Chapter 2
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A day at the dog training center. Will Peeta confess this time?
P.S. Suzanne Collins owns The Hunger Games Trilogy!
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"You have to listen, boy, okay?" Peeta whispers to Rye while holding his powerful jaw
and affectionately tugging it close to his fine-looking doggie face. The brown and white two-year-old boxer rescued from a dog fighting arena licks his cheeks and then barks twice in answer. He gives Peeta cold and wet kisses with his dark gray nose, groaning with affection for his favorite trainer as he always does.
They're at the shelter training ground with Katniss, Johanna, and … eherm … Gale Hawthorne, so Peeta is anxious and feels he has to step up his game and impress his girl.
Technically, Katniss is not his girl. But she will be someday, Peeta thought. He just shrugs his shoulders and focuses on the task at hand.
"Let's review your basics first, Rye-rye," he says as he stands in front of the well-built woofer and unclasps his orange leash. "Okay, sit."
Rye is already sitting, so the dog gives him a whine and a quizzical look. Such funny faces dogs could make.
"Okay, I was just testing you. Here, have a milky bone," Peeta praises and picks out the treat from his neon pink fanny pack. It's not his preferred color, he'd rather get sunset orange or evergreen (Katniss' favorite!) but Gale beat him to it when they were getting the supplies earlier.
That Hawthorne jock sure has some tricks up his sleeves. I need to cock block him one of these days.
"Okay. Lie down." Rye follows swiftly. "Very good, buddy!"
Peeta repeats the commands with a confident tone and a soft smile, adding roll over, shake hands (left and right), stay, catch, and spin to the mix. Rye loves spinning, so they do that several times and Rye gets a lot of milky bone treats with an occasional sprinkling of bacon bits. Oh, such a wonderful life for a dog!
Glancing in the direction where Katniss, Johanna, and Gale are, Peeta thinks that he needs to bring out the big guns today. Gale is with Bandit out in the field, and the old surrendered German Shepherd has perfect obedience as he rifts through a mini-course with tunnels and slides.
Whoever said that an old dog can't learn new tricks is just a lazy ass.
A Frisbee is on standby on a wooden bench behind Gale, and Peeta knows that his archnemesis will use it after they finish the course. He aims to please, and it clearly shows.
Damn it! My chance is just so, so slim ...
"Look at Bandit, Rye-rye. He can be the school's football mascot with tall, dark, and hothead over there," Peeta tells his loyal trainee, hooking his thumb in their direction. "You can be like that if you want to. You can reach for the stars, buddy! I know you can do it."
If only Peeta had the same confidence in himself that he bestows on every rescued animal in the shelter. He never was entirely self-assured. A hard family life put a chip on his shoulder that he could not shake despite Katniss' assertion of his capacities and skills.
As if showing his understanding, Rye barks in answer and places his paw on Peeta's chest. If Finnick, the dog whisperer slash shelter manager, was there, he would give voice to Rye's affirmation of his kind blonde trainer. Dogs see more than what humans see, Finnick always says. They never lie too.
Taking a second look across the ground, Peeta sees Katniss with Whitney, a black and (very) large Newfoundland, doing sits and stays on the grass. At the same time, Johanna distracts her ward with squeaky toys and Gravvy, a tricolor Australian shepherd.
Gravvy was also surrendered to the shelter because his owners couldn't handle his high energy. They just didn't understand the nature of his breed. Gravvy is a working dog and needs exercise every day instead of being cooped up inside the house, where he becomes destructive and a little aggressive. It was not his fault, Johanna argued, the dog owners should have done their research before buying him out of puppy cuteness.
Whitney is doing awesome under Katniss' mentorship. Even at twenty yards, she's focused on her trainer despite all the distractions Jo and Gravvy are mischievously enjoying. Tough job, Peeta mutters to himself.
My queen is just fabled. Katniss can train me anytime she wants to. I'll obey her with no qualms nor plea.
I'll freely give her slobbering kisses to show my affection.
