Minnie

Minnie

Minnie

Sean, the son of a police officer, had a Labrador pup called Minnie. Minnie's parents had been excellent police dogs so what more natural that she, too, should be given a trial at the K-9 training school. She seemed healthy and strong, with sturdy legs and a proud, firm head.

Minnie

It required less than a week, however, to discover that Minnie was not going to make it. She just did not have the right qualities. Obedience, for instance. On the third day, her handler tried teaching Minnie to run and fetch a stuffed bear. She thought it was some kind of joke and instead of bringing it back and dropping it at the handler's feet, she tore it apart. Then she hid it in a bush, knocking down several bean poles along the way. On the fourth day, Minnie was taught to jump

through an open window. Instead, she picked a closed one. You could hear the smashing glass for miles. The inspector who was in the office was not amused.

Minnie

That was the end of Minnie's career as a police dog. With some hesitation, her handler who was Sean's neighbour suggested that Minnie, though difficult to train, might tum out to be a reasonable house dog and pet. He approached Sean's father and told him about her history. Hesitantly, Sean's father agreed to give her a try. Sean, who had never had a dog before, was delighted. +te started his own course of training at once. Sometimes he wondered if his neighbour was all that good as a dog handler. Perhaps he simply had not understood Minnie. She had a mind of her own but she could be obedient in her own way.

Minnie

Most evenings, Sean took Minnie for walks along the nearby canal. This particular day, late in September, was misty, muddy and damp. As they were walking silently, Sean discovered that Minnie's collar had come off again, somehow. Instinctively, she sped off. The collar could not have come off easily. Sean's father had insisted on it fitting Minnie well as she was big for her age and Sean was small for his. Nevertheless, Minnie had only to tug hard, and Sean had either to let go or take off and fly like a kite on a string.

Minnie

Normally when Minnie disappeared, she would pick up Sean's footsteps and return to him, but that night she seemed to take ages. Seeing and hearing no evidence of Minnie's whereabouts, Sean tried his familiar canal path. Minnie would tum up eventually, wagging her tail, showing her teeth and oozing black mud which smelled of garbage.

Minnie

A few minutes later, there she was, at last, She had a remarkable grin on her doggy face. However, she carried an unfamiliar floral scent. Perfume, maybe. Sean did not bother to refit her collar. She followed him closely for a while and then became distracted. Something in the distance had caught her eye. Sensing her uneasiness, Sean gave her some biscuits which he had found in his pocket He watched her gobble them up and she continued sniffing along the path.

Minnie

Suddenly, a girl came whizzing by, travelling with incredible speed and skill on a skateboard. There were shopping bags in each hand. Minnie liked little girls, especially if they were moving fast. She bounded after the girl who was thrown off balance. Her shopping bags were flung out of her hands, spilling tea, flour, eggs and bread.

Minnie

"I'm sorry," said Sean. The girl scowled and snapped, "Leave me alone■ At that moment, when he turned around, he realised that Minnie was nowhere in sight However, this time, the wait was much longer and futile. She never returned.