The Dog of Many Names Ch1

As had become habit, before bed I scratched at the back door to be let outside. My master's mother let me out, and I stepped outside into the grass. The night was comfortably warm, and I sat down, staring up into the dark sky at the bats that swooped just out of reach. Behind me, I could hear the sounds of my human family getting ready for bed. I knew them well.

In the months I'd lived here, I'd grown into a fine young dog. I was powerful and athletic, solidly built but lithe and agile. My coat was short and shiny and full, a rich caramel color with splotches of white on my body and black on my face. I stretched out, tail curling way over my back, and had began to turn and ask to be let back in when the other noise caught my attention.

Behind me, a human was coming down the alleyway. Every human I had met so far had been nothing but good fun, so I sauntered over to investigate. The man noticed me and stopped, reaching over the gate. He wanted to pat me! I loved being patted. So I leaned into the fence, tail banging against the metal. The man's hand loomed over me, and instead of feeling a gentle pat like my humans gave me, the hand wrapped in my scruff and pulled me up. I tried to jerk away, scared - what was he doing? - but he was much stronger than me.

I let loose a loud yelp and squirmed, trying to get free, but his grip was firm. Another hand clamped around my muzzle, making me bite my tongue, and silenced my protests. He growled something I did not understand at me, tucked me under one arm, and stole me away into the night.