The Perfect Pet

Misunderstood - Puppy

When I was younger, shortly after I was dubbed Puppy, one of the older boys began to poke fun.

He was quite popular amongst us, set to be auctioned soon. He had a devote following of subs and made social connections I always had trouble with. He hated his crate and I liked mine. When the trainer patted me on the head an left us to occupy ourselves until the night staff came to crate us properly he approached me. "I didn't know you were a dog."

At the time I confused. I was Charlie — well, Puppy now — but I was sub, just like him. "No." I smiled and tried to be cheery. The trainers said good subs always smiled. "I'm a person!"

"No, you're a dog." He snickered and so did a few others subs. It was scattered and unsure. "Do you go potty in your crate too? Ugh, I feel bad for whoever is kept beneath you!"

My face felt warm and a feeling burrowed into my chest. It was like nervousness but something it ached to my very core. "N-no." The smile that was so important waned. "I'm not a dog."

But now Sir had decided I was. I liked my crate but I wasn't an animal. Sir wanted a proper sub and I couldn't be that if he made me bark! But I had already dug myself in too deeply. The scenery was familiar and I felt a spark of excitement at seeing Sir's parents again before I remembered how disastrous the last trip was. Outside the car Sir stripped me down to my underwear and made my crawl.

It hurt my knees but it hurt my heart more. I wanted to go back to my kennel where no one could see but my kennel wasn't here. Inside the house a bowl of water was set out in front of me. I was thirsty and my mouth was dry but I didn't dare drink from it. Sir's father came in and I quickly looked away from him remembering Sir's rules. "Connor," he greeted. "What have you done with that poor boy's clothes? He may be eighteen now but please show some tact."

Sir made a noise at the comment. "He ruins the clothes I put on him. I'm making a point."

"You ruined a nine thousand dollar tux with jelly when you were twenty three, if I recall correctly. Accidents happen. Come here, Puppy."

I didn't move. "He knows who his master is," Sir said in a snide tone. "Go ahead Puppy. You may look at him."

I crawled over and once more Sir's father sighed. "Is he a sub or a pet? Briggs don't bring around pets, in case you've forgotten."

"Relax it's a punishment while we're here. I would never actually have my sub crawl at my feet in public. He's so damned clumsy." I bowed my head as those words cascaded over me. They were like physical blows. The plate, the bowl, falling in front of Sir... It was no wonder he would tell me to act like a dog, I acted like one! "I'll lift it before we leave."

"He's practically in tears." I hadn't expected Sir's father to care at all by his attention felt nice. I forehead rested against his thigh. "What's your color, Puppy?"

I didn't want Sir's father to think I was an animal but Sir has punished me already, briefly, but I had hurt. I didn't want him to bring out the paddle again and I didn't want him to give me away. So I barked and choked toward the end as a sob caught me by surprise. "Connor, end this." Sir's father sounded angry because of me and I tried hard to stop my fussing. "I raised you better than this."

"They said he's a pet," Sir argued. "And punishments are supposed to make him feel bad. Don't coddle my sub."

I focused on the outer seam of Sir's father's pants. They were nice, probably expensive. He hadn't wrinkled them. "It's not coddling. You're pushing too hard for whatever this is. You've been acting strangely."

"There's nothing strange about disciplining an out of control sub."

"Out of control?" He laughed but it was strange and forced. "He's yours to do with as you please but we had hoped this one would last longer."