Petting Zoo: Senile Sojourn

Story by ArmadilloZero on SoFurry

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The slacker animals of the petting zoo have a field trip day. I decided to pick the lesser used characters to be thrown into the mix for some character building. Be sure to check out my other stories in the petting zoo universe if you enjoy talking non-anthro animals being naughty.


It is a community outreach day for the employees of the petting zoo on the bad side of town. Park Attendant Paul is in charge and drives. The cab of the truck is filled with Myra the Civet, Cody the Spotted Hyena, Belka the Spotted Hyena, and Ivan the White Wolf. In the trailer is Tyler the Tapir, Zachary Zebra, Shelly the Giant Tortoise, Kyle the Brown Rabbit, Curtis the Skunk, and Frank the Camel.

Ivan sits in the front seat and hangs his head out the window. Cody lays his head on his wife Belka's good shoulder and just enjoys the physical contact. Myra rolls her eyes at the married couple that are still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage. Paul looks over at Ivan and says, "It'll be good to take a trip somewhere without your mom." Belka clears her throat and says in her thick russian accent, "Anything happen to him, I bite your dick off." She snaps her teeth a few times to emphasise the point. Cody looks at his wife and can't tell if she's joking or not.

Paul is in his 60's and is pretty mellow compared to the rest of the park attendants. With out missing a beat, Paul replies, "I'll watch after him like he was my own son." With that matter settled, Myra asks, "Is there going to be any booze there?" Paul says, "It's a nursing home. I'm sure somebody has something good hidden in their room."

In the trailer, Tyler the Tapir lays against the side of Shelly and teases, "You sure aren't comfortable. Why would you want to be a turtle anyways?" Shelly exclaims, "Hey whipper snapper, longevity over comfort. Haven't you ever heard of slow and steady wins the race?" Tyler asks, "What race are you trying to win?" Shelly answers, "Tortoises live a long time, I'm going to outlive your great grandchildren. Who will be laughing then?" Tyler says, "Well, I'm definitely not going to be having children. So no one will be laughing?"

Curtis the Skunk asks Kyle the Rabbit, "Is this leash necessary?" Kyle tugs on the thin five foot rope tethering them together and says, "Absolutely. We were instructed to not let you out of our sight as long as we are outside the zoo." Frank the Camel leans his long neck towards Curtis and huffs a hot breath across the little skunk. Frank narrows his eyes and says, "If it were up to me, I would tie it into a noose and hang you from the nearest tree. We all know you did something horrible to get involuntarily transformed into a skunk. Getting to leave your freerange prison is a privilege you don't deserve."

Kyle says, "Cut him some slack, he's been nothing but nice to everyone." Kyle gives Curtis a wink and a smile. Curtis sighs. The only reason people liked him so much is because of the arrangement with Franklin the Liger. Franklin is blackmailing Curtis to make him do every little degrading thing the horny Liger thought of. Franklin has forced Curtis to beg Kyle to pump his butt full of rabbit jizz on several occasions. The rabbit assumed it is Curtis's kink to have Franklin watch every time.

Curtis goes along with Franklin's blackmail because Curtis almost killed Franklin's human body while drunk driving. They both transformed on the same day. Franklin transformed to save his life and Curtis transformed as his punishment. If Franklin let anyone know that secret, Curtis's life would be a living hell. So the skunk endures the liger's abuse.

Zachary the Zebra says, "Kyle is right, Curtis has been a model prisoner. He hasn't sprayed anyone with his stink gland." Curtis figured out pretty quick that his stink gland was purposely left undeveloped when he got transformed. He just tells people that he has really great self control. Frank says, "Bullshit, I don't think they would let a convicted felon own a weapon. Natural or otherwise." Curtis shakes his tail at Frank and says, "You want to test me?" The camel pulls away and doesn't want to risk calling the skunk's bluff.

The trailer comes to a stop and everyone waits for Paul to unload them. Paul pulls open the ramp and asks, "Anyone need to go potty before we go inside?" Frank walks to a grassy area on the other side of the parking lot and lets loose a bucket load of piss. Zachary asks, "Damn, people say I take a hard piss. You been holding that all day?" Frank unashamedly says, "It's a camel thing."

