Something in the Water by Elva Birch

Anders Canyon is an unassuming little town where big things are afoot.

As a science fiction writer, Francis does a lot of strange research on the internet, but he’s not sure he’s ever had to look up “I can turn into a dog.” It looks like his neighbor crush might be facing the same kind of transformation, but who can he trust when confessing the truth might get him put in a padded room, with or without a shock collar around his neck?
A warning not to drink the local water is just the start of Julia’s trouble, but the cases that are starting to show up at her little clinic don’t match the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, and whatever this affliction is…it’s clearly spreading.
On top of that, snoopy agents who claim to be with the EPA are asking her questions, and her hot next door neighbor is suddenly incredibly hot…and Julia never sees him at the same time as his new dog.
This story was originally published in the anthology New Year, New Boo (2021, now out of print).