"Dude, I can't believe you actually convinced your parents to keep that thing as a pet."

Tucker was actively standing on the far side of the Fenton's yard, slightly pressed against the back door, just in case Cujo decided to go big and snack on tech geek.

Cujo was busy digging holes in the grass. A line from the Fenton ghost fisher had been tied to his collar and Danny was praying the pup didn't see a squirrel and rip through it. Danny, meanwhile, was busy digging holes along the perimeter of the yard and pounding foot long stakes into them. Each stake was a high tech piece of Fenton ghost gear which would create a barrier around the yard and prevent Cujo from running away and terrorizing the city by accident. It was one of the conditions of being allowed to keep the ghost pup.

"Hey, Tuck, can you hand me another spike?"

"That would mean getting near your new dog. Sorry, but pass. Last time I went near that thing it tried to eat me."

"...fair enough."

The back door suddenly swung open and collided with Tucker.

"Hey, do you mind, I can't get out with you in the way."

Tucker peaked around the door to see their other friend, Sam, carrying a box and looking annoyed.

"You could say please, you know." Tucker snorted but moved anyway. "What's with the box?"

"Bribes," Sam said gleefully. "I figure if Danny's going to have a ghost pet we might as well get it to like us. Plus as much as I like trees, I don't want to have to climb one every time Cujo sees us."

"Good point, what have you got?"

Tucker and Sam both leaned over the box and began sorting through the contents to locate something the pup might enjoy.

"A rubber t-bone? Really? Why not just spring for a real one? I know you have the cash for it." Tucker scoffed.

"Vegetarian, remember," Sam said, snatching the toy away. "Besides I don't think ghost dogs eat the same stuff as regular dogs."

"Are you sure about that? Do ghosts even eat anything?"

"I know they can eat, or at least I've definitely seen a few of them with food, but I don't know if they have to eat."

Danny pounded the last stake into the ground and began covering it with dirt.

"That's just one of many things I need to learn if I'm going to make this work. The last thing I need is Cujo getting hungry and deciding to eat Jazz." Danny wiped the dirt off on his jeans while he spoke.

"Yeah, I don't think your parents would be too happy about that," Sam said with a dark chuckle. "Now, which of these do you think says, 'I want to be your friend, please don't eat me'."

"Probably anything with a squeaker." Danny knelt down and started looking through the box and giving the toys a squeeze. A cloth duck squealed in his hand and he glanced over to see Cujo's head whip around. "Looks like a winner." He held the duck out to Tucker. "Care to give it a try."

Tucker hesitated and pushed the duck away. "Maybe Sam should try first, this was her idea."

"Thanks, Tuck," Sam said dryly. "Just throw me to the wolves."

"Anytime, Sam."

Danny and Sam exchanged a flat look before Sam grabbed the duck and stood up.

"Fine then. If I end up dog chow I'm coming back to haunt you first."

"That's fair."

Sam approached Cujo slowly, waving the toy to get his attention.

"Hey, boy, do you want to play? I have a nice toy for you."

She gave it a squeeze and the toy squealed, immediately catching Cujo's attention. Yipping he ran to the end of the leash and started pulling.

Sam took a few steps closer so she could hold the toy just above the pup. Cujo stood on his back paws and yipped. He wanted that toy.

"So you do want it? Don't you? If you promise not to eat me I'll give it to you."

Cujo crouched down and wiggled, ready to jump, only instead of jumping he suddenly grew another eight feet and snatched the duck on his way up.

"Holy…!" Sam yelled as the toy was seized from her hand.

A moment later Cujo shrunk down to puppy size again and was shaking the duck with all his might.

Sam back away slowly.

"Alright, Tuck, your turn."

"You know what, he seems busy. Maybe I'll try tomorrow."

"Tucker!"

"Fine." Tucker reached into his pocket and handed a small box to Danny. "If I die press this button."

"What is it?"

"A kill switch to my computer. Complete system destruction."

"…I will guard this with my life."