******* The Old man's House *******
"...So your saying, animals in this universe can walk on two legs and talk?" I asked, repositioning myself on the couch.
"That's right." The old man reassured me.
"Wow, in my universe most animals are just plain stupid, though dogs and cats are still common pets. I guess that's the difference between our universes." I looked down at my new feline body, then looked up at the old man. "Are all cats this small? I'm only like 1 foot tall."
"Well, that's quite easy to explain. You see, you were not an adult human, therefore when I changed you to a cat you wouldn't be an adult cat, but a kitten" He explained.
I sat motionless, just letting everything set in. We had been talking for quite some time now; there was certainly a lot to take in. Heck, I was sitting next to a griffin that could use magical powers! Not to mention I was stuck here in this universe where animals were actually intelligent. "Well, what now? Is there.... no way I can go back home?"
"For now, no. I never heard of beings able to freely go through universes that didn't have magical abilities. I'm surprised you were even able to survive the transition to get here." The old man stopped and raised his index finger into the air. "I have a proposition for you."
"And what would that be?" I asked, hoping for some good news.
"If you agree to stay here with me and my pet dog, King, I will try to contact my associates and see if there is a way to send you back home. But you have to agree to live like a pet, you'll have to eat cat food, use a litter box and act like an everyday house pet. And you especially can't tell King what is going on." The old man's face was very serious. "If you don't want to do that, then you can leave and live the life of a feral cat, or should I say Kitten."
Wow, this guy isn't giving me much of a choice... Could I live the life of a house pet? I don't have any other options I suppose. It couldn't be hard to be a cat; all they do is sleep all day, right?
"Alright, I'll agree to be your 'pet', I can't promise how well of a cat I can be though."
"Well that's perfectly fine, you are a kitten after all, and no one will expect you to act like a mature cat." The old man paused. "I just realized I hadn't introduced myself to you, my names Pete."
"My Name's Andrew" I replied back, trying my best to make light of my current situation.
"Hmm, that won't do at all" Pete replied, rubbing his chin.
"Huh?" I replied confused.
"Andrew is not a typical pet name, no that won't do at all... If you're going to be my pet you need to have a suitable name." Pete snapped his fingers and a small cloud of smoke appeared around my neck which quickly dissipated.
I now had a green collar around my neck, with a name tag that read 'Shadow'.
"Shadow?"
"Yes, I think that will be a perfect name for you." He said smiling.
"I suppose..."
Just then the I heard the front door open and close, and a corgi wearing a scarf walked in (on 2 legs I must add). Wow, it's so strange seeing a dog walk just like a human.
"King I have someone I want you to meet." Pete called.
I gulped, I hope he doesn't hate cats, maybe he'll go easy on my cause I'm a kitten...
King turned and looked at Pete, then over at me.
"You got a kitten?" King said walking over to us.
Even though Corgi's are a small breed of dog he was certainly taller than my new kitten body.
"Yes, I thought you would like to have a new friend in the house. King, this is Shadow, Shadow this is King."
"Uh, Hi..." I greeted meekly.
King looked down at me, with a face that looked as if he was disgusted with me.
"Hey" King said to me, before looking back at Pete. "I came back for some lunch, can I get something to eat?"
"Is it past Noon already, my how time flies." Pete said before getting up and heading into the kitchen.
King looked back at me before following Pete into the kitchen.
I stayed on the couch, unsure of what to do.
"Shadow, why don't you come have some lunch. I'm sure you have an appetite after today." Pete called to me.
"Uh, ok I'm coming." I replied before slowly edging myself off the couch.
I made my way to the kitchen, still trying to get used to everything seeming so huge compared to my little body. Looking over at king I saw that he was sitting at the table eating out of a dog bow, using a spoon, which had his name on it. I saw another pet bowl but it had my name on it, with similar looking pet food in it. I tried to climb onto a chair, but my small height prevented me from getting onto it. Pete walked over to me and gently moved me onto the table next to my bowl. There was no utensil provided for me so I just used my hands...( or paws? I wasn't sure what to call them they were just like a paw but I had individual digits and even a thumb...) to eat my food.
I thought it was going to taste horrible but it actually wasn't so bad, it almost had a meaty flavor. Which was weird because it was dry kibble of some sort. I kept seeing glimpses of King looking over at me, but I pretended not to notice.
"King, why don't you show shadow around the neighborhood after your done eating?"
"What? I can't just go walking around with a kitten following me. The other dogs with rag on me!" King said annoyed.
"King, most of the dogs here already live with cats, I'm sure they'll understand." Pete said.
"Ugh, fine." King replied finishing his food. He jumped down from his chair and started making his way to the front door.
I ate a few more pieces of the dry pet food, and started making my way down off the table. I slid down onto a chair then onto the floor, following king.
"Grab Shadow's scarf from the coat closet King" Pete called to us.
We made our way to the front door, where king opened a small closest, tossing a small scarf just my size at me. I wrapped it around my neck and quickly followed King out the door. I followed King as we walked down the sidewalk. I could see various dogs running around, but I didn't see any cats.
"Hey King!" said a Gray dog as he ran over to us.
"Oh, hey Fox" King replied back.
King stopped walking and Fox came over to King. I was still unsure whether or not to trust all these dogs, so I hid behind King.
"You better hurry; we're having a Good Ol' Dogs Club meeting soon. You know how Bino gets when someone's late." Fox said.
"Uh, about that..." King said, trailing off.
I knew he was going to mention me, so I peered around King's leg and looked up at the giant dog known as Fox.
"Oh, who's that?" Fox asked.
"My owner got a kitten" King replied.
Fox leaned down to me and said "Hey there little guy, I'm Fox." He smiled at me and he seemed really nice.
"Hi I'm An-, Shadow. I'm Shadow." I said, opening up just a bit.
"Fox, I don't think I can go. I'm supposed to watch Shadow; I don't want my owner getting mad at me." King explained.
"Oh I'm sure Fido won't Mind"
"It's not Fido I'm worried about, Bino will freak out."
"Don't worry, What Fido says, goes. Bino will just get angry and forget about it." Fox said. "Cmon we can't be late" he said before grabbing King's Paw and dragging him along.
Oh jeez, now I'm being dragged so some sort of dog meeting. I quickly started following the two dogs, I almost had to run. Darn my small legs!
After a few minutes we arrived at the backyard of a house, where there was a pretty big planked shed. Which I assumed was the 'Club House'. Fox went over to the door and knocked a few times; a dog with sunglasses on his head opened it up.
"Hey Fido" Fox and King greeted him.
"Hey guys, you're just in time for the meeting." Fido said.
"Fido, we have a little problem..." Fix said.
"Yea, my owner got a kitten and I'm supposed to watch him. Is it alright if he comes with me?" King asked.
Fido looked over King's shoulder and down at me. "Hey there" Fido smiled down at me. "Of course King, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble with your owner." Fido said happily. "Come on in!"
I followed Fox and King inside where I saw a bunch of dogs of all kinds. I clung myself to King's leg, hoping not to be seen, maybe no one would notice me.
"Hey everyone, we have a guest with us today, King's owner got a kitten and he has to watch him. So I want you all to be on your best behaviors" Fido explained to the others.
All the dogs got quiet and looked over at me. Crap.
