Free Pit Bulls vs Aliens by Neal Wooten

dog’s trust.
    “Beast, huh?” Francisco asked. “That sounds like a good name for you.”
    The dog ran circles inside the little stall, knocking over his food and water dish. Francisco waited for several minutes, letting the dog get used to his presence, then picked up the gallon jug outside the stall and opened the gate. He walked in as if he owned the stall and closed the gate behind him. The dog took a defensive stance and bared his teeth. Francisco ignored him and walked right past and turned the water bowl upright and filled it.
    The dog kept his head turned toward Francisco wherever he went. Francisco continued to ignore the dog and acted as if this were his home. After he filled the dish with water, he simply sat down on the ground with his back up against the back wall of the stall and did nothing. He didn’t address the dog or say anything at all. In fact, after about fifteen minutes, he started to doze off.
    Francisco woke up from a short nap. The dog was lying down now, still watching Francisco and breathing hard, but no longer growling. “See, I’m not going to hurt you. We’ll just hang out until you trust me.”
    Francisco took another nap. When he woke the next time, the dog was napping only a few feet from him. He smiled and drifted off again.
    The next time he woke, the dog was still sleeping but with his head in Francisco’s lap. He reached down and began rubbing the dog’s head, then his back, then his belly. The dog rolled onto its back to give him a better angle.
    When Francisco rose, the dog jumped up and growled.
    “It’s okay, big boy,” Francisco said in a reassuring tone. “I’ll be right back.”
    He walked back to the front of the building and found Ms. Rhonda.
    “How goes it?” she asked.
    Francisco gave a thumbs-up. “Just came to get some treats.”
    Ms. Rhonda gladly gave him some. “How do you do it?”
    He shrugged. “Dogs have always liked me. Maybe I’m part dog.”
    They both laughed as Francisco turned to go back. He opened the gate and the large pit bull growled again. Once more, Francisco ignored him and took his seat, but this time he held up a doggie treat. The former fighter or bait dog cocked his head as if trying to figure this guy out. He inched closer and sniffed the treat. Finally he gingerly took the treat in his teeth and walked away to devour it.
    Francisco held up another. The dog was a little quicker this time and didn’t walk away to eat it.
    The day progressed until the sun was hanging lazily in the western sky. Ms. Rhonda figured enough time had passed, and she hadn’t heard any barking or growling, so she slowly walked to the back stall. “Oh my goodness,” she said as she saw Francisco lying on the ground wrestling with the big pit bull. They were having a good time together.
    Francisco looked up at Ms. Rhonda and smiled. “He’s just a big old teddy bear. Aren’t you, Gentle Beast?”
    “Gentle Beast, huh?” Ms. Rhonda asked.
    “Yeah, I think it fits him better.”
    The dog leaped up on the gate when Ms. Rhonda walked up, but with no aggression. She ran her hands along each side of his head and behind his ears. He was enjoying the attention.
    Francisco walked out of the stall. “He’ll be okay now.”
    “I don’t know how you do this, but thanks again.” Ms. Rhonda stuck her hand in her pocket. “I don’t have much, but please let me pay you this time.”
    He held up his hand. “I thought you were going to offer me a doggie treat.”
    They both laughed.
    “Seriously, I’m glad to do it. Call me whenever you need me.”
    Gentle Beast started to whine as Francisco walked away.
    “Don’t worry, boy, I’ll be back to see you.” He walked to his car, waved, and drove away.

Chapter Eight
    “I can’t believe you always get up so early,” Dr. McNair said into the telephone.
    “I don’t have much choice,” Glenda Eagle said on the other end of the line. “Not when you have this many dogs to take care of.”
    “I can