Madness string 111943

Random mermaid
No, this is normal - you feel for the innocent who cannot speak for themselves. I think most decent people also have genetically ingrained in them what I consider a sacred human/pet contract. We chose to breed dogs (and cats) over tens of thousands of years to love us, need us, and be loyal to us in exchange for really minimal things from our perspective - a meal, a shelter, some socialization. When another human treats a domesticated pet animal poorly, it is a breach of that genetic pact. Pets don't have the ability to enforce that pact - only you can speak on their behalf.
You're twitchy, shaking, and scared. You have the normal fear of not knowing what's going on, but with the virus really fucking the amygdala this is amplified a hundred fold. It's around this time the hydrophobia starts. You're horribly thirsty, you just want water. But you can't drink. Every time you do, your throat clamps shut and you vomit. This has become a legitimate, active fear of water. You're thirsty, but looking at a glass of water begins to make you gag, and shy back in fear. The contradiction is hard for your hot brain to see at this point. By now, the doctors will have to put you on IVs to keep you hydrated, but even that's futile. You were dead the second you had a headache.