When Stephenie McPhee clipped Hansel's leash to his collar, the Doberman's stubby tail began to vibrate with excitement, she often wondered what Hansel would look like with a full tail. As a tiny puppy the Breeder had 'docked' his tail but had not 'spitzed' his ears. Her brother had bought the dog about three years ago but his long suffering wife had become allergic and the poor pooch had been unceremoniously dumped on Steph's doorstep one Sunday morning because her house had a yard big enough for the 'black and tan' pup to play in.
"Come on Boy, we're going for a car ride." She told him. "I read in the paper today the Doggy Park is having an open day, and I can get you in for free. Maybe we'll meet a cute girl Doberman, or is that Dobergirl, to play with."
When Hansel had been her brother's he had been taught and trained to do the basics; like walk on a leash or sit and stay, and of course lay down. But Steph didn't have the knack or expertise to continue the training, and Hansel had become more than a little boisterous. She knew, being a working dog, Hansel needed exercise, and they had settled into a routine early morning run, where Steph valiantly tried to run with him but most mornings he merely dragged her along, and an evening walk, where again the dog dictated pace and direction. Although uncomfortable for Steph, they definitely got exercise.
Obedient for once Hansel sprawled across the back seat or sometimes stuck his head out the half open slobber encrusted back windows. She normally had to force him to stay in the back seat. The local Doggy Park was a good ten minutes drive from her house and before today she had never thought of taking him there, mainly because of her inability to really control him. The newspaper had advertised free admission and professional supervision. She had chosen to wear a comfortable shortish white skirt that showed off her long legs and a yellow T-shirt that proudly displayed her 34D-cup breasts. The ensemble was completed with comfortable strappy low heeled white sandals. She had tied her shoulder length blond hair back in a ponytail and her green eyes were masked by white framed plastic sunglasses. Hansel's collar was new black leather with silver spikes, she had tied a yellow bandanna that matched her shirt under his collar and his leash although not spiked was shiny black leather made by the same manufacturer as the collar; all in all they made a handsome couple.
The parking lot was relatively full, but there was no line up to the entrance thankfully as Steph was half dragged and pulled off her feet by the boisterous dog. She was met at the gate by a plump middle aged woman with dark hair who was wearing comfortable 'mom' jeans and a tan coloured golf-shirt with the Doggy Park's logo embroidered over her heart. Above the logo a nametag read; 'Sharon'. "Hi there, welcome to The Doggy Park, is this your first time?" Sharon asked.
Steph smiled and yanked Hansel's leash back hard, bringing him unceremoniously to a halt. "Sit!" She commanded. For once Hansel obliged, and plonked himself down on his haunches; he wagged his tail proudly for his mistress. "Yes, it's our first time, is there anything to sign?" She asked almost out of breath.
"Just the usual waivers and non-liabilities. I guess everyone covers themselves now days." Sharon explained. "Today the entrance is free, but if you decide to join its $60.00 per month for unlimited access and we also have a weekends pass for $40.00. In my opinion the unlimited is the best deal, a lot of our members treat the Park as a club, with training sessions and get-togethers, and oh yeah, their dogs enjoy it."
While Steph filled in the document she asked Sharon's advice, "It asks here, what level of training does my dog have? He was trained by my brother to walk on a leash to sit and stuff, but he hasn't really had any official or formal training, as you can see, he kinda takes me for a walk, rather than the other way around." Hansel looked up wagging his tail.
"I'd put 'novice' in that block then." Sharon advised.
Steph followed her advice and signed where she was required. Sharon scanned her supplication and smiled. "Good, you two are all set to go. The park is in three sections: Supervised, free-running and training. I'd suggest you guys take the supervised park. I'll introduce you to Hanna."She said standing and walking off through a gate into a large fenced off flat surfaced area dotted with trees and flowerbeds. A sign demanded that, 'No dog is to be let off a leash unless the Supervisor had granted permission'.
Hanna turned out to be a short slim woman about Steph's age. Her red hair was long and loose and hung almost to the waist of her short khaki skirt. She wore a similar tan golf-shirt to the Sharon with the Doggy Park logo embroidered over her left breast, with the prerequisite nametag 'Hanna' above it. The breasts themselves were petite, briefly Steph wondered if Hanna needed a bra. Her feet were thrust into short brown cotton socks and comfortable looking brown leather hiking boots. A large German shepherd lay peacefully at her feet. Hansel had no inhibitions and tugged at his leash sniffing first the Shepherd thoroughly while he lay passively. The shepherd's ears stood up and he growled however when he tried to sniff Hanna's crotch. Steph blushed crimson, Hanna raised her knee, Hansel backed off, puzzled.
"We need to be formally introduced before we get intimate boy." She chided, smiling and holding out her hand to Steph, "Hi I'm Hanna, who's this?" She asked.
Steph shook Hanna's hand. "The nosy guy is Hansel," She gushed. "And I'm Steph." She added, clearly embarrassed.
Hanna looked down at her dog. "Bismarck!" she commanded. "Where are your manners?" The dog perked immediately and sat up holding out his right paw.
Steph smiled in delight and bent down shaking the dogs offered paw. He looked at her with warm brown intelligent eyes, his head canted to one side. "Hello Bismarck, I'm pleased to meet you too." She giggled while Hansel tugged impatiently at the leash. "Wow, so well behaved, I wish Hansel behaved like you." She said.
"He needs to be trained." Hanna commented. "Big dogs like him need discipline or they become unruly and difficult to handle, you should sign up, I have an opening in my beginner's class, starting next weekend."
"What does it entail?" Steph asked.
"Oh it's four weekends long I teach the owners as much as I do the dogs. You both benefit, and there will be a much happier dog and owner at the end. I even give out graduate diplomas." Hanna answered. "I charge $120.00 but you can pay week by week if that's a hardship, no contracts no bullshit. Just show up on time and be prepared to learn." She snickered. "And the Park gets $40.00 or $60.00, depending. So its $180.00 max."
"Sounds good to me, Hansel definitely needs discipline." She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a pen and chequebook. "Do I need to make out two cheques?" She asked.
"Up to you, since you are the last person, tell you what, make out the cheque for $150.00 and I'll drop my price and cover your Park fees for a monthly pass." Hanna offered. "Now that's a deal!" Steph said while filling out and handing over the cheque.
"Since you are here I can check out and see how far Hansel has regressed." She looked at Hansel still jumping about and straining at his leash. "Give me the leash." She asked before commanding her dog. "Bismarck stay!" She ordered. The dog sank down and looked up at his mistress.
Hansel saw the leash change hands and lunged trying to pull Hanna off her feet. He was brought up short when the leash snapped tight. He strained but did not fight. Hanna stepped back, and Hansel was pulled back, he looked at the person at the other end of his leash. Bismarck's tongue lolled out and seemed to mock Hansel's attempts to pull Hanna off her feet.