My Alpha
My Beta
Omega
Theta
Zed
My everything
"Let's see how you fetch, Rye-rye," Peeta proposes after the doggo licked his daydreaming face away. It's not a Level 3 trick, but it's relatively new for Rye, and he has been teaching him to fetch for two weeks now. He's sure that he will succeed with this one.
Though very much food-motivated, Rye also loves to play and chew things in his mouth, so Peeta brings out his Chuckit! Durable Rubber Ball along with the launcher so he can toss the ball farther out. He swings it several times, twirling the contraption in his fingers as he smiles at his bright idea.
This launcher will make me and Rye look good. I just know it!
At the sight of his favorite toy, Rye wiggles his body in front of his trainer, his docked tail, wagging at high speed. Wide-eyed and drooling a little bit, he puts his right paw on Peeta's prosthetic knee.
"You remember this, boy? You love this, right? I know you do … I know you do … you're the best fetcher in this district!" Peeta excites the rum buffer, wagging his own round butt in unison with Rye's tail. They're a hilarious pair but totally endearing to anyone watching.
"Let's try it first. Remember to return the ball, okay?"
Rye woofs in excitement, his eyes following the ball wherever Peeta's hand goes. Knowing what his human friend will ask next, he sits down on the grass without being told and gives his full attention to Peeta. Very smart doggo.
Did you see that?! Did Katniss see that? Rye-rye sat by himself!
"I have a good feeling about this, buddy," Peeta exclaims confidently, giving Rye another bacon bit. "You're such a good boy!"
Not waiting any longer, Peeta tosses the ball a few meters away. Rye bolts to retrieve it, chewing it happily as he walks back and prolongs his time with the chew toy. Cheerfully, he drops it in front of Peeta and barks for him to throw it again.
"Gooob boy … goooob boy…," Peeta butters him up freely, elongating his vowels with puckered lips. "Now, let's play!"
Peeta launches the ball over and over, throwing it farther and farther every time. Feeling special and affectionately loved, Rye consistently returns the rubber toy to Peeta's feet. In turn, the young boxer gets showered with milky bones, back rubs, and forehead kisses. Peeta just loves the high-energy stinker and would like to adopt him if only he could.
If Peeta had his way, he would have adopted ten dogs by now.
The dog's breed didn't matter. He loves mutts just the same.
But his mother wouldn't allow it.
So he'll have to wait until he gets his own place someday.
A place with Katniss Everdeen as his beautiful wife.
They'll be living the dream!
I'll prepare a love nest for you and our fur babies, mi amore.
Enjoying themselves too much and daydreaming away under the afternoon sun, they did not notice Katniss, Gale, and Johanna walking towards them from across the field.
"You look like a very sunny baboon there, bread boy," Johanna jokes, making Gale smirk like a primate himself.
Johanna Mason is a senior volunteer at the center, providing pro bono work for more than a decade. She's a no-nonsense lawyer when it comes to pursuing animal rights and settling cruelty cases. More of a cat person, she has adopted three felines from the shelter over the years. They're named Mister Ripper, Wild Whiskey, and Climax.
"Hi Jo," Peeta responds casually, trying his darndest to tame the wide grin on his face.
This is it! I can show them what Rye can do!
"Want to see what Rye learned today?" he offers with restrained joy in his voice. "He could fetch now."
Gale snorts, but he catches himself.
Johanna clucks her tongue, looking slightly impressed.
And Katniss? She genuinely smiles and pets Rye.
You are just perfect, my sunshine.
Katniss settles down on the grass beside them, followed by Whitney, lying her big head on her trainer's lap. The giant sweetheart has gone a long way in gaining her self-confidence back. Abandoned just six months ago, she got depressed from the change of environment and lack of parents. The story goes that the couple who previously cared for her was having a baby, and the new apartment they moved into didn't allow dogs - especially dogs her size. Whitney is practically another human being with her one hundred and twenty-pound built. But Katniss loves her. She has a soft heart for big dog breeds.
"Okay, bread boy. Show us what Rye got," Jo bats out, then slaps the boyish smirk on Gale's face.
