Page 80 of Love in Training
“The open tunnel should’ve come before the seesaw.” Drew says this like I got a C on my report card, and I roll my eyes. “But the point is, he didn’t hesitate to do what you asked. He’s really become attuned to you.”
I purse my lips, not sure what to make of that.
“Seems like you’ve become more attuned to him too,” he adds, this time with distinct resignation.
I release the end of the toy and Rufus gives it a vigorous shake, tossing it in the air and chasing it across the floor. He brings it back, and we engage in another brief tug-of-war before I let him win, and he makes a lap around the room wagging his tail. I can’t help smiling. Watching him enjoy himself is so different from watching him pace my apartment whining.
“I guess it helps that I understand him better now.”
“How’s that?”
I shrug. “He was miserable when I didn’t know what he needed. We both were. But... I don’t know, I guess now we have something to offer each other.”
I glance at Drew, catching a glimpse of his brother’s ghost. A lump forms in my throat. And suddenly, I badlywantto talk about Kyle.
“You know, he was determined to make me a dog person,” I say in a shaky voice. “He and my friend Lydia claimed it was my only major flaw.” I look down to where I’ve been rubbing Rufus’s belly unconsciously with my foot. “God, if he could see this, he’d be so smug.”
Neither of us speaks for a moment. Then Drew asks, “Why didn’t you like dogs?”
I have to stop and think about that. My mom might be right about not growing up with pets, but it feels a little more complicated. I shrug, stroking the soft fur on Rufus’s ears, letting my pulse slow down. “I’m still not sure Idolike dogs in general... but maybe this one’s growing on me.”
A reminder goes off on my phone, and when I see the clock, I rise from my seat.
“Damn. I had no idea it was this late.” Our one-hour training session has run closer to two, and when I glance out thewindows, the unexpected peace I found here—with the dog, with Drew—evaporates like a mirage.
Thinking of you . . .
I pick up my belt bag, hastily fastening it around my waist, then take inventory of its contents: pepper spray, Taser, personal alarm. An individual arsenal courtesy of my brother. One that felt mildly ridiculous until it didn’t—when the mail came this afternoon. “Sorry, I just need to get home.”
Drew rises from the floor as I locate my keys. “Is... is everything okay?”
I look up, surprised by the soft concern in his voice. For a moment, I even think about telling the truth. No, nothing has felt okay for months. I can’t tell if I’m being harassed or truly threatened, but there’s a creep out there who wantssomething, and now he’s threatening my dog too.
Instead, I let out a slow breath, thinking back to my conversation with Randall. “Do you... do you think Rufus was ever trained to attack?”
Drew blinks. He clearly didn’t expect this question, and too late, I realize it was the wrong one to ask.
“Sorry. I meant, um... is there a way to call him off if he tries to bite someone?”
He stiffens immediately. “Hashe tried to bite?”
“No, not exactly.” Oh God, I’m making this worse. “I mean, he freaked out at my neighbor and a coworker when they surprised him. But he didn’t bite. I just wondered... is there a command for that? Like, to literally call off the dogs?”
He studies me for an uncomfortable minute, then turns his attention to Rufus, who’s gone to sit patiently by his leash. “He probably had bite training. I don’t know exactly what that looked like, but I doubt he’d ever attack without being given a specific command.” He frowns. “Then again, he was discharged in part because he became unreliable in the field.”
“Can you tell me the commands?” I ask. “Just so I know what to say... or not say?”
He pauses. “They probably used something likego get him.I can find out for sure.”
My adrenaline surges with the phrase.Go get him.I curl my fists.
“But if he bites someone, it would be serious.” His voice is stern. “Military dogs are trained to do damage. Break bones. If he hurts someone, a judge could deem him dangerous, even order to have him put down.”
My mouth drops open. I look at Rufus, who gazes back stoically. Loyally. On some level, I like that he might sink his teeth into someone trying to mess with me. But if he hurt an innocent person? I don’t think I could handle having to euthanize Kyle’s dog.
“To make him stop,” Drew continues, “You could sayout,orsit. Just anything that’s the opposite of what he’s doing. We should probably practice that too.”
“Outorsit, okay...” I make a quick note on my phone so I won’t forget.
