REIN (pt.1)

She was amazing… so caring and gentle. Protective and sweet, wanting only the best for her children she loved so much…

            Rein whined and rolled over.

            She… she had to be all that! She was… no, she is his mother! The mother didn’t remember… just… feeling her scent once again… the scent of safety and peace… and love…

            “Mum…,” he whined when something cold pushed him not really gently.

“Wake up!” Rein sighed. This voice belonged to someone he disliked… to an adult Doberman who had been treating him like a garbage all the time. To his father.

            Rein didn’t really know how his mother could have loved such a cold hearted, mean, cruel male. He didn’t want to believe his father was really his father… but unfortunately, there was no chance. He’d never spoken about her anyway, and Rein hadn’t found courage to ask him. “Get up… NOW!” His father shouted. Rein was afraid even to talk. He just got up and bowed his head. “I… am sorry it took me so long, father,” he whispered. “What? I can’t hear you!” His father shouted at him, watching his young son trembling. “I am sorry it took me so long, father!” Rein shouted back in awe. The older Doberman smirked and nodded. “Finally! And now, outside!” Rein whined, but he knew all the whining was futile. The Doberman standing in front of him didn’t care. “But father… I am thirsty… please… can I drink?” Rein crouched awaiting a burst of anger, which came. “WHAT?!” The father’s bared fangs appeared dangerously close to Rein’s face. “Dad… please… don’t beat me!” Rein squeaked shaking with fear. The dog in front of him was so intimidating and Rein knew he wouldn’t have had any problems with killing him. But luckily, there was a master. The master who loved Rein. He was the only reason keeping him alive. When he needed to feel love, when he needed someone who could pet him and play with him, his master was there. But well… his father didn’t approve of this. But his master was at work. “I won’t beat you yet. I will do it if you don’t run outside and do at least fifty laps around the house!”

            After a while, Rein was running around the house being watched by is father. He was really weak and slow. It was because his father hadn’t let him sleep long enough or eat a lot.

But he couldn’t stop. He didn’t want to make his father mad. He had done it once and it had been nothing pleasant. Actually, he had been grateful he could have walked away after the punishment. Finally, it was over. Rein almost fainted when he reached his bowl with water. He coughed and began drinking quickly, like it was his last drink in his life. He knew his father was watching him all the time – that was the worst. “I suppose you should rest for a while now,” he smirked.

            Oh no… please…

            His father was nice to him… and that was a sign of something really bad. Like… no food today… or water. The father called it ‘shaping of the mind and the body’ and Rein didn’t know why. He just thought it were another words for hurting someone who cannot defend himself. But there was no point in refusing such an offer. The young Doberman was heading to his bed when he heard his father’s voice. It sounded really angry. “Didn’t you forget something?!!”

            “I… yes… sorry, dad… thank you…,” Rein whispered in tears, cuddling against his blanket. The blanket meant so much for him. Maybe because it was much more humane than his father.

            Later that day, his master came home and an unknown man accompanied him. Well… not unknown to the master, obviously. But Rein hadn’t seen him before. His father was sleeping so he watched the man with curiosity.

            “Oh look… here he is,” The master smiled when Rein entered the room. The man nodded and smiled, too. “Yeah, he is really cute. I think Clare and Mike will love him. But are you sure you want to sell him?”

            The master nodded. “I don’t want to but I really cannot afford to raise two dobes. I have to work sometimes and such a dog is really demanding, if you know what I mean.”

            “But I you said-“

            “Yes, don’t worry,” the master laughed, “he doesn’t pee inside or whatever. I don’t know how he learned it, but I have never seen him doing it here.”

            Rein didn’t understand a word, but if he could have, he would have told them it had been his father who had taught him… in a painful but effective way.

            “Oh… okay… let’s talk about the price. I suppose he has a pedigree and some papers confirming it.”

            “Indeed… a clear European bloodline. Very fine, I have to say,” the master nodded.

“I want just the best… so, tell me – how much?”

            “I guess 850 would be good enough.” The man scowled a little bit, but he laughed afterwards. He was the master’s friend so he knew he was honest with him. “I guess it’s a good price for a good dog.”

            Meanwhile, Rein came closer and started to sniff the man. Well… he could smell two more scents. And they appealed to him. But after a while, he trotted back to a room where his father was. He was about lying down when those two men entered the room. Rein’s father didn’t move or act… he just continued sleeping or pretended to sleep. Rein looked at the master and at the man… but something was wrong… the man was holding some papers and Rein’s leash… “What?” Rein gasped as the master took his blanket, put it in a bag and gave the bag to the man. “Dad?” Rein whispered. “Dad? What’s happening?”

