Collection Of Books By B. M. Thoresson

Index

Sparky the dog.  Page  2

TOMMY AND SNAP THE Spriggan.  Page  22

GRANDFATHER.  PAGE  80

Sparky

The

Dog

Written by B. M. Thoresson

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right.

SPARKY IS A CROSS BETWEEN his mother and no-one knows who his father is. After spending the first couple of weeks with his mother, he was given away to people who, when they saw him were full of wow’s and oohs and what a nice dog.

And so Sparky was given away to people who loved him from the minute they saw him.

They took him home with them to show the children who were just as full of oohs and wows. They picked him up and hugged him. Then they took him to the backyard and called to all the other dogs.

When the other dogs came closer to see why their master had called them, they placed Sparky on the ground and introduced him to them.

The people then went into the house and left Sparky alone with the other dogs.

Sparky looked at them and being brave stood up and pushing out his chest exclaimed.

My name is Sparky, I am seven weeks old and I am a dog, not just any dog but a male dog, he said and waited for the others to look him over.

All the dogs came up to him and without so much as a hello, and to his surprise they pushed him into the ground.

"Listen kid, if you want to have a real nice life, then you must run away now or you will be sorry later.

These people are not very nice to dogs once the dogs are a bit bigger, and whatever you do, do not urinate

in the house or they will pour boiling water over you," one of the dogs said.

With that, all the dogs turned and left Sparky alone to carry on with what they were doing.

Sparky then started to explore the grounds around the house. He was in the process of digging a hole in the ground because he smelt something fishy when he heard a sound behind him.

Turning he saw one of the small humans standing behind him.

So you are one of those dogs who like to dig holes in the garden, well I will teach you a lesson you will not forget easily, the human said and picked him up.

Sparky tried to run away, but it did not help as the human was too quick for him. The human punished Sparky. The human then put Sparky on the ground with a stern warning, don’t let me catch you digging in the garden again, he said and walked away.

The other dogs came to him. Oh yes we forgot about that one, they do not like it if we dig holes, no matter the reason, they said and left him alone.

This was not starting out well for Sparky. He could hear and smell things move underground and wanted to see what it was.

Suddenly he heard a voice behind him, so you have met my master, I am the only one who is allowed to enter their house and walk around in it, the voice said. Sparky turned around and there was a cat.

He had never seen a cat before.

And just what are you? Sparky asked.

The cat stared at him for a second not knowing what to say, this was the first time that he had met a dog who did not know what he was.

Before the cat could answer, one of the other dogs who had crept closer started to laugh.

This is Brady and he is a cat, he is spoilt rotten by the humans. Also, he is a mischief-maker, so mind what you say to him and beware of his tricks, the dog said and walked away.

Sparky looked at Brady, I have never seen a cat before, but I get the feeling that they don’t like you at all. He said.

The cat walked around Sparky not believing that the dog was so naïve.

Sparky, dogs do not like cats and cats definitely don’t like dogs, but you seem to be something else, maybe, just maybe, we can turn that situation around. What do you say, friends! Brady asked. 

Sparky looked at him, I have never had a problem with anyone, so why not, he answered feeling his chest swell out because this was the first friend he had made.

The two of them played when Brady was out of the house. Sparky walked around the yard telling everyone that he had made a friend. He also spoke to the birds and kept yelling at the dogs in the other yard.

The humans did not like the way he talked so much and would always come out and beat him with something.

When other humans walked past the yard he would greet them and his owners would yell at him to keep quiet.

One day all the dogs ganged up on Sparky, they were very angry with him and kept yelling at him.

What is the problem? he wanted to know.

You have taken all of our food and buried it in the sand. Do you know what sandy food tastes like? they asked and started to fight with him.

The humans came out of the house and after chasing the other dog’s away picked Sparky up. I knew you were trouble from the first day when you started to dig up the garden. It is time for you to find another house, the human said and picking him up carried Sparky out of the yard. He promptly put Sparky into the back of the van he drove.

Sparky saw Brady sitting on the backrest of the seat in the van licking his paws.