Holding the front door open, Paul says, "We're using the buddy system." Kyle the rabbit asks, "Who wants to team up with Curtis? I want to work the tortoise and the hare angle with Shelly." Tyler the Tapir volunteers, "I'll watch him." Paul untethers Curtis's leash from Kyle and clips him to Tyler's pink collar.

Myra the Civet pairs up with Cody the Hyena and they wander inside to spread cheer. Belka the Hyena teams up with Ivan the White Wolf. Zachery and Frank slowly walk in together in resignation that they were the only two large animals and didn't have much choice on being paired up..

Ivan walks down the hall and follows his nose. He walks in a open room to find a bed ridden old woman. Without hesitation, Ivan jumps onto the foot of the bed. The frail old woman smiles and says, "Ivan! You're so big now. Where's your mother?" Ivan says, "She wanted to sleep in." The woman pets Ivan's side and says, "You're the same size as your mom. I remember when she used to carry you in her mouth." Ivan lays his head on the woman's lap and says, "Is that what you would call the good old days?" With a smile she nods happily.

Belka sits outside the door and listens as Ivan talks with the old woman. Another old woman rolls her wheel chair down the hall and asks Belka, "What happened to you?" Belka taps her prosthetic right front leg on the floor and says, "The countryside was not safe to explore. Hidden treasures from war long ago. Boom!" The woman reaches down and touches the scars on the right side of Belka's muzzle. Belka tries to hold the woman stare with her one remaining eye, but pulls away when the woman's hand goes too close to the eyepatch. The woman says, "Bless your heart."

Zachary is in the activity room with Frank. They fold their legs under them and let the old people poke and prod them. Someone asks, "Are you white with black stripes or black with white stripes?" Zachary resists rolling his eyes and says, "How about you count my stripes to find out?" Frank quickly says, "44 White and 45 Black. He's black." Zachary glares at Frank. Frank just tilts his head and says, "Checkmate! I've counted enough times to be sure."

Myra the Civet walks in and out of rooms spending 20 seconds getting petted while looking around. Cody the Hyena tries to apologize for her abrupt departures and chases her from room to room. Cody stands blocking her path out of another room that she barely spent a few seconds in. Cody demands, "What's with you? This isn't speed dating." Myra says, "That depends on your perspective. Why would I spend more time than I have to with the wrong person." Myra tries to brush past Cody but the hyena keeps moving in her way.

Looking down at the Civet, Cody says, "We are here to cheer these people up. Why did you volunteer to come, if you didn't want to spend any time with them?" Myra answers, "I'm looking for the right one." Cody narrows his eyes at Myra and asks, "Who would that be?" Myra answers, "Wouldn't you like to know, kiss ass. Following me around like a puppy is getting old. How about you let me do my thing and I'll let you be the boyscout that helps old ladies across the street. Saying 'yes ma'am, thank you ma'am,' all day." Myra jumps up in the air to springboard off Cody's back to continue her search. Cody gets mad but can't really do anything short of tattling to Paul.

Tyler and Curtis walk down the hall and enter a specific room. Tyler says, "Victor! How are you today." The elderly man replies, "I hurt all over." Tyler rebuttals, "You know the Non-Feral Animal program is always open." Victor replies, "I know, I know. I'm just not sure about being an animal. Carnivores are just so expensive to feed, and who wants to be a herbivore?" Curtis pipes up, "What about being a small omnivore?"

Victor notices the skunk for the first time and says, "Hello there little fellow." Victor pats his lap and Curtis climbs up the recliner to sit in the man's lap. Victor runs a hand through Curtis's stripe and asks, "What's with the leash?" Curtis rolls on his back and says, "I was a bad boy and they still think I'm going to run away the first chance I get." Victor runs a hand through Curtis's belly fur and gets lost in thought.

Tyler watches quietly for a few moments before he says, "You really are considering it now." Victor smiles at Tyler and concedes, "Yeah, you caught me. What do you think about Porcupines?" Curtis says, "Sounds a bit difficult to pet." Tyler adds, "And it would be a huge lawsuit waiting to happen." Victor says, "Okay, how about one of those red pandas? Not too big and very cute."

