Full Throttle | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Full Throttle | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nana Bunch
05/18/08
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“Justin!” Mom yelled from other room, “Take the dog out, NOW!

Champ, an adorable six month old miniature schnauzer, was whining loudly and steadily, clamoring against the sides of his kennel. He needed to go outside pronto.

“Ok, ok, I’m going”! Nine year old, red headed Justin finally mumbled back, not wanting to interrupt his game on the computer. He slowly ambled over to the kennel, dragging his feet and bent over the cage with a heavy sigh, the leash dangling from his hand. Instantly, upon opening the door, Champ burst out in victory, jumping and yelping with excitable puppy exuberance. Justin quickly snagged him before he made his escape unimpeded, impatiently and irritably working to get the leash on Champ’s collar. The dog was like a volcano bursting with energy – twisting and jerking, feverishly straining to get outside.

As the leash clicked onto his collar, Champ took off at full throttle. His feet barely touched the floor as he careened through scattered toys on the floor aiming for the back door. The toys flipped airborne in the wake of the mini puppy tornado. Two of the cats, Nutmeg and Ginger, scampered out of his way, hissing, spitting, and paws striking at air as he tore on by them, while Angel, the third cat beat a fast retreat down the steps to hide. If Champ had not been so intent with getting outdoors, he would have enjoyed his favorite pastime of persecuting the felines by chasing them around the house in a whirlwind of yips and snarls, the cats making arch backed hissy-faced retorts in retaliation. As he skidded, belly landing in the kitchen, he scrambled to get his footing on the slick vinyl flooring. Champs paws were like tires spinning out of control on black ice. Justin, dragged along for the ride, yelled, “Champ, STOP IT!”

Spilling out the door, they practically tumbled down the steps, clumsily tripping and sliding to get behind the garage. Champ frantically nosed around for a spot to contribute to the compost pile, as Justin heard an unfamiliar dog bark. It sounded huge. Horrified, he looked around and saw a very large Rottweiler wiggle out from a freshly made hole under the new neighbor’s fence adjoining Justin’s back yard. Right behind him, popping out from the same hole was another dog, a matched set, and both of them barked as they barreled like torpedoes aimed at Justin and Champ. A nanosecond of thoughts slammed into his memory. He was reminded instantly of his other little dog, Scruffy, whose life ended far too soon when he was mauled by a large dog less than three years ago.

Justin freaked. He snatched Champ up into his arms, holding the puppy tightly, with his eyes pasted on the back door, he took off running, hoping against hope that he could get inside and away from the dogs. Champ, who was shocked and surprised at his movements, turned and bit down hard on Justin’s arm.

Stunned, but not faltering a step, Justin hugged Champ even closer to his chest, fear propelling every step. He burst into the kitchen, slamming the door behind him as tears welled up in his eyes. He knelt on the floor and carefully let Champ loose. Puppy sense took over immediately as Champ quickly scoured the floor for crumbs of food, totally oblivious to what had just happened. Meanwhile, the two dogs had given up the chase, intent on hunting down a passing car on the street behind the garage.

Justin’s arm started to throb and a little blood oozed up causing a small bruise. More tears edged out of his eyes in pain, but more so in fear for Champ. “Mom, MOM!” Justin yelled, as she flew around the corner hearing all the commotion. She knelt down to peer at Justin’s bruise, peppering him with questions. Then she sat down on the floor as she noticed how distressed he was and reached out to hold him as he rocked back and forth on his knees, repeating over and over again, “Mom, it wasn’t his fault … he didn’t mean to do it”.

Justin really loved Champ and was worried something bad might happen to him. As Mom’s reassuring hugs comforted him; all that really mattered right then was the unmistakable beating of his heart sighing in blessed relief, “safe” ….. Champ was safe.

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