“Pete! Would you move!? Why the hell do you sleep all day, anyway?!” Linda called out, nearly hitting Peter with a vacuum. Peter was jarred awake from a rather deep sleep, and he was understandably pissed about it. However, as was the pattern in recent days, there was little for him to do but sleep, and he would have to find another spot to continue his nap. Still, there was every chance Linda would make a point of finding him later with an excuse of ‘cleaning’ around him, and there was little he could do to dissuade her aggression.

Grunting, Peter raised his back leg to press a button on his collar, an advanced form of tech he’d recently been able to purchase. It allowed Peter some ability to speak, picking up the attempted cadence of his growls and grunts while in use. It wasn’t perfect, not getting the words right often, but two years into his tenure of being a pit bull, Peter was generally used to trying former speech patterns and tended not to make many mistakes. 

“Because. I’m. Tired. All. The. Time.” Came the slightly slow, robotic tone that was his only way to communicate with people. He preferred not to use it often, finding it cumbersome and annoying. However, as of late, he was getting tired of the one-sided arguments Linda threw at him, and he made a point to speak back to her on every occasion. It was petty, it was spiteful, but given what he perceived to be a constant stream of nagging, Pete was getting fed up. His retorted jabs were the only things that gave him a semblance of satisfaction. 

“Tired? You don’t even do anything!” Linda shot back, spitefully. She had never been a dog person or wanted to have a pet in general as much as Pete recalled from the early years of their courtship. It was obvious his fate was as forced on her as it had been on Pete. She would likely have more empathy for an actual dog than she did for him, treating him more like the husband he should be than the victim of illness he had been. So much for ‘in sickness and in health’, raising Pete’s spite all the more. However, even with the collar, he was relatively limited in speech and mostly kept such thoughts to himself.

“I. Need. Out.” Pete managed to speak out, which largely wasn’t true. He was sure he could take a piss, at least, not a wasted trip. Outside was a better reprieve from his wife’s spite than to find another spot in the house to sleep that would likely be disturbed just as he was getting his rest.

Without a word, Linda moved toward the door, opening it and almost motioning for him to go out. Not for the first time, Pete was thankful they had purchased a house with a backyard, so he didn’t need to be taken for a walk and watched every time as he squatted to do his business. Not that Linda wasn’t still tasked with picking up after him in the yard every once in a while, regardless. It did give Pete a bit of privacy, not something that was often granted to a feral dog. 

Eventually, he did find a spot to piss, something more involved than anything he was used to in his human life. He needed to find the right location, marking the yard as his own so that other animals knew he belonged there. The instinct to do so confused him when he had first turned into a dog, and it took him some time to make sense of it. Eventually, the practicality of coordinating his urination and defecation became sensible to the point he really didn’t think about it anymore. It was a facet of being a dog that he had grown accustomed to, one of the few things he didn’t truly lament.

Looking up at the closed patio door of his house, Pete could see the movement of shadows within that signaled his wife was still going about her work. Even though she was right there, she had podcasts blasting in her ears, an excuse to avoid hearing him scratching at the door. Still, he tried to do so, walking up and scratching, calling out with “Linda. Door.” As assumed, she didn’t hear him. And if he was being honest with himself, Pete didn’t mind staying outside and away from his wife, letting her calm down and giving him a place where he could sleep in peace. That and the outdoors were filled with a myriad of distractions for his canine senses, even when he was confined to the backyard. 

Of course, there were tons of things he missed about being human. Things that he had always taken for granted but now had far too much time to reflect on now that he was a dog. His hands, for one. Not even being able to open doors was a pain in his ass, and Linda was hardly prepared to install a doggy door for him, giving a myriad of excuses. Pete had long since stopped trying to protest her decision. His voice, too, while back in a certain measure, was largely lost, making it a struggle to articulate himself or make his desires known. It was frustrating over the first year and a half that he had to use a combination of body language and assumption to have his needs met. It was made that in the midst of a global pandemic, there was little help beyond that of his wife.

Then there was his constant nudity, something he lamented even with his fur coat and the sheath that hid away his maleness. His fur was short, and winters were cold, something he had to deal with since losing his humanity and needing to deal with his bodily functions outside. Linda was hardly inclined to provide him a custom coat or the like, again citing bills as her excuse. The house was warm, at least, Linda always kept it that way. But that did little for the few times a day he needed to go outside, and how long it always took to do his business in the cold. For now, at least, it was summer, but that wasn’t to be the case forever. As silly as it was from a canine perspective, he hated being exposed. It mattered little even with as many people who were victims of the same virus and had become more accepted back in society. Hell, if he was being honest with himself, save for his specific collar, he looked just like any other pitbull on the street.

Not wanting to reflect on the past too much without much hope of returning to those days, Pete did his best to shift his focus elsewhere. However, a rumbling in his belly only served to further remind him of the limits of canine life. At first, he cared enough to articulate when he was hungry, and Linda was decent enough to feed him something suitable for his new nutritional needs. But as the months went on and Linda’s patience wore thin, Pete found little point in telling her whenever he was hungry. She never forgot to feed him, mind, and she never did resort to feeding him dog food, though such would have been considered abuse for a human turned animal. But not having the autonomy to get food when he wanted was disparaging. It was just one of a long list of things he’d had to get used to since his humanity was robbed from him, likely forever. 

He hadn’t always been a dog, as much as the hundreds of thousands of others who had contracted the Zoomorphic virus and experienced its most unique and rare side effects. The pandemic had been hard on most people as business, recreation, and most forms of social gatherings were rendered impossible due to the risk of infection. The disease itself, origin unknown, had spread to all corners of the globe within a matter of months, something that no country had properly prepared for, much less was able to institute proper safety measures for. Soon, pandemic life, such as social distancing, regular and aggressive hygiene habits, and the closing of all non-essential services was the norm, leaving many lives changed forever, even those not directly impacted by the virus. All was done to reduce the viral spread, as well as the burden on the health care system. Such was paramount as the effects of the virus could be far more insidious than even the risk of severe illness and death. 

While most of those infected contracted moderate to severe flu-like symptoms, a seemingly random population began to develop the physical attributes of animals. They came in a variety of species, and breeds, though most of them were mammalian. Ears, tails, noses, and other extremities were common, though many suffered the loss of hands, feet, or, eventually, more extreme alterations. It was generally a precursor for a process that over weeks or months would fully transform one’s body into that of an animal. While the human mind was always left intact, a slew of instincts also were instilled. They left the victims able to control their bodies, though also having to contend with the impulses of their animal forms. There was no chance of them losing themselves, no worry their minds would decay, at least. But still, despite being such an impossible change, it seemed that, for all science had tried to do for them, the process was one-way and permanent.

In the beginning, like most people, Pete didn’t truly comprehend the full impact of the virus on the world at large, much less himself. He followed the rules, of course, albeit reluctantly, though their new reality would lead to fights within what was already starting to become a strained marriage. He loved Linda, of course, and still loved her dearly. But settling into married life was hardly the dream he had thought. Linda was always acting like there was something more she should be doing and lamenting Pete for not helping to encourage her to find it. Was it perhaps children? A larger house? She was hardly able to vocalize it, much to their combined chagrin, and it left their marriage lacking to the point of verbal blows. 

Things came to a head when the two of them were forced to work from home, with little place to go. Too much time together led to too many arguments, and eventually, the pair found different corners of their house to plant themselves in. Linda was deathly afraid of the virus and what was happening to the world at large. Pete, however, was more optimistic, figuring all the precautions were largely unnecessary and lamenting the loss of time with friends and entertainment. These differing ideologies led to even more heated arguments and less time together. They even went so far as to sleep in separate rooms as their marriage continued to strain from the pressure of the world at large. 

Being one of the first infected by the transformative strain of the virus, Pete didn’t notice the signs at first. He had no idea where he’d contracted the virus, having only left the house to go to the grocery store, but apparently, even that was enough. He quickly became sick though not deadly so, mostly feverish and largely fatigued. Of course, Linda required him to stay in the basement. That was something he was more than willing to comply with if it meant he didn’t have to talk to her for a few days. Getting the rapid test back was a sign he was infected, but in those early days, the effects of transformation were largely rumor. There was little being reported in the media, and anything released sounded more like science fiction. And, as the weeks passed and the effects of his infection passed, Pete was confident it was safe for him to go back to life as he knew it. Linda even welcomed him back with some eagerness, figuring his life might have been at risk and glad that he came out of it ok. 

In those first few days, it started with strange urges, ones the two of them were not able to play off as silly. Sniffing things intently, for example, like from the bathroom after his wife had used it, or seeking a specific scent on her clothes. When caught doing so, it took Pete a few moments to find any fault with himself, though the embarrassment was impossible to deny. Smaller things, too, like slobbering over his plates, and twitching his leg while scratching his ear were common for the next few days. Hell, for a time, Pete found himself wondering if he was still sick. 

Still, for a blissful few days, Pete felt his life coming together for the first time since the pandemic started. They had even made love for the first time in months, something that Pete was into more from simply the smell of her. Hell, he was inclined to have sex with the vigor of a twenty-year-old, a couple of times even a little too rough for his wife. But the real trouble came on their final time, one that Linda agreed to though felt a little fatigued. It started out fine enough, Pete getting on top of her and making out. But the sensation of a thick, slobbering tongue in her mouth made her call out in sudden panic. Pete just gazed at her with confusion as though he didn’t understand what he was doing wrong. It wasn’t until he was able to stare at himself in the mirror that he realized his tongue was far larger than it had been. Hell, it was so large Pete found it hard to get it back into his mouth! And it had happened only in the course of a few days, making him worry for the future…

Little information about the rare effects of the Zoomorphic virus existed at that time, to his disappointment. However, signs of bizarre transformations were noted in a handful of victims, having developed things like pointed ears, tails, and other animalistic attributes. Though very few had transformed further than that, as much as the news had reported, a handful had devolved all the way into a different form. They became what was a seemingly random animal in a process that should have, by all accounts, been a fatal experience. And while it was feared they were likely infectious while they transformed, a process that seemed to take months or even weeks, Pete was relegated to the basement. Even Linda was forced to isolate as well in case she was infected. Still, in the days and weeks that followed, Linda showed no symptoms, not even the mildest of colds. 

Even so, given her spite toward Pete for something he had no control over, resentment started to build up toward his wife. Linda treated him like a burden, something sickly and repugnant that she had allowed in at risk to herself. She wouldn’t even talk to him, all but throwing his supplies down the stairs for him to grasp at lest they break and spill. Her attitude toward him was something that he never fully forgave her for even to this day. The longer they stayed together, the more it seemed to build, making things akin to a living nightmare. Still, without a better future in sight, Pete didn’t see any way out and was hardly in a mindset to hold onto the hate for her, as pointless as it was. 

In those early days, Pete hardly had time to reflect on his ire for his spouse, given the very real fear of all he had to lose. In the early days of the virus, most infected people seemed to gain animalistic attributes though not change any further. While some changes could be disfiguring, most figured it was far better than the alternative of becoming a full animal. Still, Pete always had in the back of his mind that he might be one of those unfortunate hundreds that devolved into an animal form. In his case, it would very likely be some breed of canine. It was too early to tell, but all he could do was hope that he would be left with only a canine tongue, even as unappealing as it would be.

That was not to be the case, much to his despair. Certain surface changes like the growth of hair down his back and ass, or the nub of a tail out of his spine weren’t all too damning. Those sorts of changes could end at any time. Anything more severe was likely a certainty that he would change all the way. There was no way to tell how far it might go in the early days, and he was glued to the TV for any news about what he might expect. There was frighteningly little, save for the fear-mongering and conspiracies that came with such a new reality. Most believed it was a hoax to try to scare people into obeying whatever new world order they perceived the pandemic was trying to bring. Those victims who began to change were highly sought out by interviewers for their shows, being the hot new topic on everyone’s mind. Still, most people in Pete’s condition had little to do but wait and see what would come of things.

The worst reality that hit him during those first few weeks was the gradual loss of not just his humanity but also his autonomy. Pete’s culinary choices were already limited to be on the safe side, a variety of his preferred treats potentially harmful to the canine form he was likely taking on. A meat-heavy diet was unwelcome, though he was lucky enough to know a dietary consultant, not one that came cheap, much to become a further point of contention in his marriage. That, and needing all their meals ordered in came with heavy costs as well, making it harder for the couple to make ends meet. Linda was forced to take on more work to compensate, something that only served to raise the tension between them. It soon came to the point that they would go days without speaking through the divide, though that was something that he was used to, much to his chagrin. 

Talking with a panting tongue was a struggle in and of itself. Pete hated the guttural sounds he ended up making and stopped talking as much as possible. In hindsight, he wished he had tried to talk more, almost forgetting the sound of his own voice. It was one of the first things to go, the virus warping his vocal cords in such a way that would soon make speech impossible. It became evident one night he tried to call out to Linda, asking “Rrray! Raan Rrrro…shit! Rrraa that fuck’s wrong with my…rrroice…”. Thankfully, Linda didn’t hear him, Pete not wanting to suffer through her disgust while he was going through so much himself. Even trying to teach himself how to talk with his new vocal cords was for naught and left him pained and winded from the efforts. Things were made worse by the fact his teeth were getting sharper, face altering, and mouth widening. They were so far distorted that any speech attempts would be rendered moot. Soon, Pete gave up efforts to talk altogether, his guttural whines too much like a dog yet alien enough that it scared him off trying again. 

It was relatively obvious as the weeks went on that the virus was changing him all the way into a non-morphic dog.  Each day he woke up to no further changes Pete found himself hopeful that it would be the end of it. The alternative was worse than being left in a hybrid, albeit semi-human state. But then little things, spreading fur, a longer tail, thicker nails, and even a loss of weight made his heart sink. And with the facial changes giving him a horrifyingly warped visage, a growing part of him didn’t want the changes to stop, unable to imagine looking at himself in the mirror with such a face each day. Not that being a dog was any better, but at least it was something that existed in the real world. And with that came a growing sense of recognition to let come what may, knowing there was nothing he could do about it, akin to being forced through a debilitating illness.

It seemed the progression of changes varied from individual to individual, and Pete’s were to come gradually, with something new and terrifying to wake up to each and every morning. Often he had trouble placing them at first, though made it a point to spend several hours to see how much more fur had grown, or how much he had shrunk. It was a little jarring every few days to realize the dimensions of his basement room had shifted, a sign of his decrease in size. Even such little things seemed to get to him, knowing that he was likely to lose it all. Worse, perhaps, was having to contend with each and every step in between. The first steps in a long string of losses to incur over the next few days and weeks…

Through it all there was an undercurrent of fear for what the future might hold as the changes robbed more of his form. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be an animal. Just a pet content to sleep most of the day, do his business outside, eat dog food, and run around chasing squirrels and sniffing other dog’s butts. It was bizarre that not only would that be his fate, but he would want to do those things as much as any other dog was compelled by their instincts. Yes, he would be himself and remember everything about his humanity. But even humans were compelled by their instincts, and his would be entirely different to match his new brain and body. He hated the idea of the things he might need to do as a dog, the tiny compulsions that most dogs displayed. It was more than he could fathom, even though Pete was left with nothing but time to imagine where life would take him. 

Worst, perhaps, was the isolation, something he had already been forced to contend with as a result of the pandemic. This went beyond his expectations, totally unable to vocalize his wants and needs, and even how he felt about the changes. Without anyone able to come down into the basement, Pete let it fall into disarray, not bothering to clean up after himself and not seeing much point in doing so. It was not only thoughts of his own future that led him to despair, but the news online and on TV was just as bleak, the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down. People were isolated, angry, and scared they would be the next victims of the changes. And there were no predictions about when a vaccine would come for widespread use and allow people to get back to a semblance of normal. Or normal at least for the majority of the population that was still able to come out on the other side human. Everything Pete saw was bleak and depressing, yet unavoidable without any other distractions and a constant reminder of what was to come. 

Every day as he woke up feeling that things had hit their absolute lowest, the change was persistent in reminding him that things could always be worse. Nothing made that point more obvious than the start of his hands altering. It was powerfully disconcerting to feel his fingers stiffening one day, the joints within beginning to dissolve toward an eventual canine state. As much as he wanted to deny objective reality, it was getting harder and harder to perform basic tasks, like picking up a fork or turning on the TV, or even wiping his ass. It took some days for his fingers to be rendered moot, and in the ensuing time, he did his best to work with their reduced abilities. But the more they shrank, the less he was able to move them, to the point they were stuck together and rendered immobile. Thankfully, he was able to purchase an iPad with a sticky key function that his newly grown nails could operate. It did allow him some access to outside information and even some limited ability to communicate. But it was fleeting with the reality the changes were steadily marching on and there was no denying their inevitable end. 

