Pack Animal

By J G Pelling

I’ve learned to interpret the misery of my neighbour’s dog through the walls of my flat. His ‘I need a dump’ whine. His frenzied yapping for the post. His howl when abandoned all day. It goes through me more than it does other folks.

I fed him special steak and special words earlier. Pausing on the page’s last Braille dot, I hear the scratch of a key. The door slams: they’ve been drinking again.

Surprised gasps turn to screams which end in choking gurgles. The wet ripping noises and crunching come later.

I smile. Nice doggie has got a new alpha.