Work Text:
My name is Win.
I am a dog.
A very good dog, actually. People tell me this all the time, so it must be true.
I live at a place called Arsenal. It is a very big place with lots of grass, lots of balls, and lots of humans who spend an unreasonable amount of time kicking those balls instead of letting me have them.
I have been here for many sleeps.
I know important things.
I know which doors lead to Outside. I know which humans carry treats, which humans give the best ear scratches, and which humans will tell me they have absolutely nothing for me while smelling very strongly of chicken.
I also know that the man everyone calls Mikel is the Big Boss.
The Big Boss has very nice hair, very nice shoes, and a very serious face. Sometimes he stands in front of all the other humans and talks for a long time. Everybody listens to him.
Except me.
Sometimes I sleep.
He doesn’t seem to mind.
But there is one thing everybody at Arsenal should know.
Skip is my favourite.
His name is Martin, but everybody calls him Skip, so I call him Skip too.
He has soft hands, a gentle voice, and he always scratches the place just behind my ears. Not too hard. Not too soft. Perfect.
When he sees me, he smiles.
I like making Skip smile.
Today, I have decided that I will spend the whole day with him.
This is a very good plan.
My morning begins with the Kit Humans.
They are the humans who smell like clean clothes, grass, washing powder, and sometimes the very exciting smell of yesterday’s muddy socks.
One of them opens the door.
“Morning, Win.”
I wag.
“Good girl. Come on, then.”
Outside?
OUTSIDE!
My paws hurry across the floor before he has even finished speaking. The corridor is full of familiar smells, but the best ones are coming from the direction of the changing rooms.
Humans are arriving.
My humans.
I must inspect them.
This is my job.
The first one I find is Big Gabi.
I know him because he is very large, has a very loud laugh, and likes to put both hands around my face when he speaks to me.
“WIN!”
BIG GABI!
He drops into a crouch, grinning, and I immediately put my nose against his cheek.
“Bom dia, menina!”
I don’t know what that means.
Probably good girl.
He scratches my neck while talking to someone behind him.
“Jurrien, look. She came straight to me today.”
“No, she didn’t,” the other human says. “You were standing in the doorway.”
This is Timber.
Timber is a good human. He smells of grass and clean clothes, and he has learned that I like chest scratches more than head pats.
He crouches beside Gabi and offers his hand.
“Come here, Win.”
I go.
Obviously.
Gabi makes a disappointed noise.
“See? No loyalty.”
I don’t know what loyalty is.
But I do know Timber has two hands.
Two hands means twice the scratches.
Very good.
As they fuss over me, another familiar voice approaches.
“Look who’s here.”
I know that voice.
I turn so quickly that my ears flap.
WILLY!
Or William.
Or Saliba.
The humans have too many names.
He has not been here for many sleeps. Sometimes I have smelled him on the clothes of the others, but when I went looking, he wasn’t there.
This was confusing.
A human should not smell like they are here when they are not here.
But now he is back.
BACK!
I launch myself toward him, tail moving so fast that my entire bottom follows.
William laughs and bends to catch me before I can crash into his legs.
“Easy, Win. I’ve missed you too.”
You were GONE!
Where did you GO?
Did you get lost?
I know where all the doors are!
He rubs the side of my face, and I press my nose into his palm to make absolutely sure it is him.
Yes.
Willy smell.
Still Willy.
Good.
Gabi reaches over and claps him on the shoulder.
“Ready?”
“Yeah,” William answers, although he sounds a little quieter than usual.
Timber nudges him. “Don’t go trying to do everything on the first day.”
William gives him a look. “You sound like the physio.”
“Someone has to.”
Gabi laughs, and the three of them walk toward the changing room together.
I follow closely.
This is important.
The pack has been missing one of its big humans.
Now he is back.
The pack is better.
I am halfway through inspecting a very suspicious pair of shoes when I hear it.
“Win?”
Oh.
OH.
SKIP.
Everything else becomes unimportant.
The shoes can wait.
The humans can wait.
The entire building can wait.
SKIP IS HERE!
My paws scramble against the floor as I race toward the voice.
He has barely put his bag down when I reach him. He laughs, crouching immediately, and opens his arms.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
SWEETHEART!
THAT’S ME!
I push my whole head into his chest.
He smells right. Clean clothes, the outside air, and the familiar warm smell that means Skip. His fingers find the perfect place behind my ears.
“There she is,” he murmurs. “Have you been good?”
Yes.
The best.
Never done anything wrong.
Except the sock incident.
But that sock was unattended.
And therefore mine.
Skip scratches underneath my chin, smiling down at me.
