A Field Guide to Nonhuman Loyal Dogs

Each world has a different male and female lead.

Story One: The Bionic Man Her Brother Left Behind

Before her brother disappeared, he left a bionic man for Polly.

It had the same face as her brother, but was gentler and more smiley than her quiet, taciturn sibling.

It was like a more perfect "brother," taking thoughtful care of Polly's daily needs, down to the smallest detail.

On a lonely, barren planet, they kept each other company, day after day.

Until, on her birthday, half asleep, Polly felt a warm touch on her lips.

In the quiet night, "Brother" called her by her pet name in a trembling voice.

Then he said, "The very first command he gave me was to love you."

A lie.

Polly thought. The command her brother gave him wasn't this kind of love.

Story Two: The Little Tentacle I Found

Yue Ying found a little octopus on the shore, bleached white by the sun. She put it in the pond by her house and took good care of it.

The little octopus snuggled against her fingers, its suckers gently curling around her wrist.

Yue Ying thought of him as a pet and a playmate, never imagining that many years later, one night, he would curl around her waist and hold her ankle fast, softly calling her "Master."

Then he said, "You picked me up, so you can't throw me away."

Theme: Love makes people better