Something’s up with Boss. He came back and I ran to say hello hello hello and I was excited. But then he went to Mrs Boss and they barked at each other. It was bad so I howled. They howled at me and then we were all howling. They shouted at me so I stopped howling. They went upstairs to lie flat in the dark. Something’s wrong. Is it me? I think it’s me. I don’t know what to do with myself. I want to go outside to hunt a rat or a bird. That will make Boss feel better. Or maybe, maybe if I go up and lie with them in the dark. But no, I’m not allowed up, no, they send me out if I go up.
I walk in circles. I lie down on my bed. I snooze, I doze. Chasing, chasing the big bad monster. It’s dark like a cloud and big, so big. I’m brave and Boss is in danger so I chase it and I bark at it. My paws are sore from the running, I’m so close. It’s right in front of me. I lunge, I sink my teeth in. Bitter taste, not blood, but nasty nasty leaves. Bad leaves which look good. I cough but then there is a bonking sound above, a creaking –
What? What? Sounds in the house? Shouldn’t be, this is wrong. Under attack. I sneak and slither to the stairs. More sounds in the house. Who is intruding in my house? Boss and Mrs Boss are in danger. I growl. My house. I will protect my house. I sniff. Everything normal. It makes no sense. But then Boss! Boss is coming down.
I bark in delight. It’s Boss, Boss is coming downstairs. Boss looks angry, he waves at me. What did I do? I don’t understand. He gets the things. Walk! We’re going for a walk. Boss never takes me for a walk. It’s always the strange girl. This is awesome, I can’t contain myself. Boss, really Boss, he’s going to take me for a walk.
I can’t keep still. It takes long to get ready. Getting ready is quick with the strange girl. Come on Boss, come on. Walk time, we’re going for a walk. Eventually, finally, we’re outside.
Boss? It’s left, we go left. Oh, you don’t know the way. That’s ok I’ll show you. I know the way Boss, follow me. This way, past Little Yapper but wait, I must mark here. Who is that? That smell is new. New dog – sorry Boss, this way. I want to run but – sorry Boss, I mustn’t pull and what’s that in the shrubs? A squirrel, I’ll get it – sorry Boss, this way.
Look Boss, the river. Ooh, I love the river. I poop. I kick dirt over it. Cows, there are cows in the field over there. Hi cows, hi hi, hi cows. A hedgehog, oh my goodness. Come here, don’t hide. How did you get in there?
A woman comes running. She jumps and waves her arms. Something is wrong. I bark. Boss? Where are you, Boss? Over there.
Boss comes over to the lady. The lady stands. They bark at each other. I bark. We’re all barking. She leaves.
I go over to Boss. I rub myself on him.
Boss? What’s wrong Boss? What can I do Boss? I’ll do anything, tell me what to do Boss.