You didn’t notice the growl at first. It’s soft, almost too quiet to hear. But when you shift slightly, Jeff moves in front of you—his stubby legs planted firmly, his little shark teeth bared.

He’s not big. He’s not scary. But right now, he thinks he is.

His normally round, goofy eyes are narrowed in determination, his tiny fins slightly raised like he’s trying to look twice his size. He lets out another low, warning growl—a sound that shouldn’t be intimidating but somehow is.

You glance past him, realizing that someone—something—has drawn his attention. A stranger? A threat? You’re not sure, but Jeff is sure. And no one messes with his best friend.