The human got a new little friend, a therapy animal to help them deal with being in big crowds. The puppy, one of the breeds that would always be small in size, played happily as the human was house-breaking them, playing with them, and teaching them. The companion came into their quarters, after knocking, to visit, when they noticed several air fresheners, one in each room. They asked why that was necessary before they caught the whiff of a very strong, very offensive, odor, wafting from a sleeping pup, and realized... it wasn't just humans that did that, it was their deathworlder pets, too. -- Anon Guest
The lingering objection to inviting Humans into Alliance spaces was, for many years, "But what about air quality?" Deathworlder digestive systems, just like the Deathworlders themselves, were toxic. They could vent just about anything with their unreliable upsets. Corrosive acids and noxious gasses were just the beginning. Won't somebody think of the pathogens?
The Humans argued that the Alliance had already accepted dogs, which were just as noxious in potential. Enough carbon in their diets and just about any problem could be solved. For everything else, there were air scrubbers. Besides, said the Humans, you lot are capable of many of your own noxious emissions anyway.
Says you, muttered the assorted objectors in the Alliance. They didn't mutter too loudly, because some Humans were just a little too manic about providing proof. Humans were allowed in on a provisional basis. They had to contain themselves in livesuits when in public areas and report any and all emissions in the same areas. Thankfully, livesuits already had autologgers for just that purpose. Personal habitats were not public, and therefore anyone entering did so at their own risk.
Companion Thurik knew this was beyond a pain in the anatomy for Human Jes. As a "wild" Human, he had more than a fair share of mental issues not entirely related to being a Deathworlder. All the exclusionary clucking from the rest of the Alliance was not doing him any favours. At least the helper canine was a balm on Jes' shattered nerves.
Thurik had been careful with the contents of hir gift basket. Things that were safe for both Human Jes and their new canid to either ingest or interact with. Nothing breakable. Nothing that would leave too huge a mess, but everything that could cause great enjoyment. Ze pressed the call button at the door and hoped for the best.
All seemed to be well. The dog was well trained, not doing many things that a dog that young was wont to do. It was one of the smaller breeds, but not unhealthily small. Humanity had learned from the mistakes of past centuries. The pup scurried forward, sniffed Thurik's feet, and then returned to Human Jes, little tail wagging so fast it was almost invisible.
"It's working," said Human Jes, "Puggle sees you as good people. Good dog! Good girl." Jes petted the pup and gave her a treat. "Thanks for coming by. I was rattling around like a pea in a shoebox."
"Puggle?" Thurik echoed. The dog sat, turning to face hir at the sound of her name. "Isn't that the name for an infant monotreme?"
"And sometimes unlikely beasts. The admin on this station had strict mass requirements for quote, 'dangerous deathworlder animals' even though dogs have been on the green list for a decade."
"Gengineered dogs, most of them omnivorous to herbivorous," Thurik corrected, offering the gift basket as ze took an invited seat. "I'm guessing you went with the traditional build?"
"Never wanted a dog uninterested in chicken nuggets," Jes smiled. "If you're going to help put this all away, you might want to dodge all the air purifiers."
Now that they were mentioned, Thurik noticed them. Some were cleverly concealed but others were more strategically placed. Cheap models with a limited range, rather than one large purifier that would have cost a great deal more.
Three of them were around a dog bed with Puggle's name on it.
Thurik looked with concern at hir Human friend. "Why?" ze whispered.
As if in answer, the little dog moved and hid, and then a pervasive odour began to permeate the immediate area.
"Little Deathworlder obligate carnivores do big Deathworlder farts," grinned Jes. It was not a happy smile. "Sorry."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / feedough]
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