“Missed me?”
I lick his hand.
Obviously.
“Thought so.”
I am very busy loving Skip when someone speaks behind us.
“She’s been ignoring everyone else since you walked in.”
Ah.
That voice.
Rice.
Big Rice.
Sometimes the others call him Dec, but I know him as the human who is almost always beside Skip.
He has big hands, a loud voice when he’s excited, and very good pockets. He often has something interesting in them.
Unfortunately, he also likes taking Skip’s attention.
This is a problem.
Skip glances over his shoulder and smiles at him.
“Morning.”
“Morning, you.”
Rice leans down and brushes a quick kiss against the side of Skip’s head.
Excuse me.
I am right here.
That is my head-kissing human.
Rice looks down at me.
“Morning, Win.”
I stare at him.
He stares back.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
I continue staring.
Skip laughs. “She’s judging you.”
“She always judges me.”
Correct.
Rice crouches beside us and rubs my chest.
“Come on, girl. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Hmm.
Good scratches.
Very good scratches.
Maybe friends.
I let him continue.
Skip stands, and Rice takes his bag before he can pick it up.
“I’ve got it.”
“Declan, it’s not heavy.”
“Didn’t say it was.”
Skip shakes his head, smiling.
Humans.
Very strange.
They carry each other’s things even when nobody has asked them to.
I would understand if there were treats inside.
But there are no treats in Skip’s bag.
I checked once.
Disappointing.
We have not even reached the training pitches when another human appears.
“Martin, mate, I need you to settle something.”
BENNY!
Ben is one of Skip’s special humans.
I know this because he is allowed to play with Skip in ways that would probably make other humans get sent away.
Ben’s smile is usually suspicious, and he frequently tells me I am his favourite girl.
I have heard him say this to other dogs.
I am choosing to ignore that.
Skip looks up from his phone. “What?”
“Tell Kai what you said yesterday.”
Behind Ben stands Long Legs.
Kai.
Kai is very tall.
Sometimes I watch him walk and wonder why his legs have so much distance between the top and the floor.
It seems unnecessary.
Long Legs looks tired.
“Ben, leave it.”
“No, because he thinks I’m making it up.”
Skip looks between them. “What are we talking about?”
“The restaurant,” Ben says.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Kai mutters.
Ben grins. “He spent twenty minutes looking at the menu, ordered the same thing he always gets, and then complained that mine looked better.”
“Because yours did look better.”
“You could’ve ordered it.”
“I didn’t know it would look like that!”
Skip starts laughing.
I wag.
Skip laughing!
Good thing happening!
Ben looks pleased with himself. “And then he asked for some of mine.”
“I asked for one bite.”
“You ate half of it.”
“That’s not true.”
“Martin was there.”
Both turn to Skip.
Skip presses his lips together, clearly trying not to laugh again.
“You did eat quite a lot of it.”
Kai stares at him.
“Unbelievable.”
Ben throws an arm around Skip’s shoulders.
“Thank you. Nice to have someone honest around here.”
I push my nose between their legs.
Hello.
I am here too.
Ben looks down. “Oh, sorry, darling. Didn’t see you there.”
He scratches my head.
Kai crouches beside me.
“Hi, Win.”
Hello, Long Legs.
He offers both hands, and I place my chin in one.
Good human.
Quiet human.
Smells a little like the big blond human who arrived earlier.
The one everybody calls Viktor.
“She likes you,” Skip says.
“Of course she does,” Kai replies, scratching my cheeks. “She’s got good taste.”
Ben snorts and they start walking again.
I follow.
It is nice when the three of them are together.
Skip laughs more.
Ben talks more.
Kai tells Ben to shut up more.
This happens almost every morning.
I think it is a ritual.
Like breakfast.
Or sniffing the same tree every day to make sure it is still a tree.
The training pitches are wonderful.
Big grass.
Fresh air.
Hundreds of smells.
And balls.
So.
Many.
Balls.
Why do the humans need all these balls?
There are enough for every dog in the world.
But whenever I try to take one, somebody says, “Win, no.”
Very unfair.
Today, the humans are already gathering outside.
I recognise Bukayo immediately.
Everybody calls him B, which is a very small name for a human who makes so much noise when he laughs.
Beside him is Noni.
Noni talks quickly, moves quickly, and often laughs before finishing whatever he was saying.
They are standing with Ebs and Konsa.
Those two are laughing too.
Actually, they are always laughing.
I think they might be happy all the time.
Excellent humans.
“No, I’m telling you, he actually said that,” Noni insists, holding his phone away when Bukayo tries to look at it.
