A Bulldog called 'Bones' (918 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: fiction
Rating: 1.84 on 40 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Flash Harry (View user info) at 2008-10-03 05:47:46 EDT
The bulldog is dying, but he doesn't realise it, and nor do the other three men in the barn. They stand around laughing and smoking, paying little attention to the old mutt that lies panting in the straw. He regards them through his smoky eyes, but they are blurry and distant. Their chatter does not pierce the cloud of buzzing and throbbing that haunts his mind at every moment, and they are oblivious to the aching organs that turn his stomach into a crippling knot at increasingly regular intervals. They can hear him wheezing, of course, but they do nothing to ease the burden of his laboured breathing.
It is almost that time. The bulldog knows it is almost that time because he is muzzled by one of the men and encouraged to rise to his feet, even though his limbs are leaden and unwilling. The men reach beneath him and haul at his ribs, his hips and his tail, trying to drag him upright, at once encouraging and scathing with their entreaties. The bulldog barely hears them. He closes his eyes over and allows the beating pain in his head to take over for a moment...
...Thousands of men surround a pit of sand and dirt. They grip torn slips of paper between their fingers, clenching their fists tightly, and roar until their voices are hoarse. The bulldog feels himself floating peacefully above the scene, looking down, mildly amused at the fervour which the animals in the pit are causing. One of them is a huge bear, chocolate brown and boasting colossal paws and skull. The bear is tethered to one corner, snarling and straining to get at his opponent: the bulldog recognises himself at the opposite side of the pit, though a younger version; lither and clear-minded. The old bulldog glides overhead as the bear's throat is torn out by that sharp, unerring jaw, and he allows himself a moment of pride at the victory, but then he is gone to another place, at another time.
He recognises Delhi, and beneath him he witnesses a giant python wrapping its prodigious girth around the determined bulldog of his youth, a mortal feud between the crushing power of the jaw and the deadly squeeze of the snake. The old bulldog remembers fight after fight, victory after victory, from gorillas to bulls, kangaroos and antelope. He grew in bulk, confidence and esteem, while his celebrity made men rich and famous as the trainers of the fightingest dog in the land...
A sharp smack to his fat snout brings the old bulldog back to the present, to that filthy barn, and the ticking clock that his life has become. The rebuke pierces the numbness that courses through him. The trainer smacks him again, to rouse him to his feet, and although the bulldog is exhausted, an instinctive sense of humiliation drives his wasted muscles to tense and support him. Creases of fat hang from the bulldog's stomach and jowls, his fur is greying and torn with scar-tissue; but his formidable bulk still betrays a monstrous strength. It is there in that bulbous head, with its rippling cheeks and swollen nose. It is there also in the atlas shoulders and the simian neck. But the eyes have gone. Where once there was determination and vigour there is now only the pale glaze of routine and defeat.
The trainer slaps his face again, and a deep warning growl rumbles up from his gut, taking the bulldog much by surprise. Another slap, this time to the buttocks, causes the old warrior to snap his vicious jaws angrily inside the muzzle, and spin his hips away from his attacker with surprising verve. The trainer laughs, and quickly rubs some ginger into the bulldog's buttocks so as to agitate him further.
The crowd is swollen and expectant. Waiting already in the pit is a fat and leather-skinned warthog, who should not put up much of a fight but who will take a long time to die: perfect for the paying public. The hog is rotund and slow, but his tusks are sharp enough to cause damage, were he to understand how to use them. A silence falls over the collected throngs as the barn-door swings open and, flanked by two men and led on a thick chain by his trainer, the bulldog appears, muzzled and irritated.
Those who have not seen him before gasp in wonder. They had heard the tales, of course, of the courageous mutt who fought and killed polar bears, buffalo, even a crocodile, perhaps, in bouts staged all across the world; but they had never guessed as to his appearance now, in his twilight. They never suspected his body would be so ravaged or stiff of movement, and nor could they have guessed at his size; for the old bulldog is an enormous specimen. With a head that could sink a ship, and the limbs of boxer, he is easily the size of a large ram; with jaws that might swallow a small child whole.
Those who have seen him before cheer, and smile, and wave at him as though he might remember them from previous battles, full of admiration and fear. The hog in the pit looks mildly bewildered by the brute being led towards him.
As the bulldog's muzzle is unstrapped and he is pushed into the clearing in the crowd, a strange sense of peace comes over him. He cannot hear their roaring support, drowned out by the buzzing in his head, that perpetual pounding that muffles thoughts and worries. His bruised paws barely feel the sand beneath them, as the pain from his organs wreaks through his register with every pulse of his blood. His head feels heavier by the day, and it bobs loosely on that cannon frame.
The hog charges clumsily, and the bulldog barely sees him through the haze of his dim eyes. Once again though, that animalistic instinct, that natural habit that has earned him this life, kicks in. He swerves the hog's amateur rush, drives his top teeth firmly in his opponent's back, tasting metal, and feels a dizzy rush come over his entire being, a mad frenzy that surges through his exhausted hide, suddenly overcome by bloodlust, and the thrill of murder. The hog squeals. Then all goes dark, and quiet, and peaceful...
User Reviews
Submitted by HeyJude (user info) at 2009-05-15 05:05:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
A true writing marvel in our midst.
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2009-05-15 04:52:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2009-05-15 04:13:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
WORLD CLASS?
Sweet.
Submitted by RoadSong (user info) at 2009-05-14 14:26:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"The bulldog feels himself floating peacefully above the scene, looking down, mildly amused at the fervour which the animals in the pit are causing."