            No response.

The master stroked Rein gently: “Rein… I am so sorry, but you need a new home. And I think we have found a new one for you. A good enough for you. I will come to check you soon, but now… I am no longer your master.”        

            “Dad?!” Rein didn’t understand but he was sure something important was happening. He nuzzled his father who didn’t pay attention. “Dad! Please! Help me!” Rein cried when the man picked him up. “Dad! Dad!!!” But it was futile. His father betrayed him. He didn’t say a word… he didn’t even looked at his son. Just kept lying. “I HATE YOU!” Rein shouted. He had never liked him, but this was more than enough. Rein cried, but he didn’t even try to run away. He wanted to return to his father never more. He let the man take him away, weeping bitterly. Soon, the men were gone and Rein’s father was alone. He had a perfect reason why he hadn’t paid attention. “Rein… son…Rein…,” he whispered and sobbed, but soon, he began to cry. “Rein… please… forgive me… but… I hope it will be better like this… Rein!”

            As they were closer and closer to his new home, Rein was surer and surer he would coil down in the nearest corner and cry. But his new owner was really sweet to him. He was petting him all the time and when they arrived, two other humans ran towards them.

            “Love… so where is he!?” Rein was sure the one who’d said that was a female human.

  Her voice was soothing and pleasant and Rein had to admit he liked it. “I have him right here!” The new master laughed and passed Rein to his wife. She laughed when Rein tried to lick her chin. “Aww, he is such a sweetheart. Mike, look!” A young human looked at Rein. No doubt… this human had to be a pup, at least in Rein’s opinion. “Whoa, dad! Thanks! It’s a dobbie, isn’t it?” The kid yelled in excitement and stroked Rein few times. Well… that was something Rein enjoyed. Nobody had ever given him such love and regard. He got a new dog bed and his new master put the blanket on it. Rein jumped on the blanket, barking in a happy and playful way. He spent the rest of the day by playing with his new family and when he fell asleep, the master picked him up gently and laid him on the dog bed, which was close to his (and his wife’s) own. Rein felt happy… finally happy.

            A year passed. A year full of so amazing and great things. Rein had no need to complain. His family was so kind to him and he loved them, especially Clare. She had no job so she was staying home when her husband was at work and Mike at the school. Rein watched her every day and every day, she found some time to pet him or at least talk to him. And Rein realized he loved her more than the rest of the family. Well... Mike was nice too, but he didn’t pay the same attention to him like Clare. And the master? He hadn’t time. He worked much harder than his previous master, so he had barely time for his wife and son. His previous master visited him a few times. He had promised anyway. But every time he came, he brought Rein’s father scent. And Rein hated it so much. It reminded him of unhappy times of his life. Alas, Rein almost missed his father when he smelt the scent. He didn’t know why.

            But happy time was almost over. His master began to arrive later and later from his work. And every time he arrived, he was in a really bad mood. And it was worse and worse. Rein supposed his master had serious problems with his work. It was true. The firm the master was working for had financials issues and there was no hope the situation would improve. The master began to drink, not so much at first, but as time went, it was worse and worse. And every time he came home drunk, he was rude. He was shouting at his wife and his kid, blaming them for things they hadn’t ever done.

            And one day…

The master slammed the door, throwing his suitcase away. He almost collapsed to the ground. He was drunk and he smelt of alcohol and cigarettes. Clare ran to him, trying to help him.

            “Love… what were you doing-“

            “Shut up, you b***!” He shouted, pushing her away, “It’s all your fault! And you still ask like you don’t know!” Clare gasped, trying not to hear those words. “You have been trying to ruin my life all the time! Now, you managed it, you w****!” The master’s eyes were red, because of the lack of sleep and because of cigarettes. “Get out of my life, you damned b***!”  He raised his hand and slapped her. That was too much for Rein, who had been watching the whole scene. He jumped in front of Clare who was crying, crouched in a corner. And he did the only thing he was convinced was right. Rein bared his fangs and barked sharply. He was ready to bite that monster. That wasn’t his master anymore. The man was taken by surprise. He didn’t expect that so he did the worst thing. His leg burst forward, but Rein was faster. He bite it as hard as he could and soon he saw it was enough. The man screamed and struggled. “Please… stop!” Clare cried when her husband kicked Rein with his second leg. Rein let him go and snarled loudly. “You will see! Both of you!” The master shouted. “This f*** dog will be put down and you… you can be sure a divorce is f*** near!” He shouted again and staggered out of the house heading to the nearest pub. Clare’s cry became louder. She hid her face into her palms, but when she felt Rein’s tongue trying to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks, she hugged her loyal dog and cried on his short fur. “Rein… I won’t let him to hurt you,” Clare whispered trying to stop crying.Mike had been in school all the time and she was glad he hadn’t seen what had happened.

