A Spot of Bother

It was rare that the Dorm Masters would need to report students to the Principal, and even rarer that it would happen mid-week (most mischief was made on the weekends, after all). But unfortunately, there were always exceptions, and these exceptions were usually the students that one least expected it from.

“Mister Dyre,” Principal Atkins sighed, running both hands down his face. “Why are you in my office, and where on earth did that pup come from?”

Dick Dyre’s ruddy mouth was set in a grim line of determination, and the black-spotted white pup on his knees whined. “Her name’s Bother; she’s my stock dog.”

“Mister Dyre,” Atkins said with raised eyebrows. “That is a dalmatian, not a working stock dog.”

Dick’s shoulders hunched up around his ears, but he remained defensive. “Historically they’re a shepherding dog; I’ll have her trained up in no time!”

“In what history - ? No, nevermind. Mister Dyre, you of all students at this school know that the only pets allowed are the equines of the pony club participants; I need not remind you that your eldest sister is the reason for this rule. How did you even end up with this?”

“She was payment for labour,” Dick said promptly.

“A dalmatian?”

Dick flushed as red as his curls. “I didn’t know what breed she was when I picked her out - but she’s coming along great!”

“How long have you had this dog on school premises?” Dick’s mouth slammed shut, and he looked determinedly down at the animal on his knees. Atkins changed track. “How old’s the pup?”

“Her name is Bother,” Dick grumbled, scratching behind the pup’s ear. “She’ll be four months on Thursday. And you can’t not train a working dog, Mr. Atkins, you’ve gotta keep at them! I can’t take her home and work her if she doesn’t learn now, and the first four months of life are critical in training a pup!”

“You’re going to put a dalmatian on stock?” Atkins exclaimed. “Mister Dyre, really.”

“I can do it!” Dick exclaimed. “You watch, I’m gonna put her in the show trial and clear up!”

The Principal’s eyes narrowed, and Dick’s shoulders shot up to his ears.

"Richard," Actkins sighed, only for Dick to immediately spit out, my name is Dick! "Apologies, Mister Dyre. But I know that you know better all the same, sir. The do - Bother cannot stay on school grounds. Whoever you got her - her? - her from, you will have to ask them to take her back, and you can work her when you have leave, or on the holidays when you take her home with you."

"She's a new pup, she needs to be with me as much as possible to bond!" Dick shouted. Bother whined on his lap, turning awkwardly and nosing at his belly. He scratched her ears and whispered good girl, you're alright.

"That will do, Mister Dyre," Atkins reproached immediately. "You know the school policy on pets - "

"She's not just a pet, she's going to be my trial dog!" Dick exclaimed. "She's gonna be the start of my team, when I go droving she's gonna be my main partner, you'll see!"

"There is more to life than droving, Mister Dyre," Atkins said firmly. "Your grades are good, you can go to university - "

"I don't want to," Dick spat. "Why are teachers always trying to push bush kids away from agriculture when we say that's what we want to do?! Bother and Trunks are my team; why is it ok for me to have and work a horse but I can't keep a dog? They're both going to be working with me, they both need me to work them every single day if we want to succeed in the field -"

"That will do, Mister Dyre!" Atkins snapped himself. "I'm going to call your brother and sort this out with him, as adults. You may wait outside."

...