Good for him.
"Okay, it's nothing much but Rye, and I have been working on this for two weeks now. He's really gotten the hang of it," Peeta quips.
Taking a minute to refocus, he walks away a few meters from the group, setting the young boxer aside and leaning his forehead with the bump on Rye's brown and white head. "Okay, time to impress my girl, Rye. You're gonna help me out?"
"Sure, buddy. I got your back," Peeta mutters with the secret dog voice that he uses when he spills his heart out to his loyal furry friend. They've had many conversations about Katniss Everdeen, a little too much for a normal person, but it is what it is. The young man just has a unique relationship with the dog, and he converses freely with him if only to have some relief from his aching heart.
"Thanks, Rye-rye. I love you, you cutie pie."
"Love you too, loverboy. Let's go get your girl," he replies to himself.
"Enough of the prayers! Let's see what Rye can do, bread boy!"
"Okay, Rye. This is it, buddy!"
Johanna lets out an encouraging whistle, and Katniss claps loudly, cheering Rye on. Surprisingly, Gale does the same, giving a whoop and puff, making everyone laugh. Bandit hides his head under his paws out of embarrassment.
"Okay, boy. Go fetch!" The ball goes far with a near-perfect trajectory, and Peeta felt proud of his good arm.
"Look at him go!" Jo cheers as the bork-bork sprints.
"Go get it, Rye!" Katniss adds while Gale whistles.
Peeta prays to the gods.
When Rye retrieves the rubber ball, Peeta jumps and pumps his fist in the air like he just won an Olympic gold medal. Like his usual jolly self, Rye chews the ball before running back to Peeta. Elated, Peeta holds out his arms and pats his chest as if telling the stinker to jump on his broad torso and give him a giant hug. Peeta is beaming and almost teary-eyed from joy.
I'm so proud of you, Rye! So, so proud …
"Goooob boy! Such a goooob boy!" Peeta celebrates freely. "You want another run? You wanna annoo-da one? Yeah? Yeah? Okay, okay, go fetch!" Peeta plays in high spirit.
Everyone grins broadly as Rye repeats the command flawlessly for the second time in a row.
"Okay, Rye, third time's the charm! Last one before we give you a bath."
A little overly enthusiastic, Peeta tells Rye to sit, and he obeys beautifully. His paws are alternately lifting off the grass, a cadence urging his human friend to stop stalling and just throw the ball instead.
"Go on, Peeta, give it to him!" Jo shouts with a snicker. Gravvy whines a little, seemingly wanting to run as well. Jo tells him to wait and then pets his belly.
Mission accomplished. Happy days for Gravvy!
"Okay, Rye. Go fetch!"
Peeta throws the ball farther out, and Rye runs like a pro. His agility and strength shone through, the chords of his leg muscle visible in his brown and white coat. Such an incredible dog.
Everyone cheers, but then Peeta sees Rye's moment of hesitation. His heart sinks to his stomach …
Rye is going rogue.
No, boy! No! No! ... Stay on course!
But Rye has other plans. Peeta shouldn't have told him about his bath because … Rye HATES baths.
He loathes it to his doggie core.
How could Peeta have forgotten?!
Rye takes the ball and chews it as he slobbers all over the field. He nudges it, then catches it like a cat pouncing on a mouse. Ignoring Peeta in the process, he does it again and again like a wild child. Rye is having his way with his favorite toy, wagging his tail, shaking his head, all while chomping the rubber, and rolling on the grass like he has an unconquerable itch on his back. The canine is just plain old having the time of his life!
"Ryeee, come on!" Peeta groans, throwing his arms out, then scratching the back of his head and blushing profusely. He's about forty meters out and thinks twice if he should go and get his trainee. "Come back, boy!"
But Rye has gone deaf. It's just him and his toy.
Or so Peeta thought ...
He's Peeta's wingman, or paw pal, after all.
Dropping the ball and with eyes focused on the field, Rye digs his back legs into the earth as if preparing to bolt.
Peeta holds his breath.
