THREE SHIH-TZUs TO THE WIND

Salvatore took the shih tzus for a walk

around two. He liked this walk. His last chore of the day. The dogs were mellow and spent from a day of yapping, napping and luxury and knew their mission was simply to shit and get home...while providing Salvatore, a stroll and a smoke. They had a good understanding at this hour, and each appreciated the other, and the quiet in the neighborhood. Sprinklers hissed, their mist fills the air…‘spspspspspsp’…the wide lawns and gardens, so wet and sweet, mixed with the Jasmine from up in the canyons…peace drifts to sleep on the back streets of Brentwood.

As they approached their favorite tree and patch of green, Salvatore, was ready with the bags. Predictably, each did their task. The First, The Second, and The Last. But as Salvatore bent to perform his task...snap!...just that fast!...he felt a Yank!..then Two!!…then Three!!! -  spinning him, flailing, right off of his feet! His head spinning while searching...what?...where?...but there down the street ran a band of coyotes with three tasty treats. Stunned, he rose to run, but slipped on the bloody berm, then fumbled and tumbled onto the asphalt. When, finally, firmly afoot, he chased in pursuit, jumping hedges, roses, and old tree roots, he started to close…

Then they veered off the street across a sprawl of yard, wide and open, to the hillsides beyond. While flood lights triggered on, the pack yipping with glee, instantly disappeared in the night - Poof! - gone. As Salvatore, in his panic, was obliged to follow. No dogs, no job. Came the 'crack!'...the dull thump in lawn. He stopped cold, but the man with the gun did not, and the next sound he heard, was the round that he got.