It seemed if Jay wasn't in a bar, he was roaming in a park. However, today was different; while he was usually in the park as a golden retriever or other big dog to blow off steam, today, he was a brown and white corgi. He roamed the park on his short little legs while his cute little tail wagged and his fuzzy bottom shook as he walked. Every now and then, he'd give some stranger the traditional 'lost puppy' look.

Today wasn't about blowing off steam or having fun. Today, he was all business, looking to run his most effective--if overused--con. But, when you shift into canines, that sort of limits the amount of unique maneuvers you can add to your playbook. And in a place like New York, small to medium sized dogs were the best way to go since apartments couldn't hold his usual golden retriever. 

However, this sort of thing was more like a fishing trip. You couldn't just find your mark then pick them off. For this kind of game, Jay had to sell that he really was a lost dog, And on top of that, he had to be lovable enough for some unsuspecting sucker to want to take him home. And then, once home, you had to pray that they had something worth picking through.  

But...that didn't matter if you couldn't get someone to want to take you home. Jay let out a small whine, rolling over on his belly, and again getting ignored as someone walked by as if he wasn't there. So he kept walking, and suddenly--

KICK!

His stubby legs flew out from under him as he rolled across the grass, letting out a startled yelp. He looked back, mentally giving the evil spawn of Satan who kicked him the middle finger, since dogs didn't have hands. Tail tucked between his legs, he walked on. Maybe he could use that to get someone to feel sorry for him.


Selling it, he began to fake a limp.

Lee had been busy, what with moving and then helping to get Rachel's boutique set up so they could open.

That's why today was all about Kevin. They had already gone out for breakfast, and had just gotten to the park. The moment that Lee had let him go, Kevin had run off leaving Lee standing there holding her coffee cup watching her son run.


This was great! Kevin was so happy. First he had gotten to go out for a special breakfast with his mum, and now they were at the park! Running over to the playground, Kevin went down the slide once, and was just running back around to the last when he saw a dog.

Stopping, Kevin looked around, but he didn't see anyone her the dog. For a couple moments, he just stood there and watched the dog walk along, and he couldn't stop himself from laughing as he saw the dog's butt shaking back and forth. Then Kevin started moving again, but instead of the ladder or the slide, this time he was moving toward the dog.

Jay was starting to give up, maybe find some legit way to pay the rent this month. Usually wasn't his style, but he was looking at a wasted day, and the daylight wasn't getting any younger. And then...he picked up a scent, a familiar, young scent. A child. And...oh look it was coming right towards him.

He froze for a second. While one could generally tell what an adult was going to do, children were much more of a wildcard. They'd love you one minute, strap you to a skateboard the next minute. And yet...it was his only chance. Turning around, he looked at the boy with a wagging tail as he toddled over to the little lad. Then, he flopped over onto his back and waited to see what his fate would be.

Maybe it would turn out in his favor. Kids had parents, and parents could generally be swayed by their kids when sad eyes and wagging tails were involved.

When Kevin saw the dog turn towards him, a huge smile appeared on his face. Just to be followed a moment later by more laughter as the dog started to walk toward before plopping onto the ground and rolling over.

Slowing down slightly (but only slightly, he was excited and 6 after all), Kevin made his way over to the dog. And since it was still just laying there, Kevin knelt down beside it, teaching his hand out to pet.

After Kevin had gone down the slide the first time, Lee started walking, making her way to a nearby bench so that she could sit down. Unlike her son, she didn't have endless energy in the mornings. Plus, it was just more comfortable to sit to drink her coffee before Kevin insisted that that she push him on the swing, or play tag, or something of the sort.

Jay had a...thing...about kids. He didn't hate them, but he didn't really know what to do with them in human form. At least while he was a young corgi, he could just roll with it and didn't have to worry about hurting the little guy. He let the boy pet him, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and sort of wiggling around on the grass before rolling to his feet.

He gave a playful yap, his tail wagging as he sort of took a playful stance. Then, he gently tugged at the little guy's pant leg, wanting to play. Anyone observant would have noticed that the limp was gone, and the kick from earlier didn't seem to hurt him that badly at all. But Jay was sure no one but the kid was paying attention.

Kevin laughed as the dog wiggled as he pet it. And it's tongue was hanging out of its mouth as it rolled around.

Then the dog was getting up, barking a bit, trail wagging, and Kevin laughed some more. But when the dog started to pull on his pant leg, the laughing stopped as Kevin looked down. ”What's up, doggy? You want to play?”

Lee hadn't seen Kevin reappear on the playground equipment like she had expected. Frowning, Lee have it another thirty seconds before she stood up and started walking around eyes darting around for her son. It didn't take long to find him, he was just on the other side of the slide. It was what she saw with her son, what he was doing that was surprising. ”Kevin Patrick Brooks, what are you doing?”

