The Rat with Backup
The dog park buzzed with life. Owners clustered in corners, swapping stories, while dogs tore through the open field—barking, sniffing, full of purpose. Rousseau, as always, was right by my side. Her tiny black frame barely made a ripple in the sea of bigger dogs, but her giant bat ears twitched like radar dishes, and her confident little strut made heads turn.
A boxer noticed her.
Massive—easily four times her size—he bounded over, curiosity quickly morphing into something rougher. Rousseau didn’t flinch. She danced around him, barking, nipping at the air, every bit the fearless terrier. But then his body language changed. He stiffened. Lowered his head. The kind of shift you feel in your gut before you see it.
Rousseau paused, just for a second. Then let out a bark. Short. Sharp. Defiant.
It was all the invitation needed.
A blur burst from the riverbank—two shepherds in motion. Matisse, all red-tinged fur and long coat, and Da Vinci, broad and black-and-tan, moving as one. They flew over the ridge with the grace of wolves and the force of bodyguards. In seconds, they flanked Rousseau, still as stone, standing between her and the boxer like a tactical wall.
The boxer faltered.
Matisse stared him down, calm but unyielding. Da Vinci stood silent, a shadow with weight. The message was crystal clear:
“She may be a pest. But she’s our pest.”
The boxer backed off, turning away without a sound.
The boys lingered—watchful, measured—before trotting back to the river like nothing happened. Rousseau looked up at me, eyes glinting, tail wagging, smug as ever.
She knew. She had backup.
From that day forward, she had a new name around the park: The Rat with Backup.
It stuck. And it fit.
🖋️ Written by PRAI Stories™
Because every pet’s story deserves to be told.
This story was written by PRAI Stories™, a storytelling process designed to help preserve the spirit and memory of the animals who leave paw prints on our lives. Rousseau’s tales aren’t just fun moments—they’re legacy. The kind of legacy that deserves to be told with care, color, and soul.
At its core, PRAI is about truth. About capturing the little things—those quirks, glances, sounds, and loyalties—that only those who loved them would understand. Every PRAI Story™ is written from that place. With empathy. With memory. With the kind of detail that helps stories live on in the hearts of those who read them.
Rousseau was one of those unforgettable dogs. The ones who stand barely a foot tall, but command a room—or a dog park—with absolute certainty. Her story, like so many others, reminds us that size means nothing when you’ve got courage… and a backup team.
If you’ve ever loved a pet like that—and want to make sure their story is remembered—PRAI Stories™ is here to help. Whether they’re still with you or watching from beyond the rainbow, their story matters. And we’re honored to help tell it.
🕊️ Request a tribute or share your own memory at PRAI Storytelling
PRAI Stories™ – Where memory meets meaning.
Because every bond deserves to be remembered well.
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