            But Mike found out soon. The threat about the divorce hadn’t been plain. Rein was still alive, maybe because the master had no courage to hurt him… and he was ashamed, too.  

Well, Rein thought so, at least. But he was wrong. Two days after, his master came, smiled and leashed him like nothing had happened before. “We shall go for a trip, Rein, eh?” He laughed and Rein followed him outside. Instead of a usual walk, his master entered the car. Rein jumped inside like many times before, wagging his short tail. Maybe his master wanted to make up and Rein was happy somehow. His father had told him that his master was the most precious thing. Therefore, Rein was willing to cease all hostilities. After a long ride, they stopped in front of a building Rein didn’t know. There was a fence around it and a lot of dog pens. Rein didn’t see the pens but he smelt various scents belonging to other dogs. He hadn’t been there before and if he could have read, he would have been able to read the sign on a white cottage which was directly in front of him: DOG POUND. The Doberman didn’t know what to do but follow his master inside.

            There was another human, a female one, in the building. She was quite young, wearing a glasses and her face was framed by long brown hair. She smiled at the master and nodded. “Oh, I expected you later…” she said with a slight reproach in her voice. “I am sorry, I just… I just have to take care of many things concerning moving, so that’s why.” She nodded again.

“I think you made a vise decision. A Doberman isn’t a dog suitable for a flat you are moving in.”

            “Yes… and I love him... I don’t want him suffer. And I hope you will be able to find a new master for him.” The master leaned against the backrest of the chair he was sitting on. He laughed inside. Everything was going according to his plan. That was his revenge. He would tell Clare and Mike somebody killed Rein by accident. But there was one thing he didn’t like at all. He would get no money for the dog, but on the other hand, arranging the sale would attract Clare’s attention. So the moving was yet another lie. “His name is Rein… here are his papers. And… please… can I keep his collar?” the master whispered and when the woman nodded, he took Rein’s collar and patted him on his head. “So be good boy, Rein… I will miss you so much…” Rein was confused completely. What was going on? His master was acting like… like he was leaving him… but that couldn’t be true! When the man left the room, he jumped to the door, scratching it and barking mournfully. “Master! Master! I am here! Why did you left me here?! I want to go home! Please! I am… here…Master…”

Rein realized he was betrayed. He felt like somebody had taken his heart and had broken it. He bowed his elegant head and cried in the dog way people didn’t understand. But then, someone called his name. And once again… he turned his head and saw the young woman calling him. She came closer and she let him sniff her hand. Then she stroked him gently whispering his name into his ear. “Rein… I am sure we will find you a new home. I am sure. Just go with me... I will take care of you.” And because Rein couldn’t think up anything better, he followed her slowly.

            The master closed the door, collapsed to the armchair and cried. He was faking it, but he got attention of Clare, soon. “What happened?” asked she when she spotted her husband (still) crying. He sobbed: “Clare… Rein… Rein…”

            “What happened to him?!” Clare gasped. She loved the dog so much… and its death would have been the last thing she would have needed. “Clare… we were walking down the street… when Rein spotted something across… he jumped into the middle of the road… a truck hit him…” He raised his hand, which was holding Rein’s collar. “That’s everything… what left…” Clare’s eyes were filled with tears. “No… Rein… can’t be…” She gasped and grabbed the collar. “He is, Clare… he is…”  Clare took her husband’s hand and whispered: “Please… please… promise me you will stop drinking. Do it for Rein and for Mike if not for me. I… don’t want to lose yet another part of our family…” The man looked at a divorce petition lying on a table. “No… Rein’s death won’t change anything…” he smirked. “Tomorrow, we won’t be married anymore. Sorry. That’s the life.”

            Rein didn’t feel anything when the woman was leading him to his new home. All the feelings and all his thoughts exploded in a blinding flash and his head was empty… it was too much. The Doberman didn’t struggle, whine or howl. He just entered the dog pen and his eyes were empty and too weak to express any feelings. He collapsed to the floor and tried to ignore the world, which brought him just the worst things. All he wanted was to stop being. Not to die, for he didn’t know what was after death.

            “The bottom, eh?” This simple sentence made him perceive the world again. He turned his head and saw his neighbor. He wasn’t able to tell the breed, but he wasn’t sure he was looking at a dog or a wolf. “What do you mean?”

