Queen hazel

Chapter 2

I immediately stopped fighting and froze in place. Moto Moto's eyes flashed open, then ran back into his house, tail between legs. Coward.

Kai came rushing, Mandy at his heels. His blue eyes went wide in distress when he saw me all battered and bruised. Mandy ran over, inspected Chestnut all over, then gave a sigh of relief. Without another word, she brought Chestnut straight home.

I bowed my head, waiting for scolding, but nothing came. Then realization struck: Kai didn't see the fight! This was fantastic! But all of a sudden, a short old lady came out of Moto Moto's house. Uh oh.

"Good afternoon, Mrs.Oakwood!"

Kai recognised her! This couldn't be good. Mrs.Oakwood gave a sharp whistle, and out came Moto Moto. He gave me a triumphant look as he nibbled his wounds. Kai looked at him, horror dawning his face.

"What happened?!"he asked, clearly worried.

"Young man, this is no time for jokes! Look at your dog there," snapped Mrs. Oakwood.

Kai looked at me for a second as his confusion turned into shock.

"No, it can't be..." Then his expression became furious.

"HOW COULD YOU, HAZEL!! YOU ATTACKED THE NEW DOG? OH, YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!!!" He glanced at Mrs.Oakwood apologetically.

"Nothing like this will ever happen again," he promised.

"He started it," I yowled, frustrated and annoyed.

Kai didn't even glance at me as he put a small cage-thing around my muzzle. I whimpered. It was way too tight! He dragged me all the way home, and I withered and wrestled against the leash. So what? It was a little fight! Moto Moto was just acting. He wasn't in that much pain! Stupid boys.

It's been two days since my fight, and I am now off to a dog obedience school in a crowded car. As if I need it anyway! Harrumph. At least the cage-thing around my muzzle was gone. I shuffled around in Kai's lap.

Rachel was driving, since Sam had to fix some kind of pump. The car was stuffed with random junk like tennis rackets and old board games. Even though there was barely anyone in it, the car sure didn't make for a comfortable ride! Shortly, we arrived at the place of DOOM! Sigh. When will I finally earn their trust again? As Kai led me out of the car, I saw a huge sign. It read:

Eastcliffe Dog Training Academy

The best, and nothing but the best for your dogs

What show-offs. I'll be the judge for the best obedience school!

It was a hot afternoon, and the sun was beating down on my back. Sadly, I couldn't plop down and refuse to move in fear of heatstroke. Instead, I was forced to go into the building with Kai and Rachel. The admission room was a bit cramped, and it was the complete opposite of the raging sun. People were sitting with snarling dogs, waiting to be admitted. Shivering, I backed away from the savage canines and curled into a ball.

After registering, a woman led me into a wide, open room that looked like a school's gym. Thankfully, the temperature was just right. The atrium was full of dogs. I padded over to them and started sniffing their butts. Some of them smelled fishy, others like they haven't showered in a year.

I scanned the room, and my eyes finally landed on the one I was looking for, Rose! She told me that she was going two days ago, because her owner wanted her to learn cool dog tricks. Unless you're joining the circus, I see no need for a poor Jack Russel to be forced to balance dog treats on her nose.

Rose was sitting at the back of the pen, head drooping and eyes dejected. I started running towards her, and I was about to call out her name when...

"There! Hazel! Come with me!"

A tall man was running towards me, holding a red leash. I squinted to read his name tag. It read: Jake. He clipped the leash onto my collar. I tried to resist as he tried to drag me somewhere, and finally decided to sit down. Jake groaned and muttered under his breath as he bent down and tried to pick me up. NO!! If I was ever to be picked up, it must be done with grace and elegance! Jake hauled once more, then gave up. He left the pen, sweat dripping down his face.

Yes! I hurried over to where Rose was, but it was just my luck. She was gone! Didn't she even try to struggle?

Jake was back, towing something behind him. A CART! If he thought I was going to hop right in, he was wrong! It was probably dirty with horse dung inside.

But when I took a look at it, I realized it was painted gold with engravings and proper wheels, just like a royal carriage! Inside were a few cushions, a lovely dog biscuit with my name on it, and a large purple velvet cushion for me to sit on.

Wow! I jumped in immediately and barked in satisfaction.

Jake shook his head. "My, what a fussy dog you are! We will definitely have to fix that. I spoke to your owner, Kai, and he told me to prepare it just like this."

Hmm, what does he mean by fixing me? I was no robot! The only part that satisfied me was that Kai really does know me.