All Pete could do, as his body shrank, fur covered his skin, and his muscle and bone structures shifted, was hope that someday, somehow there would be a cure. It had been some months into the pandemic by that point, and the numbers of infected were reaching their apex. There were many fatalities from the virus, of course, though the number of those starting to display animalistic features was growing as well. While the progress of making a vaccine was increasing by the day, there was nothing in the wind about a cure for those infected, much less a way to change them back. Any hope Pete had of retaining his humanity was largely moot by this point. All that was left for him was to await his eventual descent into canine-hood, unable to fully comprehend all that would bring. 

It took some time for the breed of his new canine self to become evident, not that he really cared on that front. Not an expert on dogs, not really even liking them before, it was his wife who told him, calling him out as a blue nose pitbull. The notion didn’t bother him as much as it could have. Pete didn’t really care what kind of dog he was becoming, all of them blurring together in his mind. He was becoming an animal, a pet, and there was little he could do about it, save for falling into deep despair and cursing his fate. He was a little larger and heavier than most dogs, which was something that helped make it more bearable, as much as such ever could be. Pitbulls didn’t have the best reputation, though that mattered little with the fact he still had his human intelligence, albeit with the canine instincts necessary to operate his body as it was. Still, there was every chance that, while he was out in the world, such a reputation would proceed him and he might receive unwanted attention. Another thing on the long list of hurdles for his new life. 

It took over two months for the change to complete from that initial night he noticed his tongue was more canine. It was awkward at that midpoint when his anatomy was in flux and he could not walk to make his way to eat or to the bathroom, a little like being an invalid. Those were dark times he’d prefer not to reflect on going forward. At least being a canine in full was better than being at that midpoint of change. However, it was only just a little better with Pete knowing what his life would eventually be like as a dog. Eventually, with the changes done, Linda let him back upstairs, even going down to clean up after him, something that she lamented to no end. It seemed that enough information had been released to indicate people in the midst of change were no longer contagious. Their initial illness symptoms were, thankfully, the only vector. Still, Linda was apt to treat him as a leper of sorts, not so much as touching him as she went about cleaning up his mess from months in isolation. Pete didn’t find himself bothered as he might have, a single stab in a skinful of wounds from his cruel fate in life. 

Life as a dog was more bizarre and foreign than even his deepest imaginings could have conceived. It wasn’t bad, by some metrics, given the variety of other animals that infected people had become as a result of the virus. Being a dog, a pet, he could stay in the house he had purchased with his wife, and not be forced to live outside. Many had to move to a zoo, barn, or some other form of shelter. Though Pete was not the most well-respected of breeds, he was at least a dog, a species that received a lot of sympathy. He would likely not be perceived as a threat, or, perhaps better, not be considered food like a cow or pig. Still, Pete did not want to be a dog, and certainly couldn’t imagine this being the rest of his life. While he was relatively younger as a dog than his 30-year-old human self, he only had so many years of good operation before old age started to catch up with him. And that was if he wasn’t subjected to a wide variety of genetic ailments that came with his breed or canines in general. Not that life was guaranteed for anyone, but it was particularly disheartening to think he wouldn’t even have a chance beyond what his genetics dictated.

There was another elephant in the room, one that he had never discussed with his wife but something he might have considered in the long term. They hadn’t talked seriously about children, and both seemed more focused on their careers while thinking there was still time to make such serious decisions. Now, of course, they weren’t even the same species, and without any siblings between the two of them, they would be the last of their legacies. Perhaps not the most immediate concern, given all the impossible adjustments he was forced to make to his new life. But it was still something that lived in the back of his mind, adding to the growing list of things he had lost. 

Another deeply despairing fact was that, even though a vaccine was on the way, it was likely to do nothing for those already changed. Their DNA had been merged with both the virus and the host animal, leaving nothing of their humanity to revert, so to speak. Even though the minds of the infected were intact and stable, there was nothing of their former bodies to be worked with. That was even if the scientific field at large could understand the process the virus used to change people into animal form in the first place. Even with significant resources put forth, there was every chance it was beyond the human race with their current level of technology. 

The early days of moving back upstairs with Linda was not the warm welcome he hoped it would be. Not that Linda had been particularly amenable to him through the door during those two months of change. And it wasn’t like Pete expected to be wrapped up in her arms the moment he did. She didn’t try to starve or mistreat him, going out of her way to cook for him, let him out, clean up after him, and be his caregiver to get his affairs in order. But all that was clouded in a shroud of coldness, her demeanor standoffish and quiet. While she tended to Pete’s needs, she seldom said anything to him, as though holding something against him and the disease he had contracted. Of course, Pete had no way to ask her about her true feelings, at least, at first. There was a sadness there, for sure, though she never seemed to cry or anything of the sort, save for when she thought Pete wouldn’t be able to hear her. There was no way for her to know how acute canine senses were and there was no hiding her activities in range of the house. But she seemed to keep her cards close to her chest, so to speak, the start of a distance between them that even Pete’s eventual fate could not be chalked up to. 

It quickly grew worse in the ensuing months, especially while waiting for his disability funding to come in. Such led to frequent fights, one-sided as they were with Pete not able to speak. She was stressed about money, with mortgage payments still due, and the two of them down to one income. While many payments were halted due to government assistance from the pandemic, that was not to be the case forever. The burden of work, as well as providing for the two of them, was clearly weighing on her mind. While she could not fight back and forth with him, her ire was made well aware through her coldness. Smelling the tension in the air was enough that Pete opted to spend his time in other parts of the house, though that was nothing new in the scope of their relationship. Still, with their difference in species and inability to communicate, they might as well have been a million light years away.

For Pete, having a usable iPad was better than nothing, he had to admit, though, in his early days, there was little for him to browse other than doom scrolling. The screen was a little hard on his eyes, though a setting on his device was soon enabled for his new range of eyesight. At first, a few forums popped up here and there for those who were infected or already changed. There weren’t many full animal people on those sites, given the difficulties for those with paws or hooves. But it was enough for him to connect with other people in the same situation as he was. The brief reprieve was welcome from the loneliness that had been plaguing him for some time. He couldn’t really talk to Linda, the text-to-speech feature was far too slow for his paws. And as much as she could, Linda was content to leave him alone, as though not wanting to be around what he had become. 

With this new world at the tip of his paws, Pete was soon to find something of a respite from his fate and an unexpected sense of camaraderie. There wasn’t much good news at first, of course. Mostly people who were experiencing symptoms of change were left wondering, with fear and confusion, what their new lives would be like. Terror at the implications of being an animal were at the forefront, of course, and Pete stayed quiet, thinking there was little for him to contribute to alleviate their fears. Other than a couple of the infected having been turned into monkeys or rats with usable fingers, there was no one who would properly articulate their experiences, and they were, by all rights, the lucky ones. The overall mood of those infected was dire, especially with little possibility of a cure or any technology to make their lives easier far off.

Not all was bad news, however, the forums contained enough glimpses of positivity that kept Pete reading. It started with a few funny interactions some posted, slice-of-life scenarios that even made Pete chuckle. 

My owner thought they fed me chocolate and rushed me to a vet but it was something else they didn’t want to admit.

I accidentally kicked my caretaker and gave them a brief concussion. 

My wife walked in on me while I was licking my nuts.

I had to vomit a hairball and my brother thought I was dying. 

Maybe they were not funny, per se, but still, they served as amusing anecdotes about their new lives as animals. Hearing the day-to-day struggles of people being animals almost made it worth it to get up each day and check to see what had been posted. Everything from eating to miscommunications via body language to even unexpected bodily functions was all hilarious and relatable. It almost felt like Pete had some friends, as much as his own stories were relatively bleak by comparison. 

Pete was content to sit on the sidelines for now, and at least take solace in the things he read. It was amazing to hear from not only a variety of species but also from those who lived all over the world. One of the regular posters had been a man changing into a panther from Germany, and since the forum was in English, his lack of speaking the language added an additional layer to his challenges. Closely following his case, he had immigrated to America and was taken to a relatively new big cat sanctuary, where another regular contributor lived in her new tigress body. As their larger size made living in human habitation difficult, they often reported on how grateful it was to interact with other fellow large felines and ease their transitions into animal lives.

Part of Pete felt envious of that, his own marriage strained from his change. Worse there were few success stories of those in relationships before being infected. But with all Linda did to care for him in the house they lived in together, Pete convinced himself lucky for what he did have. Many of those forced to become animals were without their loved ones during what was obviously one of the most drastic things a person could experience. So despite the troubles in their marriage and how it felt like they were drifting apart, Pete was inclined to count his blessings.

Not all aspects of being one of the infected were grim, however. Government programs were put in place to aid those infected rather rapidly. Perhaps they were being funded by someone wealthy who had contracted the disease, though it mattered little in the end for those who needed it. Housing and shelter were among the first things provided especially for all those species that were not in a position to stay in their human living spaces. Care for those in the facilities, given their status, was not infectious, was also provided, helpful for those looking for safe work, albeit it not glamorous. All their accommodations were paid for by a generous stipend, given the cost of care for animals of their size, as well as the need for amenities to bridge the gap with their former humanity. 

That money was soon to be spent in rather unique ways as the number of people changing rose. The forums he’d been reading were turned into something larger and more subsidized. It was now mostly run by those who had changed, with help from human admins, of course. With its rise in notoriety, more and more people either changing or who had been animals for some time were making accounts. There were individual chat rooms for people of different species or in similar circumstances, as well as threads of advice columns, recommendations, and, of course, products that people-turned-animals could use. Capitalism at its finest, to be sure. But some, like the aforementioned tiger, were offering her own wares, items she had helped design for sharing with other changed persons. There was little in the way that an animal could create, but it was a budding industry and plenty of room for further growth.

As the months went by, the number of products and services had expanded to the point that it baffled Pete’s mind. The tiger’s online business selling saddlebags was a crazy success, having so many online orders she was backed up for months. Of course, there were a variety of things that could be used by humans-turned-animals, from the obvious such as grooming and cleaning services, to the more bizarre. Toys were common as well, better quality than those sold to their animal counterparts but still desirable, if only to indulge in their new instincts and proclivities, Hell, there was even some talk of designing some sex toys for those changed, something that made Pete a little squeamish but figured it would be needed eventually all the same.

One such service was, funnily enough, a podcast, one that started on the cusp of the pandemic. Whether or not that was to be the topic at hand, the hosts had found themselves talking frequently about it, and the budding infections that were turning some people into animals. It was a little ironic that several months into the pandemic, all three of them came down with the Zoomorphic virus, and, in fact, all started developing animalistic traits of their own. Having been open and out as furries, the notion they were going to all be changing into animals was initially met with excitement rather than fear. The main host, Sam was to become a wolf, while his co-hosts were to become a lion, and what seemed like a shiba inu. Aptly, they changed the name of the podcast to Paw/Cast and made the focus about documenting their changes. That, in Pete’s opinion, made for interesting listening!

However, there was an obvious problem with production, as the three hosts were soon to realize. While the idea of turning into anthro animals was powerfully attractive to them, it was soon obvious that such would not be the case. With hands becoming paws, bodies unable to stay upright, and voices soon to be forfeited, the tone of the podcast soon turned into one that had a very limited lifespan. As upbeat as they were about their changes, there was a note of sadness that they would not be able to continue making their work in such a medium. Yet, by that time, with the possibility of speech-to-voice technology for animals on the horizon, Sam’s final message wasn’t one of goodbye, but one of ‘see you soon’ with a genuine wolf howl to boot!

If he was honest with himself, Pete wasn’t really on board with posting anything himself, wanting rather to drown himself in other people’s stories to detract from his own. But the more he read about all the innovative things people were doing in light of having their lives upended the more he viewed it as inspiring. Not everyone was in such a circumstance that they could find such purpose in their new lives. But those relatively few who did served as a beacon of hope for those who needed it. Many aspects of being an animal, such as changes in food, bodily functions, and instincts, were becoming more normalized and were powerful in gaining acceptance for their new lives. Even if Pete found himself spending hours online, with little to do but eat, go outside, and sleep, that hope was exactly what he needed in those few months.

Of course, his focus was often on those who had turned into dogs, like him. They seemed to number in the thousands, and many were still living in their homes with their loved ones, still part of the family. One former woman, who went by the moniker ‘MasterBitch27’ seemed to have things rather easily, given her health benefits from her former career, as well as her stipend from being transformed. She was currently living with her human sister, and would often post pictures of her latest acquisitions, a spacious dog house, autofill food and water, a TV in the backyard, and things of that nature. Living her best doggy life, she would say, though not everyone was able to afford such amenities. Still, rather than jealousy, many people saw her posts as a beacon of hope, looking forward to her posts and congratulating her for her success. 

Pete, much to his dismay, did not find himself so well off. Still being married, his own stipend was not as much as others, and Linda, as his power of attorney in the event of death or a debilitating illness, was in charge of his money. Of course, she had to use it to buy him canine necessities, but she always claimed there was nothing left over for anything else. Still, the more he read about other people’s successes, the more he wondered what it would be like to have things too. A doggie door, a better bed, and a TV for less red-colored vision would all be nice. But he knew with Linda’s financial issues, he had no leg to stand on to ask for such things. He was left to lament the things he could never have, thankful there were some others there who had it better. 

A year into his tenure as a dog soon went by, and the rest of the world was changing at a breakneck pace. Life as humans had known it before the pandemic was starting to return, albeit forever altered. A vaccine rollout promised not only to reduce the chance of getting sick from the virus but assured that its zoomorphic aspects were negligible as well, making it possible to open public spaces once more. People were allowed to go outside again, wearing masks for now, though it was better than nothing. Shopping and recreational outlets were allowed to open, and as spring slowly turned into summer, a feeling of hope returned to all those trapped inside, especially of the now-four-legged variety. 

With that open freedom came a rapid expansion of amenities for those infected and changed into animals. That came in the form of zoos, outdoor recreation establishments, and public parks that were specially designed for former humans. Pete read about such places on the forums, advertised as somewhat of a safe space for The Changed Community, a term that was starting to become a moniker of sorts. It would be a place where they could be themselves and act more on their animalistic instincts, something that often felt awkward or even taboo. Though Pete hadn’t been around any other former humans in person, he was under the impression that be it a facet of the virus or the various ways animals could communicate naturally, changed people could comprehend each other’s animal sounds with human levels of verbalization. The idea of actually having conversations with others, without the use of type-to-speech technology was actually invigorating. However, Pete figured the chance of such a facility being close enough for him to access was moot, at best.

Imagine to his surprise when he learned that his area of the US was an epicenter for those infected and began to transform. Whether or not it was a variant of the disease or something in the environment that left those more susceptible, there was no denying the correlation between location and rates of transformation. However, outdoor recreation could be built within access to a large population of The Changed Community. And, one of the parks was scheduled to be built within Pete’s own town! It was a little out of the way for him but something he could likely convince Linda to take him to if she was so inclined. 

It seemed as though Pete didn’t need to inquire about the park’s development further, much to his surprise. One day, Linda came to him with a package in the mail, a rather ornate letter that invited the two of them to a grand opening of sorts for the new park, coming up within the next few weeks. Linda, to his surprise, seemed amenable to the idea, though it was just as likely a result of her own need to get out of the house. All that was left was for Pete to wait, excited and nervous in equal measure. As much as a part of him wanted the chance to get out of the house to a place where he wouldn’t be judged, there was another part of him that was terrified. Having never encountered another changed person in the flesh, Pete found himself concerned with what such interactions would be like. So many of the threads discussed how much those who were able to meet in real life enjoyed acting on their instincts. Things that made them so curious and shamed them to display around normal humans could be seen as normal. Even if Pete ended up hanging out with other dogs, would they try to nip and chase him? Would they sniff his butt? Would he want to sniff theirs? 

Ultimately, the day came far sooner than Pete was ready for, and Linda got him ready with his new collar, something he hated wearing but knew was necessary. With the new laws in place, all he needed was his collar as part of his identification, and Pete could technically go there himself. However, it would be much better for him to go accompanied by his wife, to avoid the stigma of being one of the Changed Community. And there was a chance that people would come up to him to bother him for being a dog without a leash. Not that he wanted to be walked like a simple dog, but it was better than the alternative.

Being out of the house for the first time for any stretch of time as a dog, Pete was soon overwhelmed by the scents and sounds of the world at large. Some had been made aware to him from his time in the backyard, but it was one thing to hear or smell a squirrel from afar and another to see one in person. Their angry chittering triggered some canine instinct to chase and hunt. He wasn’t beholden to act on those instincts, of course, but the temptations were certainly present the more he was surrounded by stimuli. And it was but one of a dozen of the animals he came across just during this walk alone, each as hostile and drawing his urge to bark and chase. The temptation to do so was almost maddening!