            “Well, basically, you can’t go lower now…so be happy,” the wolf dog smirked and licked its paw. “Shut up…” Rein turned away from the wolf dog whom he began to dislike.

“Come on… I am just trying to help you.”

            “Shove it up your a-“

            “Hey, hey, hey, no need for such words, oh and by the way, I am Ian.”

            “Rein.” Well, Rein didn’t want to tell him his name, but well… it was almost automatic. “So, Rein… why are you here?”

            ‘Did he have to ask?’ Rein growled, trying not to think about all the things that had happened. “I am here because… I am here.” The wolf dog nodded. “That’s pretty descriptive and surely makes a lot of things clearer.”

            “Look, you aren’t helping me-“

            “I have never tried to help you.”

            “But you said.-“

            “I was lying.”

Rein sighed. His neighbor was a really strange person. “Nice to meet you, Ian.”

            A dog pound. It’s like a lost-and-found, except for a different character of the things, they keep inside. Rein didn’t feel really well as a living luggage. Well, they fed him, he had a place to sleep, but… he was closed almost all day in a relatively small pen. His neighbor, Ian, became his close friend. Well, Rein had to admit they wouldn’t have been friends if they had met in a normal life. It was misery, which brought them together. And misery can form a really strong friendship. “Ian?”

            “Hmmm?” the wolf dog yawned. “I always wanted to ask you… what’s your breed?” Rein moved closer to the fence, which was dividing the pen into two parts. One was inhabitet by Ian and the second was Rein’s. “I am a purebred Wolf dog. I suppose… Czechoslovakian wolf dog, man.” Ian lounged lazily and smirked. “Today is Tuesday, isn’t it?”

            “Yeah… I suppose it is. And?” Ian rolled around and looked at Rein: “Well… the boy will come. Yeah, I call him a boy, but he is pretty old for a boy. He is working here for free… once a week, he comes and take some of us for a walk. It’s pleasant… at least you don’t need to-”

            “I get it,” Rein sighed. He needed someone so badly. He needed a master. Or… “Have you ever been in love, bro’?”

            “In love? Yeah… once or twice… but it ended after we did it. You know… breeding.”

            “It must be wonderful…”

            “Breeding? Well it-“

            “No, I mean to be loved,” Rein growled sharply. Ian laughed: “Hey, what about your parents? They love you, no?” the Doberman had to admit Ian had an unpleasant ability: Asking such questions. “I don’t remember my mother… and my father?” Rein sighed and told Ian everything. When he was done, Ian nodded. “So you see… why do you think your father didn’t love you?” Rein’s expression changed. Of course, why hadn’t he realized? “I mean,” Ian continued, “He loved you so much he didn’t show or tell you how much he loved you. He knew you would have to part one day. And he didn’t want you to suffer or miss him and-“ Ian stopped when he realized Rein’s eyes became wet. “He… He… loved me…”

            “Yeah, I would say so…”

            “And I… told him I hated him...” Rein sobbed. “It happens,” Ian replied.

            “Shut up! Shut the **** up!” Rein shouted and jumped away from Ian. He hated him so much now, because he had told him the truth. And that was it… simply too much.

Ian sighed and looked at the Doberman. “Come on, the boy will come soon. I heard he loves dobes.” Rein sighed again. Everything was so clear now… but he couldn’t do anything. “Does he?” Rein whispered. “Dunno… I just heard.” Ian smirked.

            The boy… well… although Ian called him so, it was a young man. Rein guessed he had to be at least 21 years old. He was a student and because couldn’t have a dog of his own, he volunteered for the dog pound. He was doing it for free, but he was happy with it. He loved it, to be exact. And now, he was passing Rein’s pen. Something was moving inside… he looked there and saw Rein. “My god…,” He gasped. “What’s his name?” He called at the woman who was writing something outside. “You mean the dobe? Rein,” she replied.

The young man opened the pen and looked at Rein. “Boy… you are amazing…” He kneeled in front of the Doberman and let him to sniff his hand. “How did you get here?” He stroked Rein’s head slowly. “What about a walk, Rein?” The Doberman didn’t respond. He knew how his last walk had ended. But on the other hand, it couldn’t be worse. So after a while, he wagged his tail and looked at the man who took liking to him quickly. “You should go,” Ian added, “it seems he likes you, man…” Rein sighed and stood up and let the man to lead him out of his pen. Leaving the iron bars behind his back, Rein felt something he hadn’t for so long. He was happy. The world seemed much brighter and friendlier without those bars in sight. Rein barked and wanted to run around the man. He was free once again. Not for long, but it was much better than nothing. The man smiled and walked outside from the dog pound and walked down the street… Rein wanted this moment to last forever…

            When they returned, both were happy. “I will return tomorrow, boy… I promise,” the man whispered when he patted Rein, and left him in his pen. When he was locking it, the woman came and looked at Rein. “A great dog, isn’t he?”