~~~~~~~~
World Class, both the story and the vintage photo.
ps
"floating peacefully above the scene" IS how death feels.
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2008-10-13 20:25:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I miss so much since I lost the internet at work.
Submitted by bjrog2 (user info) at 2008-10-05 22:20:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
<<Also cried, but im hungover and i have a bulldog, so i could only imagine if mine was forced to lead this sort of lifestyle.
Love the writing, you are legendary
Submitted by HurtByTheSun (user info) at 2008-10-04 13:44:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Dogs: Utterly pointless since god was a boy.
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2008-10-04 11:03:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I really liked this. Poor doggy.
Submitted by hellish (user info) at 2008-10-04 02:03:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by write-of-way (user info) at 2008-10-03 19:08:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Grueberfest first round voting ends tonight at midnight!
Give them a read. There's some really good stuff.
icarus1987: Gargoyle http://www.ubersite.com/m/118950
vs
Impassive-Digressive: The Gargoyle http://www.ubersite.com/m/118922
stardamage: Floorboards http://www.ubersite.com/m/118960
vs
Ahumblefool: Floorboards http://www.ubersite.com/m/118981
Fungah: Like Unto Stone http://www.ubersite.com/m/119028
vs
JoeyG: Heartstarter http://www.ubersite.com/m/119012
inion_de_trua: the blizzard http://www.ubersite.com/m/119033
vs
Jack_McCallum: The Blizzard http://www.ubersite.com/m/118987
Hornet: The Nest http://www.ubersite.com/m/118982
vs
Gonefiguring: The Nest http://www.ubersite.com/m/119029
Brian_Johns: The Unspoken http://www.ubersite.com/m/118961
Brdn_Nkd: Under Glass http://www.ubersite.com/m/118973
Squirrelly_Girl: Who Killed the Chokomut Loving Zombie and Why? http://www.ubersite.com/m/118945
Snark: Brick by Brick http://www.ubersite.com/m/119032
Whiskeyjack: Needles http://www.ubersite.com/m/118983
Desz: Duel http://www.ubersite.com/m/118989
Sandmantate: Burning Eyes http://www.ubersite.com/m/118997
NintendoCzar: Made to be Broken http://www.ubersite.com/m/119021
Frankthebear: Pearls Of Wisdom http://www.ubersite.com/m/118941
Submitted by PayMeLater (user info) at 2008-10-03 16:31:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'll bet you like a little ginger in the buttocks.
Submitted by sage104 (user info) at 2008-10-03 15:56:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Made me want to cry, this story. POINTS!!
Submitted by John_H_Kim (user info) at 2008-10-03 15:22:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very well done.
Submitted by messmind (user info) at 2008-10-03 14:25:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/258021/2e2907df/exclusief_de_rtl4_sekstape.html
Submitted by experima (user info) at 2008-10-03 13:26:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Lib (user info) at 2008-10-03 13:22:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This made me cry, but I am old that shit happens.
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2008-10-03 13:18:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
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Submitted by SgtHartman (user info) at 2008-10-03 17:05:49 BST (#)
Ranking: 2
I may jinx it, but LOOK AT HARRY WITH THE STREAK!
did shlongy rate yet? He's a guaranteed streak breaker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOL
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-03 12:06:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
(Sssssssshhhhhhhhhh!)
Submitted by SgtHartman (user info) at 2008-10-03 12:05:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I may jinx it, but LOOK AT HARRY WITH THE STREAK!
did shlongy rate yet? He's a guaranteed streak breaker.
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2008-10-03 12:02:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Berty, I particularly like the opening conversation.
To the point.
Submitted by weather (user info) at 2008-10-03 12:01:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What a fucking tool! It's a weather report which isn't exactly new information not to mention that the link you provided used plagiarized information as well:
http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Egypt/Cairo/Climate
For shame on you being retarded.
I'll toss a +2 to keep your streak and curb your stupidity.
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2008-10-03 12:01:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Finest kind.
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2008-10-03 11:01:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2008-10-03 11:00:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
EI, that is fantastic.
That is why England is The Best Country.
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2008-10-03 10:34:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Everyone should read this.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/oct/03/newcastleunited.premierleague
Submitted by Gyro_Gearloose (user info) at 2008-10-03 10:19:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2008-10-03 10:13:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://buttersafe.com/2008/09/25/cat-fight/
Submitted by monkeyswithguns (user info) at 2008-10-03 09:32:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-03 09:13:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It is. Well done Berty, you win.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2008-10-03 09:11:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
fightingest
---------
That is not a real word. Is that a hidden "spot the deliberate mistake" game element to the story?
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2008-10-03 09:03:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-03 08:51:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
LITTLEMONSTER!!!
Hello :o)
Submitted by LittleMonster (user info) at 2008-10-03 08:49:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
good to see you are on form. Great post
Submitted by zoobie2000 (user info) at 2008-10-03 08:35:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
great post
Submitted by Banjo (user info) at 2008-10-03 08:27:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I wish you would write something terrible just once! You are invincible!
Submitted by TheGoat (user info) at 2008-10-03 08:01:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by SgtHartman (user info) at 2008-10-03 07:51:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2008-10-03 07:05:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just would like to get inside the dogs head a bit more. I could well be sick.
Submitted by F.J.Bell (user info) at 2008-10-03 06:50:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Nah, probably not. Well, maybe.
I don't know.
Submitted by EmissionImpossible (user info) at 2008-10-03 06:37:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Well ummm yeah, very good. Will there be a part 2?