Rutherford, Canine Comic by John V. Madormo

Author:John V. Madormo [Madormo, John V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV019000/JUVENILE FICTION/Humorous Stories, JUV028000/JUVENILE FICTION/Mysteries & Detective Stories, JUV002070/JUVENILE FICTION/Animals/Dogs
Publisher: Zumaya Publications LLC
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS

On the weekend, Adam and his dad decided to take me out for a little exercise, and to see how well I’d get along with other dogs. When we pulled into the parking lot, I immediately sensed a commotion. The barking was deafening.

I lifted my head and peeked out the window. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Was this another kind of shelter? An outdoor one, maybe? What was the deal with all these dogs?

My question was soon answered.

“So, what do you think?” Adam said as he stroked the top of my head. “If you’re wondering where we are, this place is called a dog park. It’s where guys like you can run around to your heart’s content.”

“And off-leash,” his dad said.

I stared at both of them, then back at the other dogs.

As we made our way from the parking lot, Adam’s expression began to change.

“Dad, there’s an awful lot of barking going on. I don’t like the sound of it. Suppose one of those dogs attacks Rutherford. What’ll we do? He’s not the kind of dog who can defend himself very well.”

“We’ll keep a real close eye on him,” Mr. Sampson said. “And I wouldn’t worry. People aren’t supposed to let their dogs run free if they don’t get along with other dogs. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.”

I tended to agree. I could tell by the tone of the barking this was a friendly environment. It was what you might call “happy to meet you” barking, as opposed to “get out of my face” barking. The two aren’t anything alike.

The body language was friendly as well. Here’s something to remember. If a dog’s tail is wagging, you’re usually fine. But if they snap their teeth, then you had better look out. And if they raise their body and you see that their tail and ears are straight up, then it’s time to take cover.

I took a good look at my fellow canines running around in the park. I didn’t immediately notice anyone who might be considered dangerous. Before my unfortunate encounter with the truck on the highway, I would have been nervous about confronting a violent animal. With my bad back leg, I was slower than most other dogs, and since the accident, I’m still a little slower on the run, even more than before.

Adam held tightly onto my leash as we entered the park. Like a new mother watching her little one march off on the first day of school, he seemed reluctant to let me go.

“He’ll be fine, Adam,” his dad said. “Don’t worry.”

“But what if some of the dogs gang up on him?”

“I doubt if that’ll happen. But if it does, I’ll run right over and scoop him up.”

“It makes me nervous not to have him on a leash. What if he gets lost? Then what’ll we do?”

His dad smiled. “Adam, relax, there’s a fence all the way around this park. There’s no way he could get out.”

“But what if some dog dug a hole under the fence that nobody knows about? Then what?”

Mr.

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