            “The most amazing I have ever seen,” the man replied, “you know, I would take him home if I could. It seems he likes me.” Rein was sniffing the man’s hand meanwhile whining.

“But… I can’t… The school and stuff.” The woman looked at her companion and said: “Don’t worry… I am sure you will get your own dog soon.” The man looked around and headed to out of the pound. “I will come tomorrow!” he cried back, whistling a tune.

            A week passed. It’s a lot of time… it’s long enough for anything to happen. Like for the beginning of a friendship. Every day, Rein was waiting for the man and the man came. But one day…

            “It’s just about a curly tail.”

            “No, it isn’t!”

            “Well, I bet it is… if I could curl my tail, I would be outta here long time ago.”

            “Nah, Ian, that’s nonsense,” Rein rolled on the ground and blinked at the wolf dog who was lounging around with a lazy and bored expression on his face. Ian smirked back and was about saying something, but he jerked suddenly. “Wha-?” Rein wondered and looked around. He spotted the source of Ian’s distraction. It was a man with a Doberman female on a leash. Rein gasped and jumped up whining. He sat down when the man stopped and talked to the woman. He didn’t hear them for the rest of the dogs were barking quite loudly. Soon, he realized the man had come to get yet another dog and he had taken his dog along to see if the new dog would appeal to both of them. They didn’t spend a long time in front of each pen. It seemed when the man was satisfied, the female dog wasn’t. And when she was, her master didn’t show much happiness. Rein didn’t know what to do anyway. He was just standing there and watching those two with desire in his brown eyes. And suddenly… they were standing in front of him. Rein ignored the man and focused on the female who was blushing slightly. “Hello,” she smiled and looked to the ground. “Hi… I am Reinhardt… or Rein…” He smiled too. “Roxie…” Her voice was smooth and sweet. Soothing and exciting at the same time.

“And why are you here, Roxie?” Rein wagged his tail and came closer to the iron bars, which were saying: ‘Your world ends here. Get used to it.’ “Well, my master decided to get one more dog… and he wants me to help him.”

            “Thought so…” they were looking at each other for about two minutes. Without a single word. Then her master looked at Rein and rubbed his chin. “So do you like him, Roxie? Well…,” he stroked her, “let’s go… we shall return tomorrow…” Roxie smiled and whispered to Rein: “I like your scent, Rein…”

            “I like yours, too,” he replied and watched them leaving. “Man, can you even realize how lucky you are?” Ian interrupted his sweet dreams (including the master and Roxie).

“Huh?” Ian rolled his eyes and smirked: “They didn’t bother themselves to look at the rest of us. I think you will be out really soon.”

            The man kept his promise and he came again the next day. And Roxie was with him, too. They headed directly to Rein’s pen while the woman was talking to the man. “…and of course, feel free to walk him,” she nodded when was unlocking the pen. “It seems he is well trained and obedient.” Rein couldn’t believe it. The bars were gone and Roxie was standing in front of him. “Will you join us, Rein?” He yelped with excitement and barked a few times. He left the pen, followed by Ian’s envious look.

            They went to the nearest park. Rein enjoyed every second of the walk and he was showing his feelings in a way his father wouldn’t have approved of. It was like a miracle. He could go everywhere, he wasn’t restricted by an iron bar, he was free. ‘Good old times,’ Rein thought and looked around. The park was full of other dogs and humans and no wonder. The weather was almost perfect. The sunlight was touching all the leaves on the trees in the park gently, like it was afraid it would burn them if it shined a little bit more. And the grass shone in numerous shades of green. Humans were resting in the shade of the trees and everybody seemed to be happy. At least Rein thought so, for he was…

“Nice weather, isn’t it?” Roxie nuzzled him gently and he realized he had forgotten her completely. His mind had been full of the scenery and the view that was completely different that the one he had from his pen. “Oh, it is… for sure… well… so…” he tried to think something up desperately. All he wanted was not to look like a fool in front of Roxie. She smiled, bowed her head and closed her eyes. She had been doing it quite often and Rein had to admit it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He felt something like melting inside of his body and a soft shimmering all over his short coat. “That’s okay, Rein… I just… would like to talk with you,” she opened her eyes but her head remained bowed with respect.

