“Can we go to the pet store?”

“No.”

Lou pouts but complies. She isn’t allowed to go to the pet store except for one day of the year. Her birthday. And it isn’t her birthday.

Her parents and brother say she can’t be trusted to not buy the whole store, and she supposes that they’re right. She can be quite impulsive when it comes to animals.

It’s her power. Talking to animals means she feels so much empathy for them. She usually understands them better than humans.

But in her defense, humans are tricky creatures. They are just twisted up and complicated. They lie and manipulate and cheat. Animals don’t lie. It just isn’t in their nature.

“Lucille, our house is like a zoo,” her mom points out. “We let you take in strays anyway,” her dad adds.

“But the animals are so sad in the pet store!” She puckers her lips and gives them what they call the ‘puppy eyes.’

“We know, sweetheart. But we can’t have the whole pet store in our zoo of a home.”

Getting home, she is welcomed by her many animals. Ajax zig zags between her legs, always being the first to greet her. “Lou’s home!” Ajax shouts.

She hears a chorus of cheers from various parts of the house. Most below her. Some at the same level. And some above her. Woodstock, her canary, flies overhead, leanding on the coat rack. “Did you get my special treats?” He tweets at her.

Extending on her tippy toes, she scratches his head. “Of course. Just like I promised.”

The condition with her strays that her parents enforced was that she takes care of whatever she brings in, which she does happily.

It’s easy to figure out what they want and how to care for them when they can just tell her. It’s why she wants to either be a zoologist or a vet. To help animals with her power. Who needs a soulmate when you have animal friends?

Snoopy and Scooby come bounding up to her jumping and barking. Kneeling down, she pets them and let them lick her face. “Lou! Lou! There’s someone that needs your help!” Snoopy exclaims, tugging on her pant leg.

“Ok, ok. Just give me a sec.” She rushes to follow her two dogs, who run much faster than her to their outside patio. They go out the doggy doors while she has to open the door like the human she unfortunately is.

At first she thought she lost track of her pups, but then she sees them sniffing near the picnic table in the yard. “Snoops, Scoob, what’s that there?”

As she nears closer, she begins to see a small grey ball of fur underneath.

She stays a good distance from the table. “Hello there.”

The ball unfurls and startles at the three sets of eyes on them. They look more like a puppy. But a bit different. More wild looking. “Go away!” The voice is very young. Lou would guess maybe a few months old.

“Our human can help you. She understands us,” Scooby explains, his nose pointed towards her. The puppy stares at her warily, pushing his little body against the bottom of the table. “I don’t need help.”

“Where’s your mom?” Lou gentle asks. The small whimper answers it enough for her. “Hunters. They didn’t even mean to. They just got too close. Mommy got scared,” the pup’s eyes downcast, reliving the tragic memory. Lou’s heart breaks for the puppy.

She inches just a bit closer. “My name is Lou. What’s yours?”

When there is no answer, she lies on her stomach to try to look less intimidating (not that she appears intimidating usually). “That’s ok. You don’t have to say anything.”

Snoopy and Scooby take the hint and lie down, cuddling into her sides. And they just stay there, not saying anything.

Silence blankets over them except for the singing of the crickets that Lou listens to.

Eventually, the puppy tilts his head in curiosity at this strange human. He takes one step out from the protection of the table.

In the brighter light, she can now see him better. He isn’t just a stray. He’s a wolf cub.

“You can help me?” He inquires softly as if he’s scared that she actually may be able to help him. “I think I can. I have a whole family here. One that I think you’ll fit in well.”

“Really?” The hopeful tone cracks her heart. She will take in this little cub if it’s the last thing she does.

Snoopy crawls a bit towards the wolf, “Lou is the best. She loves everyone!”

Scooby nods in agreement. Lou runs her fingers through both of their fur, feeling the love and connection she has to both animals.

“I love all animals. My home is your home. If you want,” she offers, slowly putting her fingers close to the cub. He sniffs her outstretched hand. She knows he is accepting her offer when he brushes his head against her hand, not fully molding to her touch like Ajax, but enough to display his gratitude.

