Penny Helps Portia Face Her Fears Read online

  Miguel said yes. “But not too hard, not too tight, and not too long,” he said. “Penny doesn’t mind being snuggled but most dogs are not fans of tight hugs.”

  Portia hugged me just the right amount and then told me I was a good girl. I barked to let her know she was good too.

  “I don’t feel afraid anymore!” Portia said. Her mom and Miguel applauded. Portia stood up and laughed.

  “Time to try your new skills out on some other dogs?” Miguel asked.

  Portia nodded.

  “I’ll go get the sisters,” Nance said.

  “Great,” said Miguel. “We’ll just play some fetch while we wait for the girls.”

  My third time bringing the stick back to Portia, I paused to sniff that bacon-y smell again. It was so familiar. I sniffed again. My memory was becoming clearer…I could almost place it…And then, the “girls” arrived on the back porch.

  I stood stock still. The hair along my spine spiked. I began to shake.

  The Grey Sisters stared down at me from the back deck.

  CHAPTER 9

  Portia was the first to notice. She walked over and put her hand on my vest. Portia shook too.

  “Penny,” she said. “That’s Grey Goose and Grey Duck. You don’t have to be afraid. Remember the rules?”

  I did. I remembered the rules. So I looked at Miguel. But there was no treat. He was talking to Nance and their human neighbors. But of course, Miguel wasn’t worried about me. The Grey Sisters were on leashes. I was a well-trained, world famous Helper Hound! Plus, it had been years since another dog scared me.

  Then again, it had been years since the Grey Sisters chased me. I tried to relax, but when the one sister—Grey Goose, I think—locked her eyes on mine, I worked hard not to lunge.

  Portia knelt beside me. “Penny, see Grey Goose and Grey Duck? See how they wiggle? They’re happy to see you!”

  I bet they were! After all these years, the Grey Sisters finally had the chance to dig their claws and teeth into me and to steal my food and blankets!

  “Now, we need to relax and walk up to the dogs carefully. Not too fast. Not too slow,” Portia said. Portia clicked her tongue. I looked right up at her. She returned my attention with a “Good girl.”

  “Don’t stare at the dogs, Penny,” Portia said. “And when we say hello, don’t hug them. Don’t wave your arms like a wild girl. Be polite.”

  Portia patted my vest and leaned against me. She picked up my leash.

  I looked up at Portia and smiled. She was right. We had nothing to be afraid of! Dogs weren’t scary! So I took one big step forward. Then another and another. Portia held my leash all the way to the bottom of the back porch, where Miguel talked to two men standing next to the Grey Sisters.

  “You won’t believe this, Penny!” Miguel said as he hopped down to meet me. “Grey Duck and Grey Goose were found wandering lost right where you used to live. They got adopted by these guys not long after I found you. What are the chances?”

  I wished the chances were zero. But here we were: finally ready to meet. Not in some back alley. Not behind a Dumpster at Mario’s. But in this nice backyard surrounded by people who loved us and took care of us and one girl who needed to see dogs weren’t so scary.

  So as the Grey Sisters hustled down the back steps on their leashes, I sat. My tail wagged. My mouth sagged into a dopey smile.

  The Sisters sat in front of me too. Then we got the “okay” to sniff each other, which we did. Nicely. Grey Goose stuck her snout a little further in my ear than I normally would like. But I just shook it off and then I put my head over her neck. Just because. Funny: I’d never noticed that I could even do that if I stood tall.

  “Glad to see you girls getting on so well,” Miguel said. “But we’re here for Portia, remember?” Then Miguel clicked his tongue and walked me back to the furniture. I sat next to him while the Grey Sisters sat in front of Portia.

  You should’ve seen her. Portia silently mouthed all the rules as she walked up to the dogs. She held out her hand and then gave small scratches on the back. When Grey Duck jumped up, Portia pulled her hands into prayer and spun like a ballerina. Grey Duck lost her balance and toppled to the ground. It was pretty funny.

  Soon we were all let off our leashes and allowed to chase each other around the yard a bit. Funny thing: greyhounds are fast—faster than I’ll ever be—but they get tired even faster! They were asleep before I was.

  I bet that day Portia never imagined she’d end up snuggled up between three snoozing dogs in her backyard. For sure, I never imagined I’d be snuggled up with the Grey Sisters, and a brave girl named Portia. Life is funny that way. It’s always great to make new friends—especially when those friends used to be enemies.

  And I realized—snoozing there on the deck—that sometimes our dreams are scary. But that doesn’t mean the monsters will always be monsters. I’d have to find a way to tell Hannah that when I visit her again next week.

