Welcome to the Rapid Domestication Programme (RDP), a life-changing facility providing the means for humans and animals to live in harmony.

Daisy never got the full introduction. Naturally she…or rather he wasn't called Daisy then. That had come much later. Along with the thick leather collar that rested firmly around the canine's neck. A little tag provided her name and details. Technically they weren't her details but information for the rehabilitation centre at which she was based.

The German Shepherd was still confused about the whole process. Everything she knew was things she'd been told. It was both hard and uncomfortable to recall anything from before. All she could comprehend was here and now — as a large and yet remarkably agile dog. She couldn't remember not having a double coat of black and tan fur. Her perky ears and waggy tail felt like an inherent part of her personality. Expression was a sign of intelligence.

But no matter what the German Shepherd did, her handlers still used the same babying tone of voice. Obedience was rewarded and yet Daisy still felt disjointed. Something wasn't right and it could be seen in her eyes. A hint of resistance. The uncertainty that she wasn't really a simple-minded and compliant, soon-to-be adopted family dog.

"I know this is a little scary but you're being so brave! All you're missing are those beautiful doggy eyes…"

Her handler realised that they couldn't encourage a complete transformation of the newest experiment on their own. However, they had a different plan.

Despite their heritage as a wild animal, undergoing rapid domestication meant that Zen behaved just like another house pet. The coyote was excitable about meeting another friend, tail wagging energetically from side to side. He bounded over and booped Daisy's nose, barking at her to join in. Woof! His excitement was infectious! Daisy became so engaged in the canine play that she forgot why she'd resisted this — it was so fun to bound through the grass! Wagging her tail as she chased after a ball the sneaky coyote had stolen. Panting! Barking! Heart pounding from the joyous and increasingly mindless excitement of playing like the dog she was.

When it was time to leave, her handler smiled proudly as they petted Daisy's ears

"Wasn't that fun? Yes, it was! Awww it was so good to see you playing and now look at you! Look at those beautiful eyes. Isn't that better? Isn't this what you were meant to be?"

The German Shepherd woofed back, nuzzling into the human's hands for extra scritches.

---

Art:  rena-the-mon
Daisy:  rena-the-mon
Zen:  Zen~