GUNNAR'S TALE

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GUNNAR'S TALE

Before I got captured, I lived on the streets of downtown Gentry Heights, eating anything I could find after dark, sometimes in the big cans behind the places the humans go to eat. If I didn’t spend too long at one place, I could search every garbage can behind every shop in Gentry before the sun came up.  My favorite place to eat was out behind Chuck’s. Chuck would never let me come inside but I could usually count on him tossing me out a bone with a little meat on it. “Here you go little fella.”  He didn’t toss me food every night but there were always the garbage cans across town to hunt in.

When it got light I’d find somewhere warm to sleep, usually near the last place I ate, unless someone came along and chased me away. Chuck never chased me off from his place but sometimes the guy who came to get the big garbage did. “Get lost mangy mutt!” He hollered and threw rocks at me. I learned what that big garbage truck sounded and smelled like so when I heard it coming I could hide before he saw me. I didn’t want to be hit by any more rocks.

The last night I looked for food, I didn’t find much. Chuck didn’t come out and I was going to hunt somewhere else. I turned the corner and saw a big human coming toward me, it wasn’t Chuck and it didn’t smell like the garbage man. It was someone I had never seen before. He was calling to me, bending down and holding out his hand. I thought he was going to give me food so I ran to him. As soon as I got close enough to smell what was in his hand, he slipped a chain around my neck and attached a smelly rope, then pulled me toward a big truck that looked like a box.

“Grrrrowl!” Who are you? He dragged me by the rope and chain, stretching my neck.

“You’re coming with me!”

“Grrrooof!” Where? I tried to get loose and suddenly felt a sharp stab in the back of my neck. I forgot about trying to get away or even being hungry. I only wanted to lie down. He placed a muzzle over my face and the chain around my neck loosened.

I woke up inside a cage and I couldn’t breathe very well. I heard nothing but dogs barking. I was surrounded by more dogs in more cages than I had ever seen in one place. My mouth was dry just like after I tried to eat that old box I once found. It smelled so good but tasted so bad.

As I lay in the corner of my cage, a boy wearing dark pants with holes in the knees came inside with me. I looked up at him and watched him place a bowl filled with water on the ground in front of me. He looked over but didn’t say anything. He left quickly and I noticed a latch on the door click into place.

I approached the small bowl cautiously and sniffed the water. It smelled clean, better than a lot of water I had tasted in the past and surprisingly nothing was floating on the top that I would have to dodge with my tongue. As I gratefully lapped up the last few drops, there was a rumbling in my belly and I realized it had been a long time since I ate any bits of meat or scraps of food on the street.  I was used to going awhile without eating, days sometimes, but wondered how I would get out of this cage to find myself some food.

Pawing at the ground next to the cage wall, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to dig my way out, the floor was too hard. The walls of the cage were higher than I could reach standing my tallest and above me I saw the cage was also covering the top. I tried but wasn’t able to chew my way out.

My belly rumbled again and then I saw the silver latch on the door that had clicked into place when the boy left. It could be my key to freedom, and to food! I would move that latch like the boy did, and I would get out.  I jumped high against the side of the cage trying to knock the latch open with my nose but missed it. I jumped again, trying to reach it with my paw. I wanted out of the cage now and the latch was too high.

”Ruff! Ruff!” I called out… loudly… asking someone to come and let me out but no one came. I lay down on the cold, hard ground, rested my chin on my paws, closed my eyes, and drifted back to sleep. I thought that Chuck was with me in the big metal cage. He had a bone and a bowl of meat scraps from his place and was holding it out to me.

The clanging sound of the door being opened again woke me. Freedom! I jumped up on the door of the cage with my tail wagging, anxious to go out and start the hunt for food. A lady with dark hair down her back came in carrying a round metal bowl. As she shut the cage door, she smiled down at me and whispered, “Hello young man, you hungry?” She leaned over to put the bowl down and her long hair fell across my face and a familiar scent filled my nostrils— the lady’s hair smelled like the park with the flowers and the fountain that I cooled off in on hot days. I wanted to go back to that park, and the fountain. I loved the water. The lady’s scent reminded me of the park.

Turning to the bowl, I saw little dry things that looked like tiny bones, but did not smell like anything I had tried in the past. I sniffed the top of the bones and the sides of the bowl. I touch the top of the dry bones with my tongue and one of the pieces stuck to it. As I chewed, it broke into tiny crumbs and I picked up more pieces. I was willing to eat anything and a lot of it.

