No flaming way!

Max and I had a useful but short session in the school today, doing our version of lunge work. Mostly we spent a long time before work grooming and hanging out together in an unrushed way, and did the same again after the schooling was done. Little did we know a drama was waiting to unfold for us.

I took Max to his field as usual in the fading daylight. There was a gorgeous pink sunset sky to one side but straight ahead... hmm. Flames. Orange greedy flames leaping out of a metal receptacle right next to the fence of Max's field.

"Uh oh," I thought. "This should be interesting."

Max stood still and looked immensely worried, then properly frightened. We were at the gate, and I managed to get the gate open, but Max was having none of it. He wasn't pretending and he wasn't being awkward, he was genuinely scared. I expect fear of fire is pretty hard wired in his head.

It was quite touching because I could tell from his eyes, the way he looked at me, the way he stood, that he wanted to do as I asked, he just couldn't bring himself to move forward towards the thing that caused such primal fear; it was taking everything he had just to remain by my side.

I tried to talk soothingly while I wondered how to proceed.

Then the answer appeared through the smoke that was blowing across the field. Max's young playmate, the one that removes hoods from rugs and cavorts with abandon, walked sedately towards us, offering little whickers of encouragement as he came.

"Look Max! Your friend has come to collect you. It's OK see?"

Max watched his pal approach and looked from his smoky outline, to me, then back again. I felt a little tension ease in him, so I asked for forward movement and got it.

"Well done Max!"

At this point grey whiskery muzzle came out to meet Max's for a sniff and a reassuring whuffle. I removed Max's head collar, closed the gate, and stood with them for a while, praising Max's friend for being so kind, and praising Max for being brave and trusting.

I had one piece of liquorice for Max as a parting gift, but we agreed that it could easily be split into two and for once, without hestitation, Max shared his treat.