Chapter 12

The next day I go up to the attic and find the door ajar. I must perform my dog duty of protecting the family, even from Captain as I am not entirely certain of him yet. I go through the open door to inspect the area, and I see Captain standing by the window. He doesn't spare me a glance as I enter the room. I suspect he is watching my family as I know they are outside playing. I wait patiently for him to acknowledge me. After a few minutes it registers that I am still here and he turns to me a puzzled look on his face.

"Scruffy, why on earth are you still here? Why aren't you playing with the children?"

I cock my head at him in typical terrier fashion but remain where I am.

"I'm sure they have more use for you down there than I do up here." He goes to the door and opens it wider but I stay sitting where I am. Just to confuse him, I bark at him, and he gives me an odd look as if he doesn't quite know what to do with me. I suspect he hasn't had a dog around for a very long time.

"Scruffy, go," he commands, but resolute I remain in place.

He frowns and I know he is frustrated because he wants to go back to watching the family and I am preventing him from doing that. Then he does something that I have no control over, he gently, but firmly begins to push me out the door, and he is not using his hands! Angry I growl at him. Knowing that will have no effect I decide it is time to reveal my secret, I can't wait to see what he does.

Stop that! I say in my most intimidating terrier voice, and I feel as if I am suddenly dropped as I am once again free to do as I please. I look at Captain who is regarding me warily.

"Scruffy?"

Yes? I look at him with my keen intelligence so that he knows he has been found out.

"No, I must be losing my mind, I thought I heard you speak to me," he says and rubs his forehead.

Obligingly, I bark for the standard dog speak and he looks relieved. Then I speak to him again.

I did speak to you Captain. And I understand everything you say. I wag my tail.

"You what?" he rumbled but it doesn't bother me. Being a terrier we pretty much understand intimidation and how it is used.

I can hear you.

"Hear me?" he stares at me in disbelief.

Every word. And it seems you can understand me too.

"How is this possible?" he asks, staring at me with an incredible look on his face.

I don't know. Smart though I am, I am still a dog. I don't know why only that I can understand you. It must be because you are different.

"How am I different?" he asks.

Well, you smell funny, not like the others.

Captain seems rather put out with that assessment.

And you are different than the others, you do things they can't. Are you dead?

He appears a bit distressed by my question, and swallows hard as though it is difficult for him to speak. "Yes, Scruffy, I am. I am a spirit."

That would explain it then, I say, satisfied by my deductions. I have to tell you that I am here to protect the family. If you ever try to hurt them you will have to deal with me.

A large smile crosses Captain's face and he looks as though he's trying hard not to laugh. I growl at him.

"It is understood," he says solemnly but I see a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Good, then I will be on my way.

I turn to leave him behind as I go through the open door and back down the stairs. He will learn to take me seriously despite my size. It is the bane of terriers; we must make up for our size with attitude. He will see! But for now we have reached an understanding and that is good.