The closer they got to their goal, the more myriad of scents swirled around Pete’s nose to the point he was barely able to sift through them all. He was able to identify odors from distinct animals, something he had come to understand from his limited experience. But it was the intricacies between them that took Pete’s interest, nuances that might well have been from different species of birds or small animals, and perhaps even individuals. He had no way to know without more exposure. Still, it was almost maddening with the sheer information that was at his paw tips, had he had the time to really focus on it.

The sounds of the world, too, were almost deafening to the point Pete longed for his ears to be silenced. Everything from distant conversations to bird songs to the digging of chipmunks under the brush was made known to him. There were too many things to focus on and Pete was barely able to focus on one thing before his attention was drawn to something new. Still, like his formerly more acute eyesight, Pete soon found that his focus was able to manage just a few things at a time, enough to keep him from going mad. Animal sounds, in particular, drew the stirring instincts in his mind, imploring him to chase and bark. Pete would never do something so degrading, though the barks of his contemporaries gave credence to the notion that doing so was almost natural.

However, it was the sounds and scents of what he was coming to understand were other dogs that really made Pete nervous. He was hesitant to come into contact with canines in general though especially ones that were born into those bodies. He certainly shared their instincts, to be sure, but they were far too insufficient for him to know how another dog would act around him. And, worse of all, he didn’t want Linda to see how he acted around another dog, a reminder that he was a different species and likely would always be. She already looked down on him, something that was only to get worse as he began to regularly interact with members of his new species, naturally born or not. 

Thankfully they didn’t encounter any dogs en route, at least none directly in their path. Pete’s nose gave him a perfect roadmap of the goings-on of any dog that had been in the area over what he assumed was the past few days. It was a little daunting, though Pete did his best to ignore the scents, most from waste though holding more information within that he was comfortable with. Surely, it was why dogs sniffed such things so often, but Pete wasn’t into the idea, as much as he felt he could avoid it. 

Eventually, the somewhat more mundane animal scents gave way to several more species he had never encountered. Pete found himself sniffing more intently as though trying to identify them, even though his dog brain was little help. It took him a moment to realize what he was doing, with a hint of shame for being seen in the act. Still, he couldn’t deny his interest, if only to try to identify the variety of animals that people had been turned into. Surely, they were getting close to their goal, and many of the Changed Community were already there and partaking in whatever the park had to offer.

Though his eyesight wasn’t as good as his former humanity, Pete was still able to take in the vast expanse of land. A fairly spacious area had been set aside for the purpose of providing outside entertainment for those like him. The sheer amount of different smells excited him, almost to the point of being overwhelming. Surely, the scope of different animals people had been turned into was far larger than he had been expecting. Part of him wondered if he could communicate with them all, as much as he’d gleaned possible from the forum posts. It was a daunting prospect, but this close, there was no denying his rising anticipation.

Taking in the park around him, Pete found himself shocked at how much was present for their use. Unlike many animal attractions, none of the structures were fenced in, which he supposed made sense when intended for former humans. However, it was evident that separate sections were designed with different animals in mind. A race track around the perimeter seemed to mark its borders, rather extensive to the point that it might even tire a horse. But it was not simply horses running along it, but a variety of canines, deer, and other hooves animals. There were also a few other less common animals he wouldn’t have expected, including a cheetah! Some might have been racing each other, though it seemed, for the most part, they were happy to get out and run in a place where they wouldn’t be judged. 

Another area reminded him of a childhood jungle gym, albeit on a much larger scale. A variety of primates were swinging on it, from monkeys to gibbons to orangutans and even a gorilla. The structures were sturdy, they would have to be to support all that weight. It was clearly set up for more than those who kept their opposable thumbs, however, with large platforms for big cats and other animals to explore the range of their climbing power. Nap spaces were set up around the perimeter, with fluffy pillows where either couples or friends were snuggling up in the noonday sun. It was rather cute seeing one massive panther cuddled up with a much smaller housecat, seeming to have made friends despite the difference in their sizes. One of the cats, the only tiger, was even wearing a saddle bag, growling at other animals as they were invited to reach in and grab what looked to be food. Pete wondered if that was the tiger who he read several posts from, but he didn’t want to assume, even if she was the only tiger he’d heard of.

Thinking a barn structure in the distance was set for the many species that had become livestock, Pete was rather surprised. Instead, it had been turned into a large indoor area that boasted a variety of salon-style treatments. Anything from warm showers to full body brushes to hoof care to blow drying and grooming were all options. Pete had to assume it would be a welcome relief for animals living in less-than-clean conditions to be able to be pampered and treated more like the people they once were. Getting a little dignity back was surely welcome! 

And then, of course, was the dog park. Not a park per se, but rather a wide open space where humans and canine Changed Persons could run, throw frisbees, balls, and any manner of toys and things that would be fun for both humans and dogs. Pete couldn’t help but think of one advantage of being a dog, the energy they possessed was lost to adult human bodies. It must have been amazing to expel all that energy by running around and enjoying one’s body. It was definitely something most had not been able to do in the months leading up to the changes. It was a more animalistic pleasure than perhaps Pete was prepared for, but that was the point, wasn’t it? To get more in touch with his inner canine? At least to try, which was objectively better than sitting at home on his iPad and reading stories about others living their best animalistic lives.

Thinking of all the species that people had identified turning into, Pete was hard-pressed to find a group that wasn’t represented here. There was literally something for everyone, save those that had become aquatic species and were confined to their new habitats. Pete felt sorry for those people, who were likely lacking social connections. He did recall that there was something about a shared community being set up for those who had aquatic forms. All were aquatic mammals, as much as was reported, though without lack of internet access for those Changed Persons, it was hard to tell how many were condemned to those forms. 

“Welcome!” Said a cheerful voice, rocking Pete from his self-reflection. Pete hadn’t paid attention to the woman, coming up to them brandishing a uniform and a tablet. “I’m Cynthia. Can I get your names, please? You don’t need to be registered, don’t worry. It’s more so we can get to know future clients.”

“Oh, this is Pete,” Linda said, as though her thoughts, too, were far away. “Linda and Pete Hampton. He did get an invitation in the mail,” Linda added as an afterthought.

“Well, we’re glad to see you both out here! We’re trying to reach out to any members of the Changed Community who live within reach of this park. So many aren’t, and we’ve had so many missing people…sorry, I’m rambling! Shall I show you two around? See if anything interests you?” She asked, to which Linda simply reached down and clicked the leash line from Pete’s collar before saying, “I won’t be staying.”

Pete didn’t bother watching her walk off, thinking it might be better without her here. As nervous as he felt about acting like a dog, he really didn’t want Linda to see him. She already had a lesser opinion of him as it was, and he didn’t need to add any fuel to that fire. Still, even if the woman smelled friendly, Pete wasn’t sure he wanted to stay with her and take the guided tour. How did they treat Changed People here, anyway?

Pete soon found he needn’t have worried. “Mr. Hampton, I do hope you enjoy some of the facilities we have here. Likely, for your body type, the park would be the ideal setting, but feel free to make use of any of the areas you think you might enjoy. There are lavatory areas if you need to use them at four separate locations, but we understand the unique physiologies of our clients might find their use difficult. We have staff on-site to help keep everything clean and sanitary for everyone’s enjoyment. We do our best not to judge either way,” she said, and Pete found himself a little abashed at that. Some animals didn’t have as much of a choice, but Pete surely hoped none of the dogs would take a dump in the middle of the park! 

Only after walking around for a bit did Pete start to understand the background noise he’d been hearing. What he’d mistaken as people talking was actually coming from some of the Changed Persons, not their human companions. He was shocked that the words were actually in English, as much as he could tell. They were mostly calls of <Throw the ball!> <Damn, this is fun!> <Fuck, I can run!> and <I can’t sleep with all this noise!> Snippets of various conversations and the like. He’d spent so little time outside that the calls of other dogs barking, while translated to speech, were so simplistic and human-sounding that he’d just played them off as children. Damn, he really was sheltered! How he’d lasted so long, Pete didn’t know. But now it was time to come out of his shell, so to speak, so long as Pete felt he was ready for it. 

“Well, that’s the tour! It’s pretty short, I suppose, everything being open-air as it is. Take your time, explore around, and feel free to have fun! I know the transition isn’t easy for everyone, but we hope that places like this aid in the kinds of socialization that those in the Changed Community often have lacked.” 

Pete was a little reluctant to head over to the gathered canines, but biting the bullet as it were, he decided to go for it, trying to keep his tail from wagging in anticipation. There were no less than twenty dogs with about five humans playing with them, though on closer scent and observation, some of the canines were coyotes, or even wolves, with a couple of foxes thrown in. It was a little intimidating with so many animals, and Pete stood there, tail between his legs now as he tried to figure out what to do next. 

<Hey, nice to see you!> One of the dogs barked out, a rottweiler if Pete was correct. She was a female, he knew as much by her smell as her lack of male genitalia. Pete found himself worried about how easily he was able to detect things of that scope by smell.

<Um…Hi?> Pete tried to say, though just now realized he was barking back to her, understanding his own words. Fuck, had he never barked? He’d been far too ashamed before, but now… 

<Oh, Hi! You seem a little confused. No worries!> Replied the dog, and with that, she wagged her tail, moving toward him and getting into what Pete considered his personal space. Pete went to back up, yet, the smells coming from her proximity were strong enough that it gave him pause. He found himself sniffing her, more information flooding his nose than he was ready to understand. He had never been this close to another dog before, and even as his nose touched hers, the proximity was hardly as unwanted as he had thought it would be. He was learning so much about her that it would take him some time to fully sift through it all!

Far too quick for Pete’s preference, the dog pulled away, and Pete almost went to follow. Yet, he was not expecting her to move to his backside, prompting Pete to lower his tail over his exposed rear. She was going to…sniff his butt? Gross!

<What? Oh, sorry. Too forward? I keep forgetting that not everyone is used to being a dog yet. It’s OK, you’ll get used to it! How long since your changes finished?> The dog inquired, though she didn’t quite move from his backside.

<Um…almost a year now?> Pete guessed, though if he was being honest with himself, time and dates hadn’t had much meaning for his new life. 

<Oh? Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to assume…> the dog said, and Pete was only just now realizing how easy complex speech was becoming for him to understand. Whether it was his human mind working to compensate or if barks and growls were really able to articulate that level of human speech, Pete had no way of knowing. Still, it was convenient and rather pleasant, Pete just now realizing this was the first time he’d spoken to another individual since he’d lost his voice. 

<No, it’s OK. This is all really…new, still,> Pete admitted, ashamed. Sure, he’d read tons about how others were adapting to their own circumstances. But to actually be in one himself…this was turning out to be quite the day!

<Oh, I understand! You’re not the one! Isolation has been a bitch for everyone, take that as you will!> The dog replied, making Pete chuckle a little. Dog puns and butt-sniffing aside, he was glad someone had come over to meet him. 

<Oh, sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! I usually do that with the butt sniffing now! I’m Amy!> She barked, Pete, forgetting he, too, hadn’t introduced himself. 

<Pete,> he replied, though he was a little shy at doing so. Honestly, the whole ability to be understood for the first time in months was strange enough that-

<Pete! Come play!> Amy barked suddenly, running away from him at surprising speed. 

Pete was left there stunned for a moment, not really sure what to do. There was no reason not to chase after her, right? That was the canine thing to do in this situation. Then, why was he still hesitating?

Amy had gotten almost halfway across the park before realizing that her new friend wasn’t following. With that, she barked out <It’s OK, come on!> While waiting there for Pete to follow. 

If he was being honest, Pete was well out of shape, and even if his canine body was faster than his humanity, there was little chance he could keep up. But there was really no reason not to try it, right? The worst that could happen was that he would embarrass himself. Hell, he would likely achieve that same result by doing nothing. So, with that, Pete took off, thankful his body knew how to operate and wasn’t tripping over itself in an effort to catch up. In fact, he was moving rather quickly, finding being on all fours much more efficient than running as a human. Even better, he didn’t seem winded, at least not yet. Though he was sure he couldn’t run all out as the other dogs could, it was at least better than-

Lost in his thoughts, Pete hadn’t noticed Amy had taken off again before she was near the other side of the park. With a goal in mind, Pete raced toward her as fast as he was sure he could go. She was far more agile than him, able to dart in and out between the structures and sometimes even people, much without concern for tripping them. Pete could hardly keep up, taking the longer way around and feeling himself starting to get fatigued. Still, he was determined as best as he could, until he literally fell over on his face, huffing and panting and feeling overheated.

Amy’s padding paws made him look up, somewhat of a human grin on his face even though he was wagging his tail in a more canine expression of joy. The truth was this was the first time he’d had this kind of fun as a dog, or even in his adult life as much as he could recall. It almost made it…no, it was fun, but that’s all it was. Something long overdue, in his defense.

<Have fun, I take it?> Amy asked, not at all worse for wear from the run. Pete felt a little embarrassed about being out of shape, but he hadn’t really been off his property since the pandemic. The idea he’d be running around the park as a dog was far beyond his expectations. And now that he had…he hoped he’d be able to do it again, maybe able to run a better next time. 

<I’m a little out of shape…> Pete whined, though if he was being honest with himself, he wasn’t that sore. After a few minutes of panting, he felt he could stand again. A small facet of his mind worried he might offend with his doggie breath, something Linda had brought up on more than one occasion. But then again, a dog wouldn’t be bothered by such a thing, right?

<You’ll get it back soon, trust me! It’s one of the awesome things about being a dog!> Amy barked, running in a circle as though chasing her tail. 

<Awesome thing about being a dog?> Pete questioned, stunned by the statement. He was a little too taken aback to really contradict it, though a strong part of him was hurt. He’d spent every day since his illness lamenting every facet of his life to the point it was impossible to think of things otherwise. How could anyone feel any different?

<Yeah! I wasn’t sure about it at first, and the change was really hard. I haven’t met a person who didn’t find it rough during the transition. But now? I love it! I love my stubby little tail! All this fur? I don’t need to wear clothes or put makeup on or anything. What a waste of time all that was! That’s time I could use for sleeping or playing!>

Pete stared at her the entire time, feeling incredulous. Surely, she couldn’t be serious. He didn’t want this fur, this tail. He missed wearing clothes and taking forever to get ready. Dogs smelled! Well, maybe not, to his own nose, if he was being honest. Things didn’t really smell that bad, not like they did with humans. Unappealing or uninteresting, for sure. But not bad, not in the way he was used to it.

<Oh, sorry. I know not everyone feels the same way. Most people don’t, not at first. But I think it’s important for people to start looking at things from a different light. Finding the positives where you can, you know?> Amy said, and Pete found himself reflexively responding <Like what?>

<Well, other than the no clothes thing? We’re so fast! Being on all fours makes a lot more sense, doesn’t it? And work, well, dogs don’t have to worry about careers or anything! I was in a dead-end job, but now the government gives us a check, and, really, there’s not much I need money-wise, other than good food. I love meat! And shelter, of course, but I have a nice bed and I live with my sister so it’s all good! I have all the time in the world to explore and learn and even try out some new hobbies!> Amy said, and as much as Pete was able to gather, she was being enthusiastically sincere.

<What about, the, well, you know. Bathroom stuff?> Pete said, a little ashamed to talk about it. In truth, it seemed members of the Changed Community were more open about bodily functions than most. But it was still a little embarrassing to bring it up in person. 

<Oh, well, it’s not so bad once you’re a dog and once you’re used to all the smells and what they mean, wouldn’t you say?> Amy said, as though licking one’s ass clean was the most common thing in the world. Pete, for his part, took to rubbing his ass on his lawn, though had to lick a few times to relieve the irritation. Pissing, at least, wasn’t so bad when he had to clean up an accidental mess. At least he was a short-haired breed! Surely, Linda wouldn’t clean up after him if he had an accident in his fur, or, at least, she would bitch about it endlessly.

<Hey, did you want to meet some of the others? I’ve been taking up too much of your time!> Amy offered, and Pete felt his tail wag at that, to his surprise. 

Still, it seemed that most of the dogs, of a variety of sizes and breeds, seemed averse to simply standing still and talking. Their bodies were energized and obviously happy to run and play in a place where they wouldn’t be looked down upon as mere animals. Pete felt himself a little reluctant at first, opting to sit on the sidelines and watch for now. But soon, the joyous barks and excited body language were enough to make him long to join them. It was quite a contrast between his dislike of his own body and the fun other Changed canines seemed to be having with their own. A couple of times, Amy came and asked if he wanted to join, but each time, she was greeted with a <No, thanks.> She seemed to get the idea and leave him be, though there was no denying he was tempted.

