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Dog did not like Baby. For that matter, Dog did not like
Cat. But Cat had claws - sharp claws.
Dog had always gotten attention, Pat on head. 'Here,
boy, here's a treat. Nice dog. Good dog. Shake
hands. Speak! Sit. Nice dog."
Now there was Baby. Cat had not been a problem,
really.
Cat was like, not loved by family. They petted Cat
sometimes. Fed her. Did not mistreat her. But they did
not love her. Not way they loved Dog - before Baby,
Damn little pink thing that cried.
Baby got 'Oooohs and Ahhs.' When Dog tried to get
close to Masters, they say, 'Get back, boy. Not now.'
When would it be now?
Dog never see now. Always Baby get now. Dog get
nothing. Sometimes they so busy with Baby it be all
day before Dog get fed. Dog never gets treats
anymore. Could not remember last pat on head or
'Good dog!'
Bad business. Dog not like it. Dog decide to do
something about it. Kill Baby. Then there be Dog,
Cat again. They not love Cat, so things be okay.
Dog thought that over. Wouldn't take much to rip little
Baby apart. Baby soft, pink. Would bleed easy.
Baby often put in Jumper that hung between doorway
when Master Lady hung wash. Baby be easy to get
then.
So Dog waited.
One day Baby put in Jumper and Master lady go
outside to hang wash. Dog looks at pink thing jumping,
thinks about ripping to pieces. Thinks on it long and
hard. Thought makes him so happy his mouth drips
water. Dog starts toward Baby, making fine moment
last.
Baby looks up, sees Dog coming toward it slowly,
almost creeping. Baby starts to cry. But before Dog can
reach Baby, Cat jumps. Cat been hiding behind couch.
Cat goes after Dog, tears Dog's face with teeth, with
claws. Dog bleeds, tries to run. Cat goes after him.
Dog turns to bite. Cat hangs claw in Dog's eye. Dog
yelps, runs.
Cat jumps on Dog's back, biting Dog on top of head.
Dog tries to turn corner into bedroom. Cat, tearing at
him with claws, biting with teeth, makes Dog lose
balance. Dog running very fast, fast as he can go, hits
the edge of doorway, stumbles back, falls over.
Cat gets off Dog. Dog lies still. Dog not breathing. Cat
knows Dog is dead. Cat licks blood from claws, from
teeth with rough tongue. Cat has gotten rid of Dog. Cat
turns to look down hall where Baby is screaming. Now
for other one. Cat begins to creep down hall...