(Piper's new favorite dress)

We went up front, letting Yellow ring up our purchases. Fluffykins chirped jumping to see over the counter.

Yellow giggled, picking the boy up around the middle, and placing him on the counter. He ran across the counter, looking at all the things in the cart. The pets chittered back and forth, and Yellow let them for a few moments. "Fluff, you have a job to do."

I tilted my head, ear flaps rising in confusion. "A job."

Yellow just nodded, as Fluffykins dropped into the cart.

Piper let out a loud squawk, probably mad Fluffykins was near her stuff. I'd have to see if I could teach my human to be less possessive

. My eyes widened as the male started to grab clothes, and take them to the counter. Then, he started on the toys. He stopped on the collar, memorized by the color. He glanced at his wrist, spinning the matching black strip on his neck.

Yellow cleared her throat, spurring the male to hand it over. "I think he likes it," she said, "Humans seem to love pretty colors."

Fluffykins opened his mouth wide, showing all his teeth. "He's mad!" I said, ready to pull Piper away if he attacked.

"Huh?" Yellow looked back to her pet from scanning the collars. "Oh, no, that's a smile. It means he's happy. Hasn't Piper ever smiled?"

"Not like that," i said, voice slightly shaking, remembering the soft curve of her mouth when she was happy about her new clothes.

"She will, it'll probably just take a bit for her to get comfortable."

I sighed, "Why did I get a pet with teeth?" Sure, Arlo could do damage with his strong jaw, but he never had. I had to hope Piper was the same.

He pointed at a large box, letting out a sharp noise. "That's Piper's new bed," I said, wondering if he was curious what it was.

Yellow chuckled, setting her pet back on the counter. "It means it's too heavy."

"Oh " I turned to the cart, and lifted the boxed bed with ease.

The male had moved to sit on the edge of the counter, feet hanging off. I was a little scared of the fall from the counter, but Yellow seemed at ease.

The two pets started again, I would have sworn it was an actual conversation until I heard Fluffykins try and fail to say his own name and Piper say good girl and a few other things she'd heard me say. They were just repeating, like birds, like the veterinarian had said.

Piper had her head in her hands again, and I scratched under her chin for her attention. "What's wrong?" I asked, softly. She didn't understand me.

"She could be hungry," Yellow said, pressing a few more keys on the register. "Fluffykins gets upset when he's hungry. Did you get her any snacks? Best not to start with the sweet ones," she warned, seeing her own pet's eyes light up and bury himself in a bag, only to come up with a packet of pet snacks.

"No," she said softly prying the bag away. Fluffykins whimpered. "Sorry, I don't think he understands that not all snacks are his."

Hissing a laugh and taking the bag, I opened it, "Here, Fluffykins, for being a good boy and helping me empty the cart." I passed him one of the tiny blue balls inside. He giggled, and popped it into his mouth, I could see purple juice stain his pink lips.

Nudging Piper, I offered her one. She snorted, pulling her face away. "Or she may be tired," She said, Fluffykins holding out his hand for Piper's uneaten treat. I gave it to him.

"Oh, do you mind?" She reached for the bags, and I shrugged. She pulled out the collars. "This small one is for her wrist. It's not as good as a harness for walking her, but it's better than the neck one. I never walk Mr. Fluffykins with this one. Too much risk, what if something spooks him, and he runs? Their necks are too fragile." She hissed in displeasure, "But the laws say humans must have a neck collar

I took the collars, slipping one onto Piper's uncasted wrist. She looked at it with a frown. I thought she liked these collars! "Now, make sure the collars aren't too tight." She said, as I slipped on the neck collar. My pet stiffened. "Good girl," I praised. The collar was a good thing.

*Hope you all enjoyed it. Please like and comment.*