Eventually, the day started to wane, and Pete smelled the now familiar odor of his wife’s perfume in the wind. Turning to leave, Amy came up to him, bidding him a good day and <Hope to see you again soon!> Pete simply thanked her, though hoped she would be here the next time he came, finding talking to her oddly comforting. She was the only so-called ambassador as much as Pete had talked to, though he was sure to get to meet some of the other Changed dogs eventually. But it was Amy who had his interest now, something about her that he couldn’t get out of his mind. And not the fact she was a bitch now that Pete himself was a dog. Her presence didn’t do it for him in that way. She was the first one he talked to in person, and more than that, she had given him a different view of his situation, as much time as it would take him to reflect on it. 

Linda, for her part, didn’t have anything to say to him as they left, though such was fair, given that he couldn’t talk back. He wasn’t sure where she had been, his nose awash in a variety of scents he barely had an understanding of. She didn’t feel inclined to tell him, either, so he left it be. In truth, he was still focused on his first day there, and wanted, more than anything, to maybe do the day over again. Not that he felt ready to go play like a dog or anything of the like. Perhaps it was more accurate to say he wished he could, but that was neither here nor there. 

Unable to get his mind off the park, Pete spent his evening on his tablet, trying to see if people were posting about their experiences that day. There were a few people that had been at the park, but none of them posting were dogs. Not Amy, for sure, if she even used the threads to post. Surely, she had internet access, but for now, it seemed, he would have to wait until he could go back to the park to talk to her once more. And for the next few days, that was not to be the case. Linda didn’t mention it, focused on her work, with overtime to make up for their unbalanced bank account. Pete understood that, of course, but that longing still persisted to go back again and maybe, this time, try those things that had been constantly on his mind. Amy and the others had looked so free, so ecstatic running around and chasing each other, playing with toys and their human families. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to join in? No butt sniffing, of course. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try it. Maybe watching his fellow canines would give him the push that was weighing on his mind. 

About a week later, Linda declared she was going for a walk, and was willing to take Pete to leave him at the park if he wanted. He wasn’t sure if she knew how much it was on his mind, but he quickly nodded yes, allowing his leash to be clipped and trying his best to keep the pace so as not to force his wife to keel over. She seemed annoyed with him, but for once, Pete did his best not to focus on it with the appeal of the park so fresh in his mind. It was all he could do not to take off and run the moment she clicked the carabiner off the leash and let him go, telling him she would be much quicker this time and to make sure he was ready. 

As soon as Linda was out of sight and sound, Pete took off, unable to wait any longer and hoping that Any, or at least someone else as friendly, was at the dog park. He didn’t see any sign of any staff in the immediate area, but he didn’t need their guidance, knowing where to go by sight, sound, and scent. Some of the odors were more familiar now, especially those from other canines or dogs in general. Some others he couldn’t readily identify but had to be from the more exotic species, less represented by members of the Changed Community present.

Making his way to the dog park, the sight of something imposing and feline stood surrounded by the canines. It took Pete a few moments to realize it was the tiger from the other day, still brandishing her saddle bag. Her scent was strange to him, though he was soon able to get used to it, a marker for her presence that he would be able to rely on. It was a little alarming to see her so close, interacting with the dogs as though they were friends meeting each other on the street. As he watched, she reached with her muzzle and pulled out something from her saddle bag, small enough that Pete’s poor eyesight couldn’t make out. With the shift in the wind, he soon learned the thing she had in her mouth was a…dog treat? It certainly smelled good, not like an actual dog treat but a meaty snack made for Changed canines. 

Happily, the dog in question took the treat, wagging their tail and running away as the tiger’s gaze settled on Pete. Padding toward him, the tiger opened her mouth with a series of growls that Pete, like with dogs, could interpret as speech. <Hi! Care for a treat? They’re free! Oh, shit, sorry, don’t be scared! You must be new here! I’m Sara! I don’t bite, don’t worry!> said the tiger, though, in the presence of such a large cat, Pete couldn’t help but feel anxious. Not that a Changed person would act like an animal and kill him for no reason, but she was rather large, especially compared to his much smaller stature. Anyone would be scared to meet a tiger this close for the first time!

<I know, I know, I get that reaction sometimes. It’s OK. Tell you what, I’ll make the rounds and then I’ll come back and check on you, OK?> Sara suggested, though as she turned to go, the scent of the treats in the bag made his mouth water. Pete couldn’t help but whine out with a, <No, it’s OK! I’ll take one if that’s OK!>

<Oh, of course! I’ve just got meaty treats for now, but I should be getting some sugary treats for the horses and such. But yeah, here you go!> Sara said, reaching into the saddle bag and pulling out a treat similar to the one she’d given the other dog. Not caring that it had been in the cat’s mouth, Pete took it, the flavor divine as he scarfed it down. It would have been a little embarrassing, though, at the moment, Pete was glad for the act of kindness and the treat tasty besides. 

<Pete? Hi! It’s nice to see you back!> Came a familiar voice, and Pete looked up to see Amy walking toward them, wagging her tail in an excited doggie fashion. < I see you’ve met my old roommate!> She added, looking to Sara, who made a little bow. 

<Oh, sorry, I’m Pete. Thank you,> Pete replied, looking back at the tiger. He wanted to ask if they were roommates before or after being infected but wondered if that might be a rude question. He had to admit it was a little amusing to think of a dog and a tiger being roommates, the tiger obviously struggling with her size. Thankfully, there was a big cat sanctuary nearby for her, right? At least from what he recalled reading about on the forums, something he was sure was a blessing. 

<Here, let me show you around and introduce you to some of my new friends. Everyone’s really friendly!> Amy said, though Pete found that a little hard to believe. Surely, not everyone who came out here was happy to have been changed into an animal, right? Though for one, Sara didn’t seem to mind, even as kind as to go around and give people snacks, something he was certainly appreciative of!

Pete eagerly followed Amy, curious to see if her words held true. Yet, it was not expecting a gray-brown form to bust out of a bush, wagging his tail as a fake rabbit flew through the air in front of him. It was likely remote-controlled, but the design of being a prey animal was rather clever, he had to admit. Part of him wondered if he heard a cry of <Hey, back off, I’m human!> As though from a real rabbit that the wolf had accidentally chased. With how fast it had gone by Pete couldn’t tell if it was a real rabbit or a toy. He at least hoped it to be the latter, not wanting to think what it would be like for a poor prey animal in the presence of so many predators, safe or not. 

Still, Pete was taken aback by the massive wolf standing there, abruptly sitting down on his haunches and panting as though he’d just had a rather strenuous chase. <Oh, hey Sam!> Amy said, and Sam turned in greeting, panting tongue drooling as he got up and wagged his tail. Despite being rather large compared to the two domestic canines, Sam carried himself in the same way, as much a goofy canine as any others. It was almost heartwarming to know that wolves were so carefree, at least those who were Changed. 

<Hi!> Sam barked out, getting up and moving toward Pete’s backside, sniffing furiously. Unlike the first time, Pete allowed it, though part of his hesitation was from fear of the wolf, something he could not quite relax around.

Finally figuring out what the hell, Pete moved in to start sniffing Sam as he was being sniffed, finding the action more palatable to his canine self. Sam’s scent was a little musky, and thick, and carried with it nuances that Pete felt were overwhelming. But the more he sniffed, the more he came to understand the subtle hints he was getting under the surface. There were human scents present of course, likely a friend who had evidently recently eaten a sandwich. And the wolf himself was, of course, healthy and energetic. But there were several other species there as well, ones he couldn’t readily identify. Recalling a wolf named Sam who had been a former podcast host, Pete found himself wondering if he recognized two of the scents being of his co-hosts, a lion and a shiba inu. He imagined them sitting at the booth and talking in animal voices, something that only members of the Changed Community could understand but fun for them to try doing nonetheless. What kind of life the wolf lived was all there for Pete to discover, if only he could identify all the individual scents wafting from his backside, like really getting to know someone without words…

<Nice to meet you, Pete!> Sam called out, jarring Pete back to reality. Pete shook his head a few times, not wanting to make a show of it but figuring it was a moot point regardless. <Sorry, I have to go find my friend, I’ll see you later!> Sam said suddenly, sounding a little unfocused and ditzy, if Pete could put a moniker to it. Still, Sam took off with a speed that almost made the pitbull envious. The wolf was larger, with lean muscles, power, and grace that befit his form. Still, Pete found something appealing about the canine form in general, especially Amy’s, something Pete found a little embarrassing as he reflected on it. 

A need in his bladder soon took precedence, and Pete excused himself, not really sure where was best to pee from a canine standpoint. The scents of other canines’ urine were everywhere, and he was sure there was a hierarchy there somewhere that Pete had to adhere to. Still, the need was urgent, and eventually, he found a tree nearby that seemed to settle well with his canine inclinations. Sniffing for a moment, Pete raised his leg, prepared to do his business. Yet, a cry escaped his lips as his eyes settled on a black form in the tree above, causing his leg to slip and his urine to make a little mess. Pete was remiss to care, however, focused on what he was slow to realize was his second big cat that day. 

His action seemed to wake the cat, who looked down at him with what Pete could only distinguish as a look of amusement. <A miss. It happens from time to time. I’m sorry to find it so amusing. You should still clean yourself,> Chuffed the panther, his voice a little guttural and harder to understand. Pete wondered if it was a case of a cat’s vocal cords being different from his canine ears, but it was still unique from the way Sara spoke as much as he was aware. Almost as though he wasn’t speaking in a way that translated in his mind to English if such made any sense. 

<It is important to be clean, yes?> The panther repeated, and Pete found himself embarrassed. He had never done such a thing, not really paying attention to the way dogs did such things. Usually, he just left things be if there was an accident. He wanted to walk away, to hide his shame if such was possible. But there was a part of him that felt it was in his best interest to act the part of an animal. It was expected for him to be clean even if that meant licking at his piss-soaked fur. Wasn’t that how everyone here acted? 

With liquid grace, the panther jumped down, right in front of Pete, barely making a sound with his flat paws as he did so. <My name is Siegmar. Sorry, my English is not so good. I learned after I became a panther. It is more useful overseas, I have found. And there are more other cats in this country, who I wish to meet,> He said, and Pete found himself reflecting on the name, recalling it to be someone whose posts he had read. 

<Oh, you’re Siegmar from the forums? From Germany?> Pete asked, having followed the panther’s journey to the big cat sanctuary he likely still lived in. 

<Yes. It is always nice to meet a fan,> Siegmar said, before reaching up with a paw and starting to lick it with a thick, barbed tongue. <It is still important to be clean. You should take care of that,> he said, and Pete was brought back to the irritation on his leg, having almost dried but still detectable with his powerful nose. 

Pete took a moment to mull over the situation, thinking that as a cat, Siegmar likely cleaned himself much more meticulously than a dog like himself. It was a little weird he would suggest Pete act more like an animal, especially with something his human self found repulsive. He didn’t want the taste of piss on his tongue, more inclined to rub his leg on something to relieve the irritation. Still, he was not expecting Siegmar to suddenly lick up his back, making Pete open his mouth to bark at him to back off. But the sensation of the panther’s tongue was almost pleasant, like a massage.

<You should still clean yourself, especially in your crotch area. Everyone does it to be clean, and for pleasure, on occasion,> Siegmar said, with a directness that made Pete a little uncomfortable. Still, there was likely some truth in the words, as much as he didn’t want to know about the hygiene habits of animals. Especially when they no longer had hands to deal with them in more human ways. 

As though showing him how to do it, Siegmar got down on his ass, raising his leg and taking long, thick strokes over his inner thigh and crotch. As embarrassed as Pete felt, he couldn’t quite take his eyes off the sight. Siegmar was doing it so casually like there should be no shame in doing such publicly. Surely, most of the other Changed felt the same way, but could he really do such a thing?

Pete braced himself, getting down on his ass and raising his leg in an attempt to mimic him. Closing his eyes, Pete extended his tongue and started to lick the damp patches of his fur, and the areas around it for good measure. The taste was certainly present on his tongue, though far less complex than his nose would have him believe. In fact, it wasn’t actually that bad, not pleasant, of course, but nothing compared to what he was worried about. Pete even felt a little better with his fur licked clean, damp from his saliva rather than his pee. He could hardly even taste it after a while, and he looked up at the panther, barking out, <That wasn’t so bad, thanks!>

Siegmar simply grinned before opening his mouth in a too-wide feline yawn. <You’re welcome. Some things are hard even after so long, yes?>  Pete nodded, figuring there would be other things dogs did that he would grow accustomed to eventually if he could get over this.  

<If you’ll excuse me, I must look for my tiger,> He said, Pete wondering if he meant Sara. Siegmar was quick to run off, however, and looking back, Pete couldn’t see her familiar shape back at the dog park. She couldn’t have gone far, he reasoned, and figured it wasn’t surprising for two big cats to know each other. 

For once not being ashamed about what he had done, Pete went back himself, though stopped, not smelling or seeing Amy. After the encounter with the panther, he was a little shy about meeting new people, though figured there was little point in waiting too long, lest his day be wasted. Hesitating as he was, Pete hadn’t noticed he’d wandered toward the racing track. It was only the sound of hooves clopping toward him that made him pause before a rather large brown quarter horse nearly ran into his stationary form. Pete backed away slowly, not expecting to nearly be trampled by a horse, and a little shaken up beside. 

<Hey! Be careful! A track’s not a great place to stand still!> The horse chastised, and Pete felt his ears pulling back in shame. Having been lost in thought was not a safe endeavor, even in a park where everyone was having fun getting used to their new bodies. As much as he didn’t like being a dog, he didn’t want to get hurt, damnit!

<Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t looking,> Pete said, and the massive horse moved his muzzle down. The feeling of warm horse’s breath on his face relaxed him somewhat.

<No, I’m really sorry, I should have been looking where I was going, too. You are kinda small, though,> The horse replied, and Pete felt his ears prickling at that. 

<I mean, if you’re so big, you should watch where you’re going!> Pete retorted, and the horse seemed a little taken aback by that. Still, he remained apologetic, saying <Yeah, you’re right. I have a responsibility not to step on anyone smaller than me!> Which sounded sincere, though Pete couldn’t help but feel a little condescension from the words. He had to admit, it was quite the stance to take from a big smelly animal like a horse!

“Hey, honey! It’s going to start soon!” Came a man’s voice, and the horse’s ears pricked up at that, before apologizing once more and taking off toward the center of the field. There was a small crowd gathered there, and Pete couldn’t help but follow, albeit from a distance behind. Thankfully, he didn’t need to get too close to hear what people were saying, and the fact it seemed to be a ‘writer’s competition of some sort left him powerfully confused. How could any of the Changed Community write without hands? 

Walking over, Pete was a little surprised to see some familiar faces in the crowd, the panther from earlier having shown up there. Sara the tiger was there, and Sam, as well, though he seemed to look around confused a moment as though forgetting where he was before he abruptly took off. His head really was all over the place, it seemed, though Pete had no idea if that was a character trait developed since the Change or the way he always was. Pete found himself looking for Amy, but it didn’t seem she was present. At least if she was there, she could take over the introductions. Hell, it seemed she knew everyone, and Pete found himself wondering how much she visited the park. 

It seemed that the horse, whose name he overheard as being Dwayne, was using a pointer with his muzzle, something he seemed to wield with more skill than one might expect from a human-turned-animal. He was writing on a screen large enough for everyone to see, going off a series of prompts people in the crowd were calling out. It seemed to be some sort of challenge, and the horse was not the only one competing. Pete couldn’t see it until he got closer, but it seemed as though a small fox was jumping over her own keypad, a smaller screen also displaying her words. It was a little slow for both of them and time-consuming, but Pete found himself interested nonetheless. 

<Have him take off his clothes!> Someone called out, and it took Pete a moment to realize they were talking about the story prompt. Were they writing something of an adult nature? It was hard to make out with his canine vision, but the words he took his lover in a passionate embrace, pulling up his shirt and rubbing the spreading fur underneath… gave credence to the fact the horse was writing something erotic. Perhaps something akin to Shape Shifter fiction, something Pete was sure his wife read on occasion. He didn’t need to read the fox’s page to know they were working on the same prompts. It was likely a competition of sorts, one that Pete found rather interesting and unexpected, even in a place like this. 

