The Good Children

CHAPTER ONE

They sat together, bewildered amongst the raucous jostling of their siblings. One slightly aloof and distant, the other anxious and insecure, but both seemingly drawn to each other, a silent bond of support holding them together. Their young infant minds strived to make sense of the world around them, a world of legs, sounds, smells and feelings, that this was not really their place. Their first mother gently pulled them to her warm soft body, squeezing them between everyone else as they all climbed over each other and snuggled close. Unable to form words, the brother and sister instinctively pushed closer together, their bond forged amongst the competitive world they had been born into.

Mama would quietly tell them all stories about her daily escapades when she would disappear and leave them alone to fend for themselves. Dada would occasionally come into the room and stare at them with mild curiosity, but no other desire to care for or to intervene in the disputes that would break out amongst them as hunger overcame play. When Mama returned, she made sure they were all clean and fed, doing her best to ensure a fair share was had by all, but with fourteen children, it was tricky. As they lay together keeping warm, Mama warily greeted Dada as he graced them with one of his visits. Her look and stillness made it clear to him that he could be on his way; she wasn’t interested in his bravado and boasting, not with this lot to care for.

In a short time, their strength grew and their legs were just that little bit longer, allowing them to explore their surroundings. It was a noisy affair with shouting and laughing in excitement at the prospect of adventures with Mama. They would try to follow her out of the house, their little legs clumsy and uncoordinated. The brother and sister would follow, sometimes in the middle of the crowd and sometimes bringing up the rear, the cautious nature of the boy and the aloofness of the girl causing them to think before they leapt. At night, Mama began to tell them about the outside world. “You must all be brave and never be afraid,” she would say, “People will come for you soon. You will have a new mother and father, and people are generally good.” She would trail off in her story, a look of concern and worry in her eyes. She knew she could no longer care for her children; there were just too many and not enough food, so they must go. “It will be exciting. You will have such adventures!” She tried to make it sound like a good thing, but it broke her heart to let them go. She had decided to keep two with her but could not decide who. The brother and sister would push just that bit closer to each other, seeming to understand more than the others that they would never see their mama again.

Then one day it happened. A new mama came. The girl was picked up and stared at a smiling face in front of her. She wasn’t sure about this new mama; could she be trusted? A panic filled her; what about her brother? He couldn’t cope without her. Then to her relief she saw her new mama pick up her brother and tuck him under her other arm. They both looked at each other as they were carried out into the big wide world; at least they would be together. They were taken to what seemed like a box with wheels, which they would later learn was a car. They were placed inside on a layer of soft blankets. “There you go, sweeties, nice and warm.” The new mama beamed happily at the two faces staring back at her. “I will call you Tess,” she pointed to the girl, “and you are called Tag.” The boy looked at her with worried eyes, hoping that he would be loved and cared for. The new mama looked back at Tess, “You look like a little princess with that haughty face. You must be Princess Tess, and you, well, you are definitely a Mr Tiggy McTaggle.” She laughed and closed the door. The brother and sister looked at each other.

“New Mama says I’m a princess.” The girl stared at the boy, who licked his lips and gazed worriedly around him.

“New Mama says I’m…” He paused, trying to remember exactly what had been said, but there had been an awful lot of words for a young mind. “I’m Tiggy Tag.” He nodded to himself, satisfied he’d done his best.

“Don’t worry, Tag. I’ll look after you.” Tess licked his face just like their first mama had done to comfort them. Tag licked her back.

“Thank you, Princess Tess.”

“You can call me Tess,” she said as she straddled her four paws to balance better.

“And you can call me Tag.” He stood a little taller and a lot braver with his sister beside him.

The shaking box stopped and the door opened, causing Tess and Tag to blink in the bright light. “Now then, wee babies, let’s go and meet Uncle Jook.” Their new mama picked them up, tucked them under each arm, and carried them into their new den. From their vantage point, Tess and Tag stared down at the big dog staring back at them with old eyes. Their noses coloured him with an array of scents, all unique to him. “Well, Jooky boy, who’s this then?” Their new mama put them down on the floor, more scents flooding into their brains. Old Jook regarded them, his nose slowly twitching from side to side as he took in their name smells. He lowered his head to the crouching figures in front of him, unsure and anxious at the large face peering at them. He grunted to himself.

“Well now, little ones, welcome to the pack. Stick with me and I’ll keep you right. Our leaders are strong and strict, so don’t step out of line or you will be sorry.” He gave them a stern look. “I’m Jook.” He lay down in front of them and they regarded him cautiously, smelling he was kind and gentle.

“I’m Tag.”

“And I’m a Princess.” Tess gave him a haughty look, but Jook wasn’t fooled for a moment.

“Are you now?”

“You can call me Tess.” She puffed out her chest and tried to look important. Jook nudged her with his nose and she fell over.

“I’ll decide what I call you. Until you can push me over with your nose, I’m in charge, got it?” His hard stare caused them both to quickly agree and he softened. Another two-leg came into the den.

