Emily looked at the picture with a puzzled look on her face. The image shown was no longer that of an infant girl, but rather a dog with a pink collar and leash. She looked down to where her boyfriend sat to see a small pug awkwardly trying to look down at itself, growling and quietly barking to him, or rather her, self.
"Rick?" Emily asked.
"Bark... *whimper*" Was all that Rick could muster. He was a freaking animal, and still a female one at that!
Emily picked up the dog, examining out of curiosity. Rick was now nothing but a slightly chubby black pug. Curly tail, scrunched up face, dark fur everywhere, and the pink collar which read "Nala" in a girlish script. Just to check, the pug was definitely female which only made her feel bad for Rick who seemed to just not get a break. She finally flipped the collar around to find an address on the back, telling her that "Nala" was her dog.
"Grr, ruff!" Rick growled, embarrassed to being examined by his girlfriend, and unable to even make a hand gesture with his new stubby paws.
"Sorry Rick, just had to check to make sure we had time." She explained before setting him down. She put the camera away in her purse, which caused rick to tilt his head in confusion. "No I'm sorry Rick but it's way too risky to keep trying right now! The world remembers you as my dog so let's just finish this walk and get back to a secure location."
Rick couldn't argue with her logic. He also couldn't argue since his mouth couldn't even form anything recognizable as words. He let out a sigh and decided to just follow Emily. The rest of the walk back towards Emily's was strange to say the least. Rick was amazed at how easily he kept up with Emily.
Despite suddenly having to walk on all fours, it came natural to him. He looked around the street, amazed at how dull his vision was but he was also taken aback by how great everything smelled! He took a whiff of a passing bush and could tell which dogs had been there and how long ago.
He was honestly starting to enjoy this unique perspective, but was quickly brought out of the fun when the passed a male bulldog. Rick got one diff of the dog and suddenly felt a rush of horny thoughts. He found himself daydreaming about being pounded and impregnated by this thing, and found himself attracted to it! He shook himself out of it and got as close to Emily as possible.
Finally, they reached Emily's house, and both felt relief to finally have time to think.
"Mom, Dad? I'm home!" Emily called out.
No response was given back and she let out a sigh of relief.
"It's ok Rick, we've got the house to ourself." She explained while she knelt down to remove Rick's leash.
"Bark!" Rick responded, trying his best to let her know he was relieved as well.
Emily grabbed Rick once more, carrying him as easily as carrying a purse and the two made their way to Emily's room. She shut the door and placed the camera on the bed and Rick on the floor. To her surprise, the room looked almost identical to how it was supposed to be. The only differences she could see was a new purple doggy bed next to her bed, and every photo that originally had Rick in it had Emily's new boyfriend.
Rick growled at the photo and Emily chuckled.
"I know Rick, don't be jealous. I don't know who he is either." She said with a smile. "I guess in a reality where I never met you, I probably met this guy on campus and we went out." She speculated.
Rick growled again before plopping onto his new bed. Emily stifled a giggle which caused Rick to sit back up.
"Sorry Rick, but you gotta admit you make an adorable pug." She laughed.
"Bark! Woof!" He growled, trying his best to lift his tiny front leg towards the camera.
"I know, I was thinking about that. Do we wanna risk it at all right now?" She asked. "I mean, I know I don't want you to be a dog either but we barely understand this thing. One option is we could try now and risk a worse change, or we wait to get in touch with Mary's group and ask for their expertise and advice." She reasoned.
Rick whimpered at that. He couldn't exactly debate with her, but he wanted to make sure she knew exactly which option he wanted.
"I know I know.... I guess we should..."