<Oh, hi Pete!> Came a familiar bark, and Pete felt his tail wagging as Amy came over. <Are you enjoying the show? Those two starting to come here to take writing prompts a couple of days a week. It’s not always adult stuff if that’s not your jam. But it’s funny, they seem to like writing about people turning into animals. Weird, right? But I guess they have first-hand experience!> 

Pete wasn’t sure what to think about it. Part of him felt he should stay and watch, viewing first-hand an example of how others had adapted to their circumstances and literally made the best of a bad circumstance. But with Amy here…he wasn’t sure if it was time for him to take the initiative, so to speak. He’d wanted to since the notion had been implanted in his head last time. Bracing himself, Pete moved to Amy’s backside, tail wagging all the while. She paused, partially in canine fashion and partly out of a human curiosity as her tail raised and Pete braced himself. Taking a deep whiff, Pete was once more hit with a barrage of information, things he had no words for but seemed to light up some canine center in his brain. He could tell her age (adult, though not old) her health (good) what she’d eaten recently (one of Sara’s treats?) And…wait, had she…gone down on herself? Pete backed away from that, feeling embarrassed. Sure, he’d done so himself, but did that mean every dog would know if he, too…?

<Like what you smell?> Amy said with a bit of a chuckle, and Pete felt he would blush if he could. <I…I’m…Sam did it before, and…>

<Sorry, I didn’t mean to tease! It’s good! It means a lot to a dog, better than sitting down and chatting for an hour, am I right?> Amy said, and with that, she moved to sniff Pete as well. This time Pete allowed it, feeling her goose him and unable to stifle his embarrassment over it. Still, it was a rather informative moment, something Pete could not have expected but something that seemed to sit well with him. 

Suddenly, Amy took off, leaving Pete confused as to what was going on. It wasn’t until the sight of a disk spinning through the air caught his attention that he understood why Amy was dashing toward it with such vigor. With her running start, Amy leaped into the air, mouth open and teeth clamping on the frisbee as she landed on the ground, wagging her tail and looking as proud as a dog could for her victory.

<Rrrou rrrhould rrry rrrrhis!> Amy tried to speak with her mouth full of frisbee before she ran back to the human who had thrown it. He reached down to pet her ears though paused at the last second in a show of respect to the former human. Rather than being upset by the gesture, Amy simply barked, prompting him to reach down once more and rub her ears, something she leaned into eagerly.

Amy was quick to run back toward Pete, tongue lolling out of her mouth as she did so. <Hey, did you want to take a turn? Try it, it’s fun!> She offered, and Pete looked at the man with some nervousness. It was silly, he knew, but he felt uncomfortable at the prospect of looking like a fool as he chased after a frisbee, especially if he missed. But if he was being honest with himself, there was nothing to be lost by trying. Reflexively, he wriggled his haunches, as though a sign for the man to throw it for him

As worried as he was about making the jump, Pete almost missed when the man threw it until it was already sailing through the air. Pete took off, head turned to map its trajectory, something that his canine brain managed quite easily. He had to admit, there was something exhilarating about the chase, triggering some unfamiliar canine instinct in his mind. He was hardly bothered by that, rather enjoying the feeling of wind through his fur as he ran, waiting for his moment. He wasn’t sure about his ability to jump, his legs smaller than Amy’s own but figuring he should at least make an attempt. And the spinning disk was almost there, so close that if he jumped, then maybe, just maybe…

A gust of wind and a cloud of gray and brown fur nearly caused Pete to bowl over before he could jump. He was just in time to turn around to the snap of jaws on plastic as Sam landed on all four paws, looking proud with a frisbee in his maw. Wagging his tail, he glanced around, seeing Amy dash toward him, almost radiating rage. Sam likely thought it was all just a game, and he bolted, as though daring the two dogs to chase him for his prize. And when all was said and done, it really was just a game, one that Pete found himself rather excited to be in on!

The two of them chased the much faster wolf, dashing across the grass with a speed that Pete didn’t know he could match. Though he was still out of shape, the walks had been doing him wonders, and it was nice to run all out, tearing after the wolf with playful energy. What had seemed like Amy being angry at Sam for ruining Pete’s jump turned into an exhilaration all on its own as the three of them chased. They barely cared where they were going as some of the gathered Changed looked on with interest. It was the most free Pete had ever felt, and he was left to revel in the exhilaration with his canine brethren. 

Pete barely had time to stop before he hit his head across the metal bar of the jungle gym area, looking around a little dazed. Sam, freebie still in mouth, went to turn at the sound when he smacked into one of the poles himself. Pete couldn’t help but bark out a laugh at Sam’s goofy antics, assuming he didn’t hurt himself. Sam stood up shaking his head frantically, looking a little dizzy but no worse for wear. With that, he soon bounded off again, leaving the frisbee or likely forgetting that he’d even had one in the first place. 

Pete went to follow before the sound of a thud up above distracted him. Looking up, a rather impressive leap from a tiger sailing over him left him to pause. Scared at first, Pete was rather soon impressed by the skill at which Sara could leap, covering nearly the entirety of the gym in one go. Siegmar, the panther, was also with her, showing no less prowess as he, too, landed beside her. The liquid grace at which they moved was almost enviable, though their size likely came with its own trials.

The steady clopping of hooves made Pete assume the writer’s show was over by now as he turned around. Dwight’s smell was familiar now, as strong as a horse’s scent was. It wasn’t a bad smell, though very distinct, and Pete found its nuances to be rather interesting to his canine senses. 

<Well, they might look cool as fuck, but they can’t outrun me!> Dwight boasted, flicking his mane in a show of dominance. 

The fox, Caithe, jumped off his back just then. <Well, actually, Dwight, a tiger can run all out at a speed of-> Caithe started, but before she could finish, Dwight was off with a clatter of hooves. She gave him an oddly incredulous look coming from a fox, though moved to follow him, likely in the hope that he would get over himself and slow down. 

<Oh hey! It was nice to see you have some fun!> Came Amy’s voice, and Pete looked up to see her walking over with a human in tow. Her smell was somewhat familiar, though it took Pete a moment to recognize where he’d scented it. The woman’s touch had been on Amy’s fur, likely her owner or former relative and current caretaker. 

<This is my sister, Cassie,> Amy started, by way of introduction. However, she was interrupted by the sound of a thud as Sara dropped from below, startling the woman. Having likely not seen the tiger up close before, it was obvious she was a little intimidated, even knowing she was once human, too. 

Sara seemed to get the same sense, immediately getting down and rolling over on her belly. The sight seemed rather intriguing, and Amy’s sister looked down, almost tempted to pet her. Given she was on her back, rolling over as might any other cat, Sara was likely inviting her for belly rubs. <This one’s free,> Sara growled to Amy, though Pete wasn’t sure what she meant by that. Still, Cassie seemed to get the message, leaning down and rubbing the tiger’s belly, much to the enjoyment of them both. 

Seeing the other big cat getting some attention, Siegmar jumped down as well, gently rubbing against the woman’s leg though not hard enough to knock her over. She giggled at that, reaching down to scratch him behind the ears. <It’s good, yes?> Siegmar said, though the tone he used was not his usual gruff speech. Pete wondered if he was using a different feline intonation, not a pur exactly but likely the big cat equivalent. Either way, it seemed to make Amy’s sister giggle, trying to rub both cats at the same time without falling over, a feat she was barely able to achieve.

Feeling emboldened, Pete walked over to her as well, wagging his tail in an obvious bid for attention. It took Cassie a few minutes to notice, fair enough with the unique experience of getting to pet not one but two big cats at once. Though with a bark of encouragement from Amy, Pete was able to get the attention he found himself surprised to be craving. Cassie looked at him with a gentle expression, not with indignation as many humans who saw him as just a dog were inclined to do. And Pete was OK to allow pets for the first time in his canine life, enjoying the rather pleasant sensation of being scratched behind the ears. It was almost heaven, making his hind leg shake a little against his better inclinations. 

It didn’t last long, of course, given the sheer number of Changed Persons present. Caithe was inclined to try her hand as well, moving in and yipping in her vulpine tone, saying <Me next!> Cassie was all too happy to pet her, too, despite the overwhelming presence of so many Changed People around her. Pete felt a little put out, though if he was being honest with himself, it was nothing personal. Not everything had to do with him, after all, and each of those here had undergone some vast degree of hardship to get to where they had been. 

Still, watching Caithe and even Dwight coming up with his sweaty horse body asking for rubs was a bit of a hilarious sight. All of these former people, jostling for pets like it was the most important thing in the world. And even Pete had to admit there was some truth in that, at how good it felt to be given physical affection. Linda never so much as touched him, though at first, Pete would have been angry at her for such derogatory treatment. But having experienced it now, and if it came from a place of love, then…

<At first, it was easier pretending to be my sister’s pet,> Amy said, wagging her tail and moving over to rub against Pete’s cheek. <She was really supportive even during the change. Didn’t even care that it might affect her as well, though at that stage we aren’t contagious anyway. She said she’d always look after me, even though I was the older one, and I was able to accept my new lot in life because of her. It’s a little weird, I admit, to be a dog, though she doesn’t treat me like one, even if she has to care for me. I couldn’t ask for a better life, though I can’t tell her anymore. I think she knows, though,> Amy ended, and Pete nodded his agreement.

<Better than I had it,> Sara chimed in with her gruff voice. <At least, during the change. Mine only took about a week or so. It’s usually months, and save for the first few cases, people knew what was going on. I didn’t. Imagine my surprise when I realized I was turning into a tiger, with no help or clue what was happening! Thankfully, I had some friends to take me in…there was no big cat sanctuary back then,> Sara said, and Pete found himself wishing to hear more. Surely, there was an entire story there all of its own!

<I was lucky there was a big cat sanctuary in America by the time the rest of my changes started,> Siegmar said, chiming in. <For several months, I had only fur and a tail. I lamented them, even if the changes were done. Either way, I hated that I would be stuck with them. I guess not so bad, with what others have experienced. Knowing I might eventually become a panther and there was no place for me to live there, Sara found me online and helped me move. It has been trying, but things are better now, as much as they can be,> Siegmar said, nuzzling Sara a little as he did so. 

<Mine only took a few weeks,> Sam said, chiming in. <All three of us changed at about the same rate, though at least we had each other. Honestly, not bad forms for us all, really. I love being a wolf! It’s awesome!> He said, running around in a circle. It seemed that, after a moment, he was chasing his tail, as though he had no idea he had one and was discovering it for the first time.

<Oh? You’re talking about how long it took to change? Sorry. I forget if it was a week or a month,> Caithe chimed in, walking around as though looking bored. Dwayne snorted in her direction before Caithe wriggled her hips and jumped into his back. 

<Mine was months. It was rough. Trying to type with hooves was hard. I mean, I always kinda wondered what it would be like to be an animal, you know when I was younger and that. Turns out, not so easy. And smelly,> Dwayne said, and the rest of them got a chuckle from that. <It was hard, but I had my boyfriend with me, and it helped that we bonded over transformation before it all happened. It really was nice having him to, well, I probably shouldn’t say too much,> Dwight said, and if a horse could blush, Pete would be sure he was blushing. 

Having been the only person not to speak up so far, Pete figured he would be asked eventually. Still, it was a bit of a shock when Amy abruptly asked him <How about you, Pete?> 

<Oh, ummm…about two months, I think. I-> Pete started, unsure of how much he should actually get into. His story was so…different than anyone else’s 

Thankfully, the sound of Cassie calling out stopped him from finishing. “Hey sis, I have to run some errands before we get home, and the stores are going to close soon,” Cassie said, and Amy barked out <See you guys later!> As she ran after her sister, Pete almost breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed as though all these new faces, while he didn’t know their full stories, had experienced things without some of the hardships he had gone through. Would things have been better for him if Pete had been more assertive? He had no way to know, but it was impossible not to kick himself a little for his own role in his suffering. 

Later in the day as it was, everyone soon had to get ready to go their separate ways. Sam’s friend Doosker came to give him a ride, Sam happily ran around because he would get to stick his head out the car window. Dwayne’s boyfriend stopped by with a saddle and bridle, Dwight allowing it to be fashioned around him before getting on and riding away, though not without a gentle kiss to his horsey lips. Caithe was abruptly picked up by an unknown woman, one who gave her a kiss on the forehead before they left. Finally, Sara and Siegmar bid farewell to head back to the sanctuary, and Pete was left alone to wait for Linda, a little sad now that his friends had left for the day.

Still, after such a successful time hanging out and meeting some new friends, Pete was well inclined to visit the park as much as he could, or, at least, as much as Linda would allow him. It was nice to get to know the park’s regular attendees, and even to match identities to online names he had been following for months. Sara, for example, went by Ember online, and she posted frequently, often trying to sell her homemade wares with Changed Persons in mind. She would always have her saddle bag on, and sometimes carried a sign with her, offering pets and belly rubs for a small charge. It seemed to work; many people were curious about touching an animal they would otherwise never get to experience. Given she apparently had a generous stipend from work, Pete found such persistent efforts perplexing, but he supposed if it gave her something to do, then there was no point in questioning it any further. 

Siegmar, the panther, often posted as well, using a translator app as he came from Germany and English was never a language he’d picked up fluently. He was always trying to encourage Changed felines to approach him, not only locally but online as well. Naturally, he’d had difficulties coming to terms with being a cat and hating those more repulsive aspects of animal life. But having come to love it now, there was no reason, in his mind, that he couldn’t help others to do the same. Pete felt his ears droop at that, not sure what to think about another Changed Person who took so well to being an animal. Yet, it was such a universal constant among the park residents that there had to be something to it he was missing.

Then there was the wolf from earlier, Sam, though never seemed to stick around too long to talk about himself. Pete was excited to learn that Sam was, indeed, one of the podcasters he’d heard before their changes took them off the air. When asked about it, Sam had taken a few moments to think it over, before saying <Oh, yeah, we’re coming back soon! Stay tuned!> And took off again, once more to meet with someone. Looking him up, Pete discovered he was a bit of a game streamer as well, though now it was mostly turned-based-strategy games, as much as they were easier to work with paws. Still, Pete was eager to follow ‘Samuel Apolp Wuffo’ whenever his show came back!

Dwyane the horse had an interesting story as well, being relatively newly Changed and visiting with his boyfriend, who had stayed with him through the process. He had been a freelance fiction writer before, and while it was harder to type with hooves, he found a way to manage it, albeit at a much slower pace. Still, given his smaller fan base while he was human, the change had been a boon to his infamy. He was not only able to continue writing after being turned into a horse but to produce content that was enjoyed by a much wider audience for its quality as well. As much as he didn’t like to read on his iPad, hurting his eyes as sometimes as it did, Pete had to admit they were pretty good, even the erotic ones. Apparently, he had an online pen name before his change. However, he had settled back into his actual name since there was no way to hide his identity as the only writing horse on the planet. Pete wanted to look it up to read the former man’s stories, but he couldn’t find the man’s pen name, much to his disappointment. 

The fox, Caithe, was also a writer, the two of them having met over their shared careers and status as writing animals. She was known for a more fantasy element to her erotic stories, though the adult nature of the stories was the draw, and hardly something she shied away from even after having turned into a fox. She, too, had an online published database, and she also went by the same name online, making Pete wonder if it was a pen name she decided to take up full-time. Either way, it was impressive she would keep up such a profession, even to the point of gaining some notoriety for her unique circumstances. 

And, of course, there was Amy, someone whose online name was familiar to him once he’d learned it, BitchMaster27. She, of everyone he’d met, seemed to take to the change in a way that made it seem better than her humanity. Having a shitty desk job, being sexually harassed, and coming from an abusive marriage, life as a dog gave her a freedom she could have never otherwise known. And being here with her fellow Changed, to literally run and play all day with the freedom of being an animal…it seemed to mean more to her than anything in the world. A stance that Pete found almost enviable. If it was that easy to get used to being a dog, then maybe he was simply being too hard on himself. 

Still, as he spent more time among other Changed persons, Pete found he was slowly starting to get the hang of being a dog. Most days were spent running after each other, playing with balls and sticks and frisbees when humans were present, or chewing and rope toys with the other canines at other times. Regular competitions were frequently sent up, such as for them to sniff out a series of challenges with a food reward at the end. It was almost like training of sorts, and there were rumors that job offers would come up for sniffing out things like drugs or the like, but that was neither here nor there, as it were. 

It was rewarding if not a little demeaning to be given treats, not dog treats, but they were tasty nonetheless. Pete was aware from his own meals that canines preferred things on the bland side, and was thankful he was being fed lightly cooked foods and not dog food, something he was sure he wouldn’t be able to stomach. But he had to admit, it was fun playing with his new friends, competing with them and even winning a few rounds, much to the encouragement of Amy. 

