I heard that giggle, and smiled, glad my pet had found her way outside. Maybe she would relieve herself and go back in. My eyes were closed as I enjoyed the soak in my below ground pool, but a large splash and water hitting me in the face changed that. My heart squeezed, she had fallen in! Humans didn't soak, they had no need to swim!

I ran as fast as possible in the water, panicking as my poor pet drowned. She somehow fought her way to the surface, standing in the shallows, and getting out. “Good girl,” I sighed in relief. “You can't come in.”

My heart squeezed as she giggled again, and ran to the opposite side, the deep end! “No.” I tried, “bad girl.” She wouldn't be able to get to the shallows from there, she'd dïe!

I struggled out, running to where she was, but it was too late. She jumped into the pool, and I jumped after her. “Piper!” I panicked, pulling her into my arms. She whined, and tried to push me away, but I set her on the edge. “Bad human. Bad Piper. Your clothes are ruined.” Fear was making me dramatic, they could be washed.

She grabbed her knees listening to me explain why she couldn't go into the water. She didn't understand the words, but she knew she was in trouble. And she acted the part of a guilty pet perfectly.

But, once I ran out of steam she bounded up, and raced to the side again, diving into the water. “Piper!” I screamed, trying to get to her. She came up giggling, padding like a hatchling through the water.

I reached for her again, half heartedly wanting her out this time. She avoided me with a swipe of her paw through the water to change direction. “How did you learn that?” I wondered out loud.

She floated in the water, appearing to stand, but her feet didn't touch the deep bottom. Face cocked to the side, she glanced at the water, and then at me. “Piper?” I questioned as she got an odd look, “What are yo-”

The amount of water an unwebbed paw can move was surprising. My top half was drenched, as water weighted down my ear flaps to stick to my neck, and dropped down my face. “How did you?”

Another wave came, but I turned my back to it. “No you don't,” I hissed a laugh, running after her. She squealed, and tried to swim away, but soon she was covered in my own wave, larger than what she had made. I pulled back to make another.

“Excuse me!” A rough voice cut between us, Piper squeaked, and swam to me, pressed to my back. “Pets aren't allowed in the pool. Especially not humans. They're poisonous.” Picking up Piper, and getting out, I sighed at the same myths. “We'll have to drain the pool, what if she gets our residents sick!”

“She's not poisonous.” I said, Piper pressed her face into me. “It's ok. Good girl.” I petted her scalp, and she peeked out again.

“It is not ok, and she's not a good girl. She's on camera sneaking out of your flat, and jumping into the pool. Can't you control your animal!” The person in front of me was getting angry, dewlap flashing as they bobbed up and down.

Piper squeaked, scared at the aggressive show. I rose to my full height, looking down on them, and they stepped back.

“I mean, um, pets shouldn't -”

Their entire tone had changed, but I cut them off. “I have to get to work, drain the pool if you must.” pushing past, I went inside, hearing muttered complaints.

“Pipes, what am I going to do?” She just looked at me, large eyes looking around for something. “What is it, pet? What do you need?” Her tummy growled and she touched it with a small whine. “Ok, let's dry first.”

*Again- Never jump into pools, it is not safe.

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