Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin

Apparently the keeper realized it too, for he jerked back his hand as if he had just stuck it in an open fire.

“… if you could call off your dragon long enough for us to dose the deal?” he suggested with forced politeness.

I wasn’t sure just how I was supposed to do this, but I was willing to give it a try.

“He’s okay!” I shouted, thumping the dragon on the side of the neck to get his attention.

“Gleep?” said the dragon, turning his head to peer into my face.

I noticed his breath was bad enough to kill an insect in flight.

“It’s okay,” I repeated, edging out from under his neck.

Since I was already moving, I stepped forward and shook the keeper’s hand. He responded absently, never taking his eyes from the dragon.

“Say,” I said. “Confidentially, I’m rather new to the dragon game. What does he eat … besides shirts. I mean.”

“Oh, a little of this and a little of that. They’re omnivorous, so they can eat anything, but they’re picky eaters. Just let him alone and he’ll choose his own diet … old clothes, selected leaves, house pets.”

“Terrific! “I mumbled.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got other customers to talk to.”

“Just a minute! Don’t I get one of those pendants like you used to control the big dragons?”

“Hmm? What for?”

“Well… to control my dragon.”

“Those are to control unattached dragons. You don’t need one for one that’s attached to you and it wouldn’t work on a dragon that’s attached to someone else.”

“Oh,” I said, with a wisdom I didn’t feel.

“If you want one, though, I have a cousin who has a stall that sells them. It’s about three rows up and two rows over. It might be a good investment for you. Could save wear and tear on your dragon if you come up against an unattached dragon. It’d give junior there a better chance of growing up.”