"That's the face!"
Jared heard the camera-wielding man's excited proclamation as he entered the park, led on a leash by Kirk. The man rushed toward them as Jared shook his shaggy head to try to dislodge the fringe of fur that fell over his eyes.
"Is this your dog?" The man asked Kirk. He raised his camera and snapped a picture, then looked at the viewer to see the results.
Kirk looked down at the sheepdog, who tried to match his gaze. "Uhm, yeah, he's mine," Kirk said, wondering why the man cared to know.
"He's perfect!" The man extended a hand. Kirk raised his hand as Jared, confused, started to raise a front paw.
"My name's Sam Emerson," he said as he shook Kirk's hand, not noticing the awkwardly raised paw that Jared now tried to lower back to the ground. "I represent the Happy Pup Dog Chow corporation."
"You want to sell me dog food?" Kirk asked.
"No," the man laughed. "I want to make your dog the face of our product. His mug will be plastered on every bag of Happy Pup Dog Chow!"
Kirk's face expression some skepticism. Jared, on the other hand, felt his empty stomach grumble as he began thinking about dog food.
"He's really perfect," Sam said as he reached down and gave Jared's head a few pats.
"I don't know..." Kirk said. He simply wanted to mess with transformed Jared in anonymity. Publicity didn't seem to fit with his plans...
"I am sure the company can make you a very lucrative offer, based on my recommendation, of course," Sam said, sensing he wasn't making headway.
"Lucrative?" Kirk thought of some of the things he could buy with enough money... a gaming computer, a new car...
Jared barked. Was Kirk really considering this?
"You've got to change me back!" Jared barked to remind his "friend" of his promise.
"What do you think, boy?" Kirk crouched down and whispered, "Let's just see what he can offer."
Jared whimpered, beginning to worry he might not get back on two legs any time soon.