“Let me see it, then.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re leaving half the story out.”
Ebs is laughing already, one hand resting on Konsa’s shoulder.
“He’s not leaving anything out. That’s what makes it worse.”
Konsa bends forward, laughing harder.
“I swear, the way he just stood there afterward…”
Bukayo shakes his head. “You lot are terrible.”
“You’re laughing!” Noni protests.
“Because you’re all idiots.”
I arrive at their feet.
Hello, laughing pack.
Please pet.
Bukayo notices me first.
“Win! Come here, girl.”
He crouches and scratches my ears.
Noni immediately joins him.
“Why does she always go to you first?”
“Because she likes me.”
“Win, come here. Don’t listen to him.”
Ebs pats his thigh.
“Here, Win.”
Konsa whistles softly.
“Come on, girl.”
Oh.
Four humans.
Four sets of hands.
All wanting me.
This is an emergency.
I cannot possibly choose.
So I sit in the middle.
Perfect.
They laugh.
I wag.
Everybody wins.
Especially Win.
A little farther away, some of the humans are sitting together near the benches.
I recognise Zubi.
His full name is very long.
Martín Zubimendi.
This is confusing because Skip is also Martin.
Beside him is Merino, he is also Mikel like Big Boss.
Humans should really come with different names.
Merino is a very good human who speaks softly to me and never seems surprised when I put my nose against his hand.
Sometimes he calls me guapa.
I think this means beautiful.
He is correct, I am beautiful.
Raya is with them too.
Raya spends a lot of time standing in front of the big nets.
I don’t understand why.
They are clearly terrible at keeping balls inside.
The balls keep flying out.
He keeps catching them.
Then he throws them away again.
He must enjoy this.
“Mikel, did you see the photos from yesterday?” Raya asks, leaning back against the bench.
Merino nods. “Yeah, I saw them.”
Zubi says something that I cannot understand.
The three laugh.
I have no idea what they are saying.
This happens often.
I only know a few important human words.
Sit.
Stay.
Good girl.
Dinner.
Walk.
Skip.
And biscuit.
Biscuit is the most important word.
Raya spots me.
“Ah, Win.”
He pats the space beside him.
I climb up carefully.
Merino smiles and moves his bottle out of my way.
Zubi reaches over to rub my head.
“Hola, Win.”
Hola.
Yes.
Beautiful girl.
Thank you.
Raya looks down at me.
“Comfortable?”
Very.
I am sitting on a bench between three humans.
The sun is warm.
The grass smells nice.
There are no problems in the world.
Then somebody calls from across the pitch.
“David! Kepa! Ilan! Let’s go!”
Raya groans.
“Here we go.”
He stands.
Wait.
Where are you going?
He gives me one last pat before jogging toward the far end of the pitch.
Kepa and Meslier are waiting near the goal.
Kepa waves at him.
“Come on, David!”
I watch them begin their training.
One kicks the ball.
One catches it.
Another kicks it.
One falls down.
Then they all stand up and do it again.
Hmm.
I could do this.
Probably better.
At least I would keep the ball.
More humans are arriving.
Some are newer than others.
I can tell.
Not because they look different.
Humans all look quite similar to me, apart from their heights and hair and very important smells.
But newer humans sometimes hesitate before deciding which corridor to take, and they don’t always know that I expect a greeting.
I am helping them learn.
Bruno is one of these humans.
He has discovered that I like having my back scratched.
This makes him very useful.
“Morning, Win,” he says as he passes.
I trot beside him.
He looks down.
“Following me?”
Yes.
You have hands.
Use them.
He laughs and stops to scratch my back.
“All right, all right.”
Good Bruno.
Very trainable.
A few moments later, Christos approaches with his boots in one hand.
“Tzolis!”
Someone calls from the pitch.
Christos turns, waving.
I look at him.
Then at his boots.
Then at him again.
Those boots smell new.
I must investigate.
He notices me sniffing and smiles.
“Hello, Win. What do you think?”
I push my nose against one of the boots.
Hmm.
Leather.
Grass.
Feet.
Acceptable.
“Good?” he asks.
I wag.
He laughs and pats my head.
I like the new humans.
They are still learning how things work here.
Most importantly, they are learning that when I approach, you must stop what you are doing and give me attention.
It is basic manners.
Near the side of the pitch, I find the little humans.
Well.
Little compared to the others.
Max.
Marli.
Myles.
Max is not really little anymore.
Marli is quick and always seems excited to be here.
Myles is louder than both of them when he is with his friends, but he speaks to me in a very gentle voice.
