Daniel sighed, running his fingers through Obi`s silky fur. The dog looked up at him for a moment, giving him a short bark before cuddling and curling into Daniel`s lap, licking his hand briefly.

"You`re everything I`ve got left of him, "Daniel sighed again, cradling the diminutive head between his hands and kissing the top of his dog`s head.

It`d been two years since Darren had joined the other world and since Obi had come to live with him. The only thing Daniel had wanted  as a reminder of Darren had been the little mut and his parents had agreed, knowing that it would be such comfort for the obviously grieving Daniel. Everybody had noticed how hard he had taken the whole ordeal and people had tried to reassure him of their support. Letting him take care of Obi had been an option Darren`s parents had agreed to happily, at least Obi would be in good hands. Obi reminded them too much of Darren so there had been no hesitations.

"Woof,woof..."

*Darren looked up at Daniel, 'I know it`s hard my friend, but you have to be strong. You`ll probably never know but I`m still with you,' Darren sighed curling up in Daniel`s lap after having kissed his friend`s hand, 'but I`ll always be here with you, protect you. '

The first thing Darren had seen after opening his eyes in his new life had been the blanket in the dog`s basket. Seconds later he had realized he was inside the body of a dog and not any dog, his sweet Obi`s body. Strangely enough, it had seemed only natural to him that things should turn this way and he had felt no regret . He had the memory of his previous life, he knew he had been a handsome young man but he didn`t regret not being one anymore. It felt so right to be there . He had a new life as his best friend`s dog and he knew it would be a good life, his friend would never harm him. It was strange how his own mind and Obi`s interacted, but they took turns over the body, sometimes Darren would just wander as Darren, other times he would withdraw and let the more instinctive Obi have his way. He spent a lot of time dealing with inner ,spiritual things which he didn`t have access to before and he hadn`t even been aware of as a man. The universe was different and he had a new world to explore. Regret was not part of him anymore so he couldn`t regret not being a man anymore. Being a dog was what he felt comfortable with now and he enjoyed the ride.

He felt his master tremble and the hand return to caressing him. It felt so good and relaxing. His master`s lips were moving ,Obi couldn`t make out the meaning but Darren understood.

"Obi, I miss him, I know you miss him too," Daniel murmured sadly,"but we must be strong, he would `ve wanted it this way."

"Woof./I know my friend."

Life went on. They say time heels any wound. Daniel had come to terms with Darren`s demise but he didn`t forget him. Darren was in his mind all the time , he felt as if he was hanging around and this feeling got stronger whenever Obi was close. It was a good feeling and he enjoyed spending time with his dog.

Obi spent his time doing what dogs do, getting acquainted with the neighbours, giving Daniel a hard time, destroying and making a mess of himself,  the last mischief involving a trash can and the neighbour`s back yard. Of course the cute puddle could have been considered a reason for all this showing off, but he wouldn`t admit it. He was the dog ,after all !

As for Darren, he tagged along, of course, gradually understanding and coming to terms with the fact that his life had taken yet another turn and that Daniel`s life would not include nor exclude him either. Ignorance was a thing Darren could do nothing about, it was just how things stood, his friends had no idea Obi was more than just Obi, well, Darren knew Daniel thought of him every time he saw him, but it wasn`t like he saw Darren.

"Woof!/What`s wrong?"

He sensed his master`s distress, something was troubling him.Obi`s sharp senses told Darren that Daniel was worried. Maybe it was about all those ladies who had come and talked to him. Some have even shouted. Maybe someone was in trouble and needed his master`s help. He knew that sad look on his master`s face and he knew Daniel`s expressions, something was definitely wrong. Darren cursed himself for not paying more attention, but sometimes Obi`s instincts took over his completely and the dog would just reign supreme. He promised himself he`d be more careful so he started spying on Daniel, playing detective, a role Obi seemed to enjoy as well. But it proved not an easy task, Daniel being as elusive as possible whenever something interesting, in both their opinions, would show up.

Daniel closed the door after his visitor and breathing deeply, he gathered Obi under his arm , settling down in the big armchair.

"Woof ,woof,/'What`s wrong?' Darren wanted to know. He could sense his friend`s trouble and wanted to comfort him.

"Obi, Obi, what shall I do ?" Daniel caressed his fury friend.

"Woof, woof!/ What`s wrong?"

Obi watched the haggard face not knowing what to do. He pushed his moist muzzle in his friend`s face, licking his cheeks, trying to bring a smile on it.

"Hey, you mut, "Daniel laughed, "what are you doing ?" he ruffled the fur of his beloved dog. "Here, fetch the ball !" he said a bit more cheerful, throwing the ball and smiling at Obi`s dash after it. "There you go, good dog," Daniel said taking the ball from Obi and throwing it again. They played like that until Obi got fed up and turned to sleep, exhausted with all the running around. Daniel watched Obi for a while, thinking of Darren , then went about his business, uneasy thoughts creasing his brow.

Darren sighed tired, Obi`s taken over again,a running ball was something no dog could resist !

Some days later, as Obi was doing his mischief, Daniel entered and craddled him in his arms, murmuring softly,

"Tomorrow`s the day, Obi."

Darren wondered  what his friend was up to, what would happen the next day, but couldn`t think of it too long. Obi had more important things to deal with, a hot bitch had just moved across the street and he needed to investigate . He decided that whatever it was,he`d deal with it then. Despite imposing himself the surveillance of his friend`s movement, he had had only rare opportunities to do it. And sometimes it was just nonsense, women came knocking now and then, but mostly neighbours came complaining about Obi`s conquests and adventures, which Daniel, like any loving master and friend, dismissed quickly.

The next day, as they entered the white building, Obi stood quiet. It was a new , uncharted territory and he wasn`t in his element, Daniel carrying him in his arms, patting his head now and then and pressing short kisses against his fur, helping only little with his uneasiness .

Obi struggled to understand what was going on but he couldn`t so he let Darren take over, this situation needed a superior understanding. As Darren examined the room, he realized he was at the vet`s. He could see Daniel in the other room, through the large window, and he was talking to a man in white. Daniel seemed in distress. Suddenly he became aware of movement around him and he flinched at the stung, the serum flowing inside his body making him feel uncomfortable . He yipped at the sensation and felt his body grow heavier, his eyelids bound to close. He felt very sleepy all of a sudden. Through heavy lids he saw the vet enter the room and pat him gently then whisper in his ear,

"Come on, boy, you know how it is, you should have been more careful ..."

the vet stopped at Obi`s yipping,

*Daniel,what`s going on ?* Darren could feel  fear crip inside his trembling body,*

"There`s too many little Obis running around !"

*Woof/"Daniel ???Darren got terrified, "What`s happening?!"*

"I know it might sound cruel, but" the vet went on, "being neutered is not the end of the world ! You still have your health, you know, "the vet grinned devilishly.

*WOOF/DDDDAAAANNNNIIIIIIEEEELLLLL !!!* he yipped again as he plunged into a nightmarish sleep, knowing that his life had once again taken a turn, but what turn, he would know only after he would wake up.