"Get off of me, you stupid dog! Rafferty, you're going to pay for my medical bills! Call him off before I do something you'll regret," roared the huge man.
"Calm down, Brunson. You knew better than to try to move him when he was chewing on a new bone. If you dare to harm a hair on his head, you'll never work in this town again," replied Rafferty.
"Yeah, well it won't matter very much if I'm crippled, now will it?!?!" Brunson bellowed.
Rafferty calmly collected the ancient terrier, which was dangling from the delivery man's wrist, and gently tucked him under his left arm.
"Really? Dexter is six pounds, and you're what? Around two sixty-five? If you're so helpless maybe you shouldn't be working anyway," replied Rafferty thoughtfully.
"Who said I was helpless? I just don't want to get chewed up by that mongrel of yours," said the big man.
"Dexter is not a mongrel. For your information, he is the oldest purebred Yorkshire Terrier alive. Nineteen and still spry as a spring chick, Mayor Rafferty said proudly.
"Well... Maybe it's time he retired then," grumbled Brunson as he picked up the shoebox sized parcel he had dropped, and placed it on the gleaming oak desk.
"He's like me, he knows that you have to have a purpose in life. Neither of us will retire as long as we have a breath left in us, Brunson."
"Sign here, then. And I'll leave you two to do your work... Just leave me out of it next time," Brunson said wearily.
"Thank you, and good day," Rafferty replied, as he signed the paper.
After Brunson left the mayor held up the little dog, and looked him in the eyes. "Dexter, I do wish that you would take up a safer hobby than going after delivery men. One day you're going to get yourself hurt," Mayor Rafferty said, as he set the little dog on the floor.
Three days later:
"Grrrrrr!!!"
"Yip!"
And so it went for several minutes. A street dog of unknown breeding, except for the distinctive face and bulky body of a Rottweiler, was chewing on a large bone, next to an overturned garbage can. About ten feet away, stood Dexter.
Darting in and out in an an attempt to lure the other dog away, he had several near misses. Eventually the big dog tired of the game, and charged.
Dexter nimbly sidestepped, and raced for the bone - which weighed approximately the same as the old terrier. Trying to drag it cost him precious moments.
Seeing the massive jaws heading straight for him, Dexter dived into the overturned garbage can. Quickly whirling around, he managed to hold the other dog at bay, thanks to his boldness.
"What's all the racket about?" Brunson wondered, as he walked out of Florence General Store. Strolling towards the alley, he grabbed a large clod of dirt.
"Well, how the tables have turned," chuckled Brunson. Aiming carefully, he threw the clod, and hit the big dog squarely on the nose, making him sneeze.
"Get out of here, you big bully! Go pick on someone your own size," Brunson shouted. The dog glowered at him for a second, teeth bared. Reluctantly it took its bone and left, eyes glued on the delivery man.
"You need to get home, you little terror. Rafferty would be devastated if anything happened to you," he said.
Moments later, Dexter streaked from the garbage can, right towards Brunson. But instead of grabbing a pants leg, he gently put his front paws on the man, and cocked his head.
"You want me to pick you up? Alright, but no biting!" Brunson said, as he bent over.
As soon as he was up, Dexter washed the man's face, tail wagging happily.
"Well that's better! Let's get you home," Brunson said laughing.
"Hello Mr. Rafferty, I have a special delivery for you," Brunson said as he knocked on the office door.
"Come on in, Brunson. It's safe, Dexter isn't in here at the moment," mocked Rafferty.
"I know - he's the special delivery," said Brunson as he entered. Dexter gave him one final kiss before indicating that he wanted down.
After telling the mayor what happened, he bent down to pet the old dog, who had retrieved his bone from under the desk. When Brunson ignored the bone, Dexter put it on his shoe.
"Thanks old fella, but you keep it," he said smiling, as he tried to hand the little dog the bone.
Immediately, Dexter dropped it and pushed it with his nose. Then he sat expectantly, and whined.
"I think you better take it. Don't want to hurt his feelings, do you?" Rafferty asked.
Smiling, Brunson picked up the slimy treat, petting Dexter as he did. "Thanks, I'll take good care of it," he promised.
Cover image made in Canva using their gallery
