The Marilyn

       The MaMA had built a nice fire which filled the room with a comforting warmth. My blanket was set in front of the fireplace and I had no problem falling asleep. Especially since that long hike around the perimeter. 

      I woke up from my nap before Schnapps. She was laying on the couch across from the fireplace.

"You must have had an adventurous morning," said the MaMA, putting down the paper she was reading. "You were barking and running in your sleep." 

      I had to admit that I've never had dreams so vivid and exciting. They were filled with horses, dancing cats in the wood pile, and a mysterious Dastinkter, which I secretly hoped I never met in real life. 

       Schnapps continued to snore next to the MaMA. She was as loud as the General, maybe even louder.
      I went to the couch and raised myself to check on her. She, too, was talking and running in her sleep, but her dreams sounded more terrifying than mine.
     "No, Sassy," she muttered. "Don't go near dere, it's not safe!"
     "You better occupy yourself, she'll be out for a while," said MaMA. I lowered myself, and went to my toy basket. I was full of puppy energy, and I didn't want to waste any of it waiting for an old dog to wake up.
     There were new items in the basket. I gave MaMA a questioning look.
     "I found some old things, I thought you might have fun with them," she said as she came towards the basket and knelt down. She pulled out a blonde hairy thing and held it up by a stray lock. "This is a wig," she explained with a wink. "You know, for when you want to go undercover."
     She put it on me then laughed. "Why if it isn't Marilyn Monroe! 

     The wig covered my whole body, pale strands fell down around my eyes and snout.
     "You are gorgeous. Here let me show you," she said as she picked me up and took me to a nearby mirror. "Do you like it?" 

     I gazed at my reflection,  the blonde curls cascaded over my brown fur. I thought it made me look sophisticated, suave, and beautiful. I looked at the MaMA and her bemused face. I licked her cheek. 

     "Oh yes, I do like it." I immediately thought of all the situations I could use the wig. Perhaps, I could infiltrate the Wood Pile or set up a sting operation to catch the Dastinkter. MaMA set me down and I went to show Schnapps my brilliant disguise.

     "Vat are you wearing," she asked when she saw me. I tried walking like Meowjolina, crossing my paws in front of each other, which made my body sway from side to side.
     "It's a Marilyn Monroe, MaMA gave it to me. Don't I look lovely?" 

     "I think you look like a joke."
     I tossed my head to the side to swish the wig, but it went the opposite direction and blinded me. I took a wrong step, got tangled in the golden locks, and tripped myself up. I fell with a loud thud, face first, on the unforgiving floor.
     "Ouf."
     "Are you all right,” Schnapps asked with concern.
     I peaked out from under the wig. "I thick I bith my tongue."
     "I'm sure dat won't interfere with your duties," Schnapps said, jumping down from the couch.       "Let's go on our afternoon rounds." 

     "Okay," I grabbed the wig and followed her to the door.
     "Leave dat thing here," she demanded.
     "Aw, man." I dropped the wig and the MaMA let us out. 

     The sun was out, and though the air was still brisk, it seemed warmer than before.
     Schnapps and I got on the trail and climbed the hill. I kept my nose to the ground, gathering intel by scent. Charles wasn't at the top of the hill to greet us this time, but in his place stood a long haired black and white dog. Schnapps picked up her pace and left me to inspect a suspicious hole in the ground. I found no danger and ran to catch up with Schnapps and the mystery dog. As I approached, I caught bits and pieces of their conversation. 

     "The Sweater wants to see you," said the black and white dog. 

     "It's too soon, she's not ready yet," Schnapps said. "You'll haf to tell him to be patient."
     "He won't like hearing that." 