I finished fast and looked up to see the lady still standing there. She leaned over again and patted me on the head. “You were hungry, weren’t you?” She scratched me behind my ears and petted my back. The more she petted me, the faster my tail wagged.

“You’re a handsome boy and friendly too. You just need a good bath and you’ll be good as new.” 

I didn’t know what she meant but I wanted to go with her. I liked the way she smelled. I licked and nuzzled the back of the lady’s hand as it hung by her side. I was hoping for another scratch behind my ears. The lady squatted down so she was nose to nose with me. She rubbed my head and kissed the top of my nose. I rubbed my face against her cheek and buried my nose deeper into her soft hair, savoring her scent.

A man, much bigger than my lady friend and fowl-smelling, came inside my cage. I instantly knew I didn’t like this man. He didn’t bring me water or food; he didn’t pet me or scratch behind my ears. And his smell made me feel sick. As the lady stood up and faced him, he grabbed her arm and said, “C’mon Sandy, you got work to do.”

“Yes, of course Michael, I’m coming right now.” She bent down and patted my head. “Okay Big Guy, I gotta go feed the other dogs. I’ll come back and see you later.” 

“Don’t be gettin’ all attached to that mutt. You know he’s gonna die, just like all the others.”

Die? I am not going to die in here. I’ve lived through a lot worse.

The lady did come back and brought me those little dry bones to eat. They didn’t taste as good as the scraps Chuck gave me but I ate them. Sometimes the lady took me outside to run and play and she would let me do things for her like bring her ball back to her when it got away, or show her how tall and straight I could sit, or how I liked to stay by her side when we walked. She always gave me treats when I did these things and I kept doing them. She would get really happy and hug me and tell me what a good boy I was. My tail always wagged and waved when the lady took me out. My tail got as excited as I did when I got to play with her.

The next time I saw Michael, he came inside to clean out my cage. He growled at me and said, “Worthless Mutt.” I growled back but it didn’t mean anything. I didn’t want to get into trouble with Michael. I didn’t want him to throw rocks at me like the garbage man did.

Taking walks outside with the lady Michael called Sandy was better than anything else I did those days. “What are you doing in here anyway?” She sat down next to me after one of our walks. “You don’t belong in a place like this. You need a family.” I didn’t know what a family was yet but I found out soon.

The day I got to go out of my cage for the last time, the lady had taken me outside to play. I walked next to her but this time we went into the Off Limit area on the other side of the fence. None of the dogs went to the other side alone but the lady took me there. That was the day I went for a ride with her in what she called her Jeep and I never saw that old cage again.

“Hop up here with me; I’m taking you home to introduce you to your new family.” Riding in the Jeep was a new adventure. I had never moved that way before. It was a little hard standing still while the ground was moving under me but I figured it out pretty fast. “I am going to call you 'Gunnar.' It means 'Brave Warrior' and you are a brave warrior. I don’t know where you lived before you were brought to our shelter but by the looks of you, you had to be pretty brave to survive.” I listened to her voice and started to doze off in the warm jeep and the daylight. “Yes. Gunnar is your name. You are a brave and strong dog. You are going to have a new home and a new family. My boys can’t wait to meet you, Gunnar.”

~*~*~*~*~

I have been with the lady, I call her Mama now, and my new family, long enough to get my kennel just the way I want it. I sleep in there with my very own soft blanket with the lumps in all the right places. I got some new food, much better than the little dry bones in the shelter, and Mama gave me my very own bowl and food and place to eat—in my corner, right next to my kennel. Mama took me to the groomer who cut my hair and washed me until I felt cleaner than I had ever been. And I have a collar now with a tag that Mama says has my name on it.

I tried to make friends with the neighbor cat, she’s not very friendly though, she ran way up the tree, knowing full well I couldn’t follow her up there. Mama’s boys, Bobby and Cody, play with me and chase me all over the yard and Mama showed them how to throw the balls, just like she did at the shelter. I always bring the balls back to them too. The neighbor cat sits up in the top of the tree watching us. I think she wants to come play but probably doesn’t know how to get the balls back. Like I said, she’s not very neighborly.

Bobby and Cody call Mama “Mom” or “Mommy” but I call her “Mama” because it is easiest to say. I practice saying “Mama” when she is away so I can say it really good when she is home. She gives me treats when I say it right. She always knows I’m talking to her and I get lots of hugs when I say Mama. Some people still call her “Sandy” but I don’t like that name, it sounds like dirt, and she sure smells better than dirt. Besides I can’t say Sandy.

