Rastus, Penny and me (Chapter 3)

 

Rastus had his big snip some time ago. So he would encourage me to check out likely girls, well that’s what I thought. In all probability he sniffed for treats. Now you might think that all food for a dog was free. You are so wrong there. Dog were fed as wages so meals at home were his due. He was quite adept at fetching things like the local paper thrown over the front fence or chasing rats in the garden. I don’t think there were many rats but he certainly made you think that. He’d stub his nose against the back door to be let out, then run up the garden just missing catching the sneaky rat. I wasn’t fooled. It was part of his act showing how valuable he was and being paid in Schmackos.                                 

I’ll mention liver treats and warn pet owners to avoid these like the plague as they smell awful. However, buying these for your pet will show that you love them.

“Who did Rastus live with now?” you ask. He belonged to the lady next door but there were many times it was necessary to take him in when she was in hospital. So he treated my home his too.

Then what happened to the girl in the park? Some good and some bad. We did meet her again a few times. The interaction was all between Rastus and her with a condescending nod to me now and then. She told Rastus her name which was Penny, then winked at me. She chatted about work, travel or her flat mates. Nothing, I could use to get any closer to her, but it was a friendship without pressure.

The day came when she came up to us and started the conversation. “Sorry.” she said. “I am leaving…transfer up the hill.”

I saw the disappointment of Rastus’s face. Whether it was the loss of the free food or the knees to place his head, I don’t know which. She turned to me, gave me a kiss and her phone number

With that Rastus gives out a moan of canine sorrow.

“It’s OK, Rastus” she said “You’re still my special boy.”

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Rastus and me in the park (Chapter 2)

 

After my first encounter with Rastus we got on well. I suppose I had been a bit of  dog  in the past so he befriended me happy to go on walks with me. We are having one now and have stopped for a paws. (I know that’s a bad joke).

I find a bench in the park but it’s occupied by a young woman. So I sit at the end of the seat while Rastus after a shy glance at the girl sits closer to her. He is a real flirt and after checking to see any signs of canine aversion sits even closer to her. She is eating a baguette as it is lunchtime. Clearly he knows I didn’t bring food with us so he might get a treat from her.

His steely eyes focus on the baguette and he edges closer to her. So close in fact his chin is almost resting on her knee. Meanwhile I am watching the pigeons on the grass with one eye and the other on her. Her knees emerge enticingly from her dress. They are pretty knees and Rastus agrees and plonks his chin on them with a look saying “Surely you need some help eating that baguette.”

Compliantly she breaks a tiny piece from the baguette and gives it to him. He wolfs it down without touching the sides and he manages to lick her hand with the quickest of licks.

I cannot ignore their foreplay and decide to do something about it.

“Sorry”, I say, “He’s a bit forward”.

She turns to me; hell’s boots, she is beautiful. I could lick her too. I wonder whether she would mind?

“What’s his name?” She asks hardly looking at me.

“That depends I say. When he’s at home he is Tinkerbell but when he is with me he is Rastus.”

By mentioning his name he turns his attention from the baguette to me, affirming the statement.

Clearly Rastus is a bit annoyed that more baguette is not coming his way, so he decides to lick her toes. She squeals with delight looking at me as though I did it.

I wish I had.

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