     "Well, dat's his problem."
     The stranger nodded towards me, "I'll talk to you later."
     "Who was that," I asked Schnapps as we both watched the other dog walk across her territory. "Who is the sweater?"
     “Dat is nothing for you to worry about now," said Schnapps as she turned back onto the trail and headed to the shed. "Do you want to grab a rope and play a little tug?"
     "Do I ever!” It had been awhile since I got to play tug. Okay, it had only been a day, but it seemed like forever.
     "Why don't you go grab one? I'll keep watch out here."
     I dove down into the secret rope stash. "Which one should I grab?"
     "You're choice," Schnapps called down after me. “Dey are all good ropes."
     I went to the corner and picked out one with three knots in it and drug it back out with me.
     "Ah, dat is one of my favorites," Schnapps said, admiring my choice.
     I held fast to my end while Schnapps took the other and quickly tugged at it. She was strong for being such and old dog, but I kept my grip and shifted my weight to my back end. Schnapps shook, pulled and tugged, but I pulled back with all my might and stayed put.
     "You are very strong, little von," she said with the rope still in her mouth.
     "Thank you," I said, but in my moment of annunciation, she whipped the rope out of my mouth and ran.
     I took chase, and we ran around the home base. I caught hold of one end and the fight continued.       We ran together ducking and weaving, the rope tethered between us, stopping only for a tense, unyielding stand off.
     "You've got some skills," I said through my teeth, careful not to let the rope loose this time. I've never had such a rambunctious game of tug. Schnapps was a serious opponent. My body tingled with invigorated energy.
      Schnapps chuckled through her grip. "You've been vell trained. And you are surprisingly strong for a pup so young. Once you've grown, you will be formidable."
I yanked with all my strength and pulled Schnapps forward a step. She shook her end, which sent vibrations down the rope and tickled my teeth.
     "Ha, nice try," I taunted. "You won't be able shake it out of my mouth this time."
     Schnapps glanced over my head, then back at me. She dropped the rope and puffed herself up.
     "Are you giving up so easily," I egged her on. Then I sensed another presence looming over my head. I looked up and the rope fell from my gaping mouth.
     Above me stood a huge yellow dog. In his mouth he held an equally large stick. It was more like a whole tree, it was so big.
     I shuffled from out under the behemoth, for fear of him dropping the log and squishing me.
     "Wha-what are you," I exclaimed.
     "Hello, Baylor," Schnapps said to the yellow dog.
     "Hi Schnapps," Baylor said. "Your human isn't around is she? I've been ordered to take her out, uh...I mean give her this uhm...firewood. Yeah, firewood."
     "What do you mean take her out," I asked. Baylor looked from side to side, then down at me. His eyes got big, as though he hadn't noticed me before. He dropped the log, barely missing me by a few hairs. I yipped and stood beside Schnapps. Okay, it was behind Schnapps, but dang that tree almost did me in.
     "Who are you," Baylor asked.
     “This is Fritter, my new partner," Schnapps said, still in her protective stance. I marveled at how brave she was. Baylor was ten times her size and yet she stood her ground. "You can take your stick and go home. You are not going to take out anyone today. She is still mad at you for de last time you tried."
     "Why do you have to be so mean, Schnapps? I just want to do my job. You know how Cubby gets when I don't complete my tasks," he whined. He looked down at his stick then at us with a sorrowful face. "C'mon, just let me take one whack at her good knee. I promise not to hit her hard. Just enough for me to report that I did it. I don't have to do it well."
     "Like I said," Schnapps reprimanded him. "She's not going to let you do it, so you might as well go home."
     Just then the door opened and the MaMA came out onto the porch. 

     "Baylor, go home” she shouted.  

     Baylor stood and wagged his tail in excitement. He picked up his weapon and approached the porch. I started toward the porch, but Schnapps shot me a look that read "stand down." I worried for the MaMA, weren't we supposed to protect her from such a situation as this? We had an obvious suspect that wished her harm. We knew his intent, and he was holding a weapon of wooden destruction. Was Schnapps testing me again? Was I to override her orders and stop Baylor? And if I was, how was I to stop such a ginormous animal?
     "No, Baylor," MaMA said, pointing away from the porch. "I said go home."
     Baylor stopped his advance. His tail and head dropped.
     "Go on, shoo!"
     Baylor turned away and started down the hill. "Aw man, Cubby is going to chew my hide," I heard him mutter as he left.
     I looked back at MaMA. She, too, was brave and strong willed, like Schnapps. I wondered why she needed us at all. She was very capable of taking care of herself.
MaMA's attention was no longer on us or Baylor, but she was looking out into the distance. A loud rumble came up the private road. I followed her gaze and saw a beat up, rusted out truck barreling up the road.
     "That lunatic," MaMA said under her breath. "When will he ever learn not to drive so recklessly? Hasn't he hurt enough people?" Her voice cracked, and I got the feeling that she was one of those people the lunatic had hurt. 

