A light breeze blowing a lock of hair in front of his eyes Richie pauses to brush it aside. “Happy about going to the dog park Max?”
Max having been following a foot behind his master looks up while ears perk forward. Long black bushy tail taking on a fast wag, he gives an excited bark.
Unnoticed by either an elderly lady walks up to the pair. “What a cute doggie you got there!” Reaching out a hand she sets it before the nose of Max then gives the canine a generous scratching behind the ears as she bends down.
“Why thank you miss…” Richie trails off smile plastered upon his face while inwardly cursing his luck at Max attracting an old fossil.
“Jones. Miss Jones. Why I was just telling Frank we should get a dog. See we had one back before the war. Then when rationing started and Frank being off to Europe well I just could not afford a dog.” She signs softly looking suddenly sad till Max boldly starts licking at her face. “My what a friendly dog!” She laughs gently pushing the canine away before she stands back up.
Max himself at first was unsure of the lady, as at first sniff all he could smell was mothballs. Then when she begin the delightful sensation upon his ears…..never before had he known such a heady experice. Pure happiness he thinks tongue lolling out the side of his muzzle while eyes narrow in pleasure. Powdered donuts? Yes donuts he thinks taking a better sniff he is at once trying to lick around the lips of the lady wanting to taste the traces of sugar she wears unknowingly. But the master is unhappy…Max is not sure how he knows this as his nostrils quiver drinking in the odors the two humans are giving off. But when the lady pushes him away he casts a look to Richie and then whines softly in question.
“Ah I’m sorry Max. Yes I know you want to see your friends at the dog part of the park.” Richie tells his former brother as he begins rubbing the canine between the ears and over the muzzle letting the dog take in the alpha scent. “Sorry Miss Jones. But my dog needs to go and I do not wish to foul this path or embarrass a lady like you with the basic needs of a dog.”
“Oh! Oh! Well carry on then young man.” Looking a little flustered Miss Jones gives Max a brief pat. “Now make sure you clean up after him. We do not want any messes left in the park.” She adds before wandering off down the path briskly.
Richie sighs then turns to head toward the northern end of the park. Just last year his brother Jeff had helped build the local dog park. Of course the fact that Jeff’s girl friend had a dog might have been a part of the reason behind the good deed Richie muses silently after giving a quick tug to the leash. Slack not going out of the leash Richie turns slightly to see Max obediently following a step behind him.
“Do you think Joan your girl friend will be at the dog park today? She has a real nice bitch if I remember right.” He muses watching for any reactions from Max. “Nice big boned German Shepherd bitch that has won a few state dog shows right?” Max keeps his eyes upon his master even when squirrel runs up a tree truck only two feet from the human soft whine escaping his muzzle.
“She would only remember you as a dog Jef I mean Max. All those times you spent with her would be remembered as my boarding you at her parent’s kennel.” Richie explains as an idea comes to him. He has always thought Joan was beautiful. But would she be interested in someone his age he wonders while quickening his pace as he smiles. “Hurry Max. Belle is no doubt missing her playmate.” Jeff always enjoyed playing with Joan’s bitch and even helped train her to be obedient. “Yes this might be a very nice experice for us both boy.” Richie tells his dog while reaching a hand back to ruffle the dog’s ears.