by Michael Lee I first saw him in front of Women’s Dorm #8 chasing after a biker. Straining toward his target, he barked furiously while scattering fresh new sprinkles from the puddles in his path. Swinging an unopened black umbrella backward with one hand, the gentleman on the bike tried frenziedly to fend off his enemy while maintaining balance. But the knight’s lance seemed only to agitate the yellow dragon. The creature bounded about fearlessly with a mouth full of gleaming teeth, until the intruder was far from the castle he guards. He came back victoriously with his tongue lolling and his tail thrashing. Then he saw me, an unwanted trespasser, chatting with one of the princesses in his territory. Immediately his ears spiked and he started to growl deep in his throat. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm while war whoops sounded around me. I was prepared to use my four years of training–maybe I could talk him out of this nonsense with my business negotiation techniques. Right before the duel, Princess dashed out toward my foe, and started to pat him on the head. A woman’s touch works its magic again. The dog hid his flashing teeth and lay down meekly. But I knew he was still watching me from the corner of his challenging eyes. “This is Buddy,” Princess said. “Hi, Boy,” I offered softly.
“Well, he’s not exactly a ‘boy.’” “Huh?” I wasn’t sure what that meant. “Buddy used to assault female dogs outside our dorm,” Princess explained. “After a while, a veterinary major decided she just couldn’t stand it any more. So she and some friends grabbed Buddy and gave him a shot. Next morning when Buddy woke up he discovered something was missing.” “Oh.” “And ever since then, Buddy will attack anything that is male. We kinda like it this way since now he will stop any guy from sneaking into our dorm!” I felt threatened as Princess spoke while patting Buddy’s head. “Sneaking into the women’s dorm?” I said to myself. “Are you kidding?” If the women are so into getting practical work experience, then we guys had best stay home and study, I thought. Feeling a new sympathy for the mutt, I wondered why he betrayed his previous clan to enter into the service of his tormentor. His eyes shone especially bright in the fading light. “Go home–it’s late,” Princess admonished. “This place might be dangerous.” I understood, and ran like heck. a
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May 2024
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