“Win, come here.”
Hello, Myles.
He bends down, and I put my paws against his knees.
“Look at her,” he says to Max. “She actually listens to me.”
Max laughs. “Try telling her to leave the footballs alone.”
“Win, leave the footballs.”
I look at the footballs.
Then at Myles.
No.
He laughs.
“See? She knows what I’m saying.”
“She just doesn’t care,” Marli says.
Correct.
Very clever, Marli.
Max crouches to pet me.
“She’s smarter than you lot.”
Myles gives him a look.
“You’re the youngest one here.”
“And?”
Marli laughs.
They start arguing about something involving training, and I sit between them.
The young humans are very entertaining.
They run everywhere.
They have lots of energy.
Sometimes they sneak me extra scratches when the coaches aren’t looking.
I like them.
They are almost puppies.
Big, strange, two-legged puppies.
Then the Big Boss arrives.
“MORNING, EVERYONE!”
Oh.
That voice.
Everybody starts moving toward him.
Even the laughing humans stop laughing.
Mostly.
Mikel stands near the middle of the pitch with his arms folded while the players gather around.
I sit beside Skip.
This is my place.
My job is to listen.
I am very good at listening.
Mikel speaks about pressing, positioning, intensity, transitions, and many other words that have absolutely nothing to do with biscuits.
He points toward one part of the pitch.
Then another.
The humans nod.
Skip asks a question.
Mikel answers.
Rice says something.
Mikel nods again.
I look from one face to another.
Very serious.
Perhaps they are discussing the shortage of treats.
This would explain the concern.
Eventually, Mikel claps his hands.
“Right. Let’s go.”
Everybody starts moving.
I stand.
Let’s go!
Outside time!
Ball time!
Best time!
“Win, stay.”
Oh.
Mikel is looking at me.
I sit.
He points toward one of the staff members.
“With him, please.”
But.
But the balls.
Skip bends to scratch my head before joining the others.
“Be good, sweetheart.”
I watch him jog away.
My tail slows.
Skip.
Come back.
He looks over his shoulder and smiles at me.
I wag again.
Fine.
I will wait.
Because Skip asked.
And Skip is my favourite.
Training is a very strange activity.
Everybody runs around after the same ball.
Sometimes they kick it to each other.
Sometimes they try to take it away from each other.
Sometimes somebody shouts when the ball goes somewhere unexpected.
I don’t understand why they don’t simply give everyone their own ball.
Problem solved.
The tall humans are training near my side of the pitch.
Big Gabi.
Willy.
Timber.
Riccy.
Piero.
Konsa.
Lots of big humans.
Riccy is very easy to recognise because of his hair.
It moves everywhere.
Even when he is standing still, somehow there is hair.
Declan jogs over during a break, and Riccy immediately says something that makes him laugh.
“No, honestly, Dec, you should’ve seen his face.”
“I did see his face.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I was trying not to laugh.”
Riccy gives him a shove.
Declan shoves him back.
They are playing.
I know playing.
Playing is good.
I stand and wag at them.
Riccy spots me.
“Win!”
He comes over, crouching to scratch my cheeks.
“How’s my favourite girl?”
YOUR FAVOURITE?
Me?
Excellent.
Declan laughs behind him.
“You say that every time.”
“Because she is.”
“You said that to someone else’s dog last week.”
Riccy shrugs.
“She doesn’t know that.”
I stare.
I know things, Riccy.
Not many.
But things.
Piero approaches with Konsa, listening as Declan explains something about the next drill.
Konsa nods.
“Yeah, I saw what you meant. We were getting too narrow.”
“Exactly,” Declan says. “If you hold that position, I’ve got somewhere to go when we win it back.”
Riccy rises from his crouch.
“Come on, then. Show us.”
The humans return to their running.
I watch.
They are all very good at kicking.
Except sometimes the ball goes completely the wrong way.
I could never.
I am excellent at carrying things in my mouth.
After a while, the humans take a break.
Big Gabi sits on the grass, breathing heavily, with Timber beside him.
William joins them.
I trot closer.
They seem quieter now.
Gabi rests his forearms on his knees and looks at William.
“Feels good?”
William nods, staring out across the pitch.
“Yeah. Really good.”
“You were moving well,” Timber says.
“Still feels a bit strange.”
“That’s normal.”
William rolls his shoulders.
“Just nice to be out here again.”
Gabi smiles.
He puts one hand on William’s shoulder, and the three sit together for a moment.
Then Gabi bows his head.
Timber follows.
William does too.
I know this.
They do it sometimes.
Before games.
After games.
When somebody is hurt.
