Page 165 of Phoenix's Fire

"I'm going to take her fishing!" Kanik called, proving he was eavesdropping.

I looked over to find him bent over at the waist, gripping his own legs tohold him up. He was panting like he'd been running hard. Tamin and Holly didn't seem to have that problem.

Beside me, Saveah was nodding. "I have poles if you want to borrow them."

"Oh, that'll make it even easier," Kanik said as he made his way closer. "I thought I'd pack a picnic, head to the dock, and let Ayla experience the joy of sitting around forever waiting for her bobber to sink."

"Uh-huh," Saveah said playfully. "Or maybe you should go to the pond?"

Kanik made a little noise like she was wrong. "No. It's not a date. It's just two friends relaxing and catching dinner."

I was looking between them, trying to figure out what was going on, when Tamin finally snagged the toy from Holly. Giggling loudly, he ran, making her chase him, but Holly's tongue was getting longer.

"I think she's getting tired," I said.

So Kanik bent and picked up a stick. "Holly! Want it?"

She slowed to look over, but Tamin was still running so she kept following. Then the boy swooped past where we were sitting.

"Holly, fetch!" he called, pointing at Kanik.

Right before my eyes, the dog turned and charged, jumping at the last second to grab the stick Kanik was holding in front of his chest. Her legs hit him right in the sternum, her teeth closed on the stick, then Holly pushed off, running quickly the other way in an attempt to catch up with Tamin.

Kanik staggered back, tripped, and landed on his rump. "Wow," he breathed.

But I was already getting up. "Are you okay?"

"Tamin!" Saveah snapped.

"Holly, down!" I bellowed, making the dog stop and lie down in place.

But Saveah was still going. "You do not make the dog attack Uncle Kanik! Tamin, if you cannot play safely with the dog, then you will not be allowed to play with her at all. Aunt Ayla will ground you from Holly!"

"Mama!" Tamin whined. "I didn't mean to!"

I hurried over to Kanik, offering him a hand up. "I didn't realize she'd do that," I explained.

"Me either," he admitted as he made it to his feet. "I think we might need to teach her a few words for her toys. You know, like toy, stick, ball, and whatever else we come up with." He reached back to rub his butt. "I think she weighs as much as you, Ayla - and hits even harder."

"Holly, come!" I ordered, bending over to make sure my dog knew she wasn't in trouble. "That's a good girl. Now where's the stick?"

"I can get it!" Tamin offered.

"No, sir!" Saveah told him. "You need to apologize to Kanik for making the dog knock him down."

"I didn't tell her to collapse," Tamin pouted.

"You told her to fetch what he was holding," Saveah countered. "You didn't give Kanik enough time to get the stick ready."

"Oh."

"It's okay," I told Tamin. "We all make mistakes, and learning how to use the dog is hard, huh?"

The little boy thrust out his lower lip and nodded, so I looked over at Saveah. "I think that means Tamin needs to be trained in all of her commands and how to use her."

"But," Kanik said, "he'd also have to start his bow lessons again."

"He's got school," Saveah warned.

---