The Protector

September 28, 2007. Maybe I was inspired on Tuesday by being around all those police officers, police dogs and horses. Or maybe it’s just because I am becoming more mature and much better trained. Who knows why it happened? It just did!

I have always been a very empathetic dog. Whenever I hear a baby cry on the television, I go right to the screen to check it out and make sure everything is ok. Even when Tom or Renee sneeze I always check to make sure they are alright.

At one time there were people in the neighbourhood that would have considered me a bully when it came to smaller dogs. That really wasn’t the case though; I was just a puppy and wanted to play. I just didn’t realize how much bigger than those dogs I was. When I pounced on them, it must have hurt. Those days are long past though. Recently when greeted by smaller dogs and little people, I have taken to lying down and making myself smaller and less intimidating.

This morning, Tom and I headed to the park for our usual play time. While on the way we saw a man with his dog on the corner, across the street. His dog was sitting nicely beside him and waiting to go. He didn’t want to play, so we continued on to the park.

Walking up the street towards us was an older gentleman and his fluff-ball dog. They are always on the park at the same time as us, but we have never formally met. They always stand on the perimeter of the park and watch me run. This morning we were in our usual spot across the park and I was chasing my ball. The old fellow and the fluff-ball were standing up on the sidewalk watching.

Suddenly I saw a Chinese Chow-Chow dog approaching. He was free and there was no owner anywhere to be seen. Chow’s can be quite vicious so I was a little bit wary but, I kept playing with Tom. Suddenly the Chow went towards the Fluff-ball, who started screaming and crying. I don’t know if the Chow was attacking him or not, but the little fellow was in distress.

I know I am supposed to wait until Tom gives me the release, but, I just could not stand to hear those pitiful cries and I took off. I went all the way across the park at full speed. As I approached, I saw a little opening between the Chow and the Fluff-ball and I went charging into that opening. I actually bumped into the Chow and knocked him backwards. Then I stood between the Chow and the Fluff-ball while the owner picked him up and walked away.

Once I was sure they were safe, I turned and started back towards Tom, who was calling me. I’m sure he was not happy with the fact that I ran off like that. The Chow came towards me when I turned my back on him, but I turned around again and he backed away. Then I headed over to Tom. The Chow did not follow.

I thought Tom was going to be angry with me, but he wasn’t. He saw what I had done and he gave me lots of pats and hugs to praise me for a job well done. Who would have believed it? Me a protector of Fluff-balls? Will wonders never cease?