They get quiet, close their eyes, and speak very softly.
I think they are talking to someone I cannot see.
Maybe a very important human.
Maybe the person who gives the biggest treats.
Either way, it seems important.
So I sit down beside them.
And I am quiet too.
Mostly.
My tail hits Gabi’s boot once.
He opens one eye and smiles.
When they finish, William reaches down and rubs my head.
“Thanks, Win.”
You’re welcome, Willy.
I don’t know what we did.
But I think it was good.
Skip is doing something near the middle of the pitch.
I watch him carefully.
He runs.
He turns.
He kicks a ball.
He points.
He speaks.
Other humans listen.
This is what Skip does.
Sometimes he calls for someone to move closer.
Sometimes he tells someone to go wider.
Sometimes he claps when somebody does something good.
He is very busy.
I am proud of him.
Then Ben appears beside me.
“Watching your favourite?”
Yes.
Obviously.
Ben sits on the grass, stretching one leg out.
“Not even pretending it’s me today?”
I put my head against his knee.
He smiles and scratches behind my ear.
“Yeah, thought not.”
Kai joins him with a bottle of water.
“She’s been staring at Martin for the last twenty minutes.”
“She always does,” Ben says.
“Like someone else we know.”
Ben glances toward the pitch.
I follow his eyes.
Rice is watching Skip too.
Interesting.
Ben smirks, “Don’t.”
Kai laughs, “I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t need to.”
A large human approaches carrying another water bottle.
Viktor.
He has very broad shoulders and a quiet voice, and when he runs, his feet make the grass move.
I call him Big Boots.
His boots are enormous.
He stops beside Kai.
“Thought you forgot this.”
Kai looks up.
“Oh, cheers.”
Viktor passes him the bottle.
Their fingers touch.
This is normal.
Humans have fingers.
Sometimes fingers touch.
But Kai smiles in a way I don’t see when Ben gives him a bottle.
Hmm.
Viktor sits beside him and their shoulders rest against each other.
Ben looks between them and then back toward the pitch, “Right. I’m going to see what Martin’s doing.”
Kai frowns.
“He’s training.”
“Yeah, thanks. I can see that.”
Ben stands and walks away, shaking his head with a small smile.
Viktor says something quietly to Kai.
Kai laughs and nudges him with his shoulder.
Viktor smiles.
I tilt my head.
Strange.
They have lots of space.
Why are they sitting so close?
Humans.
Always sitting on top of each other.
A little later, something wonderful happens.
The Big Boss blows his whistle.
The humans stop.
He speaks to one of the coaches, then gestures toward the centre of the pitch.
William jogs forward.
Big Gabi claps.
Timber claps too.
Then more humans begin clapping.
Even Skip.
Willy looks around, smiling as he shakes his head.
“Oh, come on.”
“Good to have you back, mate,” someone calls.
Bukayo reaches him first and gives him a quick hug.
Then Gabi catches him in one of his enormous arms.
Willy laughs.
“Gabby, let me breathe.”
“No.”
More laughter.
More pats on the back.
More happy human noises.
Oh!
I know this!
THE PACK IS HAPPY!
I start barking.
Once.
Twice.
Then I spin around.
A staff member laughs behind me.
“Win, what are you doing?”
CELEBRATING!
WILLY IS BACK!
GOOD PACK!
I bark again.
Mikel looks over.
“Win!”
I sit immediately.
Good girl.
Very good girl.
The Big Boss shakes his head, but his mouth does something funny.
I think he is smiling.
I have helped.
Obviously.
By the time the humans finally stop running, I am exhausted.
Not from running.
I haven’t been allowed to run.
But watching them is hard work.
There are so many responsibilities.
I must keep track of Skip.
I must greet the players.
I must inspect the grass.
I must make sure everyone is still alive.
Very tiring.
The humans gather their bottles while the coaches talk among themselves.
I stretch.
Front paws forward.
Bottom up.
Wonderful.
Then I hear something.
“Win, come here.”
Skip.
I look up.
He is sitting on the grass with Ben and Kai.
Rice is walking toward them.
I hurry over.
Skip smiles and pats his thigh.
“Come on, girl.”
I put my head on his lap.
Best place.
He scratches my ears, and I close my eyes.
Ben is talking about something that happened during the last drill.
“I still don’t know how you missed that.”
Kai groans.
“Will you let it go?”
“No, because you were right in front of goal.”
“It came off my shin!”
“Yeah, I noticed.”
Skip laughs, “Ben, leave him alone.”
“I’m helping.”
“You’re really not.”
Rice sits beside Skip.