“Can I pick you up?” He nods, and she scoops his up gently. It is a bit awkward since he isn’t used to a human, but he can sense the wild spirit within her. It settles something deep inside him.

She brings him inside where she is once again bombarded by her friends. He cowers in her arms, hiding his face in the crook of her elbow.

Making her way to her parents, she holds up the cub like he is Simba and asks, “Can I keep him?”

Her parents share a glance and shrug.

“What’s another animal?”

——— (Dedicated to AJ Kit! I think we can all relate to Lou and her love for animals! Any name suggestions for the wolf cub?)

“What would you like?” Mom says to me As we move through the aisles of Pet Expo Passing animals with eager eyes Sweet as they are, I don’t really know?

Perhaps a dog? A fluffy Maltese? A Golden Retriever with cuddly paws? But in their gaze I see remnants of wolves Slashing me up with the power of their jaws

Maybe a cat, with pretty black fur Who purrs as she rubs herself against my leg Or is she a tiger, hungry for flesh? Is there bloodlust in the way that she begs?

An emerald-toned lizards shimers in the light Flicking out its tongue in the most charming way But I feel he’s the spawn of some great anaconda Who’ll swallow me whole like an enormous egg

I smile at birds who parrot each other Squawking in a colorful musical phrase Though to me they are hawks who will circle my home And scoop me up like some pitiful prey

In the end, I walk out with a bowl in my hand A beta fish dips silently up and down She will sit comfortably on a shelf Where I won’t be so frightened to have her around

Nathan slammed Lu in the closet and closed it quickly. Lu screamed, banging on the door. “Uriah!” Lu screamed. I couldn’t move. Nathan’s smile made me shiver. Move Uriah! Move! From the moment I first saw him, I knew there was something off. I backed up as Nathan advanced, just then Lu broke out of the closet and jumped on Nathan’s back. “Get off!” He yelled. “Leave him alone!” Lu screamed. Nathan flipped Lu off his back and I pushed Nathan away. Leaving my stupor. Lu jumped to my side then stood in front of me. In between me and Nathan. “Geez Lu what the fuck is wrong with you. I was just messing with you” he laughed nonchalantly. “Your fucked up Nathan” Lu said. “Hey, your too young to be using that kind of language young man” he said. “Stop playing it off like what happened wasn’t totally messed up!” Nathan only smiled, like an understanding father, or trying to appear as such. “Lucious, please behave” he said, opened the door and left the room. The door slammed behind him and I felt myself relax. Lu was still tense, and angry. “Lu, do you think he knows I’m actually Uriah?” I asked. Lu turned to face me. He wrapped me in an embrace. “I don’t think he realized I accidentally said your name, but you should hurry and switch. I’m so sorry this was my idea, I shouldn’t have-“ “Lu, it’s okay, I wanted to hang out with you in my original form in your room too” I blushed slightly, why did I say all that? Lu didn’t notice he let go and checked the door making sure Nathan was gone. I shifted back into a fox and yawned, I was exhausted. Just then Lu’s mom stormed in. “Lu! Do you have someone in here? Nathan said you had that boy Yuri in the house” she seemed a bit angry. “look I don’t mind you having friends over but you need to ask, is he still here hun?” She asked. Lu picked me up, holding me gently to his warm chest. I could hear is heart beating quickly from the adrenaline. “Mom, I have to tell you something about Nathan!” Lu said, then like someone called his name from a mile away he appeared behind Lu’s mother, I jumped slightly. “Hey bud, what’s up?” Nathan said playing it off. “Mom, Nathan tried to hurt Ur-Yuri! And he shoved me in the closet!” Lu said angrily. “Are you feeling alright Lu?” Nathan asked trying to appear shocked. “Honey, I gotta make dinner. You need to do your chores. And stop messing around” Lu’s mom said. “What? I’m not joking around mom! Your fucked up boyfriend tried to hurt me and my best friend!” Lu screamed. A whimper escaped my lips on accident, out of anger Lu was squeezing me really hard. “Lucious Damian Miller! Do not use that kind of language!” She said angrily. “Mom! Your not listening!” I yelled. Nathan smiled behind Lu’s mom leaving a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. “That is enough out of you young man. I am tired, I work very hard for this family do you understand? Go to your room right now.” “But mom” a tears strode down Lu’s pale cheeks. “To you room now, and give me Uriah please” Nathan chimed in happily. “Absolutely not” Lu yelled angrily hugging me tightly until I yelled out of pain. He was scared and so was I. “Lu, give him Uriah” his mom said. “What? No!” “Lu honey you’re hurting Uriah.” Nathan said and grabbed me from Lu’s arms. I growled and snarled angrily. “Stop! Give him back he’s mine!” Lu screamed. “I am tired of you acting like a spoiled brat. Go to your room now!” His mom yelled. Lu glanced worriedly back at me. I struggled in Nathan’s arms trying to escape. “Uriah, get Evie, where leaving” Lu said shakily. He didn’t need to tell me twice. I shifted into a bear and swiped at Nathan. He fell down the stairs bleeding. Lu’s mom screamed. I shifted again into a giant hawk (size of a medium sized dog) and flew into Evie’s room. Grabbing her clothing with my bill. She giggled excitedly mumbling my name in toddler talk. I swooped her up then flew back grabbing Lu with my bird claws. Then transformed into a dragon, a smaller dragon than an adult since I was still just a kid. The tree of us flew out the window into the cold winter winds. Lu’s mother’s scream drowning out with distance and wind.

