GROFF MEDIA 2024© TRUTH ENDURES IMDBPRO
Presented by benandsteve.com By: Benjamin Groff II©s
Huey sat in the corner of the kennel, ears perked, eyes darting toward the metal gate between them and freedom. Max, his trusted partner, paced back and forth, tail flicking with nervous energy. Around them, the others—Spike, Bella, and Rufus—pretended to be sleeping, but they were all listening, waiting for the signal.
“Tonight’s the night,”
Huey whispered.
“The screws turn in at nine. We give ’em an hour, then we move.”
Max nodded.
“Bella, you’re on distraction. Get that yapper down the row to start barking. When the guard checks on him, we make our move.”
Bella wagged her tail.
“Piece of kibble.”
Spike chimed in,
“I got the latch covered. I’ve been watching the humans do it for weeks. I think I can pop it.”
“Good,”
Huey said.
“Once we’re out, we head for the back gate. Rufus, you still got that big brute act down?”
Rufus grinned, his jowls flopping.
“One good growl and the yard mutt will scatter.”
The plan was perfect. They had worked out every detail. The humans thought they were dumb dogs, but they’d prove them wrong tonight.
The lights went out, and the night settled over the pound. A low growl rumbled from the cage at the far end. Right on cue, the little yapper started up. Bella joined in, then Spike, then the whole row. Sure enough, heavy boots clomped down the hall. The guard muttered something about “dumb mutts” and stomped off to quiet them down.
“Go time,”
Huey whispered.
Spike reached through the bars, jiggling the latch—a click. The gate swung open. One by one, they slipped out, moving fast and low, paws silent on the concrete. They were almost to the back gate when Max skidded to a stop.
“What is it?”
Huey hissed.
Max’s eyes gleamed in the dark. His tail quivered.
“Bone.”
Huey sighed.
“Forget it, we gotta—”
“Bone,”
Max repeated, but the others saw it, too. A big, juicy, perfectly gnawed bone, lying right there, almost like fate had placed it in their path.
Rufus whined.
“It’s beautiful.”
“No time!”
Huey barked.
“We gotta go!”
Max, still, had already lunged for it. Spike growled, trying to shove him aside. Bella snapped at them both. Chaos erupted. Snarls and yips filled the air.
Lights flicked on. A door slammed. The humans were coming.
“Run!”
Huey yelled, but it was too late.
A net came down over Rufus. Bella yelped as a leash snapped around her neck. Huey dodged left, but a firm hand grabbed his collar.
Max? He was still chewing.
The next day, they sat in their cages, tucked tails, watching the humans talk about “bad dogs” and “extra security.”
Max sighed, staring at the bone still sitting outside the fence.
“Worth it.”
Huey groaned.
“Next time, we leave you behind.”
But they all knew there would be a next time. Because a good dog never quits, and a great dog always has another plan.
benandsteve.com 