Oh no …
To everyone's surprise, Rye sprints and weaves through the mini-course that Bandit was working on earlier. He's so fast yet calculated that he burned through Bandit's time like he was F1's Michael Schumacher.
He also did it twice.
Like it was nothing.
Gale's jaw touched the ground.
Peeta stilled, wide-eyed.
And Katniss?
She's beaming like the most beautiful goddess on the face of the earth. Proud beyond belief.
"Incredible, Rye!" Katniss cheers as she stands up from the grass. Whitney follows through with deep huffs and boofs. Laughing and radiant, Katniss is the perfect picture of joy and admiration.
"Peeta, Rye's doing it!" Jo snaps him out of his shock. She holds both his shoulders, shaking him while grinning in front of him. For some time now, she knows Peeta's trying to impress Katniss, but he's missing out on what's happening. "Peeta! Look!" she utters and slaps him like a buzzing mosquito. Turning his head to the side, he catches the stunning smile of the love of his life.
My forever.
My moon.
My star.
My universe.
I will love you all the days of my life, baby.
"Yeah, you got this, bread boy ... you got this …," Jo snickers as everything goes slow-mo. Romantic music starts playing in Peeta's ears, the spring air filling his lungs sweetly. It's just him and Katniss now. Nothing else exists. Such a dream.
I wish I could freeze this moment right here, right now, and live in it forever.
"What did you say?" Gale asks unexpectedly, his head jerking towards him and interrupting his star gazing. "You wish what?"
Oh no, did I just say that out loud?
Shit! Shit!
"What did you wish, Peeta?" Katniss asks softly, smiling at him. Her grey eyes are unfailing and full of hope, and the slight movement of her lips shows that she's chewing the insides of her bottom lip again.
She looked at him longingly.
What for? Peeta could only wish it was his face running through her mind.
AND heart.
"Ummm ...," he begins, looking down at Rye, who has now returned to the side of his prosthetic leg. He kneels down to pet him, contemplating if he should confess now.
Should I, Rye-rye? Is today the day?
"Ummm ... I wish ... I wish … Rye ... would get adopted soon," Peeta briskly says. He's afraid of being rejected by the only girl he ever loved since he was five. His answer is only half a lie, he thought, because he does wish for his ward to be adopted, preferably by him, but that's just not possible right now. Feeling defeated, he drops his eyes to his hands as he strokes his loyal pal. He's not winning anything in his life right now.
The hopeful look on Katniss' face disappears, and a sympathetic expression follows. She kneels down on one knee and runs her palm over Rye's back.
"The monthly adoption fair is in three weeks," Peeta whispers, his hand lightly brushing Katniss' on Rye's fur. "And he's been here for a little more than half a year now ... He deserves a loving home, Katniss."
"There's always hope, Peeta," Katniss responds, eyes understanding and comforting. She holds his sad blue eyes with hers. "You taught me that a long time ago."
As if on cue, Whitney walks in between them, interrupting the lingering gaze they both have and nudging Rye aside. The dog's intuition kicked in from feeling her trainer's sadness. Doing what dogs do best, she eagerly licks Katniss' cheeks while pushing her down on the green grass. Everyone breaks into laughter as Katniss' small body gets covered by Whitney's giant form. Rye joins in, and Jo lets go of Gravvy's leash to add to the saliva kisses the canines are showering Katniss.
Bandit, the senior German Shepherd, lies down, eyes sleepy as he watches the heap in front of him. Gale runs his palms over his head and back, giving him soothing massages as he grins at the three other dogs.
Peeta remains silent, watching everything unfold right in front of him with serious eyes. He may not have confessed today, but his heart is full of joy at the sight before him. All the shelter dogs are happy, and his Katniss is laughing musically from getting a million doggie kisses.
Someday, my love … someday …
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I finally got to write again after nearly two months! Whew! I miss writing. Life has been too busy lately.
Please comment and let me know what you think of this chapter. I appreciate your thoughts and kind words.
Adopt or foster a dog, a cat, or any animal when you can! They need all our love.
Take care!