Mom was at work a lot and Nathan usually got home first so I was left to take care of my sister in the summer. I took her and Uriah out side to get some fresh air. The house was stifling and we had a nice yard with a river behind it. I sat on the bank of the river stroking Uriahs back. It was warm from the sun hitting the soft fur. A brilliant reddish-orange in the sun, he squinted in the bright sun. I swirled the grass letting Evie wonder around. She was starting to walk a lot and wouldn’t stay in one place. The river seemed oddly high today, must have been all the rain the night before. Summer was ending soon and I would be going into the fifth grade this year. I sighed. I hated going to school, the lonely walk past that old church was frightening. Nathan told me it was haunted.

Splash

I spun around franticly, where was Evie? I scanned the river to find her splashing and thrashing. She was screaming. I stood, practically leaping in the cold water. The current was roaring and sent my baby sister farther down street and further under water. Out of the corner of my eye Uriah jumped in the river. The. Something strange happened, he morphed into giant racoon-bat, the size of a bear. Frozen in shock, i thrashed until I was pushed under water by the current. I watched from beneath the surface as Uriah, now no longer a fox grabbed Evie from the river and then me who was also in need of saving. Uriah dragged the both of us to shore. I started loosing my consciousness and fell into a darkness.

   Opening my eyes, a rush of nausea came over me as I turned and threw up water. Coughing hard to remove the water from in my lungs. 
   “Lu! Lu!” Whose voice? I didn’t recognize him. I opened my eyes to see a boy, around my age. Deep black skin like charcoal and white hair. He had white ears and a fluffy white tail. He hovered above me with worried eyes. He was so… pretty. I felt heat come over my flushed cheeks as the color returned. 
   “W-who?” Memories flashed into my brain, Uriah shifting into another creature. “Uriah?” The boy nodded his head slightly and helped me up. I felt dizzy. “Evie?!” I frantically searched around to find her sitting in the grass dripping wet and shivering slightly. I picked her up and held her to me, trying to keep her warm. Mom and Nathan should be back soon. I started off for the house but stopped when Uriah didn’t follow.
   “You coming?” I asked.
   “Your not… mad?” He asked shyly. I set Evie down and hugged Uriah tightly. 
    “It sure was quite the surprise. But your still just my little fox” I said he blushed turning reset than I thought was possible. I giggled and he looked away. “You better turn back into a fox though. If my mom finds out she won’t let me keep you” I said patting his wet white hair. Uriah shifter into a fox quickly and ran by me closely making cute little fox noises. I smiled, I had had a suspicion that he wasn’t a normal fox for a while. He always seemed to understand what I said. I carried Evie home and the three of us dried off before Nathan got home. School was starting soon. I kept Uriahs secret and the two of us walked to and from school together. We would wait until we where out of sight from our house and anyone else and Uriah would turn to his original form. A cute little phantom- terrek hybrid. (Phantom: a humanoid looking wolves that generally have black hair and pale skin. Terrek: a creature with coal black skin and white hair) when ever we got home he would walk away and go up and around the house then shift into a fox to appear as if my friend had left and my fox had returned. We had a system by now. One day walking home from school mom and Nathan met us on the porch. 
   “Hi hun, whose your friend?” Mom asked holding Evie. It was a nice day in the winter. 
    “Ur-“
    “Yuri” Uriah blurted out quickly. I couldn’t believe I almost said Uriahs name. I silently thanked him. 
     “It’s nice to meet you Yuri, your welcome her anytime” Nathan said. I frowned, something about the way he said it made me sick.
      “Thanks” Uriah said in distaste. “Later Lu” he said then left to do the double around to switch into a fox. Uriah trudged over to me in fox form. I knelt down and pet him, then picked him up running up into the house in my room. I shut the door and he shifted into original form. We laughed quietly.
      “No wonder you hate Nathan” Uriah said. I nodded in annoyance. He always had something off about him.
     “Uriah… or… hey what is your name?” Uriah tensed up a bit. 
     “Don’t worry about it, I prefer Uriah anyway” he said looking away. 
      “Oh, okay” I said. A knock to the door. I glanced at Uriah but it was too late the door swung open. It was Nathan.
     “Lucious you mother went to the store… Yuri?” He asked in confusion. It was too late for him to switch into a fox.
     “Hi” Uriah said shyly. Nathan walked in the room and closed the door behind him. 