Most mornings Mama and the boys get in the car and go away for a long time—sometimes it gets dark before they get back. At first I was scared to stay home all alone because I didn’t know what to do. I found shoes and things to chew on but they didn’t smell or taste good. I tried to make friends with the dogs in the Cody’s room but they didn’t move or make any sounds when I was around. They wouldn’t even talk to me. I even chewed on one of their arms, trying to get it to play with me, but it still wouldn’t move. Cody was really mad at me when he got home that night. I’m not sure why but I figured it was because his dogs arm was broken so now I don’t go in there.

Mama brought me some new toys to play with and bones to chew on that taste a lot like the meat Chuck used to give me-so I don’t mind being alone as much now. When Mama and the boys get home after being gone all day, the boys play with me and when there is light outside Mama and I go for a walk together. We walk on the path behind the house and look at the flowers and leaves and I think about chasing the critters smaller than me but Mama always calls me to come back to her, “Gunnar!” She talks about what she did that day and I think about what it would be like to play with the critters. Mama tells me about things we see and asks me what to cook for dinner. I like walking alone with Mama. I want to go with her wherever she goes.

There are those perfect days when the Jeep doesn’t take Mama and the boys away when we all wake up. They stay home with me and I lay next to Mama on the couch while she talks to people on her phone or sit by her feet while she plays games with the boys. Sometimes we go for rides, all together in the Jeep; we go to the park to play with other dogs or we walk down by the river. The boys throw sticks or balls and I always bring them back to them, even if they get a little wet. I like those days the best—when my family doesn’t leave me home alone.

Michael used to come to visit Mama sometimes at night. He would sit on the couch looking at Mama’s TV. Sometimes he would yell at Mama about things I didn’t understand. Cody and Bobby always played in their room when Michael came over. I didn’t want Michael to come to our house because he pushed me off the couch to sit by Mama in my place. Mama let me sit there when Michael wasn’t there and she would scratch behind my ears and lay her arm across my back. I’d fall asleep sitting next to Mama but Michael would come over and push me off and sit there instead. One night Michael yelled at me for going potty on the floor. I didn’t want to be around Michael. I didn’t like the way he smelled, it reminded me of the smell of the garbage man who used to throw rocks at me. I heard Michael tell Mama, “That is one pain-in-the-ass dog.” I didn’t know what that meant but it didn’t sound nice. I just didn’t want Michael around.

The last time Michael was in our house he was yelling at Mama, saying something about taking her away for the weekend and leaving the boys and the damn dog at home. Mama was crying and her hands looked like they were squeezing little balls.

“Michael, I can not leave my kids home alone for the weekend!” She sounded strange when she talked, not like herself at all.

“If you love me you will go to the coast with me this weekend! I need you there with me Sandy.”

I stood next to her sensing something I had never sensed before. The hair on the back of my neck was prickling and my ears lay back on top of my head. Something smelled wrong and I was ready to be Mama’s brave warrior.

“Michael, I will not go with you. Please don’t make me choose between you and my children.” Mama started to move away from Michael but he moved up next to her, pressing her against the wall with his body. He stepped back then and lifted his arm. His fist landed on Mama’s face. She yelled out louder than I had ever heard her and her entire body ended up on the floor right next to me. I didn’t even have to think about what I did next, I clenched my teeth hard around Michael’s arm and I couldn’t let go. His arm was shaking me up and down but I held on tighter. Using his other hand he grabbed the back of my neck, right where the hair was prickling, and jerked his arm out of my mouth, I landed in a corner across the room.

“Son of a bitch! I’m bleeding!”  Mama started to say something but Michael’s foot ended up in her mouth and she was quiet. “This is your fault, Bitch! I told you this dog is a pain-in-the-ass! And now he’s made me bleed!” Mama didn’t move. “The dog has to go!”

Michael’s foot, the same foot that he kicked into Mama’s mouth, kicked me in the side as he pushed me out the door and down to the path that Mama and I had taken our walks on. As soon as I thought I could get back up on my feet, Michael bent down and put something over my head so I couldn’t see him anymore. It completely covered me then and I tried to get away but I hurt and that made it hard to move very fast. I could not get out of whatever it was he put over my head. I heard a door slam and we started moving. I guessed I was in his jeep and I was trapped. I remembered Mama back at the house on the floor and wanted to go back to her but I had to figure out how.

I don’t know how long I was trapped with Michael but I dozed off awhile and I was really warm. I still liked to sleep where it was warm but I also liked to be able to see what was around me. Nothing smelled or sounded familiar so I let myself sleep.

