| Two of the big male hounds confined in the
small space became belligerent and started to fight. With one on the floor and one on the
seat, there was not much room for the others who tried to move away from the combatants.
In my efforts to preserve my precious few square inches I pushed and shoved at them, with
the result that the truck swerved across into the middle lane. Sawing at the wheel, I
over-corrected and shot back into the inside lane, screeching the tires. |
This action could not have come at a worse time, because it
attracted the attention of a police patrolman, who was sitting in his parked car on the
grass median. I saw him stiffen and give my vehicle a hard look as I passed by; my worst
fears were confirmed when minutes later the police car with brightly flashing red lights,
drew alongside. I smiled ingratiatingly as I started to slow down, wondering how the hell
was I going to talk my way out of this one.
At that moment a hound, pushing under my legs, lifted my foot up off the brake and stood
on the accelerator at the same time. With a roar from the battered exhaust, the truck
bounded forward and overtook the police car on the inside.
"Oh no!" I groaned as I saw the grim expression on the police officer's face as
he fell back behind me. With a few well-placed slaps and loud curses, I managed to remove
the offending hound from under my legs as the police car again overtook me, this time with
siren wailing. |
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I slammed on my brakes as he cut in front of
me which sent the hounds flying. I involuntarily released the brake and with a bang hit
him in the rear. Sirens, like trumpets and other wind instruments, have a most disturbing
effect on hounds - it sets them off howling in sympathetic unison. With a belligerent
expression and revolver drawn, the policeman stalked warily towards me. He was greeted by
my passengers who were now in full voice. He hesitated for a second, stunned by the
deafening noise and the sight of me buried under so many hounds.
"What the hell is going on here?" he shouted over the din.
I wound the window down a fraction and stuck my nose through. The patrolman reeled back as
the humid stench from the hounds wafted towards him.
"I'm very sorry officer," I gasped "But I'm taking these hounds to a kennel
in Hespeler - the bloody things have broken through from the back and there's nothing I
can do until I get them home!"
"You can't drive like that!" he exclaimed.
I made a wry face. "If you have any suggestions, officer, I would sincerely
appreciate them." With that, I disappeared under another wave of restless hounds.
He was momentarily dumbfounded, then inspiration struck.
"Let's see your driver's license and registration" he demanded, resorting to his
training.
I managed to push the hounds off me and extricate my wallet. As he put his hand through
the window to grasp it, a friendly hound licked his fingers. He hastily drew back and I
saw his shoulders slump - he was a defeated man. He looked at me in distaste, as if to
say: What can of worms am I opening here? |
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