     “Nathan get out of my room”
     “You shouldn’t sneak friends into the house Lu, your mom would be upset” a smile escaped his lips, as if trying to hide it. I stood up in anger.
     “Get out” I yelled.
     “Don’t yell at me young man!” He said grabbing my arm.
      “Let go!” I bit him and he yelled slamming me into my closet. Uriah was frozen in shock.

RanOutOfWords😂

“Mom can I keep him?” I said holding the hurt little creature in my arms. You could hardly tell he was a fox under all the bruises and mud. “Hun, it might have rabies or something. Plus it’s a wild animal” “Mommy it’s hurt can we please take him to a healer?” She looked at the pathetic excuse for a fox and nodded. “Alright Lu, we’ll take the fox to a healer then it’s going back to the wild.” I smiled ear to ear hugging the fox too tightly that he let out a little squeal of pain. We walked through the busy streets to a nearby healer shop. The chime of a door bell, as it creaked open into a small building with the rhythmic sound of dripping water. “Hello dears what can I do for you?” An octopus like woman, perhaps a type of siren smiled with cold eyes. Mom looked nervous, she always told me that humans where not meant to be in this world. That they came from a place called Earth, and that the natives of the Table Lands didn’t like us foreigners. But that was all hundreds of years ago. There are no humans that remember earth here, they’ve long past. The floors of the building where flooded and my shoes where soaked. At least I knew where the dripping sound was coming from. The woman came close to us and looked over the fox in my arms. “Poor thing, abused by its owners” she took the fox from me, it made a little squeak in protest. Mom took my hand and smiled. This was the octasirens job she wouldn’t hurt the critter. While holding my fox she closed her eyes, I had only ever seen a healer use their ability once. When dad was still alive. Slowly but noticeably, my foxes fur grew back and it’s scratched skin healed up leaving only a scar. His hind leg was mended, he looked refreshed as if after a long nap and a bowl of good meat. A small smile crossed my lips as I took my fox back from the lady. Mom paid her, and we left quickly. The cold air hitting our soaking shoes in misery. When we returned home Nathan sat on the living room couch with baby Evie in his arms. Nathan was moms boyfriend, and Evie was their child. I threw my shoes off and quickly ran up the stairs. “Lu, we’re not keeping that fox, don’t forget!” Mom yelled as I ran off. I rolled my eyes, I didn’t want to get rid of him. I set him on the ground as I drew the bath. Warm water, soapy bubbles and a dry warm towel. I washed away the grime clinging to his furry coat. I laughed when he came out of the water looking like a rat. I dried his shaky body until his fur was nice a fluffy. He made cute squeaky noises and curled up on my lap. I picked him up and took him into my room. “Stay” I said putting my hand out. The. I crept downstairs. Nathan was the only one downstairs heating up a bowl of soup on the stove. “Hey Lu” I nodded quietly and took a piece of dried meat from the pantry, then scurried back up to my room. I put the meat on my bed while my fox gobbled it up furiously. I giggled and bet his back. He shook to my touch and I quickly removed my hand, remembering what the healer had said. “He had been abused” I sighed, poor little fox. A subtle knock on the door, made the fox scurry under my bed. “Lu, I told you, we are not keeping him” “Please mom!” I begged. “Honey I don’t have the money to take care of an animal. Just the price of healing him was too much for a fox, let alone a person” “Please mom, look at him, he clearly is too small to be on his own. Just for a little bit until he can take care of himself” I pleaded. Mom looked down at the fox poking his face out from under the bed. She sighed, and rubbed her forehead in annoyance. Just then Nathan came from behind. “What’s up?” He asked in his usual oblivious tone. I looked away, why couldn’t he just stay out of me and my mom’s conversations. “He wants to keep a fox we found at the park” she said. Nathan looked down at the fox, and he growled lowly at him. I picked him up to calm him down, must not like men… or Nathan. “If he wants to keep it let him” Nathan said. “Babe, it costs enough just to feed the four of us.” “Don’t worry about it honey, it’ll be alright. It’s a small thing, won’t take up to many groceries.” Nathan smiled at me and I grimaced. Mom sighed again. “Fine, you can keep him, but that means you take care of him too you got it?” I nodded excitedly. The two walked off arguing. I looked over at my new pet, new friend. He looked at me with a smile in his eyes. “Now, what should I call you? How about… Uriah?” I asked. Uriah made a squeak of approval, and I giggled. “Alright then Uriah, welcome to your new home”

