It had been a pretty interesting day for Sarah. Her first day of high school was more exciting than she could have imagined, namely because Abby had come to school as an anthro horse. Sarah had heard about the virus outbreak on her farm, but she didn't expect Abby to have been affected herself. Sarah personally considered Abby's change to be awesome and she was a little jealous that Abby got a curvy and muscular figure. It made Sarah feel really puny in comparison. Though Sarah wasn't sure she wanted to get the virus herself. She had no idea what she'd be getting it from and there were some animals Sarah wouldn't want to be like.
Sarah kept going over those things in her mind on the way home. Her train of thought was eventually stopped when she heard a happy bark. Sarah smiled as a black and white husky bounded towards her. "Hi, Mary Alice," she said happily. The husky barked enthusiastically until Sarah scratched her behind her ears. The dog got her unusual double name when she was brought home as a puppy about a year ago. Sarah and her mom had argued over whether to name the puppy Mary or Alice. Sarah's dad finally cut the knot by saying the pup's name will be Mary Alice, M.A. for short, or Malice for when she's been bad like making messes in the house.
Mary Alice walked with Sarah back to her house and bounded inside. "So how was your first day?" asked her mom.
"It was pretty awesome," said Sarah. She wasn't going to bring up Abby until she was certain her parents were comfortable with the 'people' of Animalia.
"I hope it was more peaceful than my first day," said Mrs. Wesley, "You won't believe how crazy high school was back in my day."
"I think my generation is just as crazy as yours was. Probably crazier," said Sarah. She heard a whimpering sound and saw Mary Alice was pawing at her water bowl. "Oh, are you thirsty?" asked Sarah. She filled up the water bowl in the sink and set it down for the dog who began lapping it up.
"I bet she missed you a lot when you were at school," said Mrs. Wesley.
"I know, but I can't bring her to school unless I pretend she's my seeing-eye dog," said Sarah jokingly. The two of them laughed at that.
The laughter soon stopped when they heard an odd gurgling sound. They both turned to see Mary Alice lying on the floor, spasming. A few whimpers were coming out of her mouth. "Oh no, I think she's having a seizure," said Mrs. Wesley with worry, "Sarah, try to keep her calm. I'm calling the vet."
Sarah knelt by Mary Alice and said in a scared voice, "M.A., you're going to be alright. Mom's getting the vet, you're going to be fine." M.A. let out a gurgle before her body shook even more. Sarah was worried she was getting worse when she noticed the changes. M.A.'s body seemed to be stretching out more, her legs extending a lot further. She could see the dog's torso pulsing before it start sinking in on itself. There was a few cracks as the barrel shape started to flatten out followed the sound of her hips and shoulders popping. "Mom, M.A.'s changing!" yelled Sarah.
Mrs. Wesley rushed back and stared in amazement. "Oh my..." she said as the dog's shape continue to change. Her front paws got bigger as the toes stretched out. With a few clicks, they had formed into hands with pads on the palm. The legs lengthened and gained more mass as they became capable of supporting her whole body. Her torso had soon changed to be more humanoid, her hips expanding to the sides and a pair of mounds appearing on her chest. M.A.'s eyes rolled before her face started to alter, becoming more flexible and expressive. The scared look in her eyes faded as a new intelligence appeared in them. As soon as it had begun, the changes finished, leaving Mary Alice a mix of human and husky.
"Mary Alice, you ok?" asked Sarah.
The dog flexed her lips and tongue, producing some weird sounds before she made her first words, "That felt weird."
"How is this possible?" asked Mrs. Wesley in disbelief.
Sarah looked from the altered canine to the water bowl beside her. "It's the water," she said, "The Animalia Virus must be in the water." Mrs. Wesley quickly backed away from the sink. "Relax, Mom, it can't affect humans unless you get it from an animal," said Sarah.
"I don't want to infect you," said Mary Alice as she struggled to get up. Sarah helped up her former pet until she was standing on her reconfigured paws. Mary Alice was nowhere near as massive as Abby was. In fact, she was only a few inches taller than Sarah and that was just because of her digitigrade legs. Her body was also leaner and less developed, like a young teenager, which M.A. probably was in dog years.
"I think we better call the Brown Farm or something," said Mrs. Wesley, going back to the phone.
Sarah looked M.A. up and down. Her black and white fur covered most of her body, but her small nipples were still visible. "I think we ought to get you some clothes," said Abby, "I think you're the same size as me."
Mary Alice wagged her tail and said, "That sounds like fun."