FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Excited eyes dashed from left to right as Max looked at his fox owners talking. Today was a special day! Today they went to the waterpark! Of course all dogs loved to swim, and Max was no exception. Going to the lake was nice, going to the swimming pool was even nicer, but the waterpark could not be beat. Not that he has ever been to the waterpark, but judging by the pictures in the folder, today was about to be the best day of the entire summer. He was already dressed in his light blue swimming shorts that the mistress had put on him, and his normal collar was already exchanged for the nylon one that he was to wear on their more 'wet' outings.

Master and mistress Reynolds were going over the items they packed. The vixen was going over the list she made, naming every item on it, and master called 'check' when he found that item in the bag.

The corgi's ears rotated like satellite dishes synchronous to his green eyes each time an item would be called and checked, his tail wagging much faster. He was holding the towels that master Reynolds had given him earlier. After a minute or so the towels were also put in the bag.

"...towels, check!"

"All right, looks like we've got everything, would you please put the bag in the car Edward? I'll do Max."

Turning her attention to Max she said:

"Come with me, honey, let's get you buckled in."

Max didn't much like the ritual they went through whenever they got in the car. She was always kind enough to open the door for him, something not quite as easy for a small canine with short and stubby arms, but he also always had to take the middle seat. There was nothing wrong with sitting in the left or right backseat, Max thought, but he honestly disliked the middle one. The middle seat was one originally designed for cubs up to ten-years-old, but the Reynolds had bought it for him despite his older age. Granted, he wasn't much bigger than your average ten-years old, but that didn't mean he couldn't be treated like an adult. The seat featured five straps instead of three, two over the shoulder and hips, and one that went between the legs.

To top it off, she always had to buckle him up herself. Again in Max' opinion he was perfectly capable of doing that himself, but she always insisted that she did it. Many times had he grabbed the straps and fiddled with them himself, but she would always lean over and do it for him before he could finish. She even mildly scolded him once for unbuckling himself when the car was parked. By now he had given up on trying, so when she opened the car door, he climbed in and waited for her to strap him in. Ears folded back when she connected the straps and gave him a pat on the head whilst saying_"there we go, all snug"._

Mistress Reynolds was always so very nice to the corgi, but often she would treat him as if he was her young son. He wasn't their son of course, nor was he young, but his racial 'height impairment' didn't help to show his adolescence. Max did figure that since the couple did not have one on their own, he was sort of their surrogate cub. He didn't hate them for it, on the contrary, he very much loved his owners. But that didn't necessarily have to mean that he always had to like how he was treated.

While he was being strapped in, master Reynolds had put the bag in the seat next to him, and by now everyone was sitting in the red car. One turn of a key later the engine turned on, and off the red car went. Beside the humiliating seat Max had to sit in, he most certainly didn't hate riding in the car. Despite that he couldn't really move around due to the many snug straps around him, he would often fall asleep after half an hour or so, his head leaning against the seat's headrest. The fox couple found the sight of it quite cute, and had more than once taken a picture send by email to their friends or family.

He didn't fall asleep this time, no, he was much too excited. He was constantly looking at the signs that went by, trying to find the name of the water park on them. The signs came and went much too fast for him to read though, he had never really practiced much reading and could do so at about the speed of a primary school pupil. After many times trying he finally gave up and listened to the radio and the occasional conversation of his fox owners. When his eyes were half-way shut, on the verge of dozing off again, the car suddenly decelerated. A few turns later and the car parked.

This was it! They were finally there! The thought made his tail that was stuck between him and his seat try to wag. The master took the bag again while the mistress unbuckled him. Once outside the car she clipped the leash on his collar. There was that damnable leash again. They always made him wear it in public, even though he had never even tried to dash off. It kept him close to the foxes which made him feel safe, but under his fur his skin often glowed red when they held his paw also. Luckily for the corgi nobody could see his shame, to anyone but him it was just an adorable sight.

"Two adult tickets please, and one canine"

Edward paid the cashier and soon they were in. At times like these it was a good thing that they held him close because Max was gazing around at the many slides and pools, paying little attention at where they went. Both fox and vixen still needed to change into their bathing apparel, so first the couple searched for the dressing rooms. Having found one, the corgi's leash was tied to the fence that encircled the park and was told to guard the bags. Max looked around at the many guests at the park, most of them were civilian but some canine slaves with their signature collar were around too.

After what felt like hours of waiting the fox couple emerged from the changing room. Only in his swimming trunks did Max ever see the fur pattern of his master, which was vulpine in every aspect, including the red-orange arms and white belly. This time it was the fox and not the vixen that took his leash after they had discussed what to do next. She would find a spot to leave their bags, and he would take the corgi. Max didn't know where they were going or why, but master Reynolds had not yet unclipped his leash, what must've meant they weren't going to swim just yet.

Navigating through the crowd of various species, the fox and slave approached one of the numerous lifeguards. Of course they were all otters, lifeguards always were. The species were naturally quick in the water and thus most jobs that had even remotely something to do with water were filled by otters.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for a life jacket we can loan for this guy"

"You can get them at the lifeguard station of there" the otter replied, pointing them in the right direction. The question made Max's ears drop immediately; he thought he could swim just fine! After a few steps Max brought up the courage to, quite hesitatingly, protest:

"But, uhm, master? I don't think I really need a life jacket, sir"

"Well, that's what you said at the river last time. As I recall it that didn't go very well"

"Do I really need to wear one sir? I'll try my best, I promise!"

"I don't think so, you almost gave Debby a heart attack that day, but don't worry, we're not angry with you. We should've known better to take you swimming in that current without something to keep you afloat. You do have to wear the life jacket though..."

Max folded back is ears hearing that. He sure did remember that day, they went camping along a river. Max had jumped into the deep part of the river to catch a fish, but he only realized he couldn't swim against the current when he was already in. Luckily some fellow had seen it happen and fished him out just in time and he has been on a leash outside the house ever since. By now they were at the building the lifeguard had sent them to, and master had already talked to one of the lifeguards.

"Oh isn't he the cutest" the female otter uttered kindly. She picked the right size and held out a dark-blue jacket. The corgi's ears were still flat to his head when he stuck his arms through and the otter zipped up the jacket. Then the buckles were pulled snug. She quickly ruffled the slightly longer fur on his head, double checked all the buckles, and stood up again.

"There, he's all ready to go"