Publish date: 6/10/20

Chapter 1

I dashed for all I was worth, paws slamming against the hard concrete under me. I was determined to beat the rest of the dogs to our trainer, Greg.

Greg was training us to find people. I didn't know how it helped but it felt good to work. Izzy pulled up next to my nub of a tail. She let out a woof as her big German shepherd body passed my leaner one.

Finn came up on my other side, rivaling me. After a short bit, only a few seconds, Finn passed me, his fluffy black and white Border Collie tail insulting me.

Soon, everyone was passing me. Buddy, a Labrador, Ellie, another German shepherd, and

Blaze and Buzz, huskies. Everyone beat me, all because I was a Doberman pinscher. My lean, wiry body was fast, but too elegant to beat the others.

When I arrived at Greg, Greg pet my head. "Good dogs!" He praised. "Danger, you're first." My ears pricked at my name. Water? I asked. No, it was work. Treats come after work, when your all penned up to sleep.

"Ready?" Greg said. I crouched low, ready to race. "Go!" I sprinted off. We did this everyday. Though, everyday, I was always "a little off", as Greg put it. I wanted to be "on point", which is what Greg always says to the other dogs.

The wind whistled in my ears, the end trees were in sight. I skirted to a stop, dirt flying like bugs.

I watched all the other dogs race to the ending trees. Izzy, Blaze, Finn, Buzz, Ellie, Buddy. Finally, Greg came to grade us. "On point," He said, shaking the paw of very serious Buddy. "A little off, Danger," He rubbed my chest. "Sorry, bud."

We were sent to the pens. My head hung low as I walked. I was given the treat: Water and a biscuit, and sent to my pen where Greg penned me up.

"a little off, Danger" rung in my head and ears. Still "a little off"! I collapsed to the floor, my heart stirring with emotions. Why!? Why can't I ever be "on point" like

Buddy or Izzy. Why!?

Chapter 2

That night I heard Greg talking with other people at our training place.

"Danger is still a little off time," Greg said, worry heavy in his voice. "Time?" Robin asked. "2 minutes 78 seconds. Regulation time is under 2 minutes 70 seconds. He's so close!" Greg replied. "Normally, I'd toss him but with the shortage of variety of dogs, I'm conflicted," Kim joined. "We do have too many shepherds and retrievers," Robin agreed. "They're good," Greg said. "but we need someone like Danger to fit into collapsed buildings." "Yeah, we only have Justice for that and he's getting to retiring age. Been hurt twice," Kim discussed.

"He's the greyhound right? The old race dog?" Robin inquired. "No, that was Hunter. He's the beagle-mix," Kim corrected. Greg sighed. "Well, I'll talk to Jermaine in the morning. Night', everyone. Try to sleep."

There was the sound of people getting up. The final words were,"You try to as well, Greg. We'll find a way about Danger..."

I slowly fell asleep too. It was hard though, knowing anything might happen with my life.

I sat there, head on my paws, thinking. What happens to dogs who don't make it? Do they ever find out? Does...no, Greg's to nice for that. Unless...

My thoughts were interrupted by Tim, a person on the

rescue team coming to get Ellie. It was training I was sure because under the gear, Tim wasn't tense.

Tim and Ellie left silently into the starry night. Justice snored and snorted. Some funny noise came out of him, like a wheeze of a human. I sniffed hard, but through the metal bars, I picked up more than just his scent. Something stung my nose and I backed away from the pen door.

Buddy barked and howled. Alarmed, Greg entered the room. "Hush, Buddy," He whispered. Buddy quieted for a moment, just enough for the worse sound in history let out.

Justice gasped and fell motionless, his body reeking

off a cold smell.

"No," Greg murmured, stroking the old beagle's ear. "Justice." Justice was gone.

Chapter 3

The next day, there was no training. We were allowed to roam the grassy yard and the training court. Greg didn't show up and all day the humans talked, murmured, and whispered.

Justice had been removed from his pen. He never even woke up. Sadness was thick in the air all day. Nothing felt right.

Where was Greg and Justice? Why weren't we doing training?

I was so confused. Ellie and Izzy were obviously confused as well.

What about the puppies! We had puppies here that

were getting a head start on training. They normally get walks everyday. They go to meet people and learn not to be afraid of everything. Were they getting their walks?

I ran over to check them. The poor pups were huddled in a pile. Something had to change. We needed our training and the puppies needed their walks.

I dashed to get Robin, Kim, or maybe Greg...and Buddy was already there. He was whining and pawing Robin's leg.

"Buddy's right," She said. "We're throwing them out of wack. We need to start training. I volunteer." Without waiting for an answer, Robin called,"Buddy! Ellie! Izzy! Blaze! Buzz! Danger! Finn!"

We dashed to her side.

"Stay!" She commanded and she jogged to where Greg would go. Then Robin whistled like Greg. Training had started.

After training, I was still "a little off", everyone but me got penned up. I went to Jermaine's office with Robin.

Jermaine was the boss here, the man in charge, the leader of the pack. "This is Danger," Robin said, sitting down. "Danger, hmm?" Jermaine said, stroking his chin furs. "Yeah," Robin replied, looking at me.

I sat straight, with my chest puffed out. "Justice died, correct?" Jermaine asked. "Yes, sir," Robin's voice was suddenly heavy. "We'll see about him. Could Elmer take

Justice's place for now?" Jermaine inquired. "Well, maybe. He's a little too big, an Irish setter, you know," Robin said, turning her attention to Jermaine. "Is Finn ready? He's small," Jermaine said. "No, no," Robin said quickly. "even if he was ready, his long fur would be heavy and a hazard to himself in those cramped buildings."

"Ok, thanks Robin," Jermaine flipped through a few papers. "Thank you too, Danger. I'll see if any other places are will to donate a trained lean dog. Goodbye."

Robin and I left and Robin penned me up. "Good dog, Danger. Good dog." She said.

Chapter 4

I woke with a start. Jessie, a rescue team member, was here. She was tense, yet calm and quick. She opened Buddy's pen. "You're in, Bud," She said.

So, Buddy had graduated. Hmm...

Both left in a hurry, both very serious. Finn tensed up in the pen next to me as they left. No fair! He barked. Hush it, young one, Elmer replied angrily. You're time will come, you just not ready yet!

Just not ready. Just "a little off". Why am I not going on missions. I should be racing along side a hero scrambling to save people! Not Buddy, the show-off the the century! Ugh. But, I must show I'm mature so I kept

quiet and didn't complain.

Where do you think he's going? Blaze said in a shy voice. Most likely a fire or earthquake, Elmer put in his elderly advice. Big dogs are best for those kind of things. Buddy, though, being a Lab, might be going to a water rescue.

Some were on edge until Buddy arrived back. When he did, those particulars peppered him with questions.

A small boy got lost in the woods. I rescued him. He went chasing after a stray cat, why? I haven't an idea. Cats are useless.

He realized he was lost and broke down at the base of a tree. Oak to be exact. He smelled of candy, sweat,