joy taken as he saw the veterans under his care be able to actually live life and enjoy it. It did not mean however, that he didn't get irked any time he was treated disrespectfully, or seen, god forbid, as just a pet. Esdras' lost count on how many times he's wanted to strangle his humans. And his current ward was no different. Antisocial, stubborn, grumpy; just like all of them.

Warm concern pooled in his eyes as he padded over to his ward, his sensitive ears having noted their distress at night. He gives a gentle smile, harmless as possible, open and bright. He tilts his head at the sight of them smoking a pack of cigarettes that they should certainly not be smoking, but he bit his tongue before he started a fight he wouldn't win. Better to focus on getting them to actually sleep then fight needless battles. His eyebrow twitched when they try to dismiss him away with a wave of their hand. Such a strong urge to bite, but he takes some deep breaths, tenderly pulling at their shoulder, his languid frame dwarfing them. Benefits of being a larger canid.

"Come on. To bed. I'll make you a cuppa. I'll let you run your hand through my fur while you rest. it's soft." He spoke sweetly, beckoning gently like they were a cornered dog.