Pranking at the Petting Zoo

Story by ArmadilloZero on SoFurry

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The long awaited follow up to Caging the Big Bad Wolf. Just some light character development as Kyle gets to know Sugar more.

Also it's the one year anniversary of me becoming a writer.


It is another average day at the petting zoo on the bad side of town. The animals that work there are just as human as the humans visitors because most of the employees used to be human. Sugar the White Wolf has become infatuated with a recently transformed Snow Leopard named Kyle he met at a bar.

Kyle walks towards the entrance of the petting zoo. Having just finished his shift, he still wore his black work vest with security written on it. He stands on his hind legs and places his front paws on the counter of the ticket booth. Kyle says, "Hi, I'm here to visit Sugar. I'm on the list? Kyle the Snow Leopard." The employee taps in Sugar's name and looks at the computer screen's list of visitors. She spots Kyle's name under several other names that have been on Sugar's list for several years.

The gatekeeper slaps a guest sticker on Kyle's vest and motions him inside. Kyle drops back down on his four legs and swishes his tail around to strut inside happily. He does a lap around the Zoo looking for Sugar and walks by a few big cats. Tasha the Snow Leopard licks her chops as she watches the hunk of a feline walk by. She ditches Spotty the Leopard and Dash the Cheetah to follow after him. Spotty asks Dash, "Why does it feel like I'm just filling in until she can find someone better?" Dash replies, "I think she only makes you take her out on dates for the free dinner."

Kyle notices the Snow Leopard secretly trying to catch up to him without looking like she is chasing him. She walks beside him and says, "Well hello there. I'm Tasha, what's your name?" Looking over at the strutting Snow Leopard, he answers, "I'm Kyle. Nice to meet you." Tasha asks, "What's a fine specimen like yourself doing at the petting zoo?" Kyle meekly replies, "I'm visiting my friend Sugar." Tasha furrows her brow and replies, "Sugar doesn't have friends. Just people he uses up and throws away."

Kyle stops and looks at Tasha to say, "I know he has a scary reputation but he's really sweet and caring outside of work." Tasha see the love in Kyle when he says that. She backs off and says, "I've never seen him outside of work." Kyle see a few white wolves and quickly says, "It was nice talking to you, bye." Tasha enjoys the sight of Kyle's butt as he waves his tail happily and hurries towards Sugar. She says to herself, "He wasting his time with that wolf."

The wolf family looks happy enough as Kyle approaches. Sugar spots Kyle and waves a paw at him. Scarlet looks at the approaching Snow Leopard her father is waving at and wonders what this is about. Sugar says, "Kyle, glad you could come visit. Meet my daughter Scarlet and my grandson Ivan." Kyle holds a paw out for a shake and Scarlet returns the gesture. Ivan runs around Kyle sniffing him.

Scarlet scolds her son, "Ivan, what did I tell you about sniffing people's butts?" Kyle tucks his tail in embarrassment as Ivan pulls back from his butt. Ivan says, "I should ask permission?" Sugar says, "Kyle is okay with the animal way of doing things. You don't want to be a stuffy old human anymore do you?" Kyle considers Sugar's words and says, "Yeah, it's okay, I guess. I'm still getting used to everything." Sugar turns around and hold his tail up for Kyle. With a smile, Sugar looks back and says, "Have at it then."

Kyle really likes Sugar so he would do anything for the wolf. He leans his head in to give Sugar's musk a long smell. He gets a little giddy at the rich and musky animalistic smell. Scarlet looks blankly at Kyle and says, "Sugar has you wrapped around his paw doesn't he?" Kyle notices a white plastic ring wrapped around Sugar's balls and asks, "Hey, what's that?" Sugar lowers his tail and proudly lies, "I decided that there is too much temptation at the zoo. The only way I could stop everyone begging me for sex is to wear a chastity device while at work. I'm not perfect and have slip ups every now and then."

Scarlet rolls her eyes at Sugar's bold face lie. Ivan exclaims, "It's so cool! I want one too!" Sugar replies to Ivan, "Everyone is too afraid of me to try anything with you. I doubt you'll need one." Kyle looks at the pup and says, "Wow Sugar, I didn't know you were family man." Sugar replies, "I have lots of kids. Human and wolf. Maybe I'll tell you about them some time." Scarlet bitterly says, "You would have a lot more left if you were any good at raising them."

