Chapter 1
Hello, my name is Steak and at the moment I live in a big building with a lot of other dogs and I'm going to tell you a story about me and how I received the name steak. I suppose I could tell you what type of dog I am. Let's see? my memory's a bit fuzzy. I'm pretty sure the nice people that helped pull me out of my mom said that I was a Siberian Husky. I haven't looked in the mirror yet so I'm not sure what I look like. Hold your horses! Anyway, this dog hotel I stay at now is okay until I am chosen by my new family. They feed me daily, bathe me once a month and give me a treat when I urinate outside or on these pads that are placed in designated areas throughout the hotel.
One of the dogs here, Bully, told me he used to have a family of his own. That was until he was found by staff of the hotel - he'd followed the scent of an unforgettable pie and ended up lost. The staff brought him here and he's been stuck here ever since. Bully says he has no sense of direction, so I promised I'd help him find his way back home. But now that I think about it, I have no idea how I'm going to pull that off! I let out a heavy sigh and my ears drooped as I stared at the ground.
Then an incredible idea struck me: What if Bully could come home with me? I could share my new family with him. The thought filled me with enthusiasm. As I walked to Bully's room, thoughts were bouncing around in my head. What if he doesn't want to? Or What if he does? Will it go as planned? And my new family-will they take him as well? I presented the idea to Bully and to my surprise he laughed out loud and said "I think that would be a great idea, if they decide to take me, but I'm old and not many families want an old dog." "Don't worry, Bully. I'll make them an offer they can't refuse." "Okay little squirt, we'll see," he said.
So, I started thinking about how I would get them to bring Bully with me. First, I decided to ask Bully why he didn't tell the staff that he was lost and needed help finding his home. Then Bully replied "because I'm a dog and humans don't understand us."Oh boy, all the thoughts that formed in my head. Suddenly, my past experiences here began to make sense - from when I asked the humans here for various types of food or toys or just to play with them. They would just look at me like I was crazy. Hmph, no wonder, this is all news to me! I'm flabbergasted! Now I have to think of another strategy. I have a couple weeks to come up with something, because the hotel staff announced that some people will come by and take us home with them. My moment to shine I thought to myself and I scurried to action. This will be my mission, like I saw on this one show I was able to watch, to try to make Bully stand out.
Bully was a german shepherd so we almost looked alike. We have the same type of coat. Smooth to touch, lightly thickened hair, gray, mostly mixed in with streaks of white, a solid line of white from our nose to the back of our neck and then it forms a unique design and stops. Bully's tail curved to the left and mine to the right. His paws were huge! Even though he expressed that my paws will get big too. And we even had the same color eyes! Sky blue.
Two weeks passed and the humans who were looking for new members to add to their family were upon us. I told Bully to sit next to me. I stood proud and tall on all fours looking up and wagging my tail. This lady walked toward us. My plan began and I executed without fail. I stepped on a horn where confetti was released into the air, I ran up a ramp and performed a doggy back flip! Then I played the drums on two cans, Bully flipped me on his back and the lady was astonished! She stared at us in awe and without a doubt in my mind. She picked me up, rubbed our foreheads together, and rubbed Bully's head signifying us to follow her. I looked at Bully with a smile and he said "right on kid, right on."
Chapter 2
One year had passed and we'd grown accustomed to our new family of four. I made a promise to protect them no matter what. I grew to a height of about twenty inches--just six inches shorter than Bully. Who, by the way, loved having everyone around. Bully taught me a few guard techniques and I started to feel like a secret agent with these new moves.
One night, Bully told me that in the past he used to be a guard dog himself until his owner retired from the police force. I was very confused?!? Why couldn't Bully find his way home? His senses couldn't be that poor. I knew I had to find out more. So, when the house went quiet, I asked Bully what really happened? Why couldn't you find your way back home?"
Bully spoke softly so he didn't wake anybody. "I stopped working with my owner because I could only remember five scents at a time." So, when I was out following that scent of pie. I focused hard to ensure I didn't lose my family's scent from my memory. I finally found the pie and..well, I ate the whole thing."
He chuckled, eyes gleaming. "It was a succulent pie too!"
"The lady that made the pie though, was not happy." I laughed "What happened next? Tell me!" "Well" he sighed, still grinning, "She came out with ten different air fresheners and sprayed them at me until I took off running!" "Wow! I can only assume that you won't do that again." I said with a chuckle. Bully put his paw gently on top of my head and said "Goodnight, kid".
Chapter 3
The next morning, dad took me and Bully for a walk through the neighborhood. It was a beautiful day, and we strolled farther than usual, even stopping by the local store. That's where something incredible happened?.or maybe it was just fate.
We ran into Bully's former parents. They were elated and I was stunned. Of all the days, of all the places, here they were standing in front of us. Bully recognized them immediately. He told me he'd never forget their faces and even if their scent faded from his memory. Watching from my spot, I took in their scent, committing it to memory. This way, Bully would never lose them again.
The man was older, not very tall and a bit frail. It was hard to believe he used to be a cop - guess that's why he had Bully by his side. The woman, a little taller and sturdier than the man, held a cane in one hand..They didn't look so well and I could sense their struggle even as they smiled at us.
The conversation between our dad and Bully's former dad was brief and to the point. They agreed to let Bully stay with them for a few weeks. Dad even arranged for me to visit so Bully wouldn't feel lonely. It was clear that Bully felt a duty to protect them, just as he once had.
During one of my visits, I noticed how happy Bully seemed in their home. He followed them everywhere, alert and watchful, like a guardian. But what happened during my final visit was something none of us could have foreseen.
That morning, we woke up unusually early, about five in the morning. Bully's parents wanted to take us for a short walk around the block. I didn't mind but five in the morning was a bit too early for my liking. I thought, old people really do wake up early. The air was crisp, the streets quiet. We made it to the end of the block when Bully and I noticed a guy walking toward us. Something about him felt?.off. Bully gave me a look, a signal to stay alert. I matched his intensity, ready for whatever might come next.
The man walked past us and then turned around. That's when he pulled out a weapon. Bully and I sprang into action, stepping in front of Bully's parents. My tail shot straight, and I let out a low menacing growl, baring my teeth. Bully's stance mirrored mine, his growls fierce and unrelenting. The man yelled to them "Get your dogs under control" but Bully's parents said nothing. They trusted us. Bully moved forward first, his body tense, his growls escalating into sharp, warning barks. I followed, each step deliberate, my eyes locked on the man. We were a united force, and the man knew it. But he didn't back down. Instead, he raised the gun and fired.
The first shot hit Bully's dad. The sound of it was deafening and I froze for a split second as he crumpled to the ground. The second shot followed almost immediately, striking his wife. She let out a soft gasp before collapsing next to him. Time seemed to stop. A wave of fury surged through me as I realized what had just happened. Bully and I lunged at the man together and our teeth sinking into his arms and legs. He screamed and struggled, but we didnt let go. We tore into him, making sure he couldn't harm anyone else.
When it was over, the man lay motionless. My adrenaline was still pumping, my body trembling with anger and pain. Then, I turned to Bully. He was standing over his parents, nudging them gently with his nose. They didn't move. He let out a soft whine, and I felt something sharp pierce my side. I looked down and realized blood was trickling from my fur. I'd been shot, too. The realization hit me like lightning, but I didn't care. All I could think about was Bully, and his parents lying lifeless on the pavement.
We had done what we were meant to do - protect. But it wasn't enough.
Later, at the vet, the humans kept saying how "brave" and "tough" I was. Tough enough to take a bullet and still live. "Tough like steak" they said. My dad laughed and thought that was a wonderful name for me. And the name stuck.