Well, that didn’t take long. Let me see, six months in human time, not bad, it normally takes me about a year to get the humans to get rid of pesky dogs like you. Yes, it was me who threw sand over their food. He said and smiled at Sparky. You must not take it personally, but there is only one place in a house for a pet, and that is my place. In time I will see that the others are also kicked out of the yard, he said and turning jumped onto the seat where Sparky could not see him.

The human drove a long way out of town and then stopped. He opened the door, picked up Sparky and put him on the pavement.

Now find yourself another house you pesky dog! he said and got back into his van and drove away.

Sparky feeling very scared, just sat there. He had no idea what to do or where to go. He had been very wrong to trust the cat. After all, the other dogs did warn him about Brady.

Sparky started to walk around in a circle for a couple of minutes. I will not let this situation get me down. I am a dog and I can get anything I want. Right now I want food and a human to play with, he said and started to walk down the road. He kept on walking in the opposite direction of where he came from. After a couple of days, he could feel that he was getting weak from hunger. He had no idea how far he had walked but knew it was far. He was starting to get blisters on his feet and it hurt when he tried to run.

A small female human suddenly bent down in front of him and picked him up. Hello, little doggy are you lost? Shame, come I will take you home and see if we can locate your owner for you. I am sure that they must be very worried about you, she said and picking him up, held him to her chest.

Sparky licked her face to show his appreciation but did not want to go back to his other owner.

The little human female took him home and cared for his sore feet and fed him.

The humans could not trace his owners and decided to keep him. They had no other pets and Sparky felt as if he was the king of the world.

The humans took him for walks and gave him all kinds of nice things to eat. At night when he called them to tell them that there was someone in the street, they would come to the window, and after looking to see what was going on, just tell him to be quiet.

Sparky liked living there and did his best to control his urge to dig in the garden.

One day while Sparky was lying on the front verandah he heard a loud noise coming from the back yard. He went to investigate and found a cat being chased by a lot of other cats. He decided that it was no problem of his and turned to walk away. Suddenly the cat that was being chased came into view, it was Brady. Sparky stopped and a sense of power came over him.

Disregarding the danger to himself. He suddenly charged the other cats and chased them away.

Brady stopped running as he recognised Sparky. He came closer cautiously. Sparky is that you? Why what a big dog you have become. Brady said and walked around Sparky looking him up and down.

Now I don’t understand. After what I did to you, you still come to my aide. Why? he asked.

Sparky walked around Brady measuring him. Brady, two wrongs don’t make a right, besides, when you are selfish you always end up a loser, he said and carried on walking back to the front of the house feeling good because he had just overcome his desire for revenge.

The end

The Grass Is Not Greener

On The Other Side.

It was early in the morning; the sun was starting to peek over the roof tops. The noise in the house was starting to take on volume. Everyone was getting up, and all wanted to get into the bathroom first. Sparky lay listening to all of this and wondered if he would like to be a human. Then he remembered all the things he saw them do, and decided that he would rather be a dog.

He rose slowly to his feet and walked to his water bowl and drank some of it. Then he walked to his food bowl and was surprised to find it empty. Suddenly the little girl walked past him and picked up the bowl. Sorry my little dog, I forgot to fill your bowl but, will do it now she stated and filled his food bowl with lovely food and placed it on the floor in front of him.

Sparky walked up to the little girl and licked her hand to show his appreciation for the food. The little girl patted him on the head, laughing at him. You like living here don’t you? she asked. Sparky wagged his tail vigorously as if he understood every word the little girl said. Sparky started to eat while the little girl left. When Sparky had eaten enough he went and stood by the front door to wait for one of the humans to open the door for him.

Sparky did not have long to wait before the humans all came to go out of the house to where they go every day, and opened the door for him to go out of the house. They all got into a vehicle and left to go where they went every day. But not before turning to Sparky and saying, Ok dog, we are off, it is your job to keep the house safe till we return. They instructed.

Sparky would watch them leave then go for a walk around the house and check the yard to make sure no-one had come into the yard during the night. Once he had completed his patrol he would walk back to the front veranda and lay down to catch up on his sleep.

Now this is the life for me, not a care in the world as long as I protect the humans, Sparky said to himself.

You are by far the laziest dog I have ever seen, said a voice above Sparky. Sparky jumped up and looked all around for the source of the voice, someone had managed to creep up on him while he slept and if the humans found out about that, he would be in trouble. Sparky looked from left to right, but could not see anyone. He decided that he must have been dreaming and went to lie down again.

