The new way of the Butterbeans style
Alex hands the papers back to the officer. Hopefully those are the last ones he will have to sign. The officer looks over the pages briefly, before turning, and walking back to the patrol car. A moment or two passes, and finally the officer turns off the flashing emergency lights and drives away. Alex breathes a sigh of relief. Then he turns and looks at Butterbeans.
She gives a slight wag of the tail, and a completely innocent look. If Alex didn’t know better he would think she was unaware of what a close call they both had. However, he can’t help but smile at his brave friend. She did just save a life, after all. And, as if reading his mind, Butterbeans huffs a light bark and smiles.
He gives the signal, and she races to the parking lot, and their truck. She was anxious to get home, and Alex could relate. They were nearing the end of a very long day. It should have been a normal day of training. However, that quickly changed, just after they arrived at the training grounds.
The New Way of the Butterbeans Style
They were the only team training for special assignment this year. Alex knew there were other teams preparing. However they were very new, and many of the service canines, were still pups. Therefore, it would be another year before they could join. The good news is that Alex and Butterbeans are finally ready.
They are getting their final instructions from the instructor when Alex notices Butterbeans is gone. Furthermore, her training has been very thorough. She is very well behaved for a dog as young as she is. Therefore, Alex was completely taken aback. He expected to see his partner waiting patiently, and ready to go. Instead, he finds his partner has already gone.
Although it is uncommon for a dog in training to abandon its post, it had been known to happen. Unfortunately it was a red flag, and the only course forward, was to start the program all over again. The one redeeming thing, he thinks, is the tracker. It was Alex’s idea, back when Butterbeans was just a pup. Not only could it track, and keep tabs on Butterbeans, but also it could do quite a bit more.
The New Way
It took about ten minutes to find where Butterbeans was heading. The range on the tracker isn’t extreme. As Alex drives in search of Butterbeans, he reminds himself to improve the range on the tracker. It was a new way of doing things. And it could only benefit them in the work they were training for. Five minutes later, Alex is close enough to hear Butterbeans barking savagely.
When he finds her, it is barely in time. She is backed up against a small hill. Her back is arched, and all her fur is standing on end. She is barking savagely, and preparing to battle, a large bear. While behind her, bunched into a small ball, and looking terrified, is a small child. Butterbeans is protecting a small boy.
Alex is stunned at the sight. Additionally he is making quite a lot of noise as he stumbles into the clearing. Thankfully, this has the effect of scaring the bear. Badly. It runs off with great bear indignation. Thirty minutes later, and the state police are reuniting the lost child with his parents. Furthermore, Butterbeans is a hero. And now, she is also the latest graduate of the ranger training program. Alex isn’t sure about this new way of doing things, but he knows for sure, that Butterbeans is indeed a hero.
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