Dog's Life

Dog school was a place any dog needed to visit at least once if they wanted to be part of the royal stables. For some strays it was the only way to turn their life around. Not every breed was accepted, for example: pugs and dachshund were banned from taking the license exam due to their builds. Some breeds had it much easier to take the exam. Bloodhounds finished the rescue exams the fastest, while German shepherds never misunderstood the commands.

First room everyone needed to go through is the reception area. Floors were made out of solid wood and the acoustics were leaving a lot to be desired. Whenever it was next person's turn, sounds of claws hitting the floor would bounce around the room, and then they would awkwardly stop, replaced by someone's inquiry. It also smelled like old paper. Finally Lucy's turn came. She approached the office lady and handed over Kleine's current license.

-Hey there Elizabeth, I need you to stamp Kleine's license.

-It's that time of the year, huh? Sure let me... Lucy.

-What?

-It has ran out last month.

-No it didn't.

-Yes it did.

-No it didn't.

-I can't stamp it. You know the rules, if it's been over a week the exam needs to be retaken.

-No it doesn't.

-Go to the waiting room, I'll slide you into the last slot today.

-I hate bureaucracy.

-Next one please.

A bit grumpy, Lucy gave up. She didn't have anything better to do anyway, so she might as well. She could just dream a valid license, but it would take away from her immersion.

Seats in the waiting room were much more comfy than those at the Eatomaton. Wooden chairs with comfy pillows and padded armrest. Dogs had a big pillow next the chair, so it alternated, chair, pillow, chair, pillow. Sounds of a clock were the only thing you could hear, save for dogs breathing. After waiting grueling seconds for her turn, Lucy and Kleine were called.

-Hello, my name is Manuel and I'll be your instructor for the day.

Manuel had short black hair and the sleepiest face a body could muster. He wore big woolen dog-resistant armor; white, warm and dangerously comfy. They were enhanced with magic for extra resistance and to wake the wearer immediately should they fall asleep. Manuel hang his head low, snored and woke very quickly.

-We'll start with physical check-up. 4 paws, not on the banned list, at least 3 meters tall, all teeth in place, fur is not shedding...

Manuel fell asleep yet again, it would take longer than Lucy hoped.

***

-For the next part of the physical exam we'll use this speed measuring device.

Kleine barely fit on the already over-sized treadmill. Speed was measured in a quite clever way, each time the belt rolled full 360 degrees, counter on the side would increase by one. It had a kill switch to stop counting the moment certain amount of time has elapsed. Dogs needed to be fast enough to get from the castle to anywhere in the capital in few minutes.

A safety belt was wrapped around Kleine and she awaited the command.

-Uh, Manuel? Are you sure we need to check that?

-You know the rules, full check-up means we check everything. No exceptions, even for you.

-Alright. Kleine, full-speed!

Lucy didn't ask because she didn't want to test Kleine's speed. First time she went through the exam she broke the treadmill and got so scared she barely passed other tests. Not to mention everyone waiting for their turn needed to wait for the treadmill to get repaired.

She got better with her shyness though, and maybe the treadmill got—

Lucy didn't get to finish her thought. She got hit in the forehead by part of the counter.

***

-Good thinking on Elizabeth's part to put you last. Should've warned us though.

-I tried to.

-Anyway...

Lucy waved her hand in front of Manuel's face. He was out cold, only to come back moment later.

-Right, where we're at? Commands! This one is a joint task, you and your companion have to finish the obstacle course.

-It's gonna be a tight fit... No Kleine I'm not calling you fat, I was trying to be funny earlier, stop sulking.

Course consisted of a doggie crawl, flying stones as stepping paws, artificial forest as weave posts, and a pendulum swing trap. Goal was to test dog's loyalty and obedience. If they cannot trust their owner with their life, there was no place for them in the royal stables.

-On my marks, go.

-Crawl!

Kleine dropped to the floor as Lucy started running. She crawled through the doggie crawl with no problem. After getting out she grabbed Lucy by her cardigan and threw her on her back.

-To the stones! Up up!

Lucy screamed a "Yoo-hoo" with a big smile on her face. The speed at which Kleine moved made Lucy's hair look as if she stood in front of a big fan.

-To the forest!

Kleine jumped out of the forest, effortlessly slaloming through it and didn't show any signs of stopping. Lucy didn't mind a few branches in her hair.

-Full-speed through the blades!

Manuel was watching Lucy ride Kleine with no signs of falling asleep. He was way too worried for them. They on the other hand had time of their lives.

***

-Let's move to item recognition part. Lucy, instruct Kleine to search for and put the items into their assigned bins.

This part took place in a very spacious part of the building. Human shaped wooden figures were spread all over the room with bags, backpacks, sacks and chests. This part of the exam was designed to test dog's scent. Dogs were sensitive to magic, so they were used for finding contraband. There were five bins with items engraved in a wooden tablet placed in front of them. Reading in a dream was hard. At least if you wanted it to be consistent. Pick up a book and try reading it, you will probably recognize the letters. Now close the book and try rereading it, it won't be the same. Using images bypassed this limit. First board depicted a coin.

-Kleine, bring me money!

-Woof!

Kleine set off and started sniffing around the wooden sculptures. She got a scent near a figure depicting an older lady with hair bound in a bun. It held a chest Kleine picked up and dropped onto the bin, crushing it. The sound of it dropping woke Manuel up.

-Great, it was the chest. Now have her find pests.

-Kleine, bring me the bugs.

Lucy put the bin handle in Kleine's maw and she set off.

Some of the farmers and servants also needed help from dogs of the royal stable. To make sure crops aren't being munched on and rooms in castle aren't infested.

Kleine sniffed all around the floor and statues, finally stopping at one depicting someone eerily similar to Propor. She picked it up and but it head down into the bin. It was filled with termites from the inside, they entered through the feet.

-Poor Propor, I hope the original is okay.

-Any similarities to real...

Manuel fell asleep mid-sentence and abruptly woke up yet again.

-Termites were a good choice, it was the most immediate danger. There are potato beetles too, but 50% is still a pass.

Kleine sniffed quickly in succession and ran out of the building.

-Good, now... Where is she going?

-I don't know, she's never behaved like this before. Kleine come... fire.

-Pardon me?

-There, look!

Through the window you could see a fire from the town square.