I roll over in my dog bed, the house quiet and empty, a wave of loneliness and boredom comes over me as I get to all fours. I look down at my front paws, ones that were once hands a long time ago, my fingers removed to prevent me from opening doors and cupboards like a human, my hind legs also modified, my feet removed to keep me on all fours like the animal that I am. I don't regret my decision to become a puppy, to have my body altered like this, to be unable to stand up tall, everything forever out of my reach, and unable to hold or grip items even if they were wirhin reach, making most everyday tasks impossible, needing my owner to open cupboards and food containers and doors for me, but when I'm alone that's when my reduced status and abilities really hit me. I barely notice when my owner is with me, as he opens the back door for me to go outside to do my business, or when he puts my dinner into my food bowl, or when he plays with me, but right now, without him, I feel so helpless, trapped inside, everything towering above me, unable to do anything except wait, what for my owner to return, the minutes painfully stretching into hours, time moving slowly, eagerly looking out of the window as I wait for his return, listening out for the sound of his car or his footsteps. All I can do is wait and rest, pacing restlessly, growing desperate for his company. 

My ears perk as I hear a noise, I listen curiously as footsteps grow closer towards the front door. Could that be my owner? Excitement grows slightly inside me. But I didn't hear the car, I normally hear the car. I stand on all fours listening intently, the footsteps now clearer don't sound like my owners. Who is coming up to the door? I feel slight fear, if not my owner then who could it be? 

I jump slightly as the letterbox in the door flaps and several pieces of white and brown paper fall through on to the floor. I relax as the footsteps fade away, it was just the postman. I wonder curiously to the front door and look down at the junk mail and letters, unable to do anything with them, the information on them not relevant to me anyway, the take away menu that I can't order from full of human food that I don't eat, my own meals prepared lovingly by my owner, simple mixture of cold cooked mince meat or small chunks of meat, vegetables and other foods, normally in a thick gravy. The other junk mail completely irrelevant to me, about buying and selling property, which as a pet I have none, except my collar which I would never part with. The rest of the post are sealed envelopes, ones that I can't open, not that I'd understand what is in them, I was never that good at those things when I was a human. 

I turn away from the door, it's best to leave such things for my owner, he'll know what to do with them. Feeling lonely I wonder over to my owner's chair and climb up onto it, enjoying his scent as I sniff the seat, before curling up in it and continue my long wait, hoping that he'll be home soon. 

I quickly stand on all fours, listening intently, as a familiar sounding car pulls into the drive, excitement almost overwhelming me as I hear my owner get out of the car and racing to the window I watch as he walks towards the door, each step closer both joyful and tormenting, I'm happy that he is getting closer but he still isn't here yet, I can see him but we are separated by the glass, the walls and the door that I can no longer open. 

Hearing the key in the lock I lose all control over myself as the joy and excitement take over, I hurry to the front door as my owner steps inside and closes it. I race over to them and jump up at him excitedly, resting my front legs against theirs, happy to be able to see, hear, feel and smell him again. Panting heavily I look up to see my tired owner look down at me, his exhausted face brightening as he smiles, his hand lovingly stroking me. 

"Have you missed me? I've missed you as well." I drop back down to all fours as my owner puts his bag down and removes his coat, he lowers himself down and strokes my back, my mind blissfully happy, I pant excitedly, enjoying the moment, finally having my owner home.

I sit at his side as he sits in his chair, a drink in one hand, his other stroking my head, as he tells me all about his day, about frustrating customers, annoying coworkers, idiotic managers, a few funny stories, news about friends, and other details, I of course never respond, not that I can, my vocal cords were altered, only be there for him, be his outlet, his trusted friend who would never judge or betray him, one who will keep his secrets and never stop loving him. I just listen as he strokes my head affectionately, his stressed body relaxing as he does, the life and energy that was drained from his dull job returning as he spends time with me, part of me wondering if he spent all day waiting to come home to me, just like I had waited all day for him. 

I close my eyes contently, enjoying the moment together, happy to sense my owner relaxing and happy to no longer be alone anymore, happy to have my owner home.