“Of course, Roxie…” his nose pushed her chin up gently, “and please… your eyes are so beautiful. Don’t hide them in front of me.” Roxie licked his nose in return and looked around. “Look! Over there… that huge tree. Let’s go there, please!” She pounced around Rein and yapped quietly. Rein had no choice but to follow her and it was quite a pleasant choice. She laid down in the shade of the tree, watching him carefully. She nodded when he lay down by her side and asked:”Roxie, will you tell me something about you and your family?”

            “Sure,” she smiled again, pulling her chin against her chest and looked at Rein whose eyes were full of admiration. He loved her for being such cute. She was the first female he had ever spoken with (well, more than one or two sentences) and he was feeling great. “Oh... where should I- Ah, I know! I don’t remember the time when I was a pup too clearly. All I know is I had just one sibling. His name was… Reginald… or Reg? I don’t know. He had to go with my dad and I stayed with mum. She loved both of us so much and I remember how she comforted Reg when they cropped his ears. He was so afraid he would look terribly and mum told him she would love him whatever happens and that it was not about the look… but about the heart. She cried so much when he had to go. I tried to make her happy, and not only once, but she was so worried. But she knew dad was a strong and responsible dog. So eventually, she accepted it. Oh, and when I was leaving her, I promised her to visit her again with my own family. She doesn’t live far from me, but I have no chance to see her. All I know is she is okay. And that’s important.” Rein had been listening all the time. When she ended, he put his paw across hers and tried to do the same thing she had done before. When he pulled his chin against his chest, Roxie laughed. “You are so cute, Rein! And what about your family?”

            “I don’t remember my mum… my father never talked about her or my siblings. I do remember them, tho’. I have one sister. Yep, it is possible I had even more siblings, but I remember just her and my mum. Both of them loved me. But my dad…” and he told her everything. Her expression had changed several times and when Rein ended, she nuzzled him softly. “And do you think you are a strong and good dog, like your father wanted?”

            “I… don’t know,” Rein sighed and looked at the master, who had come meanwhile. “I am so sorry to disturb you two, but we have to go… mum called.”

            “Mum?” Rein blinked at Roxie. “Who is this?”

            “Oh, his wife! She is so amazing! You will like her! She is like your Clare!”

            “Can’t wait to see her,” Rein grinned as they were leaving the park and heading to the pound. Roxie looked at him and nuzzled him tenderly. “I like you, Rein…”

            “Same here, Roxie…” he wagged his tail and licked her cheek. Her slender body, her floppy ears… her smile… her presence. Those things made him feel something new… something inexperienced… She stopped and leaned her head, looking directly into his eyes. “I feel so happy when you are around…”

            “Here you are,” Ian’s bored voice greeted him. Rein nodded. “I think the next visit, they will take you… you lucky bastard. So… how was the bitch?”

            “Amazing, bro’, amazing. But before you start thinking about-“

            “You filthy, naughty dog!” Ian laughed, “of course I am thinking of it!”

            “Then sorry… nothing like that happened.”

            “Yet…” Ian couldn’t resist. “So… you will be out, soon…”

Rein averted his eyes. He couldn’t look at Ian any longer. He had become his brother, they had learnt a lot about each other. They liked each other. But… it was so unfair. Rein turned away, but he felt Ian’s look full of sorrow and envy and helplessness. Ian knew he would be alone, again.

            The man and Roxie visited him every day. And their walks were longer and longer. They usually went to the park, where Roxie accompanied him happily and Rein noticed she was averting her eyes and blushing every time he was talking to her. And one day when they were  parting, Roxie licked his cheek. She pressed her head against her chest and smiled. Rein just stared at her with his confused eyes. Then he realized and smiled too. She had said a lot of things that had been full of love with just one kiss. Yes, he wanted to tell her the words that can make you happy. Or confused and shocked. He didn’t say them. He was sure she knew.

            The next day, Roxie and the master came again. But not alone. The master’s wife was with them. They greeted the woman who ran the pound and headed to Rein. Rein jumped up again and started wagging his tail. When they came closer, the woman gave him an inspective look.

“Hun, he is awesome,-“ NO! Rein knew what was going to be the next word. And he didn’t want her to say it. “-but… we can’t have him…” Damned BUT!

“Why?” The man raised his eyebrows and scratched his cheek. “He… he is a Doberman. A male one. We don’t know him… and… moreover… I wanted it to be a surprise but I want to say it now. We will have a baby. That’s the main reason.” The man gasped. Then, the state of a deep shock was replaced by joy. He hugged his wife, lifted her up and laughed. “Love! That’s fantastic! That’s so-“ Roxie was surprised… well, shocked. Shocked, because she knew what it meant. She sobbed once or twice. “Rein…,” she whispered, unable to look at him. Rein didn’t get anything. Why were they happy? And why was Roxie sad? And… why wasn’t this situation appealing to him? “I… I am so sorry, boy… but… something has happened. And I didn’t know. You… you have to stay here. We can’t give you home…,” the man looked at the Doberman and sighed. “Come, Roxie, we are going home,” he whispered.

