A to Z Challenge 2026 - D - Contessina’s Collection of Human Treasures

 “Dogs,” Contessina said. “Well. Plenty of cultures have some kind of dog. The Danab, as anyone who has encountered them know very well, have the nessa. In their world, the nessa prowl their urban centers. In Earth they would be considered strays, but to the Danab they’re kind of communal pets. It only makes sense to them. 

“The Vanadi have claussens, which on many other worlds would be considered far worse than even the nessa, given their massive scale. More than one movie has already been made about them, although only the anime Box of People has gotten it right, as far as I’m concerned.

“Dogs themselves, though, here on Earth, their sheer enthusiasm, it’s hard to describe except as an explosion, sometimes a little overwhelming, but if you’re the recipient, if the environment is right, then there’s nothing like it. There’s no happiness like a dog’s. 

“As much as I adore cats, dogs make more sense to Puck than cats do. They come closest to the relationships we understand best. This is not meant as insult, mind you.”

Shelby sneered at this. Contessina of course didn’t notice.