“Is this them?” Mark looked down at the beautiful little puppies in front of Jook and grinned. “They’re gorgeous.” He picked them up and cuddled them.

“Lick his face, they love that,” said Jook, watching as Tess and Tag enthusiastically licked the two-leg’s face. “That is your new dad, but believe me, it’s your mum that’s in charge.” Their new mama came back and took Tess from Mark.

“Who’s a wee sweetie then?” Morag laughed as Tess tried to nibble her nose. “Ah no, no teeth!” She sat down and her faithful old Jook laid his head on her lap, looking at the new arrival. “You’re still my best boy, Jooky, Mummy loves you very much.” She kissed the old dog’s head and he beamed with pride. “You’ve got your work cut out training these two,” she said, and Jook agreed.

CHAPTER TWO

The first night alone away from the comfort of their siblings and First Mama was frightening. Tess and Tag huddled together in the warm blankets and listened to the sound of their new pack sleeping in another room. Jook was given the honoured position of sleeping next to the pack leaders and they knew they would have to earn that right by being good. They had each other. Tag rhythmically licked Tess, and every so often she would return the gesture till finally they both fell asleep, dreaming of warm milk and their first mama’s touch.

The grey light of dawn filtered into the den through the curtains as Tess and Tag slowly started to wake up. Tag whined anxiously. “I need to go pee and poo,” he said, staring at the wire cage in front of their bed. Their first mama had taught them well; never make a mess in your bed, do it outside. For them, outside had been on paper laid down next to their sleeping box, but now they couldn’t get out to go.

“I need to pee and poo too.” Tess pawed the cage and started to whimper and yowl. Sounds of stirring filtered through to them from the other room and New Mama came through, old Jook at her heels.

“Hey there, sweeties, need the toilet?” She opened the den door first then made her way back to the bed cage. Jook glanced over his shoulder as he went outside.

“Don’t embarrass me, do your business outside the den.”

Tag was really bursting. Two-leg Dad came through and picked him up as New Mama took Tess. They were whisked out of the cage and very quickly taken outside to the green grass just in time. They both peed in relief.

“Good boys and good girlie!” the leaders said enthusiastically. Tess and Tag could smell they were happy with them and grinned up, their little tails wagging. Jook wagged his tail at them as well.

“Well now, you held on just long enough.” He nodded with approval as they both sat down and had a poo. “Remember that this never happens in the den.”

“Our first mama taught us that!” said Tess indignantly. “We didn’t mess our beds.”

“Not messing your beds is one thing,” said Jook, “Not messing in the larger den is another.” Tess and Tag looked at each other; it was true. If they had not been carried out quickly by the leaders, they would have messed in the big den.

“We promise to try to hold on,” said Tag as he pottered over to Jook on stubby baby legs.

“Good lad,” said Jook and he offered a play-bow. “Want to play chase?”

“Yaaay!” Tess and Tag shouted. Uncle Jook was fun.

Those first few months were crammed with things to learn. At first, Tess and Tag would be full of energy and play for a short while, Mama and Dad spending time playing with them and teaching them the rules. Then suddenly they would be exhausted, falling asleep almost on the spot. Sometimes they managed to crawl into their beds themselves, closing their eyes as the cage door clicked shut, giving their humans two hours of peace and time for them to catch up on their work. Then it was wide awake time for both of them, yapping to be released, keen and full of energy.

As they grew larger and the time spent awake grew longer, Mama made a playpen outside for them full of toys and tunnels and things to climb on; it was great. She would put them in the pen and they laughed and ran, biting at each other and playing chase. Uncle Jook would sometimes watch them, but his job was to patrol the yard and keep a nose out for intruders. At night, he would lie and talk to them about being dogs, what the dog rules were and how to behave. Tess and Tag would curl up beside him as he told them stories of his adventures running along behind the horses, and he explained how to behave around these large and potentially dangerous animals.

Eventually, the children (as Mama called them) were too big for the pen; they were able to climb out over the low wall and run after Mama and Dad. This was where Jook took his responsibilities very seriously. He would chaperone them, keeping them out of trouble and teaching them all the smell names their tiny noses were now exposed to. Dogs don’t see a lot of colour with their eyes, but with smell, well – to a dog, a scent is like a bright colour, each one having its own shade and hue depending on how old it is (the older it is, the more pastel it appears). New scents are brilliantly strong, so although dogs don’t see colours as humans do, their world is far more vibrant, with everything wrapped in its own scent rainbow.

Jook patiently taught the children about grass and all the smell colours it came in, and about the other animals that shared their world and would pass through, leaving ghost-like images of themselves as scents. There was just so much to learn, but their young minds were keen and eager, and learn they did. The best time was when each one spent their own special time with Mama as she taught them the human rules (Jook had explained about humans). She would gently and patiently teach them to sit, stay, lie down, and come back to her. The best thing was they got a special treat if they got it right. Tag was so eager to please that he would get himself in a tizzy trying to do the right thing. Mama would just laugh and ask him to be calm, which he found very hard to do.

