Dan awoke as the sky grew light. Crisp air filled his nostrils, but he felt cozy and wrapped in warmth. He took a big yawn and stretched out his legs. He could feel them touching something, something that also began to move. Lazily opening his eyes, he could see fur and remembered he was a dog. But the fur wasn't his. Then he remembered he wasn't alone. Beside and around him lay Stewart who was already awake using his tongue to bathe parts of Dan.
Springing to his feet, Dan stumbled across the enclosure trying to escape Stewart and memories of last night. Stewart slowly followed while Dan did his best to indicate he didn't want Stewart by him. Dan even tried to think like he did when "talking" to Kat, but Stewart didn't seem to understand. However, after a growl and a shake plus thinking "Just leave me alone," Stewart seemed to shrug and wandered off. Dan then went off to do his daily business followed by sitting down to clean himself with his tongue.
After some time of doggy cleaning, a thought hit him. "Disgusting. I'm doing stuff that is so revolting, but I don't even think about that like it's natural." Dan reprimanded himself, thinking he should wash his mouth out to get rid of the taste that just a few moments before didn't bother him.
Dan's fear of being a dog forever was growing stronger just as his dog actions were taking over more. All he could think about right now was having some juicy raw meat or some of those wonderful crunchy dry nuggets Kat had given him for dinner. "Oh, if only I had obeyed my master I wouldn't be here. ... Wait! NO! Kat's not my master. Not yet, anyway." Dan tried to keep his mind focused on who he was and not what he is. It was becoming increasingly difficult, and Dan got even more terrified which sent him into a fit running around the fence until he was panting hard and almost foaming at the mouth.
"Look at that one!" "What's wrong with him?" "Is he sick?" "He was wild in the park. Maybe bit by a rabid raccoon." Several voices were speaking, but Dan was too lost in his own mental torment to hear. He just sat in the middle of the enclosure staring out blindly until someone opened the cage and brought Dan and Stewart some fresh water.
~~~
About noon, the woman from yesterday came to the fence and told Dan and Stewart, "We got a call and someone is coming for Stewart shortly. Maybe we'll hear from your owner later."
Dan just looked at her with his doggy smile until she walked off. He was going to be stuck here longer, but at least he wouldn't have to worry about friendly Stewart. As if knowing what was said, Stewart came over and gave Danny a few licks goodbye just before his owner came. Dan tried to avoid them, but they just started sniffing each other and one thing lead to another before Dan came to his human sense and trotted away.
~~~
It was getting to be late afternoon while Dan snoozed when -ZAP- a jolt of electricity shot him in the side sending him flying straight up with a yelp then running across the cage.
"Great little toy this. I should get one for home." It was Kat showing her full evil smile.
"KAT! YOU BITCH, I'll ..."
"Speaking of bitches, where's your cell buddy?" she interrupted and then laughed.
"You ... you ..." Dan barked but was so mad he couldn't finish his thought.
"What did you say? Maybe you've finally reached the point so close to being a dog that I can no longer understand you. It should all be over tomorrow when the week's up.
"NO IT WON'T. I'll never ... What about tomorrow? What's with this week thing?" Dan kept barking as the woman who had caught him came over to Kat.
"He must really like you. I've never seen a dog bark so much when his owner came from him. You two must have some special bond."
"Yeah. It's like we're brother and sister." Kat smirked as the woman went to fetch Dan.
"Now, you know the state requires that all dogs have a chip and be neutered or spade unless they're used for breeding. You dog doesn't have a chip and still has his set, so you need to take care of that." the woman said.
"Oh, I've been taking care of that, alright; and he has been breeding." Kat said so innocently that Dan felt nauseous.
"That works as long as he is kept confined. But if he gets out and is picked up again, it's required that he be neutered."
"No, KAT. Don't ... you ... dare."