Paul was twenty-one and lived in an apartment by himself. If Kat's parents had known about Paul they would not have approved but Kat had
always been clever about keeping her parents in the dark, especially now that she had magic and had cast a spell making everyone believe that
her dad and her brother Dan were dogs. Even her mother didn't think it strange that her husband and son disappeared about the same time as
Kat got two dogs.
Paul lived in a tiny apartment. He couldn't afford much. But he wanted the freedom to be away from his parents. He wasn't that attractive or
popular either. He was selfish, a slob, and a jerk. So he appreciated that Kat seemed to like him although he knew that Kat was using him just a
little.
He walked to the local convenience store for some beer but as soon as he walked in the door, the guy behind the counter got upset and yelled.
"Hey, get out of here. Dogs aren't allowed in the store. Shoo. Get out of here you dumb dog." As the cashier continued yelling, he approached
Paul in an aggressive manner as if he was shooing Paul out of the store.
Paul asked, "Who you talking to? I don't see a dog."
The cashier said, "Take it easy, puppy. I'm not trying to hurt you. Just trying to get you outside. Would someone help me."
A girl came up and said, "Aw, he's such a nice doggy." She sweet talked her way to Paul and began patting his head. She ran her fingers through
his hair as she said, "Come on, puppy. You don't want to be in here anyway."
Paul let himself be lead outside by the girl and the girl stayed outside with him for a while petting him. He tried to kiss her but she said, "Down
boy. I like dogs but I don't like being licked."
Paul was beginning to think she liked him and was playing a game but then she went back into the store and closed the door. The cashier
stood near the door barring him from entering.
Paul barked, "Well I guess I can get beer somewhere else."
Paul walked to the grocery store but had an even worse situation there. Several employees were called to chase Paul up and down the aisles
until they caught him and dragged him out of the store. Paul wondered why none of them understood what he was saying. Then he
remembered Kat's family. Paul went home and called Kat immediately.
Paul asked, "Did you make it so everyone thinks I'm a dog?"
Kat said, "Not everyone. I did something special for you."
Paul asked, "Why are you angry at me? What did I do?"
Kat said, "I'm not angry at you. I'm just having some fun."
Paul asked, "But how am I going to live if I can't talk to anyone."
Kat said, "Don't worry about it. I worked the spell so that your landlord, your boss and anyone who needs to will still think of you as human.
You'll still be able to keep your job and your apartment. You'll just need to be careful when you go out in public."
Paul asked, "What if I need to buy groceries?"
Kat said, "If you need anyone to think of you as human that I haven't already worked the spell for, just call and let me know and I'll arrange it.
By the way, I'd strongly recommend that you go get yourself registered with a collar and license as your own dog. Buy yourself some pet
supplies too. You might find them necessary so people will know that you are your own pet dog and not just some stray. You wouldn't want
the dog catchers to catch you."
Paul asked, "How am I supposed to do that?"
Kat explained, "I've already arranged that you can go to the Daimler Dog Training Academy. They also sell pet supplies and handle all pet
needs. I'll be over later to play with your new doggy. Does that sound like fun?"
So Paul went to the Daimler Dog Training Academy and said, "I need to register a dog."
The man said, "Right this way." and led Paul into a veterinary clinic.
Paul asked, "I just need to register the dog. I don't need a veterinary bill."
The man said, "We don't register animals unless they've had their vaccinations and updated medical records. Now if you'll put your dog up on
the table."
Paul quickly called Kat, "He wants to vaccinate me."
Kat said, "Just go along with it. It's all prepared."
Paul said, "But I don't want to receive any shots."
Kat asked, "When was the last time you saw a doctor?"
Paul said, "Four years ago."
Kat said, "Then your overdue. Now get yourself up on the table and let the vet do his job."
Feeling very scared, Paul hung up and got up on the table.
The vet said, "Please remove your dog's clothes. I don't want any clothing getting in the way."
Paul hesitantly undressed. He worried since there were windows and open spaces all around making it easy for anyone to see in. But Paul
figured that anyone who saw would think they were seeing a dog so Paul undressed completely.
The vet did all the usual. Paul braced himself for the vaccination shots in his butt. The vet said, "Hold your dog steady. We don't want him
jumping." Then the vet felt Paul's balls. "Do you want us to neuter him while we're here? It's free with the check up and vaccinations."
Paul said, "No thank you."
The vet said, "Suit yourself. If you change your mind later, you'll have to pay for it."
Then the vet was all done. He went to the computer and started typing in information asking questions of Paul. "So what do you want to name
your dog?"
Paul said, "Let's call him Rufus."
The vet continued registering Rufus. "All done. We can create his tags here while you go in the store and purchase a collar."
Paul said, "I need to buy some other stuff too. I don't have any pet supplies."
The vet said, "Take your time. I'd recommend you get formula H dog food. Based on my examination, your dog should be in a lot better health
than he is. You also should take him running more often or out to the park to play fetch. You don't want him growing old too fast."
Paul walked over to buy pet supplies. His mind was still coming to grips with the fact that he was naked in public and that it was okay because
everyone saw him as a dog, and yet he could talk with the employees and they all still spoke with him as if he was human. Paul bought a collar
and with recommendations from the employees, he also bought a leash, a dog bed, a dog house, dog food (formula H), and other supplies.
With the games Kat was playing, he couldn't be sure that he wouldn't need this stuff. When he was done, the vet attached the tag to his collar
and Paul put the collar on. Then he got dressed and went home.