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Ozzy’s midday slumber was disturbed by the familiar, irresistible squeaking. He raised his head, pricking his ears. The house then fell silent. The dog’s eyes were trained on the doorway to the living room. His muscles bunched, preparing to spring off the couch.
The toy was hurled from out of sight, past the living room’s doorway. Eyes sparkling with alacrity, Ozzy jumped into action. His claws scrabbled against the wooden floor.
“Get the Eggman. Get him!”
The toy landed with a soft thud, bouncing a little way at the end of the hall. Ozzy pounced on it, skidding, as his jaws clamped on the soft material.
“Good boy!” Sonic’s praise came from behind. Ozzy trotted towards his blue hedgehog brother, tail wagging happily as he squeaked the toy. “That was so much better than last time.” Sonic ruffled the dog’s long golden fur, beaming. He took the toy from Ozzy’s grasp and checked on the makeshift moustache he had slapped on the face.
Sonic threw the toy aloft. Ozzy bounded after it and scooped it up. When he looked back, he saw Sonic had picked up his favourite tug of war rope. The squeaky toy was abandoned as Ozzy’s main priority switched. He snatched one end of the rope and pulled. Sonic’s socks slid across the floor before he allowed himself to fall and be dragged along. His laughter filled the air as Ozzy ran around the house.
Their ‘training’ came to an end when Tom stood in Ozzy’s way. The dog stopped before his owner, his tail swishing innocently. Sonic smiled nervously up at his father.
Tom shook his head, smirking in amusement. “Come on, get up.”
“But I’m teaching Ozzy very important skills,” Sonic protested, sitting up.
“Well, it’s time for lunch.” Tom took a step away before pausing. “You didn't make a mess, did you?”
Sonic got to his feet, gasping in offense. “We would never!”
As Tom walked away, Sonic turned to Ozzy. “We’ll continue this afterwards.” He gave the dog one last pet before joining Tom in the kitchen.
Ozzy whined in disappointment as he suppressed a yawn. Dragging the rope, Ozzy trailed back to the living room and left it beside the couch. He jumped up and got comfortable before drifting off.
Day after day, a lesson was held. Sonic was determined to achieve his goal, persistently training the dog as long as he could keep his own attention focused.
With Maddie out of the house and Tom asleep upstairs from working night shift, Sonic took the opportunity to teach Ozzy further. Sonic dashed up the stairs and reappeared before Ozzy a mere second later holding one of Tom’s shoes. Ozzy looked at him questioningly, cocking his head. “I’m sure he won’t mind,” Sonic reassured. “Donut Lord’s okay with pretty much anything… as long as he doesn’t find out about it.” Grabbing a fake moustache, Sonic begun the lesson.
Today wasn’t going so smoothly. Ozzy was acting up, not following Sonic’s instructions.
Not wanting to wake Tom, Sonic made sure to keep his voice low. “Ozzy, buddy, let go.” Sonic tugged on the shoe Ozzy refused to drop as the dog pulled back. “Ozzy,” Sonic hissed. To the golden retriever, this was just another game of tug of war. “Ozzy, no.” Ozzy playfully growled and pulled the shoe from Sonic’s grasp before fleeing. “Please, put it down!”
Sonic repeatedly darted ahead of the dog, cutting off his escape routes. Ozzy stood in the middle of the living room, cornered. Sonic took the chance to snatch the shoe back.
“Sonic…” Sonic was startled from the voice. He turned towards the doorway where Tom stood in his pyjama shirt and boxers. “Is that my shoe?”
In a panic, Sonic tossed the shoe away and clasped his hands behind his back. He cast his eyes to Tom with an anxious expression. Ozzy bounded after the shoe to retrieve it. Tail close to being tucked, wagging softly from being nervous, Ozzy stepped towards his owner and presented the shoe.
Tom took the shoe from Ozzy, inspecting the fresh tooth marks in the leather. He frowned at the both of them.
Sonic’s ‘Eggman Defence’ training had been making good progress. The day was warm and bright, perfect for practising some more advanced exercises. Ozzy sat patiently in the centre of the yard across from Sonic, focused on him with a calm gaze. The hedgehog had hidden something behind his back. Maddie sat on the deck at a small table, reading a novel. Her eyes often darted from the book to her son and dog.
“Now, buddy, today is your first test. I hope you remember your training.”
Sonic tapped his foot in an attempt to draw the dog’s attention. Ozzy refused to move, not breaking eye contact for a second. Not even stomping got a reaction, at least, not from the right person; Maddie raised a brow and gave Sonic a look. Sonic shuffled his feet. Still nothing.
Nodding in approval, Sonic revealed the mysterious item and slapped it onto his muzzle. A wacky moustache. Ozzy was quick to spring. Sonic’s back collided with the ground and he was hauled away by his shoe. “Whoa- haha!”
“Sonic!” Maddie chucked the book to the side and jumped out of her seat. “Ozzy!” she shouted, chasing after them.
Seeking refuge and comfort from the storm, Ozzy curled up in his dog bed within Tom and Maddie’s bedroom. Lightning flashes blanched the chamber; shadows displayed on the walls. He heard Sonic’s voice along with one he didn’t recognise. Loud crashing came from inside the house, along with yet another new voice. He was torn between cowering and going to investigate. Ozzy whined in frustration, hesitantly rising to his paws and emerging from his hiding place.
The commotion ended as he descended the stairs. Debris had rained all across the floor. Ozzy carefully placed his paws clear as he walked. A large portion of the wall had been wiped out, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. Rubble had spewed out into the yard. A chilly breeze flowed inside, lifting Ozzy’s fur. He peered into the yard, sniffing the air. Sonic’s scent was mixed with two unfamiliar.
A strange man was inside the yard, talking to himself as he paced back and forth. Ozzy stalked forward a few steps, watching him. The man looked over his shoulder and caught sight of the dog. “There you are,” he snarled, taking a few strides towards the house.
Moustache! Ozzy took a tentative step forward.
“What’s the matter? Are you scared?” the man mocked and snickered. Ozzy gave a whine, swaying his tail. Leaning forward with his hands on his knees, the man put on a higher pitched voice. “Come here. Come on, be a good boy.”
Subsequent to the encouragement, Ozzy leaped over scattered popcorn and tore across the grass. Eggman! Eggman! Eggman! Ozzy grabbed the stranger by the boot. In surprise, the man yelped and tumbled to the ground. “You filthy canine! Let me go!” Growling playfully, Ozzy shook his head as if he had hold of a toy. The man screamed in fear. Ozzy tried with all his might to heave the man across the yard- though, to little avail -just as Sonic had taught him.