Dags shocked. Real shocked. I try to give her a smile but its hard with this street beast wiggling and chomping. I squeeze tight till some a her fight goes away and then I stand up and hold that dog proud. Dag looks like shes about to poop. I start laughing and I come up to Dag cuz this is what shes been waiting for forever. Not winning class vice president or best debator or top piano bitch. Dags truest wish is to pet this filthy animal and her man made it happen. Her man. Thats me. Hey maybe Dag and me can take care of her together. Maybe Gwendolyn can be my seeing eye dog with a official vest if I do end up scooping my eyeballs out one day.

* * *

Last thing I need is this animal taking a piece out a Dag though so I dig my fingers deep in its tangled up fur. Hold up, hold up. Things dont feel right. I stop walking and feel closer with my fingers. Gwendolyns skin isnt normal. Feels knobby and squooshy like bubble wrap. I hitch the dog up in one arm and brush the fur back so I can get a look. Wheres her skin at? I cant find any pink skin. Wait up. Aw, hell no. Hell no. No, no, no.

* * *

Ticks! Hundreds a ticks! Hiding right under the fur! Big ticks, small ticks, black ticks, brown ticks, yellow ticks, green ticks, red ticks, orange ticks, so many theyre piled like grapes. The dogs shining in the sun cuz a all them fat glossy ticks. I get a disgusting shiver down my back cuz Im touching all a them plump ass blood filled suckers, and when I move my hand even a little the fattest ones pop and bleed out hot. Sharkweek! Sharkweek! I dont even know what to do! Im just standing there holding that sick oozy bitch!

* * *

Dags covering her face with both hands. Dorito dusts smearing all over her cheeks. She starts whining too, at least thats what I think first. But that aint Dag. Thats the dog. I look down and Gwendolyn looks up and even though Ive seen her a billion times its like I never saw her for real. Eyes crapped up with brown scum worse than pinkeye. Nose crusted shut. Gums super puffy and red. And shes shaking. Shaking rough.

* * *

The dogs done fighting her doggie fight. I can tell. Shes not even a dog no more. Shes a ball a ticks sucking her ass dry till shes just a bag a fur. Just like the whole town is sucking Robbie dry, just like I said. Gwendolyn looks at me the way I bet she looked at the evil maniac that abandoned her ass on the street. Its the look of trust. Dogs trusting me to do what needs done.

* * *