Mitch got settled in his recliner to watch some Sunday afternoon
sports. He felt very satisfied that for only 20 bucks he had gotten
the neighbor kid to take care of all the mundane chores.
In the back yard, Sean unfastened Mitch’s dog. “Good boy, Reg,”
Sean said as he attached a leash to Reg’s collar in preparation
for a walk around the neighborhood.
Sean petted the dog on the head. The dog’s tailed wagged
gratefully for the attention.
“Mitch ought to know what it’s like to live your life,” Sean said. He
felt a strange warmth as the amulet glowed. “I wish Mitch knew
how it felt to have to stay chained up in the backyard all day.”
Inside the house, Mitch felt strange. The TV remote he held in his
hand suddenly slipped and dropped onto the floor.
He tried to pick up the remote, but his arm began to fade. “What
the—” Mitch exclaimed. Even his voice seemed to grow fainter.
Suddenly, a heap of clothes draped over the recliner.
In the backyard, a disoriented Mitch opened his eyes and looked
up into the huge face of the neighbor boy.
“Sean! What are you doing in here?” Mitch asked.
He felt shock to hear excited barking coming from his throat.
“I’m hurrying, boy,” Sean said. He snapped the leash on the
dog’s collar. “Ready to go?”
Mitch felt a tug. Collar? Leash?
“What’s going on?” Mitch shouted.
He only produced a couple of husky barks.
“Damn! I’m a dog!” Mitch realized.
Sean pulled on the leash. “Come on, Reg. Time for your walk?”
Reg? “Damn, I’m my own dog,” Mitch realized.