He places one hand against Skip’s back as he lowers himself onto the grass.
“What’s he done now?”
“Nothing,” Kai answers quickly.
Ben grins.
“Missed an absolute sitter.”
“Oh, that one?”
Kai throws his head back.
“Not you as well.”
Rice laughs.
Skip shakes his head, still smiling, and his fingers continue moving through my fur.
Very good.
Best day.
Then Rice leans closer to Skip.
“You all right? You were holding your leg a bit toward the end.”
Skip looks at him.
“Just stretching it out. It’s fine.”
“You sure?”
“Dec.”
“All right, all right.”
Rice’s hand remains on his back and Skip doesn’t move away.
I look at Rice.
Then at Skip.
Hmm.
I put one paw on Rice’s knee.
He glances down.
“What?”
You.
My Skip.
Rice smiles.
“She’s doing it again.”
Skip looks down at me.
“Win.”
I wag.
He laughs.
“He’s allowed to sit here.”
Allowed?
Hmm.
I consider this.
Rice scratches underneath my chin.
Very good.
Fine.
He can stay.
But I move closer to Skip.
Just in case.
Inside, the humans smell different.
Sweaty.
Warm.
Some like shampoo.
Some like the strange sharp-smelling sprays the physios use.
I like the warm smells best.
It means everybody has been Outside.
The changing room is loud.
Very loud.
Someone has music playing.
Noni is arguing with Bukayo about what song comes next.
“Bro, we listened to yours already.”
“That was one song!”
“It was three.”
“You skipped the second one.”
“Because it was terrible.”
Ebs, sitting nearby, starts laughing.
Konsa joins in.
Again.
Those two laugh at everything.
I think they would laugh if someone dropped their treat.
Actually, they probably have.
Myles walks past with Marli and Max, and Noni calls after him.
“Myles, come settle this.”
“No chance,” Myles replies without stopping.
“See? Even he knows,” Bukayo says.
“He’s not even heard the song!”
I like the changing room.
Lots of voices.
Lots of smells.
Lots of shoes.
However, I have been told that shoes are not toys.
An unfortunate rule.
I am currently inspecting a very nice sock when Ben notices.
“Win.”
I freeze.
He looks down at me.
“What’s that?”
Nothing.
A sock?
Never heard of it.
He crouches.
“Drop it.”
I consider my options.
Run?
Hide?
Pretend I cannot hear?
Then Skip speaks from the next bench.
“Win, darling, give it here.”
Oh.
Skip.
I drop the sock immediately.
Ben stares.
“You’re joking.”
Skip picks it up, laughing.
“Good girl.”
Ben looks at me.
Then at Skip.
“She wouldn’t do that for me.”
I wag.
Correct.
Kai laughs from behind his locker.
“Neither would I, to be fair.”
“Shut up, Kai.”
Skip laughs harder.
I have made everybody happy.
Except Ben.
But Ben is smiling too.
Lunchtime is excellent.
The humans go into a big room where the air smells like wonderful things.
Chicken.
Rice.
Bread.
Vegetables.
And sometimes fish.
Fish is a very exciting smell.
I am not allowed to eat the humans’ food.
This is another unfortunate rule.
But sometimes one of the staff brings me a treat from my own little container.
I love that container.
Today, I am resting near the table where Skip, Rice, Ben and Kai are sitting.
Viktor arrives carrying his tray.
“Anyone sitting here?”
Kai moves his bag immediately.
“Nah, sit down.”
Viktor sits.
Close.
Again.
There are empty chairs everywhere.
I don’t understand.
Ben looks at Kai.
Kai looks at Ben.
Ben smiles into his drink.
Hmm.
Something is happening.
I don’t know what.
Across the room, Big Gabi is talking animatedly with Willy, Timber and Piero.
Konsa and Riccy join them.
Someone says something, and Riccy throws his head back laughing.
He nearly knocks his drink over.
Piero catches it.
“Careful, Riccy.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
More laughter.
At another table, Zubi and Merino are sitting with Raya, Kepa and Ilan.
I hear several names being called.
Sometimes David.
Sometimes Kepa.
Sometimes Meslier.
Then there is the sound of a chair scraping back, and I see Max carrying a tray toward Marli and Myles.
So many humans.
All eating.
All talking.
All together.
Good.
This is how a pack should be.
I settle beneath Skip’s chair.
A few moments later, I feel something touch my back.
A hand.
Skip’s hand.
He is talking to Rice about something, but his fingers find me anyway.
I close my eyes.
Perfect.
Then Rice says something quietly.
“You’ve barely eaten.”
