My Dog George

My dog George and I walked happily along the street. The day was crisp. It was Autumn, our favourite season. The cool air was invigorating, bird song greeted us, and a breeze played gently in the tree tops, causing movement and a rustling refrain. Then, as George tired, we paused on a park bench to watch a lively willy wag tail dart here and there, in an entertaining dance. Once the performance was over, we stood to continue our walk.

However another dog - a large animal, unmuzzled and unrestrained – shot out of nowhere. George, a small dog , took fright immediately. He ran into the surrounding bush with the large hound in pursuit. Imagining the speed of the larger dog my heart beat wildly and my anxiety momentarily paralysed me. I stood frozen with fright. Then I found my legs.

Aware as I was that a pug is no match for this large animal I rushed in the direction of the chase. Dogs are enlivened by rabbits running ahead of them and how like a rabbit George must have seemed to the larger animal! Yet I could hear my little friend yelping as he ran, which gave me hope that he was holding out and I ran harder in the direction of his call. I held a branch in my hand that I had only minutes before retrieved from the foot path, and envisioned a fight with the greyhound which must surely result in George’s safety.

Alas, however, as time went by George’s call became less distinct. My heart sank, yet I ran on. If he had any chance of survival I must continue the chase. I must quicken my pace. But time was running out. My little dog would be tiring. Thus I was forced to find the strength to continue. And then it happened. In the distance I saw the greyhound, stationary, head bowed, with a small limp cream coloured furry animal in its mouth. I fell to my knees and sobbed uncontrollably, before composing myself. With a deep breath I stood. I moved forward reluctantly, on weak legs, raising the branch above my head. Sickened and distraught I saw the greyhound munch on his prey, oblivious to my approach.

But someone was watching. From the entrance of a small concrete pipe I heard a frantic wimpering. Could it be my little friend? Sure enough, George, hot, distressed and panting desperately, with burrs and scratches on his ears and nose and tail, crawled clumsily out of his refuge and scrambled into my arms. I stood in a state of stunned relief. Clinging together we willed ourselves to walk onward to find the greyhound, casually chewing on a soft toyt. The little furry plaything had saved my dog’s life. We turned homeward, happy and relieved.

Humphrey Meets the School Bus

Humphrey was so excited. He could hear his mummy’s school bus coming down the road. She would be at the end of their driveway soon.

Humphrey and Spot the cat set off together. It was a sunning day. A slight breeze blew Humphrey’s fur, this way and that.

Humphrey’s ears trailed behind his bead as he walked down the drive way.

“ This is my favourite time of day, Spot!” he said cheerfully. “ I have so much to tell Rosey. I chased some kangaroos and ran after the family car when they went to the shops, today …”

Spot smiled. Humphrey was her friend. She liked to see him happy.

Humphrey and Spot stood like soldiers at the bus stop and in only a few moments the bus arrived.

“ Rosey decided not to come home, today, Humphrey old boy!” joked the driver as he opened the door of the bus.

But Rosey burst out of the bus with her school bog over her shoulder! She shrieked with delight to see her pets so patiently waiting. She scooped Spot up in her arms and held Humphrey’s head against her thigh.

“Humphrey,” she said. “I have so much to tell you! “

And she did. It had been such a busy day at school that Humphrey didn’t have a chance to tell his stories.

Rosey talked until bedtime! And Humphrey smiled while he listened.

Lucy Loses the Sausage

Lucy, the pug, usually likes to spend time in the kitchen when her owner is cooking.

From time to time a small piece of cheese will be thrown her way, and if she is quick enough to beat young Jeremy, she eats it up quickly. Yum!


At other times something falls on the floor accidentally. Old George tells her about the time their owner was carrying a plate of salmon rissoles to the table. Miraculously, and happily, all of the rissoles slid from the plate onto the floor, for no apparent reason. "What a feast that was!" George tells his companions. "Yum!"


That was before Lucy was born, and she really doesn't believe him. Yesterday though, her owner was cooking four sausages. Suddenly the smallest sausage landed on the floor right in front of Lucy's nose. It smelt so good!


However, just as Lucy was about to take the sausage in her sharp little teeth, a human hand reached down and snatched it back. She was annoyed, but that is not the end of the story.


As the day wore on she found opportunities to sit at the feet of her owner. At such times she would casually talk about her day...


"What happened to the sausage?"


Later, in front of the television, as her owners watched and discussed the television news, Lucy was keen to contribute...


"What happened to the sausge?"


Last thing at night her owner took the pugs down stairs to their beds. Just before lights out Lucy made eye contact to say her last words for the day, as she always did ...


"What happened to the sausage?"


Next morning, the pugs were eager to greet the day as the sun was already shining. Their owners had slept in because it was a Sunday. When the door was opened Lucy ran up the stairs as usual and started to enjoy her day in the big house.


"Hello, Lucy!" her owner said.

"What happened to the sausage?" Lucy said.

"Lucy! You are like a dog with a bone," her owner replied.


That gave Lucy an idea. The rest of the day she spent happily chewing her bone.


She chewed it ...

and chewed it...

and chewed it ..

and chewed it.


She chewed her bone with such complete concentration

that she forgot all about the sausage

and everything was quiet in the household again.

Apart from the sound of chewing, that is!