Hearing his full name on his mother's lips, Kevin froze. It was never a good thing when his mum used his whole name. But he hadn't been doing anything wrong, he was just playing with a doggy. ”Mummy, I'm just playing! Isn't he cute?”

Jay wagged his tail happily, as if to answer the boy's question. To emphasize this, he gave another playful bark. And then, upon hearing the boy's full name, the corgi froze as well, looking up at the boy's mother.

Showtime...

He didn't know how this particular woman felt about dogs, but...well he was in too deep to turn around now. That's what he was convinced of, anyway. Tail wagging, he toddled up to the woman, then flopped over on his back, exposing his white fur-covered belly. He did his routine wiggle, trying to look as cute as possible.

Let's face it, the whole look cute to impress women routine only really worked for him when he was in dog shift, anyway...

The moment that she said her son's name, he froze. He had learned that anything she used his full name, he was either in trouble, or close to it. But then the dog that he had been playing with toddled over to her (the really was no other way to describe it), and floured over onto his back. Which only elicited another laugh from Kevin.

”Yes dear, he is cute, but you shouldn't be playing with strange dogs.”

”But mummy!” Kevin said, trying not to whine as he hurried over to the dog. ”He's all by himself. Can we keep him?”

Strange? Who was this lady calling stra--oh wait he was a grown man who could turn into dogs and whenever he did so he was stark naked. So yeah...strange dog wasn't even the half of it. He rolled to his stubby little feet, looking up at the mom with his best sad puppy expression--which, let's face it, was actually really good. Especially considering every shift kept his normal icy blue eye color.

He pawed at her leg, then rubbed his head against her as if he wanted her to pet him. He whined just a bit, perhaps laying the charm on a little thick, but hey, he was doing his best here.

Lee looked around, but sure enough, it did look like Kevin was right, she didn't see anyone around looking for a dog. A dog which was currently paying at her leg and rubbing against the side of her boot.

But rather than respond to her son's request to keep the dog, Lee crouched down, using the pretence of petting the dog to look for a collar. There was none. Of course not, why would anything be easy for her?

”See mummy? He's really nice. Can we keep him? Please?"

Looking up, Lee saw her son's pleading eyes staring at her. ”We can't keep him,” Lee said, still crouched down and scratching the dog behind the ears absently. ”If he were your dog, you would be very upset if he disappeared, right? But, we can help to find who he belongs to.”

Jay let the woman pet him, reveling in it much as a puppy would. He looked up at her before standing on his hind legs and staring into her eyes with his light blue ones, letting his mouth open and his tongue hang out. It didn't look as if this would work, but he was still going to try. Besides, at this point, he really didn't have anything to lose. Suddenly...

Plop! His plump little body lost its balance and he let out a yelp as he plopped over and landed on his side. Standing up, he shook himself off, whining softly before pawing at her leg again.

Feeling the dog moving under her hand, Lee stopped petting him and glanced down to see the dog standing up on his back legs, which only elicited another laugh from Kevin. Though, Lee had to admit, it was rather cute. This was definitely an attention seeking dog that had found her son.

”See mummy, he's smart too!” Kevin exclaimed, the laughter still in his voice.

And a moment, the dog fell over onto his side. With a yelp, and then a bit of whining once he got back to his feet, Lee felt the dog start pawing at her boot again. ”Oh, you're fine,” Lee told the dog, though she did start posting him again.

Then she turned her eyes back to Kevin. ”Take a look around. Do you see anyone looking for a dog?” Lee asked her son. ”And you. Where's your mummy or daddy?” Lee asked the dog in turn, taking her hand away.

He rose on his hind legs again, pawing at her with both paws as he wagged his tail as fast as physically possible. He was pulling out all the stops here, but he wasn't sure it was working. Even still, he was going to damn well try, right? He whined again, as if he was begging to be picked up.

Returning to all fours, he rolled over on his belly again, looking up at her with sad, attention-seeking eyes.

To give him credit, Kevin did actually look around briefly before he turned back to Lee shaking his head. ”I don't see anyone. I told you he was alone.”

But apparently, the dog didn't listen to her as well as her 6 year old had. The moment that she had stopped petting him, the dog was up on his hind legs again pawing at her. Well, Lee supposed not every dog could be as smart as Axel had been.

Taking a quick glance around, Lee did notice that there really did not appear to be anyone looking for a dog. Reaching her hands out, Lee scooped the wiggly puppy up off the ground and stood up again. ”Let's go see what we can find,” Lee said thinking, trying to remember where the closest vet was. The dog didn't look like a stray, maybe he was microchipped.

Okay, so the cute wasn't working, the aggressive attention seeking didn't work too well either. This lady was going to be a hard sell, but he just took it as a challenge. He rolled to his feet, giving a few playful barks.

And then she picked him up. Good. It was a start. Hopefully she wasn't going to take him to the pound or anything. It would be way too awkward if the pound up and found a naked guy in one of the cages. Again.

He let his tail wag, snuggling against the woman as she talked.