Cutting his eyes at his daughter, Sugar asks, "Do you always have to try to spoil the mood?" Scarlet says to Ivan, "Come along Ivan, we have better things to do." The pair walk off leaving Kyle and Sugar alone. Sugar sighs loudly. Kyle asks, "What did she mean by that?" Sugar replies, "I made a few mistakes with her Mom. Living in the wild was more dangerous than I thought. I took to drinking with the eskimos instead of picking up my share of the parenting duties." Kyle lets Sugar leave it at that. Changing the subject, Sugar suggests, "Let's get a drink."

At the snack bar, Sugar orders two beers. Joel places the bowls of beer in front of them. Kyle looks down at it in disappointment and says, "I don't like the taste of beer." Sugar replies, "You can't go around drinking Smirnoff. You need to power through and acquire a taste for a real man's drink." Kyle laps at the drink slowly.

Sugar and Kyle talk for a while. They watch the people walk by as Sugar tells stories about his career at the petting zoo. An announcement is made over the speakers about a Yoga class starting soon. Sugar is tipsy enough to giggle and say, "Hey, let's crash the class."

Kyle follows behind Sugar towards the field of women, men, and animals setting down yoga mats on the grass. Sheree the Lioness and Tina the Tigress sit in front of the class. Sheree smells the alcohol on Sugar and says, "Nice of you to join us. Who's your friend?" Sugar smiles at Kyle and answers, "This is Kyle. He wanted to get some techniques on limbering up." Kyle nods.

Sheree points her front leg to a spot at the front and says, "Just grab a spot." Kyle and Sugar snicker as they make room front and center. Kyle looks back at the woman in the row behind them. She takes her eyes off Kyle's coin pouch and smiles at him.

Sheree announces, "Okay everyone. Let's begin." Kyle and Sugar try to copy the poses that Sheree and Tina take the group through. Kyle is still new enough to his four legged body that he would keep falling over even if he wasn't tipsy. Sugar is surprisingly good at drunk Yoga. He goes off the routine and balances on his front paws to do a handstand. Sheree narrows her eyes at Sugar's showboating.

Dropping down to all fours, Sugar loudly says, "Thanks for that Yoga, it really loosened something up." Raising his tail at Sheree, Sugar lets out a long fart. Sheree and Tina gag and yell as Sugar runs off. Kyle follow after Sugar and the sounds of the angry yoga class fade away.

In the reptile section of the petting Zoo, Sugar lays with a large anaconda wrapped around him. Kyle looks at Seth the Anaconda and the snake says to Sugar, "You know not to come into our territory." Sugar is helpless to move and says, "Come on, Seth. I was just looking for a place to hide." Seth sees the security logo written on Kyle vest and says, "Looks like they found you." Kyle tries to help Sugar out and says, "Thank you for your help. Come along quietly Sugar. There is nowhere to run." Seth lets Sugar go and says, "It was a pleasure."

Walking away with Kyle, Sugar mutters, "Fucking reptiles" Kyle asks, "Reptile territory? Why don't all the animals co-exist?" Sugar looks back and Seth waves the tip of his tail in a goodbye motion. Sugar says, "It's just the arrangement. It's hard to get tips when a reptile frightens off the guests." Kyle shrugs and says, "I guess scalies aren't for everyone."

Sugar asks, "Did you see the face Sheree made? That was comedy gold. I wish someone recorded that." Kyle asks, "Why did you do that? She's going to hate you!" Sugar chuckles, "I'm the big bad wolf. Guests love my antics." Kyle isn't too sure about that.

Walking through the petting zoo, Sugar says, "Watch this." Kyle watches as Sugar walks up to Cassandra the Kangaroo and pokes his head into her pouch. She stops mid sentence talking to a child and looks down at the wolf sticking his head in her pouch. The children laugh hysterically as Cassandra waves her arms slapping Sugar's back while yelling, "Get out!" Sugar blows raspberries and yells. Kyle admits to himself that the scene is kind of funny, even if it is the animal equivalent of sexual harassment.

Cassandra finally manages to dislodge Sugar's head and she leans back on her tail to kick him away. Sugar runs off again as the flustered Cassandra tries to regain her composure. Kyle rolls his eyes and goes looking for where Sugar went this time. Sugar is licking a boy's ice cream cone as the child watches wide eyed. Kyle asks, "All you do is go around annoying people all day?" Sugar licks his chops and says, "Not much else to do around here. You want some of this?"