Given the frequent chances he had to revel in his new self, over the next few months, Pete found his hope for the future starting to rise. He still disliked some aspects of being a dog, even as much as his contemporaries seemed to enjoy it. Relieving himself outside without being able to wipe, eating without hands, and not being able to talk to humans directly were among the facets he forced himself to accept, especially knowing these would be part of him for the rest of his life. Still, things he once found repulsive like butt-sniffing were something Pete was coming to appreciate. And other things he soon found more use in the way canines went about them. Even though he could talk to canines in a more human-like way through barks and whines, most of the newly changed dogs preferred to communicate with body language.

Something that still did not sit well with Pete was interactions with other humans. While he did not experience the same level of speciesism or outright hatred that other animals did, being a canine did come with its own series of troubles. The least of all was having people coming up to him constantly, for one reason or another. Often it was to check for a collar, with the threat of calling a public servant to remove him if it was missing. But even if they saw the collar marking him as human, he would be touched, petted, and played with against his will. Worse, they would often talk down to him as though he was a common pet, something that was degrading and a constant reminder he was a dog and to stay that way for the foreseeable future. And Pete just had to let it happen, growls of protest seen as a hostel act. Still, when he knew the person petting him, especially someone so good at it like Amy’s sister, Pete found himself leaning into it. It made him whine and shake his leg in a way that might have embarrassed him once but no longer seemed to, watching other canines acting the same way. 

Things at home were even starting to get a little better, at least at first. Linda seemed to notice her husband’s uplifted spirits and even invited him to sleep on the bed for the first time since he had changed. They did not make love or anything of the sort, Pete was down to try oral at least though Linda was obviously disgusted. Still, it was nice to go for walks with her, and Linda would sometimes talk about her day, movies she’d watched while he was at the park, and generally treating him less like an animal. Pete wasn’t sure, but being out of the house and not having to see what she had lost every day might have contributed to her bolstered mood. After all, it was the first time the two of them finally had separate lives since the pandemic. Hell, Pete even smelled some new humans on her, both male and female and was happy for her to be making friends as much as he was. Of course, there was no way for him to know where that would lead their relationship going forward…

******

As the months turned into the first year, and beyond, Pete was starting to see the world changing as a result of the virus, even as the masks came off and people went to return to their lives as they knew them before. A myriad of new amenities came with Changed Persons in mind, products marketed specifically for them to aid in their new lives. One such advancement was the growls-to-speech collars that were becoming widely available for everyone’s use. The collars used muzzle movements to translate to human speech were almost made mandatory as soon as they were on the market. As much as Linda lamented the cost, it was something she eventually gave in to purchase for him. Pete was, reluctantly, able to speak to her once more. It made interactions at home more fruitful, as much time as it took for him to get used to the slower speech patterns that they required. It also served him much better when he was out and about, not only able to talk to passersby if needed but being able to communicate with the guides at the park was welcome. Still, he was more inclined to turn the collar off when with his friends, their animal speak and body language far more efficient than using the robotic tones. 

Of course, Pete still frequently visited the forums on his iPad, which even after a year and a half since their inception, were still alive and well. Knowing so many others were going through the same thing was cathartic, as much as was spending time with his new friends at the park. There were very few cases of those being infected with the Zoomorphic virus changing these days, but it was not impossible, and the threads were occasionally frequented by those still scared of changing and what their new lives would be like. Things were getting better for the Changed Community on the whole, however, and this time the posts weren’t so dower. Stories about success and thriving among the Changed were inspiring enough that even Pete didn’t view things so bleakly anymore. 

Recently, some major headway had come from the scientific community on how the virus came to work through its hosts. Though it was once thought that those spared from a full transformation would be stable with their minor changes, as of late that was not the case. Any who showed a modicum of animalistic attributes would eventually be cursed to change into their new form. The delayed effect, something that Pete kept his eyes on as reports were released, was thought to have the potential to change back those who were initially affected. Still, with nothing promising to show for it as of late, Pete had resigned himself to likely remain a dog forever. It was something he overall lamented though something he was leaning to come to terms with a little bit day by day. He had no choice, wanting to go on in life regardless of what that looked like.

To his surprise, new research on the virus and how it infected and changed host cells came with another startling implication. Evidently, it was not only possible to isolate specific DNA strands from animals within the virus itself but to inject them into a willing host and change them into an animal of their choosing. Such a process hadn’t been reported as being successfully performed yet, though there were likely volunteers in talks for such a treatment. It was a source of controversy among news outlets, with some people wanting to be an animal and opting for that technology to be purchasable on the market. Naturally, there was even some consumer demand for partial changes, a variety of aesthetic alterations, like claws, teeth, tails, or animal eyes. But such specific technology was still in the development stages, and mostly likely irreversible. It thus created a controversy about whether people should be allowed the chance to change their lives in such a permanent way. Of course, objections included burdening the taxpayers by using the same government-funded facilities as those who had been changed against their will. It was a developing story and something Pete couldn’t help but keep his eyes on, no matter how much it didn’t apply to him. 

The entertainment industry was also inclined to get in on the attention drawn by the Changed Community. A new slew of TV shows and other media sporting members of the Changed Community were becoming more commonplace in recent months, something Pete found himself oddly interested in. One of the most prominent personalities was a former human now goat on a popular evening news show, one that he had, naturally, been absent from during the course of his change. But once his speech collar had been acquired, he returned with his former co-host, taking to his former job with ease and greatly increasing ratings, much to the excitement of the Changed Community. It was another beacon of hope, a relatively minor one, but one many held onto nonetheless. 

Even with as much going on in the world at large, Pete was inclined to spend as much time in the park as possible. There was something to be said for living in the now, finding companionship in the other visitors and getting to know them better. After he was given his collar, Pete was able to go on his own, thankful for the freedom to do so. It had been getting harder and harder for him to muster up the courage to ask Linda lately. Especially since after one walk when he had no choice but to relieve himself, and Linda had to pick up after it without having doggie bags on hand or the like. She chewed him out the entire time, though Pete hardly had the ability to hold it in, canine as he was, and had been too excited to go in the morning as he usually did. Regardless, he felt it was better to go for walks on his own, despite the inconveniences of being a dog and out and about. He was not as obviously one of the Changed Community as much as some of the more exotic species moving through the streets, which came with some troubles of its own. But it was worth it for the brief autonomy that he was finally being granted.

Recently, a new topic of discussion came to the forefront of his friend group. It was one that Pete found a little uncomfortable at first but one that made him reflect on things as time went on. Sexual arousal for Changed Persons was far different for humans, not the least of which due to periods of heat that females often went through at annoyedly frequent intervals without easy ways to alleviate it. Naturally, some of the other Changed Persons had found mates within their own new species, and even Dwight had met someone on the human side, who was planning on becoming an anthropomorphic horse when such was possible. They had dated over their shared love of transformation, and while Pete wasn’t one to just what consenting adults got up to, he had to figure things would be much better with both of them in some sort of equine form. Sara thankfully had Siegmar, who was of the right stature to fit the bill. Even being separate species, they were still able to consummate things during her periods of heat, something Sara found very welcome, and had blossomed into a relationship. It was amazing that even after their lives were upended as they were, people were still able to find love and forge meaningful relationships. 

Pete, however, was still married, and as much as the idea of some of the bitches in heat seemed to appeal to his new sensibilities, he would not cheat, even if Linda was never there to find out. Still, their scents often drew his penis to bear, regardless of if he wanted it to or not. After seeing some of the other Changed people…dealing with their new needs, it was less embarrassing for him to get down himself, lifting his leg and teasing his cock. Though the taste was a little off-putting at first, the pleasure it gave him soon allowed him to overcome any trepidation of such. 

It was not the first time he’d tried playing with himself, of course. The first few times were more out of boredom than anything, slightly aroused as one sometimes grew and figured what the hell. The taste hadn’t been too bad, and what man hadn’t wondered at one time or another what it was like to go down on himself? It was…OK, he supposed, to cum like that, not anything too far removed from his humanity. It was also pleasant to have a rather capable tongue teasing him besides! Yet, it was something he’d ceased doing in the house, having been caught after that first time by his wife. “What the hell are you doing?! You’re just some stupid mutt!” She had yelled, and Pete’s canine member had quickly gone back into its sheath at that. He had not received his collar by that point, though even if he did have the ability to speak, he wasn’t sure what he’d say in his defense. It was too embarrassing acting like a dog and being degraded for it, reminding him of all he had lost. 

Yet, in the past few months, Pete had come to accept that aspect of his canine side, at least while at the park where she couldn’t see. And as of late, there were more than a few of the regular park inhabitants giving in to their urges to mate. Even Amy was not immune, coming to the park wearing what looked like a canine diaper for a few days to make things less difficult for others. <Don’t ask,> She muttered, clearly annoyed by her circumstance. Pete decided not to press her, though wondered if it was the first time she’d worn such a thing. 

Still, the effect female pheromones had on his libido gave rather mixed messages that Pete found difficult to parse through. He soon found himself wishing he had someone to talk to about the conflicting feelings, someone who would properly understand. Pete had no control over how his body reacted to such stimuli, after all. And any Changed canine in heat spurred on the same reaction, as his male canine body was evolved to do. But there was something about Amy, especially, that was on his mind, to the point he imagined what it would be like to…but no. He wouldn’t cheat on Linda as much as they were different species now. Even if they were different species with different needs…

Of course, Pete was not the only one in similar circumstances, and he was both excited and nervous about how some people still in marriages dealt with the differences in their species. While some people remained in love with their Changed partners, they understood their partner’s needs had altered, too. Some even created a culture around it, a Changed Person’s swingers community for consenting adults that was well-active and advertised in adult-friendly spaces. Pete found himself powerfully conflicted over that knowledge. On the one hand, his growing friendship with Amy left him feeling…well, he didn’t want to assume anything. But with his marriage still in place and his desire to keep things on the level with his wife, he decided it was for the best not to pursue anything. After all, Linda had looked after him both personally and financially, and despite their hardships, she hadn’t thrown him out on the street for being infected. Not all Changed People had it so lucky, he knew. 

Still, the more he thought about it, the more Pete found the idea appealing, especially since so many Changed Persons were partaking, many having not had regular sex since they were infected. Yet, he had no idea how to even consider broaching the subject with his wife. Surely, she would see the merits in such, having no interest in him sexually. And there were plenty of canine women wanting to explore their sexuality, at least if what Sam said was true. <I say you should go for it. Heat’s a bitch. Pardon the pun,> Sara had suggested, and Pete blushed, knowing she had her own partner. Sam was quick to agree with the idea as well, often playing with Changed canines of all varieties. And while Pete wanted to ask Amy for her advice, something was unnerving about the prospect of talking to her, specifically. 

Yet, it was obvious from the onset that Linda wouldn’t be amenable to the idea. “What the hell Pete?!” Linda had yelled at him, as though she had been slapped in the face at the mere suggestion. 

“Well. Some. of. The. Others. Have. Swingers. Parties. And…”

“So you’re fucking cheating on me now?!” Linda declared, outraged. “Would you let me have a man? You’re not the only fucking one around here with needs! I haven’t been touched since…” Her voice trailed off at that, and Pete swore he detected some change in either her heart rate or scent that made him question the words. Still, with how angry she had become, there was little point in pushing it.

“If. You. Asked. Me. About. It. Maybe. Not. If. You. Act. Like. That.” Pete said, hating how the mechanical voice of his collar made it impossible for him to convey emotion the way he was used to. 

“Why don’t you go lie down? That’s all you do lately, anyway,” Linda chided, going to the fridge for a glass of wine. It was her usual go-to post argument lately, and Pete almost lamented the fact he couldn’t drink, alcohol more toxic to his canine body. Still, more often than not, Pete could smell it on her so strongly that it almost made him drunk. He wanted to bring it up, but thought it was best he left it there for the night. And with the guilt he felt over even asking in the first place, he didn’t think he had a leg to stand on, so to speak. 

Things with Linda in the past few months had already been heated, to the point she even seemed overly annoyed with his mere presence. At first, it was little things like sighs of irritation when she had to feed him, or random glares she likely assumed he didn’t notice. She was starting to treat everything she had to do for him as a chore. Despite the joy he’d finally started to feel from being an animal, it all came back to everything he had put his wife, and his marriage through as a result. He was a dog, of course, and despite his stipend, was barely contributing to the house. He couldn’t clean, cook, or do dishes, and wasn’t even providing any additional income. Hell, he was spending all his time at the park playing, when Linda was slaving at home. Such allowed those feelings of loathing over becoming a dog in the first place to resurface. Pete was left greatly ashamed, feeling down more often than not, and even losing motivation to visit his friends. 

This led back to the current day, another one where Pete found it was easier to stay in the backyard miserable. If he was out having fun, surely it would only leave her resentment to grow. Not that she liked having him in the house sleeping while she cleaned, mind. But it could always be worse, as he was coming to accept with each passing day. From his place in the backyard, going back to sleep, he was left to think about everything that had led him to this point. It was perhaps worse that for a brief moment in time, things were looking up, and he’d found some new purpose for his changed life. Yet, with more and more days like this one, it was obvious there was not meant to be a light at the end of the tunnel for his story.

Things were soon to get even worse between them, though for entirely different reasons. Their fights over money, something that had always been a point of contention, came to a head as Pete learned of all the ways that his Changed friends were able to spend their stipends. Of course, there were creators like Sara who offered saddlebags and a variety of other goods for personal use that Changed Persons were grateful for. And there were a myriad of special treats, toys, and other ease-of-use amenities that were marketed especially for the Changed. Surely, some of the money he received from his stipend would be sufficient for such luxuries. Yet, any time he brought it up, Linda recused him for his selfishness. Being able to talk with the collar made things worse, even the fact he owned it was enough to start a fight over how much it had cost her. 

One other hindrance on Pete’s end was being unable to look at their finances himself. It was something he was not even privy to given she had his power of attorney for any medical ailment. As much as he knew, being Changed technically qualified as a disability. And he had agreed to it at the time, before knowing about all the advantages that would be commercially available for his state of being in the years after the pandemic. But it was hard for him to hire an attorney without access to his funds, and any attempts to talk to Linda about such led to avoidance or outright fights. It was not something he longed to repeat, and soon, he dropped the issue altogether, leaving his ire to fester.

Still, some of the signals his canine body provided left him to grow concerned. The more he reflected on it, the more Pete came to the conclusion that Linda was hiding something from him, be it about finances or something else. She adamantly denied this, of course, assuring Pete they still had bills to pay. Pete didn’t say anything further, though was suspicious given his improved ability to interpret the scents that came with lying. His ears just as easily detected an increase in heart rate that came whenever they talked about financial matters. Still, he couldn’t confront her without proof and was left to lament his circumstances every time his friends discussed their own acquisitions.

With his ire building for some time, things came to a head one day when she informed him she would be cutting down on quality food for him to save money. “You. Get. All. My. Money. And. You. Can’t. Even. Feed. Me?” Pete declared, wishing not for the first time that the collar allowed his true intonations to come through. 

“What the fuck?! You’ve put on a ton of weight lying around like a lazy dog! You could use the diet!” Linda scolded, and Pete felt himself shrink back, as though her words were a hot iron. 

“I’m. Not. A. Dog. I’m. Your. Husband.” Pete declared, unable to express his hurt over the slap to the face. 

Even though this particular fight had happened early morning, Linda immediately went for the wine. “No, you’re a dog! If you didn’t have that fucking collar, no one would know the difference!” She spat, spilling some on the floor. 

“You. Can’t. Do. That. Legally.” Pete retorted, enraged though hardly enough to make it come through the collar. All it did was serve to remind him of all he lacked in his new body. Maybe, in some ways, Linda was right…

“FUCK!” Linda screamed, jarring him as she ran out of the room. Pete lamented the fact he wasn’t able to leave of his own power, as much as he wanted to go cool off. Without Linda to open the front door for him, he really was stuck inside like an invalid. 

A new fight topic soon came to light from Pete’s enjoyment of watching TV shows featuring Changed Persons. The fact there were alternative ways for Changed Persons to make money did not escape Linda’s notice. She would, not subtly, inquire about why he couldn’t be doing some of the jobs other Changed canines were able to acquire. Things like mail carrying, guide dog, and a variety of other minor careers were technically possibilities, though nothing was within Pete’s skill set. His hesitation not only further pissed Linda off, but left Pete to lament his laziness as well, given that he had not contributed to the household in some time. Having been content to watch the world go by, his lack of purpose was starting to grate on him. It even grew to the point he wasn’t sure what he was doing, or why he should keep going in the first place, though he would never voice such. 