  Epilogue

  Dear Penny:

  Looked like you loved Grey Duck and Grey Goose a lot. So I’m sending you their picture. I also drew one of all of us on the blanket in the backyard. Before Grey Duck peed on it. LOL

  I’m not afraid of dogs now. Well, except this beagle that lives near school. I don’t like how he barks in the window. Maybe Miguel can help me with that? I just run past the house, but I don’t think that’s what I’m supposed to do.

  I hope you come back to visit. Mom said she wants to invite all the Hounds to come help the kids read at school. I’d love that. Hope you would too.

  Your friend,

  Portia

  Miguel’s

  Never-Fear Dog Tips

  Watch Their Language

  Most dogs are nice and friendly. But when a dog isn’t friendly, it’s usually because they are scared—not mean! You can tell if a dog is nervous or afraid (a) if they stand stiff, (b) if they lock their eyes on you, (c) if they hold their tails still or wag slowly, or (d) if they growl or bark and lunge at you.

  When a dog is friendly and unafraid, its body is loose and wiggly. And most barking is friendly barking. You can see that it’s relaxed.

  Obey the Growl

  A growl is just a warning! So never yell at a dog for growling at you. The dog is trying to tell you to go away or STOP doing what you’re doing. So when a dog growls, listen. Stop what you’re doing and move away.

  Mind Your Manners

  Never rush up to a dog or smother it with hugs—whether it’s a dog you know or don’t know. Most dogs don’t like to be overwhelmed. They feel trapped. Just like us!

  Give Them Space

  Dogs like space to eat and play. Sometimes they need to be alone—just like humans! So when a dog is eating or chewing a bone, let it be. And don’t pet a strange dog through a fence. That’s their yard! They might feel protective.

  Don’t Stare

  Dogs don’t love to be stared at. I don’t either! So while it’s great to look at a dog—don’t glue your eyes onto its.

  Be a Tree

  If a dog chases you, don’t run. Instead, be a tree! You can always yell “Go home” or “Go away.” But usually if you stand still long enough, the dog will lose interest. If a dog knocks you over and you feel afraid, curl into a tight ball. Cover your face with your hands or arms.

  Be Nice

  Most dogs are nice. Just like most people are nice! The nicer you are to dogs, the nicer they’ll be to you. Of course, the beautiful thing about most dogs—including so many dogs at the shelters now—is that dogs are the most forgiving creatures on Earth. Some people are mean to dogs, but dogs still keep treating us like kings and queens. They need us to be kind to them.

  FUN FACTS

  About Pit Bulls

  In this story, Penny is a super-sweet dog. Most pit bulls are. Unfortunately, these dogs have a bad reputation. Some
people think they are vicious and likely to bite. Many people are afraid of pit bulls. But as Penny shows us, pit bulls are not scary at all. They are usually big bundles of love!

  Pit bulls are not an actual breed, like a German Shepard or a Dachshund. The name “pit bull” is used in broad terms for a large group of dogs. In the United States, this group includes the pit bull terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the American Staffordshire terrier.

  Hundreds of years ago, people in England bred bulldogs and terriers to create a breed of fighting dog. Pit bulls are strong and stocky. They have big heads and powerful jaws. Back in the 1200s, people paid to see fights between these dogs and bigger animals, like bears or bulls. These fights were held in deep, open spaces called pits. That’s how the term pit bull got started.

  By the 1800s, fights between dogs, bears, and bulls were against the law. So people started fighting dogs against each other instead. The pit bull was one of the most popular breeds for dog fighting. Sadly, this is still true today.

  This violent history is why pit bulls get such a bad rap. However, pit bulls are not born to be bad. Instead, they usually fight only if their owners force them. Those owners are the real bad guys! And dog fighting is now against the law in all US states.

  In fact, at one time, pit bulls were favorite family pets. They were even movie stars. A pit bull named Petey appeared in many popular movies as part of the Little Rascals gang. In World War I, pit bulls were used as a symbol for the United States. The dog was seen as strong, loyal, and brave, just like the American soldiers.

  Other famous pitties, as they are sometimes called, are Nipper, the mascot of RCA television, and Tige, the mascot for Buster Brown shoes. And you’ve probably seen advertisements for Target stores featuring a miniature pit bull named Bullseye.

  Pit bulls do have a bad reputation, it’s true. But the idea that all pit bulls are dangerous is fading. These dogs can be great family pets. Some, like Penny, are emotional support dogs. Just like all dogs, pit bulls need to be trained to be good doggie citizens. That’s a smart idea, because these tough-looking dogs are just big bundles of cuddly love!