As I rested under the shady tree I could hear dad rattling the things he called tools and I was vaguely aware of mom fussing back and forth carrying water here and there. She really did alot of the water thing. I usually spend hours on end pacing back and forth with her. She always has goodies in her pockets. When I do the things she asks me too, like 'Sit' or 'lay down' ( for no reason at all ) she gives me a lovely little crunchy kibble. She smiles, pats my head and coochie coos me. I thinks she's great! I will never go hungry or thirsty if I stay beside my mom. Today though, it was so hot and I already knew she wasn't going anywhere except from one flowery place to another. I had followed her enough and I was growing tired. Why did she keep calling me away? Dad was busy rattling around in his work shed now and I was getting curious about what he was bringing out. There was something kinda big that smelled a lot like he did when he was with is truck. I ran over to see what he was doing. I thought, "Oh boy I want to see this 'thing' real close. I liked the smell of it." Dad was struggling with it as he was pushing it around and it looked like a great new toy. I jumped at my dad with it so he would know I wanted to play too. He said things like, "You silly RatBag." He started laughing at me so I knew this was going to be a fun game. He pretended he was going to push the big toy at me. I pretended to run way but always ran back at him. I barked and jumped and spun around in circles all around dad. We ran back and forth across the yard a few times with dad pretending to chase me. I liked the new toy. Mom came over and sounded like she was a bit upset. She had that not so happy look on her face. Hmm what was up with her? Me and dad were just having fun! Then dad stopped and started playing with a string thing on it. I got my nose in really close so I could help him check it out. Mom sat beside me and made me sit too. She gave me a REALLY yummy soft cheese treat. MMmm I really liked these ones. I usually only got them when I did something extra special. I wondered what I did that was so special this time.

        Oh well, we just sat and watched dad for a few minutes. Mom was talking to me and saying a word I didn't really understand. I cocked my head from side to side and tried very hard to listen to her. I knew she had the special treats so I guessed I was going to have to do something. She hooked my lead onto me and took me to the other side of the yard away from my dad and the toy. She made me sit beside her and told me to 'stay'. I kind of only knew a little bit about that word. I think it means I am supposed to stand beside her for a few minutes before moving away. I didn't really understand it and was just thinking about that word stay. Mom was holding onto my collar kind of hard and I thought we must be getting ready for the special thing. She was talking to me using her calm voice but I couldn't really understand her words. All of a sudden I heard IT. In that very second I caught a glimpse of my dad pulling on the string just as the toy turned into an angry growling machine. It was far worse than the truck noise had ever been. I immediately sprung as forcefully as I could to try to leap away from its growl. I tried desparately to run away from mom. She could follow me if she wanted, I didnt care. I just knew I had to get away from that very dangerous Not toy. I wanted no part of that NOT toy ever again.

        Mom, however did not seem the least bit phased by this noisey thing. I glanced over at dad as I was pulling my hardest on my lead to get away from mom, who by the way, was just walking slowing holding me so I could only walk in a circle. The woman had gone mad for sure. My dad, who had obviously also lost his mind, was just standing beside the angry machine. I suddenly realized I had to think fast of something to do to protect them. BARK! That was it! If I couldn't at least run away from it, I could stand my ground and bark and growl right back at it as angrily as I could. My little 3 month old puppy hairs stood straight up on my back and I stiffened up my legs and forced out the angriest growling bark I could muster up. I not only barked and growled at that monster machine, I also tried to get a step or two closer. Wow, was I going mad now as well? I didn't know why I wanted to go a bit closer but something told me to get to my dad. My mom was still walking with me and she was making a soft shushing sound that I only hear when I see other dogs walk by. She was using the 'Its OK' words, but I didn't think she was right. I absolutely knew she had lost her mind. I stopped barking long enough to look up at her and listen to her. She said. "Sit." I immediately sat. I don't know why, I just did. In that very instant she popped a delicious soft yummy cheese treat into my mouth. Mmmm that was sooo good. The big angry machine also stopped and dad walked over to me. WOW he was safe. Mom unhooked my lead and I ran over to him, jumping at him and licking him where ever I could reach. I loved him so much. Had I protected him?