     I sought for clarity from Schnapps, but she too was intently watching the truck, a pained expression on her face.
     MaMa called us to return inside. The sun had begun it's decent, and since we had stopped playing, I was getting cold, so I didn't delay. 

     Schnapps trotted in after me. I found my blanket in front of the fireplace and laid down to let it warm my chilled fur. Schnapps went over to the couch, where the MaMA had sat down. She attempted to jump up, but her trajectory was off and she stumbled back to the floor. Then I noticed she held her back leg up, and it was shaking. Was she hurt during our playtime? 

     "Are you injured, Schnapps? I'm sorry if I was too rough on you earlier," I said. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
     She tried jumping onto the couch again, this time landing her spot, but just barely. 

     "I am always in pain, little von. But it has nothing to do wit you." She sat on the MaMA's lap and looked over her shoulder at her.
     "Is it time for your massage appointment, madame," MaMA said in a silly, fancy accent. Schnapps nodded at her and the MaMA began to rub her shoulders, working and kneading down her back, to her hips and back up. 

     Schnapps closed her eyes and lowered her head. She winced when MaMA came upon her hips, but she didn't yip, but rode out the pain by inhaling deeply.
     I went over to the couch and sat in front of them. 

     "What happened to you," I asked.
     "It's an old injury, nearly put me out of commission," Schnapps said between long breaths. "It hurts de most during de vinter. De cold tightens up my wounds."
     I must have looked horrified, because when Schnapps slightly opened her eyes and reassured me that she would be all right.
     "Just promise me dat you vill stay away from dat rancher and his truck." She shut her eyes again. I went back to my blanket and watched them.
     Poor Schnapps. I wondered if her injury and MaMA's sadness were related. It all seemed to stem around the rancher and his truck. What if he was responsible for her partner's untimely end? After all I did hear her shout out in her nightmarish sleep. Right then, I vowed to bring the rancher to justice. And even though I wouldn't be able to heal Schnapps' body, perhaps I could lessen the emotional wounds from which she suffered. I just didn’t know how.

Pick Of The Litter

     It seemed like I had just closed my eyes when a cold nose poked at my side. “Number four, wake up.”

     I peered into the sunshine and saw Drill Sargent standing beside the puppy pile. “Don’t disturb the others, I need to talk to you.” 

     She trotted to the other side of the yard. Nervous about what this could be about, I slowly slid from out of the pile. Five, who was on top of me, raised his head. “Where are you going? Its nap time,” he said.

     “Go back to sleep,” I said. I could feel his gaze follow me as I walked away. I looked over my shoulder and waited for his eyes to blink back shut. 

     “Over here, Four,” Sargent whispered from the corner.

     “Yes, ma’am.”

     “Four, you are the top recruit in the litter. I just wanted to let you know how happy I am with your training.”

My heart fluttered. It was rare that Sargent complimented anyone.        “Thank you, Ma’am.”

     “I’ve seen a lot of litters come through here, trained a lot of good dogs. But I have to admit, you are the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to ween. That is why I’m recommending you for the top assignment, the MaMA.”

     “MaMA,” I repeated it slowly. It was the elite assignment of all duties any dog could hope for! “Drill Sargent, are you sure I’m qualified for the MaMA?”

     “It’s a tough assignment, full of long hours and danger, but I think you are up for it. You also will be rewarded with plenty of belly rubs and good food. It’s a good assignment. You are pick of the litter. High Command notified the MaMA that we had a qualified pup for her, and she will be over this afternoon to check you out. I wanted to give you a heads up, you will need to be on your game.”

I was at a loss for words. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would be chosen for such a revered duty. I wanted to thank the Sargent, for recommending me, for her hard work training us, for everything. But all I could do is sit there and stare at her.

     “You better get your rest, recruit,” Sargent nodded towards my napping litter. “I’m very proud of you,” her voice cracked and she trotted away from me. 

     Nothing like a dropping a bomb like that to keep you awake, and she said she was proud of me! I tossed and turned through my nap time, and got quite the grumbling from my litter mates. 

     “Four, quit your squirming,” Two complained. 

     “I’m sorry,” I explained. Thoughts of the MaMA kept swirling in my brain. The MaMA was coming to see if I was worthy of being part of her team. How could I sleep? I didn’t have to worry for long, because just then, High Command came out onto the porch. I heard her talking to someone.

