Puppy Love

Two dogs, a poodle and a mongrel, relaxed together on the nicely landscaped grounds of Farfang Castle, on a night when the moon was full and all was pleasant outside. They had been racing through the woods together, immensely enjoying each other’s company, as always. Now exhausted and ready to catch their breath, they laid down side by side on the immaculately manicured lawn, and looked up at the full moon and the clear, star-filled sky.

"I love you, Batty," Freddy whispered softly in her ear, in the canine language that was natural for both of them. "You're my best friend in the world."

"I love you too, Freddy," Batty softly whispered back.

“Y’know Batty,” said Freddy, while snuggling closely to his canine girlfriend, “I wish we could spend more time together. As dogs, that is.”

“I do too," said Batty, nuzzling Freddy as they cuddled together. “But I’m happy as we are. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Yeah. It’s frusterlating, though. When the sun comes up, it messes it up for us. I wish I didn't have to change back so soon.” Freddy scowled with annoyance.

"That's what's supposed to happen," Batty said pleasantly, trying to reassure him. "You shouldn't let it bother you."

"Yeah, but it does bother me! And it doesn't have to be that way."

"How could it not be that way?" Batty asked curiously. "You're a werepoodle. That's what you do."

"There are ways to keep me from changing," Freddy asserted. "I just need to find one."

Batty guessed what Freddy was thinking. “You’re wishing you could have a Moonstone, ain’t you?”

Batty knew that Moonstones had a magical effect on werefolk like Freddy. A Moonstone could keep him in whatever form he was currently in, for as long as it was in contact with his body. With a Moonstone, he could remain a dog for as long as he wanted.

“Yeah!" Freddy acknowledged. "I want to have a Moonstone. But the grown-ups won’t let me have one.”

“’Cause Moonstones are too dangerous.” Batty knew well the hazards that Moonstones could present to werefolk.

Freddy had another idea. “A silver collar could do it too. I don’t like silver. . . it’s awful stuff. But I’d do it for us.”

Batty's eyes widened with concern. "Silver is poisonous for werefolk, ain't it? It could kill you!"

"Yeah, it could. But as long as it doesn't cut me or scratch me, I'll be okay. And it would keep me from changing, just like a Moonstone."

Batty wondered if Freddy was being a bit foolish. "How could you be sure it wouldn't scratch you or cut you?"

"I would need to get a really good silver collar," Freddy explained. "It would need to be nice and smooth, so it won't scratch my skin. Then we could spend more time as dogs together."

“That would be nice, if you're sure it won't hurt you. But I don't think your dad would like it. I'm sure he wants you to be normal."

"Normal? Like a normal werepoodle?"

"Yeah, like a normal werepoodle. He'll want you to change back when the sun comes up, like the other werefolk do."

"I am a normal werepoodle," Freddy argued. "I'm the only werepoodle, so whatever I do is normal. For a werepoodle."

"I guess you could look at it that way," Batty giggled. "But I don't think your dad will."

"I think I should be allowed to be what I want to be," Freddy asserted. "If I want to spend more time as a poodle, that should be my choice."

"I agree," Batty said lovingly. "It should be your choice. But I don't think your dad would like it."

"Maybe he would if I told him what I'm really thinking. And if I told you, too."

"What are you thinking?" Batty asked curiously.

Freddy hesitated. Batty could see that the question made him uneasy, and he looked reluctant to respond.

Batty nuzzled his cheek lovingly. "You can tell me, Freddy. . . I won't hurt you."

Freddy had to work up the courage to say what he had on his mind.

"I love you, Batty. . . "

"I know, Freddy. I love you too."

"I want to always be a dog with you. All the time. I don't want to ever change back again."

Batty was astonished by what Freddy was suggesting, and she wondered if he really meant it.

"Never... again? You really mean it?"

"Yes, I do," Freddy confirmed. "I love you Batty. I don't want to ever change back to a human again."

Batty looked at him as though she were blushing at being offered such an incredible gift of love.

"That's really sweet of you, Freddy. But you don't have to do that for me."

"I want to do it for you, Batty! I want to do it for both of us. Because I love you so much."

Batty licked him on the face and spoke to him softly, "I love you too, Freddy."

Batty's expression of love put Freddy in seventh heaven.

"I want to do it, Batty!" Freddy exclaimed, now quite excited by the idea. "As soon as I possibly can. I just need to get that collar."

Batty was a bit more reserved. "That's wonderful, Freddy. But your dad won't like it. How will you go to school if you're a dog?"

"I won't go to school any more. Dogs don't go to school."

"Where will you get a silver collar?"

"I dunno. I hope my dad will help me get one."

"Why would he do that? He won't want you to be a dog all the time."

"It's my life... I think I should be allowed to be what I want to be. I hope he will agree with that. I think he understands that kind of thing."

"Maybe. I still think he'll say no," Batty replied sceptically.

"I'm going to ask him anyway."

"Ask him Freddy! Maybe he'll say yes. And even if he doesn't, we can still be friends anyway."

"Yeah! I really want to be a dog with you. . . not just when there's a full moon, but all of the time. For my whole life. I hope we can get started real soon!"

Batty looked deeply into Freddy’s eyes, with a dreamy-eyed expression on her face. "I hope so too, Freddy."

"I'll make sure it happens," Freddy whispered to her, as they snuggled down together to rest. "I'll find a way, no matter what my dad says. We're both going to be dogs together. Real soon." He nuzzled her lovingly on the cheek.

With their minds filled with anticipation of an exciting future, the poodle and the mongrel cuddled closely together and fell asleep under the full moon.