Smiling at me, with wide, glossy eyes, the creature flips her tail. Pink with gills and swimming in the water, I press my face against the glass. “Hello little girl.” I say. The creature keeps smiling and twirls in the water, sending bubbles all around. I giggle, this is my first pet after my dog passed away, and I’m in love. Her skin is the perfect shade of pink and her gills are a rosy color.

My sister comes up and admires the creature with me. It bumps into the glass but keeps smiling, smiling, smiling, no matter what. Humans should be more like this creature, people should smile more. I plop a toy castle into the tank and the creature whirls around it, sending a tornado of bubbles. I sit down on the chair next to the tank and keep watching the creature. It blows bubbles and grins at me, like it has known me its whole life, and I guess, it has. From the moment we bought it we were best friends.

Father comes up to my and ruffles my long, brown hair, “hey honey, how do you like your new pet.” I beam with happiness. “I love my axolotl, thank you, Daddy.”

Todays the day ! The day I get to bring home my forever friend. Oh I’m so excited! I’ve always wanted a pet since I was a young boy and nows my chance!

I’m so excited I don’t think I can drink my early evening blood orange smoothie. The sun has gone down and it’s time to get dressed and get going. I want to get to the pet shelter as soon as they open.

The evening night is so pretty. It’s going to be the perfect night to bring home my best friend. I get to the pet shelter in record time. My bat form is just as excited as I am. Mr. Wolf the owner gets here right on time to open the shelter. He knows how much I’ve been waiting for this day.

“Good evening Mr. Dracula! Todays the day ! I can’t wait for you to choose a best friend!”

“I can’t wait either Mr.Wolf ! I’ve been dreaming about this for an eternity!”