Skip sighs.
“I am eating.”
“You’re talking.”
“I can do both.”
“Clearly not.”
There is the sound of a plate moving and Skip laughs softly.
I open one eye.
Rice is smiling at Skip in that particular way again.
His voice has gone softer.
Skip looks back at him.
For a moment, neither speaks.
I don’t know what they’re doing.
Perhaps they are communicating without barking.
Very impressive.
Then Ben interrupts.
“If you two are finished staring at each other, can someone pass the water?”
Skip turns red.
Rice laughs.
Kai nearly chokes on his drink.
Viktor reaches for the bottle and passes it to Ben without saying anything.
“Cheers, mate.”
The table returns to normal.
Mostly.
Underneath it, Rice’s foot rests against Skip’s.
I know because my nose is right beside them.
Again.
Lots of space.
Still touching.
Very strange humans.
After lunch, the humans have something called recovery.
This is the part of the day when they lie down, stretch, sit in funny machines, or complain about being sore.
I think recovery means being tired.
I recover all the time.
Usually in a sunny place.
Near Skip, if possible.
Today, I find him sitting in a quiet corner with his phone in one hand and a bottle of water beside him.
He looks comfortable.
Not unhappy.
Just quiet.
I like quiet Skip.
Loud Skip is good too, especially when he laughs, but quiet Skip has the softest voice.
I approach carefully.
He notices immediately.
“Hi, baby.”
Baby.
Me.
He puts his phone away and pats the space beside him.
I climb up.
He settles one arm around me.
“There we go.”
I place my head against his stomach.
His heart makes a steady thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Good sound.
Safe sound.
He rubs my side.
For a while, we sit without moving.
The room is warm.
Outside, somebody laughs.
I hear distant footsteps.
A door opens.
Then closes.
Skip’s breathing slows.
I think he might be sleepy.
I am sleepy too.
Maybe we should nap.
Together.
Excellent plan.
Unfortunately, Rice arrives.
“There you are.”
Skips heart jumps for a second like it always does when Rice is around.
Maybe something is wrong with him.
But Rice is still there.
No.
Go away.
Nap time.
Skip looks up, “Hey.”
Rice smiles when he sees us.
“She’s got you trapped again.”
“Yeah.”
“You coming?”
“In a minute.”
Rice approaches and bends to kiss Skip’s forehead.
My nose twitches.
Again.
Why does Rice keep doing that?
Skip catches his wrist before he can straighten, “How’s your shoulder?”
“Fine.”
“You said it was tight earlier.”
“Had it checked. Nothing to worry about.”
Skip studies him for a moment and then nods.
“Good.”
Rice’s fingers brush lightly against Skip’s cheek.
“You look tired.”
“Long session.”
“Want me to get you something?”
Skip shakes his head.
“I’m okay, Dec.”
Rice smiles.
“All right.”
He glances at me, “And how’s the princess?”
Princess?
ME?
Oh.
I like that.
I lift my head.
Rice rubs behind my ears.
“Taking good care of him?”
YES.
Of course.
That is my job.
“Good girl.”
I lick his hand.
Rice laughs.
“See? She likes me.”
Skip smiles.
“She does.”
I settle back against Skip.
Fine.
Maybe Rice is good.
He likes Skip too.
I can understand that.
Skip is very easy to like.
Later, the humans begin leaving.
Some go to the gym.
Some go to meetings.
Some disappear behind doors where I am not allowed.
I do not approve of those doors.
By the afternoon, the building becomes quieter.
The young humans are among the last to finish their work.
Myles passes me near the corridor.
“Bye, Win.”
Bye, puppy.
Max crouches for one last pat.
“See you tomorrow.”
Tomorrow?
More Outside?
Excellent.
Marli scratches my chin.
“Good girl.”
Yes.
Thank you.
I watch them leave.
Then Big Gabi appears with Timber and Willy.
“Bye, Win!” Gabi calls.
I wag.
Willy comes over and kneels.
His hand rests warmly against my head.
“See you, girl.”
I sniff him carefully.
Still here.
Still Willy.
He smiles.
Timber gives my ears a quick rub.
“Come on, Will. Let’s go.”
They walk away together.
My tail moves slowly.
Happy pack.
Full pack.
Very good.
A little later, the laughing humans pass.
Eze.
Konsa.
Bukayo.
Noni.
They are still laughing.
How?
Have they not run out of laughs?
Humans are amazing.
Riccy stops to pet me one last time, with Piero and Bruno waiting nearby. Christos waves as he follows them toward the exit.
Raya passes with Kepa and Ilan, calling goodbye.