     “This is where they eat and sleep at night,” the same staff member who fed us said to the unseen visitor. Then they moved out from behind the partition and I got my first look at the MaMA. For a high class agent, she didn’t seem like much, or perhaps she was just working undercover, or she was dressed to blend in. Either way, she looked just like every other human I’ve seen, just like the rest of High Command personnel. However, she had a kind face and a pleasant voice.

     “Are those the parents” she asked as she approached the General and Drill Sargent. They sat together and beamed at the MaMA. 

     “Yes, they have been great parents,” the staff person said. “And over there are the pups.”

     The MaMA turned and gazed in our direction. Her face lit up as she made her way to our pile.

     “Hey, guys. Wake up. We’ve got company,” I barked to rouse the troops. 

     “Who is it?” Three asked.

     “It’s the MaMA,” I told them. “She’s here to pick…one of us.” I didn’t want to automatically say that she was there for me, because in reality, she could pick any one of us. Though I couldn’t imagine her wanting to pick a stinker like Number One, but then she might not want a security expert like me. She might want a Lap Dog, like Number Five. Everyone lifted and craned their necks to get a look at the MaMA.

     “Look at all their wrinkly, little faces,” she exclaimed as she approached. We all got to our feet and cautiously moved forward for her to get a better look.

     “Like I told you over the phone,” the staff member said, “You have pick of the litter.”

     Pick of the litter, that’s what Sargent called me! I pushed my way to the front, so the MaMA could see I was the one she wanted.

     “Gosh, they’re all nice looking puppies,” she said as she knelt down and picked up Number Two.

     No, no no no! Not Two! She had to choose me, but of course everyone in the litter wanted the MaMA assignment, too. Everyone except Five. He stayed at the back of the bunch. He nodded at me and waved me forward.

     “Go,” he called out. “This is the assignment that you were born to have.”

     Two was botching up his first impression. He squirmed so much in the MaMA’s hands that she had no other choice than to put him down. He ran off like an idiot, not knowing what a great opportunity he was wasting. Perhaps, secretly he wanted to get a Lap Dog assignment as well. 

     The others in the litter milled around the MaMA as I fought my way through them. That’s when I saw her, One and her big butt. She was trying to take my spot, and there was no way I was going to let that happen! I turned on my super speed and ran to the MaMA, but One and her enormous behind blocked my path. 

     “Move it, One. This is my assignment,” I growled.

     “Oh, yeah. Not if I can help it.” She bared her teeth and swished her butt back and forth. 

     I whipped my own rear around and knocked her off her feet. She went down with an “Ooof,” and rolled to the side. I jumped up and over One and her sizable tochus, and landed in the MaMA’s lap.

     “Oh, my,” she gasped. “She’s a lively one.”

     “That’s Number Four,” said the staff lady. “She is quite the adventurous pup.”

     “Number Four?” MaMA looked down at me and smiled. 

     “She was fourth born,” the staff lady explained, “We don’t give them names here. Makes it easier, and leaves the naming up to the new owners.”

     I climbed up further onto MaMA’s lap and stood up on my hind legs. She looked into my eyes and leaned in so close that we were almost touching noses. 

     “Are you the one I should take home,” she asked. I cocked my head then risked a small lick on her cheek to seal the deal. She laughed as I climbed up further into her arms and deployed the ultimate closing maneuver. I rested my head on her shoulder and looked at her putting all my wants and desires into an intense soulful gaze. “I guess that’s a yes.”

     “Great, let’s go inside and do the paperwork,” said the staff lady as she stood and brushed off her legs.

I buried my nose into MaMA’s neck. She smelled like warmth, happiness, and love. She smelled like home.

     She stood and followed the staff member back into High Command. I looked over MaMA’s shoulder at my litter.

     “Bye, Four,” they barked. “Good luck.” Even One forgot her grudge and yipped with excitement.

     “Bye everyone, hope you get your assignments soon, as well.” 

Number Five ran after us. “Good bye, Four. I’ll never forget you!”

     “I hope you enjoy being a Lap dog, Five. Always remember that you’re a good dog.” Five sat down, tossed back his head and howled his final goodbye, soon the others joined in. I turned my face because I didn’t want them to see me cry. As I did, I caught the General and Drill Sargent watching me go. The General gave me one of his big puggy smiles and a wink. Drill Sargent puffed out her chest and raised her nose in one last final salute to her favorite recruit.