Walking with Artemis in a park, I notice a dog staring at us intently with his red eyes.
"Artemis, we should go."
"Why?" He notices the dog. "Oh."
The dog, a white and gray Shiba Inu, barks while wagging his tail.
"He doesn't seem aggressive." Artemis says. Despite my fears, he moves slowly toward the dog. "Hi?"
The dog lowers his head and his muzzle touches a tennis ball lying on the grass.
"Ah, do you want to play?" Artemis asks.
The Shiba Inu seems to understand him as he wags his tail faster. Using his muzzle, he rolls the ball to Artemis. Artemis stops it with his paw and rolls it further away. The dog runs after the ball. He's very happy.
"Come here, Luna." Artemis says to me. "He's not dangerous."
"But he's a DOG! We're CATS!"
"Come on, don't be a coward."
"Me, a coward? I'm not!"
"Then come on!"
Frustrated, I join Artemis. The dog returns with the tennis ball in his mouth.
"This is Luna. She's my lover."
"He probably doesn't understand what you're saying."
Against all odds, the Shiba Inu drops the ball in the grass and makes a heart shape with his paw. My eyes widen in surprise.
"AH! He's a very intelligent dog! What's your name?" I asked.
The dog barks then lifts his head so that Artemis and I can see his collar. KOROMARU is written on a plaque.
"Koromaru?" Artemis asks. "That’s it?"
The dog seems to be nodding.
"Koro-chan!" I say. I no longer fear him. "So, do you want me to throw you the ball?"
Koro-chan barks happily. I give myself a burst of speed, leap up and send the tennis ball off with my paw. The Shiba Inu runs off to catch the ball. Artemis and I laugh, then run off to play with Koromaru.