Tyler waves his long tapir nose happily, "That's a great idea." Curtis asks, "Are red pandas raccoons or bears?" Tyler answers, "No one is too sure since raccoons and bears are very closely related." Victor says, "Victor the Red Panda. I could live with that." Victor pets Tyler on the back as they enjoy the moment.

Myra finally finds what she wants. She smells the half bottle of brandy hiding at the back of a low cabinet and says, "How about we break that out and party?" The old black man named Douglas asks, "Should you even be drinking?" Myra shoots back, "I didn't come here to do this sober." Cody gives a disapproving look as Myra grabs the neck of the bottle in her mouth and drags it over beside the bed. The old man shrugs and pours a shot in a small bowl on his bedside table. Myra laps it up and says, "It must be boring living with all these party poopers." Douglas says, "It's not so bad." Myra taps the bowl again and the old man pours more.

Cody says, "I think that's enough." Douglas pets Cody on the head and asks, "You really don't mind strangers touching you guys?" Cody responds, "We're used to it. You can touch me anywhere but the genitals." Myra says, "That's not what I heard." Cody bares his teeth and spits back, "I'm happily married thank you." Myra places her front paws on the man's bed and says, "I'll let you touch me anywhere."

Douglas reaches down and curiously glides his hand across the rows of nipples on Myra's belly. Myra says, "Some men are into legs or butts. I see you're a boob man." Douglas asks, "What does it feel like to have so many nipples?" Myra climbs on the man's bed and rolls on her back, "It just feels wonderful. Keep going." The old man gently rubs Myra's belly as the alcohol soaks into her system. Cody lays on a rug and waits for Myra to get finished being molested.

Zachery the Zebra dances to old timey music to entertain the people in the activity room. He explains, "It's easy to dance with four legs." The seniors watch as Zachery slowly moves left and right. He spins in place slowly as he softly taps his hooves against the floor. A slipper goes flying across the room and hits Zachery in the shoulder harmlessly. Another slipper goes flying as the woman who threw it yells, "Nigger horse!" An attendant sheepishly starts rolling the screaming woman out of the room. Zachery gives Frank a dumbfounded look.

Frank has his camel legs folded under him and sits beside a row of chairs. Frank gives his head a shake as if to say, 'I dunno.' A few hands pet Frank as they watch the dancing Zebra. Zachery tries to continue his dance but his heart just isn't in it anymore.

Ivan says goodbye to the friendly old man and Belka leads them back to the activity room. Belka spots the Russian woman she was keeping an eye out for and speaks with her in russian. Ivan follows along as they reminisce about the golden days in Soviet Russia. Ivan hasn't really considered how old Belka actually was before she became a hyena. He remembers a history lesson about the Soviet Union and tries to do the math.

Kyle the rabbit lays on Shelly's shell as she slowly makes her way around the activity room. He quickly grows bored of moving so slow and the motion makes him start to drift off to sleep. He wakes up with a start as Shelly walks around in a courtyard. Kyle asks, "Where are we?" Shelly says, "About time you woke up. I felt like getting some fresh air. It's always so stuffy in nursing homes.

Kyle slides down Shelly's large shell and lands on his paws. He looks up at her and says, "You seem like you don't like coming here." Shelly looks around nervously and says, "I spent enough time in one of these places to know that these people are just waiting to die." Kyle asks, "What about the NFA program? People don't have to die." Shelly shakes her head and says, "The major religions decided to all agree on something for once: That animals don't have souls. You get transformed and they say that's it. No heaven for us." Kyle thinks about that for a long minute.

Zachery and Frank exit out a door with Paul. Zachery accuses Frank, "You planted the idea. You told them I was black." Frank says, "How would I know she would be racist against Zebras? Besides weren't you black before your change anyway?" Zachery shakes his head and says, "The NFA oath said we renounce our previous races when we become animals." Frank replies, "I never took an oath like that." Zachery looks over at Shelly and Kyle for support. The tortoise and rabbit both shake their head no.