The child holds the icecream cone out to Kyle. Not being one to turn down free ice cream, Kyle starts licking it. Sugar says, "That's the spirit!" A parent watches Sugar and Kyle taking turns licking the ice cream and starts taking pictures. Sugar finally grabs the waffle cone in his muzzle and wolfs it down as he walks away without even a thank you. Kyle is left playing catch up again.

Kyle asks, "Kids will let you steal their food all day?" Sugar nods, "Yeah, the parents think it's cute most of the time." Sugar lays down under a shade tree and Kyle joins him. Kyle doesn't know how to feel about Sugar's outrageous behavior. Sugar says, "You said you used to come here all the time as a kid. You ever lose your snack to an animal?"

Thinking back to his childhood, Kyle answers, "Yeah, I had a bear eat my funnel cake." Sugar smiles and says, "See? It's practically an expected experience of a visit to the petting zoo."

Down the path comes a brown rabbit and a skunk. They see Sugar with the unfamiliar Snow Leopard and come over to say hi. Curtis the Skunk says, "Hey Sugar, I've heard you've been causing more trouble than usual today." Sugar asks, "Want to cause more?" Curtis waves a paw and says, "No way I'm risking more punishment." The brown rabbit says to Kyle, "I'm Kyle the Rabbit. How's it going?" Using his paw, Kyle the Snow Leopard pets the Rabbit's back and says, "I'm Kyle too!"

Rabbit Kyle asks the feline, "Want to play tag?" Sugar interrupts, "Hell yeah he does." Leopard Kyle shoots Sugar a questioning glance. Curtis says, "I got $5 on the rabbit getting away." Leopard Kyle asks, "You don't think I can catch him? You're on!" Rabbit Kyle says, "On the count of three." Leopard Kyle stretches and gets ready to give chase.

Sugar says, "One, Two, Three!" The pair dash off and have the time of their lives as the rabbit zig zags around the field. The leopard is always close behind but is too cautious with his bulk to go all out. The rabbit jumps against tree trunks to change directions and runs between guests to keep the leopard from catching up. After a few minutes of playing keep away, Kyle the Rabbit asks, "Ready to give up?" Leopard Kyle is out of breath and pants like a dog.

Curtis says, "It's always easy money betting on a rabbit." Leopard Kyle sits down to catch his breath and exclaims, "He was practically cheating. I could have caught him if I didn't mind knocking people out of my way." Rabbit Kyle says, "Should have laid down some ground rule first." Sugar says, "They will get out of the way if you yell, 'Make way', at them." Kyle grumbles at not being able to catch a rabbit.

A family walks by on the path and the toddler exclaims, "Cat!" Before the mother can react, the child runs over and starts petting Curtis the Skunk. Curtis is used to kids confusing him for a funny looking cat. He lets the child roughly run a hand down his white stripe. Rabbit Kyle asks, "What about me? Everyone loves a fluffy bunny." The child reaches over and starts petting the rabbit with his other hand. Sugar looks over at the staring Leopard Kyle and says, "You look jealous." Kyle replies, "Maybe I am." Sugar says, "I know just what you need."

Kyle and Sugar head towards the gift shop by the entrance of the petting zoo. Sugar pushes open the door and says, "Sarina!" The bored looking teenage girl behind the counter looks up in excitement. Very few animals that work at the petting zoo ever came by to visit her. Sugar puts his paws on the counter and she pets his head. Sugar asks, "How are you today sweetie?" Kyle is taken back by Sugar's sudden change in tone and attitude.

Kyle looks at the shelves of merchandise as Sugar does his routine of feigning interest in Sarina. Kyle looks at a few arts and crafts in a glass case made by animals. A row of wooden sculpture made by Dante the Beaver catch Kyles eye. He sees a carving of Sugar and kind of wants to buy it but doesn't want Sugar to think he's a huge fanboy. He makes a mental note to come back when he's not with Sugar.

Sarina answers Sugar, "Just another boring day." Sugar says, "You're in luck. Kyle here was a little jealous of all the attention the employees get and wanted a little pick me up." Sarina walks around the counter and start making baby noises at Kyle. Sarina runs her hand under Kyle's neck and Kyle enjoys her touch. Sarina grabs a brush off the counter and goes to work on the snow leopard.

The bristles of the brush feel amazing on his skin as she runs it through his head fur. Kyle breathes deeply and can't help but purr as she works his head with the brush. Sarina says, "You're gonna have to get naked if you want some more." Kyle opens his eyes and sits up on his haunches as Sarina unvelcos the security vest he is wearing. Sarina places it on the counter and continues to work the brush through his fur.

