She was right and the pups noticeably grew daily. Their eyes opened and the whelping box would not hold them. They continued to move slowly in an awkward puppy gait, but they had a way of getting underfoot and everyone was very mindful of where they stepped. The pups also left a few puddles along with smellier leavings. No one seemed to care and they all pitched in to help clean up the small messes.
Two weeks later, Amy was chasing a little devil through the house. The pup had her favorite shoe in her mouth. Spoiling Sierra had caused her to be a little terror. Roland was not half the trouble. Just as Amy caught the little stinker, a miracle happened. She was holding a human child. She started running towards the kitchen where Alba was keeping an eye on Roland. Alba smiled when she saw what Amy was holding.
“It figures Sierra would change first. That child will be the death of us all.”
As Amy held Sierra, warmth spread over the front of her shirt. “Are you sure diapers won’t work?”
Alba laughed and sat Roland on the floor. She walked over and took Sierra out of Amy’s arms. She then grabbed a towel and wet it in the sink using it to clean up her child. Amy went upstairs to grab a dry shirt. She did so regularly.
The following day Roland changed. They were not able to move around in their child bodies and terrorize the house as they could in their pup forms. It was obvious they both preferred to be on four legs.
That evening, while the older siblings were visiting, Marcus came down the stairs and took Roland from his brother’s arms. He tossed him in the air and before Roland could be caught he had changed into his pup form again. Marcus sat him on the floor and Roland began to whine. He loved being held by Marcus. Marcus told him to hold on as he walked over to Amy and kissed her. Roland sat watching like it was a lesson. After the kiss, Marcus turned back to Roland and picked him up. “Where’s the she devil?” They all started laughing. It was becoming Sierra’s most used name. It just seemed to fit.
“Both Alba and Ivan are chasing her. I think she got out the garden door and they were worried about the water.”
Marcus started that way and Amy followed. They heard splashing and when they got to the pond they saw Sierra dog paddling across the water. She changed to her human form midway, rolled to her back and floated.
The smiling parents shrugged their shoulders. Marcus put Roland down by the water’s edge. He jumped in to join his sister. He too shifted but instead of floating his small arms started waving frantically and he went under. Marcus scooped him up. Roland had the funniest expression as water dripped from his face. He wiggled and Marcus placed him back in the water. He learned his lesson and realized he was not as talented as his sister in human form. It didn’t stop him, and in puppy form, the two of them swam for about fifteen minutes before it was obvious they were ready for a nap.