Excerpt: temp-Dog Days in the Rain

*Damnit, this is so fucking embarrassing* he thought to himself as he tried to look sober and calm. It didn’t help that the little brat was stepping on his foot. And that she ‘praised him’ with a whack on the head that should have merely been a pat. But he bore it as well he could, his ears anticipating the director’s voice saying this madness would be over soon.

Finally, the director yelled “Cut! That’s a wrap people! Monday morning we’ll continue the farewell scene.” There were a few more instructions, but that was all he needed to be released. He got on all fours and shook to relax his tense muscles, then walked over to his trainer.

Bart actually knew how to treat him, unlike the 18 year old empty-headed actress, and rubbed his head gently as he gave him a milkbone. *Mmm milkbone. Yes please.* Simple, but very tasty, much like he remembered chocolate chip cookies that were store bought. “Good boy, you did real well today. I know she was stepping on your paws there, but you gotta remember, she’s only five.” He removed the stage collar and handed it to one of the costume designers (is that the job name?), then put on the simple black leather one that had his tags and a leash all ready attached. “Let’s go home then Steve.”

Steve was a heavily built and almost amusingly large dog, a probable mix of the strong Alaskan malamute, and the more streamlined features of the Siberian Husky. The mix made him pass for a wolf sometimes, which was quite handy.Bart hadn’t been sure, of course, but it seemed quite the accurate guess of his pet’s genealogy. Not that Steve was really a pet, the dog was his coworker, his apprentice in a way, as he was his animal trainer and handler. And legal owner, as he had been for more than four years now. The strong dog could have pulled Bart off his feet easily, but he heeled well, his shoulder at Bart’s knee as they strode through the studio towards one of the rear entrances.

Bart said his goodbyes to the people he’d gotten to know, which seemed to Steve like the entire cast and crew, though they’d only been filming for about a month now. But Bart was a very friendly fellow, always smiling, and of course, always with something ‘nice’ to say. Not in the way of Hollywood’s fake compliments and toadies vying for attention and/or acknowledgment, but in a honestly kind manner. It didn’t hurt that he was also a fairly handsome man, tall, of a solid though slim build, with fair skin and auburn hair. In low lit areas it could pass for a soft brown, which was describable only in comparing it to a teddy bear.