Replacement
 
>Be an average joe
>You and your family have always been dog people
>Your first dog found you, when she ran away from her old master
>He was a serious pot head who tried to turn all dogs into hunting dogs
>When they failed, he shot them
>Your family took her in and loved her until she died
>You grieved like all the others, then you got a new dog to heal the pain
>Everyone loved her, especially your father
>He would play with her, cuddle her, even feed her scraps off the table
>He was a better person for the love of that dog
>It all changed when she died
 
>It was all so sudden
>Your dog, so bouncy and full of life and love, had a stroke and was paralysed
>You had to put her down
>Your father didn't say anything for 3 days afterwards
>When your mother tried to snap him out of it, he beat her
>When he was finished he screamed: "NO MORE DOGS! EVER!"
>He then went out, and came back the next morning reeking of vodka
 
>For the next month, he drank himself stupid
>It was obvious to everyone that what he needed was something to fill the hole
>Not replace your last dog, that's stupid
>Just a new friend to help him get through
>You discuss the idea with your mother and you both agree it's for the best
>He'll warm up to the dog, despite what he says
>So you both venture down to the RSPCA
>Ask to see the rescue dogs
 
>Three hours later, your spirits have sunk
>Not one of these dogs would suit your home
>You begin to leave, feeling dejected, when you hear babbling coming from some cages down the way
>"Wotsa aminaws!" "Big not-fwuffies!" "Kitty fwend?"
>You pause, and turn to the attendant
"What on earth is that racket?"
>"That's the fluffy pony enclosure. Those little biotoys from America. They breed like crazy and the ones that don't get killed by the wildlife end up here."
>You've heard of fluffy ponies
>Hell, you're a brony from way back
>Fluffies were never big here, especially after Cleveland
>But the fact remains, they were brought into the country as luxury pets
>Required a special license to own one
>But of course, this being Australia, every man and his dog ended up getting one for shits and giggles
>Some went feral, but they're not as big a problem as they were in the U.S
>Mainly because your wildlife takes care of itself
 
>You know that fluffy ponies are creatures of infinite love, if limited intelligence
>Maybe, just maybe...
"... Can we see them?"
 
>You and your mother are lead into the fluffy enclosure
>It's not over-crowded, but there are a LOT of little fluffy creatures waddling around
>All babbling inanely
>"New daddy?" "New mummy?" "Huggies?" "Come pway wif fwuffy!"
>One such little creature waddles up to you and nuzzles your leg
>"Pwease take fwuffy home, fwuffy wan' be bestest fwuffy fow hooman!"
>This one IS pretty cute
>She has a white coat with a pink and fuchsia mane and tail
>Kinda looks like one of the pony toys you bought years ago
>You decide
"Mum, whadya think? Wanna take this one home?"
 
>Half an hour later, after filling out the paperwork and buying some accessories, you, your mother, and your new fluffy pony are walking towards the car
>The fluffy is ecstatic
>"Fwuffy haf new home! Fwuffy gon' haff basket, an' baww, and stwing' an' evwyfing!"
>You smile and the hyperactive little creature in your arms
"That's all well and good, but first you need a name."
>The little fluffy's eyes go wide at the concept
>"New daddy gif name? Wat fwuffy name?"
>This one's a breeze
"Ok little lady, your name is Plumsweet!"
>"Pwumsweet wuv name! Fank yoo, daddy!"
>Your mother looks at the little critter and smiles oftly
>"She IS very affectionate... Are you sure this will work?"
"I don't know, mum. But if it doesn't, I'd best start looking for somewhere to live."
>Plumsweet giggles in your arms as a fly lands on her nose
"... Somewhere that allows pets."