The best teacher was Jook, and Mama would enlist his help if she wanted them to come back. She would shout to Jook first and he would respond immediately. This encouraged Tess and Tag to respond too, as they knew there would be a treat in store. Tess was always more wilful and independent, so Mama had to be very sure she obeyed before getting the treat. Tag learned faster. Dad thought Tess was a bit stupid, but she was just a princess and no one bossed a princess. She knew better than to be disobedient as Jook would step in with a disapproving look or comment. Eventually, she deigned to comply and became as obedient as Tag.

The summer was long and hot, and the children grew strong and fast. Jook was beginning to slow down a bit and would spend most of his time just watching through hazy eyes, his nose telling him more about what was going on. Tess and Tag would play chase for hours on end, running into one stable (only when the horses were out) under the partition and out the other stable door. They would run in circles like this for ages, taking turns to chase or be chased. Once that game was over, they would play explorers and sniff about the horse yard, guessing what animals had passed there during the night.

One day, two people and another dog turned up in the yard. Jook ran excitedly around the car, shouting, “Jess, Jess, it’s me, how are you?” A tall, slim, elderly hound jumped out of the boot and enthusiastically licked Jook in the face.

“Jook, my dearest friend, I’m so pleased to see you again! It seems like ages since we last met.” She regarded the two young puppies running about the new humans, yapping and shouting for attention. “Is this them? The new puppies I’ve heard my mum and dad talk about?”

“Yes, it is. They’re learning.” Jook wagged his tail and went to greet Old Mum and Dad. Morag’s parents bent down to pat the old dog’s head as Jess regarded the puppies.

“So, what are your names?” Jess looked down her nose at them. Tess had thought she was a princess, but here, well, here was a dog that had all the elegance and majesty you could ever imagine.

“I’m Tag!” shouted Tag with gusto and bounded towards Jess to greet her. He was stopped short by a warning growl.

“I don’t do noisy greetings and you will not jump about me, do you hear?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.” Tag hung his head and cowered, showing his belly to Jess, who sniffed him thoroughly.

“And you are?” She looked at Tess.

“I’m Princess Tess,” was the reply as Tess cautiously, almost defiantly, walked over to Jess. As she got closer, her bravado broke and she cowed down submissively like Tag. Jess gave her a cursory sniff.

“I like your attitude, but remember, I’m in charge.” She turned and bounded into the large den (which the children now understood was a caravan) without even using the steps. Jook slowly walked up behind her and into the den, leaving Tess and Tag to stare at each other.

“But this is our territory!” Tess was annoyed and confused.

“Jook knows her well so she must be treated the same as him,” said Tag. They bounded up the steps and into the den to see what was going on.

Aunty Jess came to visit at least once a week, but for a dog, a week was more like a month. So although they got to know her, it was the stories that Jook told them about their adventures together that made her part of the pack. Tess and Tag realised very quickly that they were part of a very large and very strong pack mostly made up of human aunties and uncles, some of which they would only meet every few months, but others were in their lives for a long, long time. It made them feel secure and safe knowing there were so many people looking out for them and loving them, but Tess felt especially close to Uncle Jook. Tag was bigger and stronger than Tess with longer legs; he specialised in speed. On one rare occasion when Aunty Jess was visiting, she watched Tag running up and down the long grass stretch in front of the stables. He was chasing crows. “What are you trying to do?” she asked him.

“I’m the guard of this pack, it’s my job to keep intruders away, and crows are the worst,” he said proudly.

“You’re not fast enough to catch a crow,” she said indulgently.

“Am so!” Tag lifted his puppy nose, which was now almost level with Jess’s chin. She looked at him and grinned a doggie grin.

“Are you as fast as this?” She turned and ran. Jess was an old dog, about twelve years, but she was a lurcher and speed had always been her strength. Despite her years, she felt for a moment the flush of youth as she opened up her long stride, the lithe muscular body powering her along the grass patch. She wasn’t nearly as fast as she had been in her younger days, but she left Tess and Tag standing.

“Wow!” said Tag, suitably impressed as he raced as fast as he could to keep up. Tess ran behind them shouting, “Wait for me! Wait for me!”, her bark echoing around the yard. Jess stopped at the end of the yard and waited till they had caught up.

“Now, young Tag, when you can run like that then maybe you will catch a crow.” She was panting heavily, not used to such exertion. She started to jog back to Jook, who had been watching the excitement from his comfortable seat in the grass.

“I’ll practise…” Tag was puffing between strides. “I’ll be as fast one day, wait and see.”

“I’m fast too,” protested Tess, frustrated that her legs were so much shorter than Tag’s. She stopped in front of Jook, who nodded to her to come closer.

“Sometimes, Tess, speed isn’t everything. You have to use your brain and your nose too.” He grinned and she grinned back. She loved Uncle Jook.