Sugar smiles and watches Kyle act like a kitten. Kyle moans in euphoria and rolls on his back. He asks, "Why does this feel so amazing?" Sarina answers, "Catnip infused brush." Kyle looks at the brush and Sarina shakes the hollow head of the brush filled with catnip. He smells the brush more and his pleasure centers fire. Kyle pants, "Keep going!" Sugar laughs as Kyle goes into a frenzy and begs Sarina to keep going. Kyle can't focus his eyes as he enjoys the high.

A customer comes in and Sarina puts the brush down to attend to them. Kyle lays beside the counter looking around the room in a daze. Sugar lays on Kyle to hold him down while he rides out the high. Kyle finally comes around after ten minutes and says, "That stuff is legal?" Sugar says, "Yeah, It's pretty addictive so don't overdo it." Kyle sniffs the brush more and doesn't feel anything.

Sarina says, "It only works for short bursts. You got to wait for it to work it's way out of your system before you can get high again." Sarina put's Kyle's vest back on him and he asks, "Can I buy one of those brushes?" Sarina smiles and rings up the purchase. She scans his microchip to pay for it and places a shrink wrapped preloaded brush in his vest pocket with the receipt.

Sugar suggests, "It's time for my afternoon nap. You up for joining me?" Kyle feels a little hung over and could go for that. They walk towards the limited touching section to find a spot. Kyle asks, "It says no guests allowed inside the fenced in area?" Super pushes open the gate and replies, "You can ignore that when you're with me."

Spotting a likely napping spot, Sugar says, "Ling-Ling! How ya doing?" Kyle looks over the Panda Bear as Sugar lays down in her shadow. Ling-Ling pets his head and replies, "I'm all right." Sugar yawns and says, "Kyle meet Ling-Ling. Ling-Ling meet Kyle." Kyle gives a quick, "Hi." Sugar pats the ground beside him with a paw and closes his eyes. Kyle lays down on his belly beside Sugar and tucks his paws under him to make a cat loaf. Being a feline, Kyle didn't have trouble napping. He could nap the entire day away if he isn't careful.

Kyle wakes to a few park attendants circled around him. They are all watching him carefully. Sugar snickers, "About time you woke up." Kyle asks, "What are you all staring at?" Sugar says, "Try not to move until she's full." Kyle looks around sleepily and asks, "What?" Sugar points a paw at Kyle's haunches.

A large vampire bat is clinging to Kyle's vest lapping it's tongue at a bloody speck on Kyle's back leg. Kyle freezes and whispers, "What is it doing!?" Sugar says, "Feeding. I think she's taken a liking to your flavor." Kyle says, "Get it off." Sugar says, "Don't be a pussy. You have more than enough blood to go around."

The bat ignores Kyle as he politely asks it, "Please get off me?" Jacob the park attendant says, "Mona, is a feral I'm raising." Kyle looks at the six inch bat happily slurping away at his blood. Kyle exclaims, "You can't just feed people to your bat without permission!" Jacob shrugs and says, "And park guests aren't supposed to be in the limited touching section. I guess we're even."

The little bat looks up at Jacob and squeaks. Jacob scoops it up and cuddles it in his hands as he walks away with his co-workers. Kyle says, "Is your life just one continuous prank after another?" Sugar swats Kyle with his tail and says, "Pretty funny, right?"

Kyle stretches his legs and says, "I'm going home." Sugar walks with Kyle and says, "Don't be like that. It was fun, right?" Kyle thinks back to Sugar's antics and says, "I guess it was, since no one got seriously hurt. But what the hell was with the bat?" Sugar explains, "Vampire bats feed by climbing on animals without disturbing them. You were very helpful in training Mona to live in the wild." Kyle exclaims, "I don't think there are that many wild snow leopards around here." Sugar suggests, "Sleep with your window open. I think Mona might visit you again for a second helping."

They reach the front gate and Sugar says, "I got invited to a party on Friday night. How about you be my plus one?" Kyle is unsure. Sugar sweetens it by adding, "There will be free steaks." Kyle relents, "Fine, but no more pranks." Sugar licks the side of Kyle's face and says, "All right! I'll be by your place to pick you up at 7." Kyle walks out the gate and wonders what type of parties Sugar gets invites to.