Rein couldn’t believe it… everything he dreamed of was going away without a suitable excuse… without a sensible reason. “Roxie! Roxie!? What... what is this supposed to mean?” he cried, but Roxie didn’t answer. She looked at him and her eyes that had been full of happiness and joy the other day, were reflecting sadness and a great sorrow. “Rein…” She whispered back. “Re-“

            No! Her brother… His name wasn’t Reg… His name was short and it began wit R too, but not Reg. She thought about it a lot last night… about the things she told him. And his scent… all the feelings she had when she was with him… And his story… not, this is not a coincidence! Her brother’s name is REIN!                   

            She gasped. It was so clear. Her only brother… his only sister. “Rein!” She cried and jerked, for she wanted to get from a leash. The master was surprised so she managed to rip the leash from his palm and to run to Rein. She began to kiss and nuzzle him all over his face and neck. “Rein… Rein… I am your si-“ but she didn’t manage to complete her response. The master picked her up. “Shush, girl… calm down. I know you like him... but we can’t…”

            “You are my what?” Rein gasped, trying to catch Roxie’s last words. But she was too far away. “Your si-. And I think she wanted to say ‘sister’ or ‘sibling’. Well, of course, there are more words beginning with si-, but I think those two are the most probable.” Ian yawned.

“Roxie!” he shouted. And then, he saw her for the last time… she and her family disappeared behind the pound walls. He collapsed to the ground and cried, mainly because he didn’t know what else to do. “Oh… oh… come on, Rein… dobes aren’t supposed to cry. They are said to be strong and loyal and fierce dogs… and you are one…” Ian wasn’t good at comforting. Not good at all.  

            The next week was so full of… nothing. Rein just lied in his pen, doing nothing at all. He didn’t eat. Once again, he could have been happy, but something (or someone) hadn’t wanted him to be. Ian had been trying to cheer him up all the time, but when he saw it was futile, he began to say things like: “Oh come on, you crybaby… is being sorry for yourself everything you can do? You pathetic weakling! Face it! You are strong and fierce, not this poor excuse for a dog…” But Rein didn’t want to listen. He heard every single word, but his ears didn’t consider all those words important enough. And then, Ian said something that changed Rein a lot. “Do you think your father raised you because he wanted you to end like this? Be a man! So there is no happiness or love for you… and? You can live without it! And what? Nobody cares! Nobody! It’s your life… so live it and don’t grieve like an idiot. Stop being sorry for yourself! Your father wanted you to be strong. Do you think you are paying him back in the best way you can?! Be like he!”

            Rein changed… nobody knew why, apart from Ian. When the young man came to walk him and stroked him, Rein snarled and after a while, he bared his fangs. And when he saw fear in the man’s eyes, he barked a few times. Like his father… cold and unfriendly…

Yes, his father loved him, but Rein simply didn’t take this part of his father’s life in consideration. And the results came quickly. The walks with the man stopped and Rein experienced a feeling of a feared one for the very first time. He must have admitted he enjoyed it. A lot of things was clearer and easier. Other dogs started being more… let’s say obedient and they did everything Rein wanted them to do. Rein thought it was just a sign of popularity, but Ian realized he had made a mistake. Of course, grieving, crying Rein who was sorry for himself wasn’t good... but this was much worse. He tried to talk with Rein for a few times, but it was futile. It seemed Rein was really happy with himself. Each talk was shorter than the previous and less pleasant than the previous. Rein’s name began to be a NAME. Just saying it meant you were deadly serious. And it was wise to pronounce it with fear and respect. At first, older dogs weren’t afraid of him, but newbies made them scared. They looked up to Rein, especially after an event which had never happened before. During the feeding time, Rein grabbed the woman’s hand and simply didn’t let go. He heard her hissing with pain but it was exactly what he wanted her to do. He enjoyed it…

            No love for me… I’ll give you hell… I’ll make you regret… His thoughts were boiling inside his head. Lies…! You will pay! He watched the woman running away. The next day, Ian woke up early. Earlier than usual. He wagged his tail when he saw a young woman coming his way, followed by the one, who ran the pound. “It’s a very fine dog. Calm and friendly. And that’s weird… the breed isn’t like that… you will like him, I am sure.” The young woman nodded. “I hope so… I had a dog before. It was a Doberman and died in a car accident. I don’t know if it’s right to get a new one that early… but my son wants a dog badly…”