Like I just said, you are by far the laziest dog I have ever seen, said the voice again. Up here lazy! said the voice. Sparky got up and looked up.

There, sitting on a perch, was a parrot. Sparky looked at him and started to laugh. So you think I am lazy, but, have you seen what you look like? Sparky asked the parrot.

The parrot started to fluster, What do you mean, ‘do I know what I look like’, of course, I know what I look like. I am a parrot and proud of it he answered.

The parrot flew down from the perch and landed in front of Sparky. Phew you stink, said the parrot walking around Sparky. Don’t you ever wash? he asked.

Wash! For what may I ask? The humans go into a room every night and get into a large bowl and rub themselves with stuff that makes a lot of bubbles. It also tastes horrible. Sparky replied sniffing at the parrot. Come to think of it, you don’t smell so hot yourself, Sparky stated.

The parrot, feeling offended by this remark puffed his feathers. I will have you know that I clean my feathers everyday, he replied, and walked around displaying his feathers in all their glory. And what do you think of these colours? he asked Sparky, who did not look very interested in this talking bird who had just disturbed him.

Not bad I suppose. My name is Sparky and what is yours? asked Sparky not liking this loud mouth.

Well if you must know, I am Percy, you must have heard about me from the other dogs around here? Percy stated.

Sparky looked at him with contempt. You really think a lot about yourself, don’t you? remarked Sparky.

Before Percy could answer carried on and what is the reason that you are bothering me on such a fine morning? Sparky concluded.

Percy being caught off guard forgot all about the insults.

Oh yes, I wondered why it is, that you lie around all day instead of joining all the dogs in the yard down the road? he asked.

Sparky looked at the parrot with surprise showing on his face. I am trusted to protect this property, I can’t walk around and look after other human’s property, he replied. Anyway, what is so special about the other yards? he asked.

Percy smiled at him well, if you listen closely you will hear the children laugh as they play with the dogs, all day every day. They even give the dogs nice things to eat all day long, Percy replied.

Sparky thought about what the parrot had just said. Actually, that sounds very nice, but I am sure they only give the nice things to the dogs that live there, Sparky replied.

No, any dog who goes into the yard to play with them gets given some of the nice things, Percy stated.

Well that all sounds very exciting, but as you might not have noticed, the gate is locked and I cannot get out of the yard. So if you will excuse me, I want to get back to my patrolling, Sparky said and flopped down onto the floor again.

Percy looked at Sparky not believing what had just happened. Well please yourself, I thought I would help you get out of this lazy routine, you lazy dog you Percy stated and flew away.

Sparky lay down and couldn’t help thinking about what Percy had told him. ‘It must be nice to eat sweets all day every day’ he thought to himself. Sparky got up and walked around the yard to see if everything was still alright. He returned to his spot on the veranda when he heard the dog next door call him from the fence.

Sparky, I heard what Percy had to say. He tells the same story to anyone who will listen to him. I personally don’t believe him said the dog and walked away from the fence.

The day passed very slowly and Sparky’s thoughts were in turmoil. He couldn’t think of anything else except all those sweets.

The next day Sparky decided to go and find out for him if the parrot had spoken the truth.

He waited until the humans had left and he couldn’t hear their car. He steadied himself and ran and jumped as high as what he could, and to his surprise, he was over the fence.

He ran down the road looking to find the yard that Percy had spoken about. All the yards looked the same and he started to get worried. Suddenly he saw Percy sitting on a gate post.

Percy! Am I glad to see you, where is this house that you were talking about? Sparky asked.

Percy was surprised to see Sparky standing at the gate.

Good morning Sparky, it is really good to see you. You are at the right address. I will call the little girl to open the gate for you, Percy replied, and with that, flew away towards the house.

Suddenly the gate opened and a little girl stood there. She had a very wide smile on her face and really looked friendly.

Good morning little doggy, Percy tells me your name is Sparky, and that you want to play with us. That is very nice, so come in and join the crowd, she said.

So Sparky entered the yard and saw a lot of other dogs playing around.

He joined them and soon he was enjoying playing with his new found friends. The humans would throw a ball and Sparky would retrieve it, and they would throw