“So Riley, how have you been?”
“Good I guess. Thanks for playing along with me back there. I just couldn’t deal with all of them.”
“It’s no big deal, I’m just glad things didn’t escalate. Your dad has kind of a temper and William was kinda-“
John stopped talking when he realized Riley was rubbing his back against the bed post.
“Uh.. dude?”
“What? Oh sorry. I kinda forgot that I have actual arms and thumbs right now. Man, being able to properly scratch myself is amazing!”
“Why do you spend so much time as dogs anyway?”
“It’s simpler. Less worries, less maintenance, no needing to live up to expectations. I mainly spend time as a Great Dane, though little dogs can be fun too.”
“Like that terrier you were thing morning?”
“Ugh, don’t remind me about THAT. Mom made me turn into that breed. Still, being a dog is overall awesome.”
So your parents are just cool with you staying a dog most of the time?
“Yup! I still go to school as a human but as soon as I get home I put on one of my spare collars and take a walk on the wild side. Well, as wild as I can get as a house pet.
The rest of the evening was filled with Riley sharing some of his most memorable canine experiences. He told the story about the time he bit the mailman just to see what the hype was all about, the time he snuck into a movie as a chihuahua under some lady’s dress, and the time he peed in William’s car without him ever finding out. This went on until both boys fell asleep.
The next morning~
“Pssst, wake up sleepy head!” Riley poked his cousin awake.
“Huh, Riley? It’s been like 12 hours, I assumed you’d wake me up with your dog tongue or something.”
“Well all those questions you asked me last night got me thinking....why don’t you try it? Being a dog I mean.”
“Try it?! Woah!” John rolled off his bed. If he has a drink he would’ve spat it out then and there.
Riley giggled, “ I brought some of my collars with me in the luggage. They’re all male dogs too. Care to give it a go?”