“The Dog – as a Sportsman”

By Andrew Barton Paterson

Dear Andrew Barton Paterson, 

          After reading your short story “The Dog – as a Sportsman,” I learned about many new dog behaviors that I never knew dogs had. I thought this story was very good because I like dogs and they are one of the smartest animals in the world. The reason I wanted to read this story was because it was about dogs, and it sounded like an interesting story.

          You described how dogs were blood thirsty and that sometimes they sneak out of the house during the middle of the night just to kill animals. That is something I never knew dogs did. You also talked about how even if a dog knows that he is going to lose in a fight, he will still fight because he has too much pride and strong self respect. I thought that was cool when you talked about that.

 professionals. Some dogs will do work for anybody, but a house dog or working dog will

 only do work for his master. I learned a lot about dogs from reading this short story.

Character Dialogue

 "The Open Window"

Jason:                   Mr. Nuttel, I noticed that when you saw the three men and their dog, you ran off like a chicken.

Mr. Nuttel:           If you saw those men after listening to the story that girl told me about them going out hunting and never coming back, you would be scared too.

Jason:                   No, actually I wouldn’t be scared. I know that it was just a story and that they were just trying to scare you.

Mr. Nuttel:            Ya, I guess you’re right. I am just a big chicken. I’m going to go hang myself and relieve this world of my stupidity.

Jason:                   No, don’t do that. You’re not that stupid. The world needs someone like you, so don’t go hanging yourself.

Mr. Nuttel:           You can’t talk me out of it. It is my time to leave this world.

Jason:                   No, here, call the teen help hotline at 732-HELP.

Mr. Nuttel:           Thanks, I’ll do that as soon as I get back home.

Jason:                   It’s all in a days work. Well I’ll see you later Mr. Nuttel.

Mr. Nuttel:            Bye, friend. I hope to see you again soon.

Jason:                   Well, I hope I don’t see you soon. Now get outta here!!!!