Frank abruptly asks, "Does that mean you gave up your N-word pass?" Zachery sighs and says, "I could really use a smoke." Frank tells Paul, "I got just the thing in my collar." Paul reaches in a collar pocket and pulls out a cigar tube. Zachery is slightly surprised. Paul helps Frank by lighting it and holding it. Frank blows a big puff of smoke and says, "Go on take a puff of the peace pipe and let's bury the hatchet." Zachery puffs on the offered cigar. Zachery compliments, "This is smooth. Where did you get these?" Frank answers, "I made a few appearances as Camel Joe at a local tobacco shop. Just pop on some sunglasses and people get a kick out of it. They sent me home with a gift basket of stuff."

Paul doesn't hesitate and puffs on the cigar covered in Camel and Zebra saliva. He nods his head in approval and holds the end out to Shelly and Kyle. The pair both shake their heads in disgust.

Zachery asks Frank, "What do you even do here to entertain these people?" Frank replies, "Not much. They are usually happy to see a camel. Senility will do that. I'm here to break up the boredom for me as much as them." Zachery scowls, "Why did you tell me I should do a song and dance for them?" Frank gives a chuckle and answers, "I just wanted to see if you were dumb enough to actually do one." Paul steps between the two and says, "Break it up. Don't be digging up the hatchet, after we just got done burying it." Zachery takes an angry puff of the cigar and blows the smoke out his nose into Frank's face.

Myra comes drunkenly stumbling into the courtyard alone. Myra looks around and slurs, "Are we having a meeting?" Paul looks at Myra and says, "No. I see you managed to find the contraband." Myra sees the cigar and says, "Speak for yourself." Paul changes the subject and asks, "Where is your buddy?" Myra looks around herself and exclaims, "The boy scout finally stopped following me around."

Cody sits beside his wife and listens to her speak russian. Finally she switches to english and says, "Olga, this is best husband Cody." The woman holds a hand out and Cody gives her his paw for a shake." Ivan says, "Cody, lets leave them to talk and team up to look for Tyler and Curtis." Cody looks through the glassdoor leading to the courtyard and sees Myra with the group. Cody says, "Lead the way."

With a happy trot, Ivan goes down the hall and says, "I love coming here. It always smells so interesting." Cody walks beside him and says glumly, "It always smells like piss and shit." Ivan misses the point and says, "It's so nuanced, I thought I knew what humans smelled like, but it changes every time I come here." Cody says, "Can you even smell Tyler and Curtis over this?" Ivan says, "Nope, but Grandpa told me to say I'm following my nose when I'm actually using my sight and hearing." Cody looks in the rooms they pass. With a grin, Ivan says, "I sniffed them out!" Ivan abruptly turns into a room with Curtis and Tyler.

Tyler lays in front of a chair and Victor uses him as a footrest. Cody looks around the smallish room as Ivan sniffs at things." Tyler looks up and says, "Hey guys! How does getting a Red Panda at the petting zoo sound?" Cody says, "They are cute." Ivan asks "Is that the panda that looks like a red raccoon?" Tyler says, "If you want to oversimplify it, yes."

Victor reaches over to pet Cody. Ivan says, "I think everyone is ready to leave. I heard Olga telling Belka about a lady throwing her slipper at Zachery." Victor sets Curtis back on the ground and says, "Thank you for coming to visit me. I will definitely get the paperwork started on applying to work at the petting zoo." The group says goodbye and leaves.

Tyler walks out of the room with happy swagger. Cody walks beside Tyler and asks, "Do you get a bonus when you convince people to work at the petting zoo?" Tyler replies, "In a round about way. Swanson does enjoy having animals who are grateful to get a new leash on life. They work the hardest to entertain guests." Curtis asks, "Did you say, new leash on life?" Tyler answers, "Yeah. You get transformed and get a leash on life." Curtis says in an unsure tone, "I guess that is true if you are making a pun out of new lease on life."

Ivan pushes the door to the courtyard open and everyone gathers around Paul. Frank blows a big puff of smoke into the air and Paul stubs the cigar butt into the ground. Paul asks, "Anyone else have any trouble?" Everyone shakes their heads. Cody says, "I had a lady feed me a dog biscuit. I felt bad and just couldn't say no. It was really stale." Myra laughs drunkenly at Cody. Paul says, "It was your risk to eat it. Now let's get back to the petting zoo."