            “Oh… we had a Doberman too. It’s here, in its shelter, but I am not so sure it would be good for you, Clare. Seriously, I think we will need to put it down. I have never seen such an aggressive dog before.” They came to Ian’s pen and unlocked the door. “So, boy… here’s your new master. I wish you luck…” Ian trotted outside and licked the hand of the owner of the pound. Then, he looked at Clare and whined. She patted him and smiled. “So I am your new master, Ian… hope we’ll be friends…” Ian nuzzled her palm and glanced back at Rein’s pen. “Rein… goodbye, bro’. “

            Rein smirked as the sun touched his eyelids. He hated mornings. The Doberman yawned and sat up. His doghouse was kinda small, so he trotted outside and was about to stretch. But then he noticed somebody was missing. Ian. Ian was supposed to stand near the fence and smirk like usual. Today, nobody was there. Rein froze in the half of his stretching. Ian was gone… Rein wanted to say something but then he realized nobody would listen. The people from the pound were afraid of him… a lot. They knew he was dangerous and maybe that was the reason why Rein didn’t get a new neighbor.

            Time was passing by and Rein’s mind was changing a lot. He let the flow of time to lead him, giving up on trying to be better.

            He spent few more weeks in the pound. He grew into a dog you wouldn’t like to meet. Now, he was the Doberman. He became the same Doberman people are scared of and afraid of… the same Doberman which tears people, grows and snaps at everybody. The Doberman we can see in films. He was kept in his pen all the time and people entered his territory only if they really had to. Especially when bringing him some food. Soon, they began to call him the Doberman. Of course, there were another dobes in the pound, but none of them was THAT well known.

            “We should put him down…,” the young man proposed one day. The woman looked at him with a slight disbelief in her eyes: “Uh, I supposed you like him?”

            “I used to like him… but look at it! Somebody will take it and then? It will escape and kills someone!”

            “It?”

            “Yeah… Give it one more day. This dog is simply dangerous,” the man hissed and showed her his arm. There were deep scars near the shoulder. She gasped: “When were you planning to show me?” The man smirked and leaned his head: “Would you care back then?”

            “Oh… one day… I understand…”

            Later that day, Rein was lying on his shelter, ignoring everything that was too far to be bitten. Suddenly, something came too close to the bars of his pen. He jumped down and tried to break through the fence and tear the courageous being apart. But to his surprise, the being, which turned out to be a man, didn’t do a single step away. Moreover, it laughed and leaned its head. After a while, the man looked at the woman who was in charge of the pound and said in a rough voice: “Excuse me, ma’am, may I know more about this dog? Like how it’s old and things like that.” She came to him slowly with an expression of horror on her face. “Sir, I am sure you don’t want this dog. It used to be nice and very fine, but something happened and now it’s, as you can see, dangerous. It didn’t hesitate to attack one of my employees. Actually, we are going to put it down soon.” Her words didn’t make the impression she hoped in. The man smiled and narrowed his eyes. “So dangerous… aggressive… good. I think putting down won’t be necessary.” Suddenly, he turned at Rein and shouted: “SIT DOWN!!!”

And then… The tone of the voice, power and cruelty behind it… Rein gasped. The voice was almost the same like his father’s. Rein wanted to bark and growl, but an invisible hand grabbed his muzzle and pressed it… he went silent and his legs were faster than his brain.

Rein sat down… Man shrugged his shoulders and looked at the woman like he wanted to say: ‘And you call THIS aggressive…’

            “I will take him. He will be a great army dog despite his age,” the man murmured. The woman was standing aside with her mouth opened. “But… but… It can’t be… it’s too dangerous… and-“

            “That’s all we need, ma’am. And if I am not mistaken, you wanted to put it down, no?”

            “His name is Rein… or that’s how we call him. I think there is Reinhardt in his papers,” the woman sighed in a relaxed way. She managed to get rid of something that had worried her a lot.

            Then, it was quick. Rein followed the man and after a while, he and the man were driving to a military training camp. Rein was looking out of the window and watched buildings and beings they were passing by. He wasn’t able to tell what would be the next, so he just coiled down and yawned. But he knew the man’s voice was so familiar to him. And after a while, Rein closed his eyes, dreaming about his father, mother and Roxie… together.

THE END

Well, so you made it. This seems to be the end of the first part of the story of my dobe character Rein. Hope it’s grammatically correct and stuff. Well, I want to thank everybody who managed to read this ^^.

All characters are (c) to me. And thanks to Rebel, who helped me with Roxie’s name ^^