Mr. Wolf didn’t have me wait a moment longer, he quickly opened the doors and lead me to where my forever friend was waiting. The room was dead silent, such a lovely sound to hear. These little pets are too shy to cry for attention. Their faces and big eyes are so adorable. I’ve never seen such cute little pets. I’m looking around and that’s when I spot the most adorable little face smiling back at me. I found my forever friend ! “What will you name him?”, Mr Wolf asks. “I will name him, Renfield! “

Dry leaves tickled the side of Paulina’s right cheek. Her mother calls her Lina but she likes it when Daddy called her Yo Pauly in a funny voice. Wishing she was warm on the sofa eating cereal, Paulina is chilly. Wet grass smell with a touch of iron rose around her. Confused Paulina tried to inhale. Theo up the street had puppies and he said she could have one if she wanted and she wanted. She and Daddy had even gone to the store with the pets and stuff but Mom said oh no. Moms always say oh no. So when Paulina saw the pretty yellow dog from her bedroom walking in their yard she said yes. She is moving but not walking. Every thing is jumbled. Paulina’s mouth tasted of peanut butter and slippery salt. She loves peanut butter. Paulina made her new pet peanut butter and banana sandwiches. It was still dark outside with a little pink. Paulina thought, I’m afraid of the dark. Daddy told me there is nothing in the dark that is not in the light and to not be afraid. Paulina remembered being brave with her plate of sandwiches in the woods behind her house. Many eyes shined back at her in the dark between the trees. Weak light stabbed through the leaves overhead. Paulina can see her Tickle Me Elmo plate and the spilt sandwiches. She reaches for the back porch, the still open back door. The kitchen light, still on, grew farther and farther away. Crunch. Low growls greeted her. Howls tussled over and around Paulina. A scream awaken her but only for a minute. The brightening light blinked away. Sleep warm held Paulina tight and safe.

Donna,

Mr. Barlowe finally adopted those two loud King Charles Spaniels. I don't think there's a good bone in that man's body. He walks in and complains about how hot it is, then he goes off about the smell. Then he complains about how I'm taking too long to get the keys for their cages. He also had the worst attitude when it came to filling out the paperwork. Seriously, worst customer of the day. Probably the worst customer to ever set foot in the building. I hope we never see him again. But I don't think we're that lucky, I can see him coming back to complain about how loud the dogs are, or hassle us about advice. I can honestly see him returning them. Those dogs were awful (glad we got rid of them, and I'm sure you are too!)

I have a stupid question, and I know you're going to think I'm crazy...but I have to ask. Did those dogs really eat their last owner? Riley told me they were found in an apartment with their owner who'd died. Did the cops really find them eating her dead body? I know most of the stuff that Riley says is B.S, but he swears that it's true. I'm just curious...I also hope it's not inappropriate for me to ask this in a work Email -_-

Cleaned out the fridge before I locked up. I did order a pizza for lunch that I left in the fridge. Feel free to help yourself!

PS: Seriously, I want to know if those dogs ate their last owner. Text me!! :-D

Erin DeSousa Valcrest Hills Dog Shelter 431 Golden Tree Ave, 96871

My best friend died for the first time fifty-eight years ago.

He died about every seven or eight years after that.

He’ll die again today. Within the hour. You get a sense for such things after awhile.

I will have him cremated.

Again.

Strange thing, this. The loss dulls, but still stings. Really, it’s the witness of well-understood unfolding of process. The saddest part isn’t that he dies, it’s that I realize I won’t ever quite love him the same way I did at first. I’ve become guarded, calloused. But it’s more than that. I think that to really, truly love something you have to know that it’s temporary. You have to know that things will eventually fall apart in some way—that entropy will ultimately win the day. It might be through death or divorce or circumstance, but every real, true, meaningful relationship is necessarily finite.

It’s just how we’re wired.

Not so with my best friend. Not so with the pet I accepted as a child with open arms and full heart.

He’s been a good companion, don’t misunderstand me. It’s just… different. I wish I was better suited to this, putting words to paper and all that. I’m also, in many ways, glad I’m not. I think some things are better understood personally, free from the tainted nature of prose.

I guess what I will do, instead, is give advice: if you seek companionship, get a dog. Or a cat. A bunny or hedgehog will suffice. Even a tarantula or lizard or gerbil or ant farm will likely do the trick for you. But just know that they are temporary. They will die. You will morn. It is the natural way of things.

But what you should not do—not ever—is do what I did when choosing a pet.

Never, ever adopt a phoenix.