Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS WRITER.
Once upon a time there was a “four legs” called Eccles.
He’d spent so long in jail he had no idea what he’d done wrong.
But one day his sentence ended and a family of “two legs” came and collected him from his cold, damp concrete cell.
Eccles could barely contain his excitement, wagging his tail and hanging his tongue out, willing his knew family to love him.
But he became a little concerned when the youngest “two legs” said they were changing his name to Scruffy – how undignified!
When the oldest two legs said, “Scruffy, you’re going to be an outside dog” and he saw the concrete backyard with nothing but a smelly old sleeping bag to lie on, his heart sunk. He’d gone from one jail to another.
Eccles tried to make the most of it, hoping the younger “two legs” might at least come out to play but they spent all their time sitting inside looking at screens.
Sometimes he’d scratch the door to remind them he was there but the only time his family came outside was to give him a clip around the ears.
Every day when the two legs went off to school or work, Eccles would cry out to the neighbours to rescue him. Eventually, exhausted, he’d fall asleep.
One day, one of the smaller “two legs'” friends left the side gate open.
Eccles grabbed the chance to escape.
First he went looking for some of the “four legs” he’d heard in neighbouring backyards but soon realised they too were living behind bars – or at least very high fences.
Unsure what to do next, Eccles sniffed at the trees along the side of the road to catch up on the local news and find out what other “four legs” were up to.
He found out most of them were headed to a place called the lake.
Eccles followed the scent and there it was – water as far as the eye could see and more “two legs” and “four legs” than he could poke a stick at.
Wagging his tail enthusiastically Eccles bounded up to a handsome brindle “four legs” and athletic “two legs”, who was carrying a long stick with a tennis ball at the end.
Deciding to start the game, Eccles grabbed the ball between his teeth.
He was pleased when “two legs” raised the stick high in the air as if ready to play.
Thwack! Down it came hard across Eccles’ rump.
“Get out of here ya mongrel!” The two legs shouted while the brindle eyed Eccles sympathetically.
Tail between his legs, Eccles scampered to safety.
Heart still pumping hard, he picked up a beautiful scent – then he saw her. She was all fluffy and sweet in her black and white coat.
Eccles ran up to her, sniffing her tentatively.
She sniffed back then once he’d gained her concent, he jumped up on her from behind.
Thump! “Two legs” boot in the stomach sure hurt more than that plastic stick the other “two legs” hit him with.
With a yelp, Eccles scampered away.
He was starting to realise he couldn’t survive freedom and reluctantly headed back to his miserable home.
Following his nose, he was on the home stretch when he heard brakes squeal. A large, hairy “two legs” jumped out of a ute.
Arm stretched out, the “two legs” held out a meaty treat.
Thinking he was about to be rescued, Eccles ran towards the outstretched arm.
But before he could reach the treat, the “two legs” grabbed him by the collar and threw him into a cage in the back of the ute.
Before he knew it, Eccles was back in jail – the same jail where he’d spent most of his life.
Cowering in a corner, all hope gone, he never made the effort to wag his tail or jump up on the bars when ” two legs” came looking for a new family member.
Until finally, one day a “two legs” who looked even sadder than the way Eccles was feeling came to visit.
The “two legs” was recently widowed and was looking for a four legged companion to help get him out of the house.
He called out to Eccles who slowly walked over and gave the “two legs” a lick on the hand through the bars to cheer him up.
“Would you like to come home with me?” asked the two legs.
At last! This was the beginning of the life Eccles had only dreamed of.
Sleep-ins at the end of “two legs'” bed, ball games, liver treats and best of all – romantic walks around the lake.
The End