“Enough is enough, Pete. All you do is go to that fucking park. Hardly better than lying on the floor all day. You won’t have the floor to lie on if we lose the house!” Linda had spat one day, turning off the TV and putting the remote high up where Pete couldn’t reach it. 

“I’m. Making. Friends. And. Connections.” Was Pete’s reply, much more calmly through the collar than he felt. 

“Are those connections helping to pay the bills?” Linda retorted. At least she didn’t have the wine glass this time, though he was sure she would go for it eventually.

“They. Could. I’ll. Ask.” Pete replied, thinking back to the various money-making schemes Sara always boasted about. 

“Well, then, why haven’t you done that already?!” Linda chastised, with Pete feeling hurt. It was raining that day, and as much as he didn’t want to get wet and knew the park would be vacant, he longed to go, if only to get out of the house. 

The next day he was able to go, his friends were more than happy to provide ideas. <Well, there are tons of different things, really. You just have to be creative. Heck, I can probably get you to help with some of mine! People get a little antsy when they hear a tiger roaring to get their attention, but a dog barking? I have the signs and everything, but my human friends can’t always make it out, and even though it’s pretty well advertised there’s a Changed tiger around…> Sara continued, though Pete wasn’t really listening. Sure, her ideas might be the solution to his problems but…would they really, though? 

<Hey, we can have you on the Podcast!> Sam chimed, having gotten it up and running in the interim. Yet, it seemed he wasn’t really getting the hint that Pete was looking for paid work, and as fun as it might be, he had other struggles to contend with.

<Hey, how are you doing?> Amy asked once they had some privacy, clearly able to smell his depression even if he wasn’t so obviously mopey. Pete almost thought he should answer honestly, finding it harder to hide things from them. But in the end, Pete decided all he could say was <Trouble at home. It’ll all work out.>. He did make a point to get back to Sara about an assistant’s position, not the best in the long term but certainly better than nothing!

“I. Think. I. Found. Work.” Pete told his wife that night, though rather than be happy for him, or thankful he could bring in some extra money, Linda simply said “OK.” Pete figured it was better than nothing, and left it at that.

Having hoped the news would smooth things over at home, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Linda was drinking more, and would often black out, sleeping most of the day away and forgetting to leave the door open. Pete was lonely, not able to go to the park as much as he wished. That left him spending more time online with his iPad, and daydreaming about the better lives many of his friends were living. Of all the things to happen to him…what was he doing with his life? Despite all the advantages that Changed Persons were granted…it felt to Pete like a gift had been presented to him, only to be washed away by his own paws. 

Linda’s lack of motivation as of late was growing more troublesome, so much so she often missed shifts at work and was threatened with being fired. And as much as she had been lax with taking care of Pete’s needs as of late, things had gotten even worse. Remembering to let him out to use the backyard was a chore, something she lambasted the few times he had to wake her up. And that said nothing for her allowing him the chance to leave through the front door. With their fenced-in backyard lacking a doggie door, Pete could not access the world beyond, much less the park. Hell, there were weeks on end when Linda forgot to open the front door, and Pete eventually stopped asking, not wanting to piss her off and depressed about his fate beside. What would his friends think of the sorry mess he’d become? He couldn’t bear to face them like this! 

Even when Linda forgot to prepare food for him, Pete was slow to ask her to do it, sometimes missing several meals in a row. It simply added to his despair, reminding him of all he had lost without his hands and autonomy. There were times Pete didn’t think he even deserved it, being a burden on Linda these past two years and ruining her life. They hadn’t had the best marriage, but with the possibility of a long life together, kids, and promising careers, it would at least be theirs. And even though their marriage vows called for them to care for each other in sickness and in health, how could he expect her to stick with him after he became…this?! 

Yet, his resentment for his fate soon turned toward his wife, as frequently as she had been neglecting him and his needs for these past few weeks. One of the more disgusting things Linda was lax on was cleaning up after his waste in the backyard. It was akin to having to use a dirty bathroom for weeks on end, including without a working toilet. Pete was running out of places to go, and the one day Linda was inclined to follow him outside, she was quick to use his bathroom habits as another barb against his canine form. 

“I. Can’t. Use. A. Toilet. Without. Hands.” Pete said, to which Linda muttered something under her breath as she stormed off. But Pete’s hearing was able to pick up “fucking tired of picking up after your shit,” something that both shamed and enraged him in equal measure. He hadn’t asked for this, for fuck’s sake! And yet…

With that exchange, Linda was happy to finally open the door for Pete thinking she wouldn’t have to deal with him while he was out of the house. It was something Pete appreciated, at least having an outlet for the depression that had taken over his left. She didn’t bother to feed him some mornings, and Pete was left with a growling stomach when he left for the day. Thankfully, some of the regular attendants of the park, Sara especially, still brought animal-friendly snacks in her saddlebag, though Pete wasn’t in a place to complain about his home life. He was sure they knew better, and Sara even started bringing extra snacks, Pete accepting them without saying anything. 

The lack of feedings eventually started to wear on him, especially on the second day in a row she neglected his needs. It had been raining the past couple of days, and Linda had kept the door closed, trapping Pete inside and leaving his stomach to grumble. Eventually, Pete decided to threaten back, not caring about the repercussions as his ire grew to a head. You. Can. Get. Fined. If. I. Report. This.” Pete said, as defiantly as he could with the collar as he trotted up to her passed-out form on the couch. 

“Oh, so you’d just let me get sued while we lose the house?!” Linda retorted, though left it there for the moment. Yet, her next action was perhaps worse than anything she had done prior as she went out to get groceries that day, calling off yet another work shift to do so. 

“I. Can’t. Eat. This,” Pete said, disgusted by what was on the plate for him the night after that fight. Not only did Linda go out of her way to buy him dog food, but it was likely one of the cheapest ones on the market, as much as he could smell. And the scent of it made his stomach roil!

“Why the fuck not?! You’re a fucking dog and it’s dog food! You eat me out of house and home as it is, so it’s the least you can deal with!” Linda raged and left it at that. 

As much as Pete didn’t want to do it, he was starving, and forced himself, though was unable to stop from vomiting after the first few bites. Rage at its apex about being treated as a dog, Pete was more than eager to remind Linda of that. He quickly made his way to her closet, having just enough time to find her shoes before upheaving the contents of his stomach. It disgusted him to do so, but on the other hand, if Linda was going to treat him like a dog, so be it. 

Linda was, as he figured, not happy to see his mess in the morning. Rather than say anything to him, however, she simply moved to the front door, locking it and sealing his freedom, even if he had the hands to open it to begin with. The patio door was similarly bared, and Pete sat there staring at it for some time, feeling hopeless. He was so helpless in a human world as a dog, though instead of the usual despair that came from reflecting on his canine body, his inner monologue turned to other ideas of revenge. He was not a simple dog, but if that was all he could be, then he didn’t even bother asking for her to let him out. Instead, when he needed to piss, he went on the carpet by the door, not bothering to announce his intentions. She would find it soon enough, and it was an act of defiance, all he had in the face of his tormentor. 

She did find it, eventually, wine glass in hand and sloshing the red liquid as she vibrated with rage. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you think this is fucking funny?! How do you think I feel? I’m the one who works, manages all the spending, does dishes, laundry, cooks, and I even have to clean up after your literal shit!”

Though the collar had no ability to convey emotion, the speed at which it was able to translate for him was at its peak. “How. Do. You. Think. I. Feel. Feel. Feel. You. Think. I. Like. This. This. No. Hands. No. Job. No. No. Agency. No. Don’t. Think. You. Are. The. Victim. Here. Here.” Pete tried to say, his own body literally vibrating in rage. 

“All you do is fucking sit around at that park all day! I have to spend all the money on shit like that fucking collar! If I didn’t still have to pay it off…” Linda said, stopping herself for a moment. 

“What. Do. You. Mean?” Pete asked, confused. It should have been free for him, given their income status. Unless…

“Where. Has. The. Money. Been. Going. Linda.” Pete demanded, the floodgates opening. He could already tell her heart rate was up, and the scent wafting off her was a sign that she was nervous. But she had no intention of answering, standing there with a piercing gaze. 

“Why do you care? You have your fucking collar! You can’t even go outside without it!” Linda screamed at him, though Pete was largely undeterred. She wouldn’t hurt him, though he still had no evidence to take any sort of action, even if she was in the wrong about their financial situation. 

“This. Thing. Thing. Thing. Doesn’t. Help. Me. Me. Me. To. Me. Me. Me. Me.” Pete tried to say, but even as he stopped moving his jaw, the collar continued to buzz, as though broken. 

“Shut that damn thing off!” Linda screamed, and Pete backed up, feeling a heat around his neck. It was starting to get painful, and Pete whined out, not really sure what to do. All he could do was try to raise his leg to turn it off, but even that was not sufficient, the button failing to respond. 

Seeing her husband was in pain and likely even smelling the burning from the malfunctioning device, Linda stepped in. Pete relented, and the moment her fingers undid the clasp and pulled it off, Pete was relieved, panting to try to cool himself off. 

Yet, his anger was at its peak, and Pete was not inclined to let the conversation go, even if it was one-sided. <See what I have to deal with Linda! I can’t even talk to you without that thing! I have to wait for months till I get to go out again! And I’m stuck here with you! You don’t give a damn about me anymore! You haven’t since I’ve been changed! I’ve lost everything, Linda! And now that I got a taste of something back you can’t even be happy for me! You can’t even let me have that! And I’m stuck in here with you and your resentment! You don’t even see me as human anymore! I barely see myself as human anymore! How can I feel like a man if the woman I married can’t even->

“Shut the fuck up! Stop barking! I wanted a man, not a dog and you can’t even be that!” Linda called out, the glass leaving her hand before either of them knew what had happened. It hit the floor, not Pete directly, but the shards of glass flying were enough that Pete was shocked. 

<How could you do that! What’s wrong with you? I’m a human being, damnit! I’m your husband! I’m not a fucking…I’m not a..not a…> Pete barked, but there was no way for her to know what he was saying. And that only cemented his disbelief for the very words he was trying to convey. 

“You know what? Do you want out? You’ve wanted out so bad! Get out. GET THE FUCK OUT!” Linda said, unlocking the door with fumbling fingers. The door slammed open, and Pete took off, tail between his legs. Part of him knew it was stupid, that he would be seen as little more than a dog without his collar. But with all that had happened, could he stand to stay there?

The air was already damp as Pete ran down the driveway, though he was not expecting the sky to open up and hit him with a downpour, the likes of which he had never experienced. It was impossible to see, even harder to smell with odors all washed away. Part of him knew he should take shelter, that the rain would relent if only he waited. But the pain in his heart could not be so easily washed away. Pete found himself holding onto the thread that anything would be better than being consumed by the abyss within. He forced himself forward, not caring if he was staying on the sidewalk. In his moment of pain, wandering out on the street in front of an oncoming car was not the most unfavorable outcome he could think of. Would he do so of his own volition? No. But at the whims of the world and with no way forward for him, Pete was prepared to let come what may.

Eventually, he passed out under some branches on a tree that provided little cover but only just. The rain eventually relented, and the birds singing their morning check with each other were enough to rouse Pete from sleep. He was sore, frozen, and soaked through to the bone, yet still, he rose, without a destination in mind and unsure how to get there beside. Part of him was determined to head to the park, but without knowing in what direction it was from where he’d ended up, he was left to wander aimlessly. His paws were sore and his body heavy, but he was unwilling to rest just yet. Yet, even his determination was no cure for a heavy heart, and Pete was once again prone to lie down. Just a little. A little rest, and then he could…

Pete was stirred from his nightmares by the sensation of a choke collar being fashioned to his neck, something he had never felt but whose purpose hit him all at once. Terrified, Pete tried to pull away, the adrenaline enough to spur him to action. Yet, his body was far too weak for the hands of the men before him, and he was left at their mercy, not knowing who they were or what they had intended for him. 

“Poor thing. Must be a stray. No one in their right mind would go out in a storm like that,” said the man, talking into his phone. “No collar or tags. He could be a Changed, but they all have those voice collars, right? No sign of one. I’ll bring him in,” he finished, hanging up. 

<Wait…I’m not a dog. I’m human! I have rights! Let me go! Let me…I’m not a dog…> Pete tried to bark out, remembering that he didn’t have his collar. Worse, perhaps, were the doubts festering in his mind. Did it matter if he hadn’t always been a dog if he was one now? Part of him wanted to try and escape, to bark and pull away. But at this point, he was burned out beyond the breaking point. And was there any point in trying to get away, even if he could? He had no idea where he was or how to get back with familiar scents washed away in the rain. He was, truly, alone and at the whims of a world that treated him as a second-class citizen. 

“Hey! Excuse me! That’s my dog! I’m so sorry!” Came a familiar voice, enough for Pete to raise his head. As much as he knew that voice, however, it was the next one that truly brought his attention. 

<Pete? What are you doing out here without your collar? Do you need a hand?> Barked Amy, talking to him before she turned on her collar. “His. Name. Is. Pete. He. Is. Changed. My. Friend.” Amy said in that awkward tone the devices used. 

“Oh, is he? He shouldn’t be out here without a collar,” the man rebuked, though he was quick to take the choke collar off Pete. The penalty for treating a Changed Person like this was harsh, after all, not worth the trouble of taking him in to scan for a microchip.  

Pete stumbled forward, Cassie coming to pick him up. Heavy as he was, she was able to manage it, walking a few blocks before turning toward a driveway into a moderately sized house. <This is home,> Amy barked, having turned her collar off. <But what are you doing out here? You look awful. No offense, but let’s get you inside,> she offered, and Pete just nodded weakly. 

Cassie was kind enough to dry him with a towel and blow dryer, letting Pete rest on one of Amy’s beds while Cassie fixed them breakfast. <We were just out for our morning walk when I smelled you. Only thing I could smell after all the rain. How did you make it all the way out here? You weren’t looking for me, were you?> Amy asked, confused. 

<No, I was…> Pete said, then stopped. He wasn’t sure what to say, all things considered. He couldn’t tell her all that. Everything on his mind. And yet…

<Don’t worry about it. Let’s get some breakfast. My sister’s a great cook. Then after some rest, we’ll go to the park. You can talk there if you want. I mean, I won’t force you but…you really should Pete. We’re your friends. If you need some help, we’ll do what we can,> Amy said, nuzzling Pete a little. It was enough to give him a modicum of energy back, not much, but enough. 

Breakfast was, as Amy had said, amazing. Anything would have been better than cheap dog food, of course. But Cassie was a skilled chef, and everything was prepared with canine-friendly ingredients. There was ever a door for them to use to go outside of their own volition, something they didn’t need to ask Cassie for, and helped provide a sense of autonomy. While Pete didn’t have a chance to see the whole house, what he did experience was enough for him to know it was far more canine-friendly than anything he could imagine. Beds, toys, stairs to ease her jumping, and all sorts of canine amenities that Pete wouldn’t have ever thought of. So this is what life as a Changed Person could be like? No wonder Amy had an easier time adjusting!

Cassie was kind enough to drive them to the park later that morning, the ground wet but the sun up making it a perfect day. Pete was still exhausted, but he made the trip nonetheless, not sure what else to do. Eventually, he had to make his way home, to deal with things there. But his current desire to do so was absent, and without a clear plan, it wasn’t the best idea for his mental health to try and deal with things on his own. 

Pete was a little ashamed that all of his friends were not only present but made Pete’s circumstances the focus of the day. Everyone was staring at him with concerned expressions, waiting for him to tell his story and not giving him no for an answer. Things had come too much to a head for him to stay quiet at this point. Pete braced himself to tell them everything, the past few days spilling out as he started to talk. Naturally, he tried to paint Linda in the best light possible, though the more he talked about the last few weeks, the harder it was, even when highlighting the good times. By the time he was done, the expression on his friend’s faces was enough for him to know their thoughts, and even enough to slightly sway the delusions he’d so carefully woven. 

<She never loved you, bro,> Sam said, matter of fact. It was a little direct, and surely the reality of Pete’s situation was far more nuanced. But the fact he was standing there and not chasing his tail, faux squirrels, or anything else was sign enough that he took the situation seriously. 

<Can I eat her?> Sara asked, and for a moment, Pete played it off as a joke. Yet, the longer they stood there, waiting for her to laugh, the longer Pete actually had to wonder if she was teasing or not. The situation was not helped when Siegmar came up to her, licking his lips and waving his tail like a hungry cat eyeing prey. 