I woke up when the jeep stopped moving and I felt Michael pick up the bag I was in. I felt myself land with a thud on the ground. He kicked me again and then I heard his door shut and his jeep left. Thank dog! I was still trapped and my sides hurt each time I moved. I explored the inside of the bag I was trapped in and I found a small opening. I started to push through it with my paw and teeth and it started to get bigger. Pretty soon I could get two paws through the hole and then my head. My tail started to wiggle and I looked around to see where I was.

Freedom! I made my way out of the bag that had trapped me and I looked around. I could see nothing but some rocks bigger than me and a huge hill with houses way at the top. I wanted to find Mama but nothing smelled or sounded familiar. It was time to start looking for Mama. I left the bag behind for someone else, I didn’t want it.

My belly reminded me it was time to eat but I didn’t want to spend too much time hunting for food. Thinking I might find something to eat along the way I started to climb over the rocks, headed for the hill. Even though the pain in my side made me slower than I wanted to be, I kept walking, trying to run, but settling for a slower walk like I would have done with Mama. I felt her getting closer and closer with every step.

I caught a scent of something I could eat up ahead and a few small critters I didn’t recognize ran away as soon as they saw me. I saw one under a rock and went after it. It was much faster than me and I lost it.

Food. Home. Mama. Food.

The light started to go away and as it got dark I got worried. I wasn’t scared of the dark of course; I lived in the dark before Mama took me home. But I wanted to make it home in time to sit by Mama on the couch and keep her company while she watched TV. My sides and my legs hurting, I kept moving up the hill, across the rocks, trying to keep my balance on the bigger rocks so I didn’t fall off or get stuck in between them. When I couldn’t go on, I stopped on a flat spot on the ground and laid down…too tired…just for a minute…and I rested.

The light woke me and I remembered, Mama! I wanted to be there with her in case Michael came back to hurt her some more. Bad Michael…! I’m on my way Mama!

I climbed the hill and got closer to the houses at the top and suddenly I smelled something familiar. Cody! I could smell Cody’s scent on the ground. I had to keep moving. I started to run. I can run again! I didn’t hurt as much as I did the night before. Running up the hill I didn’t stop until I got to the houses. Out of breath and thirsty I saw a lady putting water on her yard. I stood a minute and looked at the water coming out and wondering how I could get some in my mouth.

“Come here boy.” The lady let the water run and I rushed over to lap up a drink.

Wagging my tail and said “Woof!” to the lady. Thank you. I kept moving until I got Bobby’s scent too. The houses and yards and cars looked familiar. Then I caught Mama’s scent. This is where I walk with Mama! There is the little boy who runs out to pet me! He called me,

“Hey Gunnar!” But I kept running. I’m going home!

Just as I came around the last corner I saw Michael next to Mama’s house. He was crouched on the ground behind a bush. I ran up to him as fast as I could, growling and barking as loud and mean as I had ever been. Bobby and Cody came out the door onto the porch and behind them stood a man and a woman, both dressed in black, with big silver badges on their chests, just like Bobby and Cody wear when they play ‘Cops and Robbers.’

I kept barking and Michael started to stand up but I jumped right on top of him. He fell over onto his back and I stood on his chest telling him how I felt--right in his face. He lifted his arms in front of his face just as the man and woman with the badges came over and trapped Michael’s wrists in some metal contraption that made it impossible for him to get free.

Bobby and Cody shouted to Mama, “Mom! Gunnar is home and he caught Michael!”

Mom came out onto the porch and I ran up to her and noticed she looked different but smelled the same. She had something wrapped around her head and her face was black beneath her eyes. Still, she bent down and lifted me up in her arms.

“Gunnar, I knew you would make it back home.” She hugged me and kissed me on top of my head. “I’m so glad you are okay. Michael is a bad, bad man and he won’t be here ever again.” I licked her face and nuzzled my nose into her soft hair. Bobby and Cody came inside the house and hugged their Mom and me and each other all at the same time. I looked around and saw my full food bowl and Mama put me down. “You must be hungry, boy. Go eat.” After I finished I curled up next to Mama on the couch where I slept next to her the rest of the day.

Things got back to normal pretty quick. Mama took the wrapping off her head and the black color left her face. Mama, Bobby and Cody still leave in the mornings and are gone all day most days, but they always come home. This morning I rested my head on my paws and watched the Jeep move Mama farther and farther away from me. It gets smaller and smaller until I can barely see it.

“Woof!” I bark goodbye one last time and run to the window on the other side of the room to see the back of the Jeep disappear with my Mama inside. She’ll be back. She always comes back.

Time to eat!