Zubi and Merino stop to scratch my head before heading out.
Viktor and Kai leave together, talking quietly.
I notice that Kai is carrying a jacket.
It smells like Viktor.
Maybe they have mixed up their things.
This happens.
I once took Ben’s sock.
He was not pleased.
But Viktor doesn’t seem upset.
He simply puts a hand on Kai’s shoulder as they turn the corner.
Hmm.
Strange.
I will investigate another day.
I am very busy.
Eventually, I hear familiar footsteps approaching.
“Win?”
SKIP!
I stand immediately.
He appears at the end of the corridor, bag slung over his shoulder.
Rice is beside him.
Of course.
Rice is always beside him.
Skip smiles when he sees me.
“Hey girl.”
I hurry toward him.
He crouches, and I press against his knees.
“Have you had a good day?”
Yes!
Many humans.
Many head rubs.
Willy back.
Balls everywhere.
No balls for Win.
Still good day.
Rice leans against the wall, watching us.
“Think she missed you.”
Skip laughs.
“I’ve been gone twenty minutes.”
“Twenty minutes is a long time for her.”
Correct, Rice.
Very long.
Too long.
Skip scratches my chest and Rice crouches beside him.
“Come on, Win. Give me some love as well.”
Hmm.
He holds out his hand.
I sniff.
Rice.
Good human.
Big hands.
Skip’s human.
I step closer and let him scratch my ears.
He smiles triumphantly.
“There we go.”
Skip laughs.
“Don’t look so pleased with yourself.”
“She chose me.”
“For about three seconds.”
“Still counts.”
They both laugh.
I wag.
I love when they laugh together.
It sounds warm.
Like the quiet room.
Like Skip’s heartbeat.
Rice stands first, then offers Skip his hand.
Skip takes it.
I watch their fingers close together as Rice helps him up.
But then they don’t let go.
They keep holding hands.
Even though Skip is already standing.
Hmm.
Maybe Rice thinks Skip might fall.
Humans worry about strange things.
Skip turns toward the exit.
“Come on, Win.”
Oh!
We are walking!
Best thing!
I trot beside them as they make their way down the corridor.
Their hands stay together.
I look at them.
Then at Skip.
Then at Rice.
I decide that perhaps this is fine.
They are both happy and Rice gives excellent scratches.
Besides, Skip still reaches down with his free hand to touch my head.
I wag so hard that my whole body wiggles.
Perfect.
There are many things I do not understand about Arsenal.
I do not understand why the humans spend hours chasing balls only to give them away.
I do not understand why they get upset when the ball goes into one net but very happy when it goes into another.
I do not understand why Mikel shouts sometimes, why Ben likes annoying Kai, or why Bukayo and Noni argue over music when both of them clearly enjoy making noise.
I do not understand why Eze and Konsa laugh so much, why Gabi and Timber sometimes go very quiet, or why Willy looked so happy simply to run on the same grass he used to run on before.
I do not understand why Viktor keeps sitting beside Kai, why Riccy talks with his whole body, or why Rice always seems to know where Skip is.
Humans are confusing.
But I know some things.
I know that when the humans have been away, the others are happy when they return.
I know that when someone is tired, another human will bring them water.
I know that when someone falls, someone else helps them stand.
I know that when somebody laughs, the laughter usually spreads.
I know this place has a lot of different humans.
Big ones.
Little ones.
Loud ones.
Quiet ones.
New ones.
Old ones.
Humans who speak different languages and humans who all seem to understand the same thing when somebody shouts, “Come on, boys!”
They are my pack.
And I love my pack.
Even when they won’t give me the footballs.
Especially when they scratch my ears.
As we reach the last door, Skip stops and crouches in front of me again.
“All right, sweetheart. See you tomorrow.”
Tomorrow.
I know tomorrow.
Tomorrow means he comes back.
I wag.
He kisses the top of my head.
Best.
Day.
Ever.
Rice bends and rubs my neck.
“Look after everyone for us, yeah?”
I will.
Very important job.
Skip smiles, stands, and slips his hand into Rice’s again.
They leave together.
I watch them until they disappear.
Then I return to my favourite sunny spot by the window.
I turn around three times.
Perfect circle.
Perfect bed.
Perfect day.
The humans will come back tomorrow.
There will be running.
There will be laughing.
There will be balls I am not allowed to take.
There will be scratches.
There will be treats.
I close my eyes.
My tail gives one last happy thump against the floor.
Arsenal is a very good place.
My pack is a very good pack.
And I am Win.
The very good girl.
The most important member of Arsenal.