<She never supported you in your new life,> Dwight said, snorting his frustration. He didn’t need to say anything else. Pete remembered how Dwight had said his boyfriend’s support and loyalty had seen him through the change and his new life. Not having that, Pete felt his heart sink. <You’re not a burden, you’re a human being who deserves love and attention.> 

<Hell, she kept all your money, Hun,> Caithe said, jumping off the horse’s back. Pete had to admit the truth in his suspicions when his friends all saw the same things without even smelling her deception or hearing her heartbeat. 

<Yeah, and I don’t know what she’s been spending it on. Our bills can’t be that much with my stipend…> Pete pondered, though he only had his assumptions without being able to see the financial documents. 

<Well, I’m sure we can find out. And you say she’s listed as your power of attorney?> Amy asked, to which Pete nodded his head. <That’s annoying, but with the laws clearly giving autonomy to Changed Persons, you can circumvent that. Our cousin is a lawyer, and if you need some help, we can ask her to->

<I can’t. I mean, how could I? I don’t have anywhere else to go. No other relatives to take me in. I have to go back, and try to work things out with her, and hope she’s at least willing to->

<Nope. No no no. You can stay with us until you get things sorted out,> Amy insisted, and as much as Pete went to protest, everyone said in unison <She’s using you, dude, get out of there!> 

<Fine, fine, she’s abusive, OK! But I’ve said some things that->

<Everyone does that in an abusive relationship! That’s what abuse does!> 

In the end, there was no arguing with his friends, and he agreed to take Amy and Cassie up on their offer. It was a stop-gap measure, to be certain, but he was still insistent on talking with Linda that day, to let her know he was alright. Since hers was about the same size as Pete’s collar had been, Amy loaned it to him, and Cassie offered to drive them to Pete’s home. There wasn’t anything for him to pick up, save his iPad, but Pete was sure Linda would be happy to see he was OK after last night. Perhaps he was delusional, but Pete couldn’t see a future that didn’t involve his wife, his home, and all he had known since he’d changed. As much of a hellscape as he was starting to view it, Pete was determined, not wanting to inconvenience Amy and Cassie, and sure he could get things fixed. Assuming there was anything within the fading fragments of his relationship that could be…

The sight of a strange car in the driveway made Pete a little confused as Cassie parked on the street and opened the door. As he and Amy padded up to the door, Amy asked <Are you sure? We don’t have to do this today.>

<No, it has to be today,> Pete said, determined not to be a burden on his friends. And hopefully, not to Linda, as much as he could work things out to their benefit. 

That was until an unfamiliar smell wafted into his nose, one that further confused him. There was a man he didn’t know in the house, though that was hardly the thing that had him concerned. Rather, the sounds from a slightly ajar door, muffled cries, and whispers he couldn’t make out left him pondering what was going on. It was compounded by a scent he hadn’t detected in his canine state, but one that made sense the more he thought about it. A very human scent of arousal, something so pronounced that he had smelled it on the man from before he had even gone through the door…

“Are you sure your husband’s gone?” A voice said, clear to both their ears. Pete felt his heart sink at that, the implication obvious. Amy seemed to want to say something to him, though the sound of their barks might make their presence known, and interrupt the scene in play. It was one that broke Pete’s heart but something he had to know nonetheless. 

“I told you, he’s a dog. I don’t know how long he’ll be gone for. He shouldn’t be back for a while, at least. He’s got that park they go to. Come on, I’ve been waiting for this. You have been too, haven’t you?”

“You know I have, and I trust you. It’s just, you could get in some trouble if…”

“Talk later,” Linda said, cutting him off and making Pete powerfully enraged. Of all the things she could do in his absence…she would put him out on the street, only to cheat on him? Behind his back? Fuck, Pete had even offered to allow her a partner, if only she’d asked. But this…

Pete thought for a moment how to get in, knowing that if he called out Linda would try to hide what she was doing, regardless of what his nose told him about the truth. It seemed that in his haste, the man had left the front door slightly ajar, and it was likely not enough for Linda to hear him, engaged as she was. It didn’t matter. Pete had no intention of coming back here once more after he picked up his treasured belongings. 

Claws padding on the floor, Pete could tell his wife was in her bedroom upstairs, and his nose confirmed what his ears had already implied. But rather than head up there and give her a piece of his mind, Pete’s mind was only on one thing. Remembering where he had placed it last night, Pete picked up his iPad gently in his muzzle and moved back toward the door, letting it swing closed behind him for the last time. 

<Are you sure?> Amy asked, but all Pete did was nod as he moved out to the car, where Cassie was waiting for them. Sitting it down, Pete still didn’t say anything, allowing Cassie to take his collar and return it to Amy before she let her know to take them home again. 

The car ride was short, but in Pete’s mind, it seemed to go on forever. Rather than focus on the past, however, Pete was fixated only on the future, and what his newfound freedom could bring. The chance to live somewhere new, to embrace spending time with his new friends, and perhaps even a career for the first time since he’d been changed. The chance to experience truly being a dog, and learn the joys of his new body in an environment that encouraged him to do so. And, as the familiar scent in the car was quick to remind him, finally have a to get to know Amy in a way Pete could finally accept his heart was curious to do…

******

EPILOGUE

The lion and Shiba Inu looked a little out of place standing in the middle of a pine forest, especially surrounded by wolves as they were. Of course, all the wolves were Changed Persons, most of the wolves in the country that had congregated into a single large pack. At first, it was only those infected to join, but with their numbers increasing, Sam had to assume some of them had partaken in the newly released transformation virus, a one-way trip to an animal form of one’s choosing. Wolves, of course, were a popular choice, but Sam didn’t care either way. More wolves to chase and sniff and play with were always welcome in his mind!

The largest wolf had become the de facto leader, though it was more a figurehead position than anything else. He had no actual power, and real wolf packs didn’t work that way, generally led by the breeding pair and followed by their children. His was more a role for organizing events, and while they were usually reserved for wolves only, Sam was able to invite his podcast hosts in, in exchange for an upcoming interview spot. 

<Alright, listen up maggots! The team that brings the most rabbits back by the end of the night wins!> The alpha said in a faux drill sargent manner that had drawn amusement from the rest of the pack, A collection of scented baskets each team carried were sat down as the trio took off into the woods. It had to have been quite the effort for the organizers to place all the dummy rabbits around the woods, and hunting all night would be rather strenuous. As the only team to have non-lupine members, they had unique strengths compared to the rest, his co-host’s noses were just as able as his own. At least, Sam thought so…

It was a long night of scrambling around the forest before the dawn’s light announced the game was over. Though each basket had some number of rabbit plushies within, the twenty or so that lined the podcast trio’s basket made them the clear winners. They had not been told what the prize would be, but Sam was eager to win it, his competitive streak not wanting him to lose. Tail wagging, he eagerly awaited his reward, surely worth staying up and hunting through the woods all night-

<And here’s a $25 online gift card to the winners! Thanks a lot for coming out, we have something fun lined up for next month as well->

A collective groan went through the pack of wolves, which the alpha tried to play off. It was obvious they could have afforded something better, and for their monthly pack meeting, of all things! Yet, Sam, given his wagging tail, seemed eager to have won, regardless of the prize. Sam trotted up, taking it in his jaws before thanking the alpha and presenting it to the rest of his co-hosts, who rolled their eyes at his excitement. 

<Well, at least I can afford that Scooby Plushie I’ve had my eyes on.>

***

Running late getting home to her wife, Caithe took a shortcut through some neighbor’s backyards, something she generally avoided lest she be caught and yelled at, but something that shaved a good five minutes off her run. Yet, the sounds of panicked cries hit her ears, and Caithe stopped for a moment, not caring about being seen as her eyes flicked in that direction. Used to hearing animals speak in their broken tones, this made it obvious they were once human. <Hold the little shit, I get the first bite,> one said, and Caithe felt her blood boil, unable to stand for whatever seemed to be going on.

Moving back along the path, a familiar smell she’d come to associate with raccoons flooded her nose. She hadn’t met any Changed raccoons during her time in the neighborhood, though there was a possibility they didn’t subscribe to the usual channels that Changed Persons used. The sound of mewling hit her ears, and the likely target of their aggression was made known to her. Who the fuck in their right mind would attack such a defenseless animal like that?!

<Hey! Leave the poor thing alone!> Caithe demanded as soon as she was sure the raccoons could hear her. There were three of them, and though they outnumbered her, Caithe’s larger size and speed would likely be threatening enough to make her point. 

<Oi! piss off! Go back to whatever den you crawled out of,> one of them said, the fattest and the one holding up the helpless animal while sniffing it hungrily. Yet, it was obvious he wasn’t paying attention to the larger fox that had approached them, snarling and yipping <You’re lucky I can’t carry my aluminum baseball bat anymore! But if I ever see you in my garbage cans, so help me!> His cohorts were not nearly so oblivious, seeing the growling fox and deciding it was best to run for cover. Even the fattest of the three, without his backup, quickly dropped his prize, and he took off into a crawl space behind a dumpster, to where they likely now lived after becoming Changed. It didn’t matter, all things considered.

With that, Caithe was left with their victim, though without an idea what to do with him. He was lying there, mewling pathetically, though not scared of the fox as he had been with the raccoons. In fact, the sounds out of his tiny muzzle were so adorable that Caithe could not resist the urge to lick his fur and feel him squirm into it. Caithe figured for a moment she might be able to leave it be, not having thought it through before intervening. Yet, seeing it here, so helpless without her care…

Carefully taking the small creature by the nap of his neck, Caithe took off, slower this time so as not to drop him. Yet, of equal importance was what she planned to say to her wife. There were other options, of course. Adoption centers, foster care, and the like. But, in the end, Caithe found there was only one option she would settle on. And it came down to whatever tactic she could devise to convince her wife to adopt another kitten…

***

“Good boy, good horsie. Let’s head back to the barn and get you hosed off,” whispered the anthropomorphic horse riding bareback on a large, brown stallion. They had been running around a track for some time, and his skin was frothy with sweat. Yet, it had been a worthwhile exercise, Dwight eager to display his prowess and run all out as much as he felt he was capable. It was a little much, even for a beast of his stature, but he was determined to show off for his new husband, and his efforts would be rewarded with horsie delights. 

Getting him to the side of the barn, the recently changed anthro horse took a warm hose and sprayed his body, making him whicker in delight. Dwight, having not bothered to don his collar, shook his body and mane, thankful to be clean. He loved how his horse boy husband took care of him, even when he largely lacked the ability to do so himself. And that was not the only thing his husband was willing to assist him with…

Feeling his maleness coming to bear, Dwight moved toward his husband, their rubbery lips touching as they kissed. Though his husband’s muzzle was much smaller than Dwight’s own, the pleasurable sensations were far better since he had taken on an anthropomorphic equine form of his own. The perfect mix of both worlds, easily able to continue to care for his husband, and enjoy a variety of fun activities that his former human form was not capable of, but his new body was able to embrace…

***

The large panther trembled slightly before slowly pulling out of his mate, a much larger tiger though hardly a hindrance to their mating. Sara resisted the feline urge to bat at him from the pain of his spines being removed. In truth, Siegmar didn’t mind it, part of being a cat and something he had fully embraced by this point. A far cry from when he’d first moved to the sanctuary, but was now much more accepting of his new form and lifestyle. Best of all, he had a loving mate to share it all with, someone who eagerly nuzzled him back as the two of them vibrated their pleasure.

The two had been given a private room at the big cat sanctuary, not that it mattered with a cat’s ability to smell. Everyone in the facility knew when the pair were mating, even if they couldn’t hear the persistent yowls from the act itself. Not that they were the only couple at the sanctuary, of course, but they were certainly among the most active, as much as they had come to love sex.

It had already been several dozen rounds of mating, and Sara had long since lost track. In her periods of heat, it could become a game of sorts to see how many times they could copulate before they were finally, truly done. With how many times a tiger in heat could go in one day, it was exhausting, though part of her new physiology, and something they were happy to have a mate to help with. 

In the brief moments before Siegmar’s penis came to bear once more, he was generous enough to move toward Sara’s nipples, carefully licking them and making the tiger squirm. Her breasts were one of the few things she still missed from her human body, having otherwise come to love her tigress form. Even though they were not as sensitive as her human pair, there were at least multiple of them, and Siegmar was at least helpful in tending to her lusts in more than one way. 

Even though they were sore and tired from the exertion on their bodies, the satisfaction felt from the frequent matings was oddly romantic, something neither of them thought they would experience in their lives. Neither had been looking for romance, focused on their own jobs and endeavors. Hell, Sara was always on the lookout for the next project even now, though much of her efforts these days were charitable in nature. Something that Siegmar appreciated her for, among many other things. Namely giving him a new life in America, and purpose as a cat. And that last part was something he was eager to thank her for, as much as he’d said it in the past. 

< Thank you for saving me,> He whispered, hugging Sara’s body while licking her cheek.

<You don’t need to say that,> Sara replied, though in truth she loved hearing it as much as Siegmar was willing to tell her. She loved hearing his voice and feeling his body close to hers whenever they were together. And having his member inside of her, something she was eager to entertain again as she raised up, flagging her tail and presenting her sex for Siegmar’s aid…

******

It had been about one year since Pete had left Linda to move in with Cassie and Amy, and Pete couldn’t be happier. It was an odd day for the trio, sunny, yet none of them seemed inclined to head to the park yet, a lazy day all in all. Cassie was reading a book, watching the two dogs running and playing. Without their collars on, they looked like any other pair of dogs just enjoying life to the fullest in the here and now. And, they might as well of have been, nipping and tugging on ropes and generally having a good doggy time.

<Your jaws can’t win all the time!> Amy growled, though her husband’s slightly larger stature was usually the winner in their games. But she was determined, and with a growl, called out <Oh, hi, Dwight!> To which Pete turned around, having not heard the horse clopping down the street.

Yet, he was too ignorant of her rouse before Amy tugged her head, pulling the rope from Pete’s lips and nearly Pete with it, toppling over and looking incredulous. <Hey! No cheating!> Pete barked, though he was hardly mad. It wasn’t the first time his wife had resorted to such measures, and in truth, he loved her all the more for her humor and spontaneity.

<Hey, at least I won,> Amy giggled, moving toward Pete and giving him a brief smooch on his lips before taking off, Pete soon to follow. 

The last year felt like a whirlwind of activity, Pete’s life changing almost as much as it had during the initial viral infection. Of course, he was quick to divorce Linda, proof of her unfaithfulness accelerating the proceedings. It wasn’t much of an issue, Cassie and Amy’s cousin being a rather competent lawyer and getting him enough money to cover her expenses as well as his due. The house was forfeit, but Linda didn’t seem to need it, having had an online love interest for many months, both of whom viewed Pete as a dog and their adultery to be valid. Much of Pete’s stipend had been going toward financing the man’s failed ventures, though Pete sincerely hoped she was able to find some peace in her new life. Regardless, he never wanted to see or hear from her again, working with a therapist to help close that chapter of his life. 

Having earned back pay for the last few years since it was ruled to remove her power of attorney, Pete had the start of financing his new life, even though Cassie and Amy did not ask him for any compensation for his stay. He was allowed to pay for his new collar, something that seemed less necessary with Amy to translate and his friends in the park able to understand his barks. Still, it was a point of pride for him to carry that access to his humanity. He was human, after all, albeit in a different body now, but that did not demean his status as a being worthy of love. Something he was still working to come to terms with, though it was getting better every day. 

And, with all the time spent working on himself paying off, Pete had the mental state to finally pursue other meaningful relationships, culminating in getting to know his new roommate. The mutual attraction had been there for some time, and though Pete was nervous at first, their friend group was quick to encourage, most of them being in loving circumstances of their own. Amy, too, was hopeful, and the moment Pete finally thought to ask her, she said yes.

Their courtship was rather short, all in all, before the two of them saw it fit to tie the knot, so to speak. Pete was officially divorced by that point, and Changed Person weddings were starting to become more in fashion as of late. Pete was a little unsure about having a ceremony, given he felt his love didn’t require such a declaration. But Amy insisted it was as much for their friends as it was for them, and Pete looked upon the day as the best of his life. 

Naturally, the two of them made love often, Amy happy to have the relief from her periods of heat. The idea of having puppies was a little daunting, not something they entertained and for now found non-penetrative ways to help Amy with her heat. For now, the two of them were happy to share in their new lives together, nothing really missing now that Pete had accepted his new lot in life. 

And now, Pete chased Amy through the yard, barking out his sheer joy and loving his canine form as he’d come to do over the last few months and years. With a full life before him, Changes Person lifespans closer to their human span rather than the animals they had become, Pete found himself looking forward to what each day would bring. Finally catching up with his new wife, giving her a quick kiss on the lips before running off, Pete figured they would eventually bother Cassie, going to the park and enjoying the rest of the beautiful day with their friends.