Hi everyone. This is Reina. I am Ray’s dog. You probably read about the “other” dog a couple weeks ago. (Here’s the link in case you missed it: The Amazing Adventures of Danny D.) But I want you to know that I was here first. I am the eldest dog.

I still remember those early, happy years. It was just me and my master. I had him all to myself. We went on walks together; he rubbed my belly; we played fetch; I slept at his feet as he sat reading on the couch. When we did obedience training, I learned all the commands and responded instantly. I just loved hearing him say, “Good girl!” Anything to please my master.

Then he brought the “other” dog home. Danny D. What a stupid name. Nobody even knows what the “D” stands for. I think it stands for disturbance, disruption and disrespect (or maybe just plain dumb)! Now anytime Master gives me a belly rub, Danny comes over and interrupts. He pulls on the leash when we go for walks; he jumps on the furniture; he tries to steal food from my dish. And obedience training? What a laugh! The only time he ever obeys is when he knows there’s a treat waiting. That dog is a menace! I don’t know what Master was thinking.

And then there was this whole escape episode a couple weeks back. Danny and I were both out in the backyard. I saw the hole in the fence too, but did I try to escape? Nooooooo. I am the good dog. But as soon as Danny saw his chance, he made a break for it. I must confess: I thought, “Good riddance! Finally some attention for just me again.”

But then you know what happened? Master and the whole family were so busy making up “Missing Dog” flyers and passing them out in the neighborhood, they completely ignored me. Later when they got back home, they just moped around the house. I felt like saying, “Hello people – I’m still here!”

Then the next day, when they finally got Danny back, it’s like they threw a big party for him! All the whooping and hollering — Master even took Danny’s picture and put the whole story up on the blog. And instead of calling it “The Naughty Puppy” (like he should have), he calls it “The Amazing Adventures of Danny D!” I don’t get it. Uh oh, I hear footsteps. It’s Master! I better get down from here real quick. Too late … I’m busted!

Ray: Reina, what are you doing at the computer? Wait, don’t go anywhere. Sit! Good girl. Let me read this. Oh, I see, you don’t think it’s fair the way we treated Danny D. when he came home after running away. Please don’t be upset, Reina. You should be glad along with us. You should love Danny. He is like a brother to you!

Reina: Look! All these years I’ve been loyal to you and never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never put my picture up on the blog. But when this “other” dog of yours who ran away and always disobeys comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!

Ray: My dear Reina, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

Related posts:
    • The Amazing Adventures of Danny D.
    • Melody in F (The Prodigal Son)