Henry's World

Bucky's Journal December 2, 2006 This was it. The time and the hour. This morning, I left for Pugtacular. I decided I would not come back to this house without that first place medal around my neck. I had taken a final run-through of my strategy that morning, and saw a surprise guest in the gym where I practiced. It was Freeway. He had decided to come with me for moral support. I thanked him, and soon, we were off. Me, Trinket, and Freeway stuck together in the car and when we arrived up in Antioch. At the front of the giant tent, I bid them farewell. I accompanied Mom over to get checked in, and found another surprise. Cali, one of the dogs defeated by Trinket in the tug-of-war contest, was handling dog check-in. I talked to her, trying to calm down my nerves. Mom lead me over to where Dad, Freeway, and Trinket had set up to watch. Freeway was babbling about racing strategy, and Trinket was thinking. I went outside to take a walk.  When I came back in, Freeway was ent...

Bucky's Journal December 1, 2006 I'm calm. Pugtacular is tomorrow, yet I don't have nerves. Pugs generally try to avoid being nervous. When your breed has an aura of pushing through those around you, you have to be very careful with the actions you take. But now I'm thinking. I need to stop. Not thinking is a trait in a pug. I finished up my final practice, my final tune-up for the Pugtacular race. My sprints were getting better, but it seemed whatever I did wouldn't be good enough to win at Pugtacular. I kept flashing back to the time Leia had, and shaking. No trick would get me under 15 seconds. I just had to hope something happened on the day of Pugtacular. Maybe she would wake up on the wrong side of the bed. It didn't matter. I felt sure she would win. But I wouldn't stop trying. I had gone to far to turn back now. All the effort I had put into this race made it impossible for me to think of finishing in second place. I put in the effort, a...

Bucky's Journal November 16, 2006 It was the day of qualifications. The qualifying races were held up in Antioch, where Pugtacular would be held on December 2nd. I was excited that Pugtacular lay only half a month away, and I felt ready for it. I felt I knew the pug Leia's moves, as yesterday I had a final meeting with Freeway. From now on I was on my own, but the last meeting had not been wasted. He watched the videotape of Leia racing, and analyzed it. He showed me her pros and cons, and told me how I might just beat her. I felt good. The qualifiers awaited. I would be in the third race. There were four races, and the top two in each one would move on to the race at Pugtacular. But I didn't want to finish second. I wanted desperately to win, for I thought it would prove something to my competitors. I wanted to set an example. Early in the morning, Mom woke me up so we could go to qualifications. It would just be the two of us, as Trinket was staying home to w...

Bucky's Journal October 1, 2006 Another new month on the path to Pugtacular. October began and I felt strong. All this time I had been training and building towards the long-awaited event in December. Every day brought more training. My endurance level was sky-high. I thought I was ready to take on the race right now, and I would win. Patience is a virtue, Trinket's voice said in my brain. Now, what is a virtue? I know chew means to destroy by way of teeth, but what does vir mean? And what is patience? I smiled and cleared my head. Being able to not think is a skill in any good pug. You have to believe that thinking does no good. I sure believed it. Mom walked into the room. "Bucky, I have news. A pug has volunteered to race against you. His name is Freeway. He will help you train." Well, this was interesting. A pug volunteering to help out another. This was certainly news. October 2, 2006 I had my first training session with the pug Freeway today. ...

Last time on The Pug That Always Finished Second, Trinket competed in Dogpalooza. After defeating 3 straight opponents, he fell to the first ever tug-of-war champion, Rascal. What will happen next? Rascal's Journal March 27, 2006 I wake up and find myself still basking in the glow of victory. Oh, how sweet the taste. You see, I eat like no other. I feast on those below my level. I crush their hopes and dreams, and they taste like warm, sweet vanilla to my senses. I wash it down with tears of frustration, and I eat my dessert, power and glory sorbet. Yes, I, Rascal, am a true champion, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Trinket's Journal March 27, 2006 I force myself out of bed. For what must be the thousandth time, I remind myself it was one competition. I did all I could. I really needed to move on, but I couldn't make myself do it. I really needed someone to snap me out of it. I pressed the button to open my crate. This technology, I thought, real...

Last time on the Pug That Always Finished Second, we heard a very cocky Rascal claim that "victory was all but assured". Will this statement prove true? Will Trinket trip over a corncob? All that and more on the Pug That Always Finished Second. Trinket's Journal March 26, 2006 It was the day. March 26, 2006. That morning, the Dogpalooza website released the official bracket for the competition. I didn't know the dog I would be facing in the first round, a Scottie named Molly. The only dog I had researched about and cared about was Rascal. Everything else was mere details in the final report. And how was I feeling? Thanks for asking. I felt great. I had a good night's sleep under my belt and I was ready to go. That morning, I lay in my bed thinking (a dangerous habit, I might add). I felt like I should get some good old Rocky music following me. All I got was a pug snoaring. Dad walked in and let me out of my crate. "Trinket, I don't know how Buck...

Trinket's Journal March 25, 2006 One day away. One. One day. I couldn't believe it. All of the training I had been doing for the past 2 months had lead up to this. One day and I was through. One more day to survive. It was amazing to look back on my tug-of-war skills when I first began this to now. And after tomorrow, nothing else mattered. I was pumped. I was ready. One more day. Rascal's Journal March 25, 2006 I guess there are some days when you wish there wasn't a target on your back. I wish I could just be a normal tug-of-war participant like the other dogs. I had to accept being the one expected to win. But I had always been expected to win. And when you're a hardened hooligan like my self, you treasure victory. Don't think ahead, Rascal, I chastise my self. I'm not a tug-of-war fighter. I am a tug-of-war winner. And tomorrow I will become THE tug-of-war champion. Victory is all but assured.

March 1, 2006 I jumped and tugged harder. The vivid colors of the snake hissed like an out-of-control freight train. Rascal tugged with vicious intent, saying, "You know you can't beat me." The snake went flying out of my grip. I gave a cry as the snake lunged- I woke up. Midnight, said the clock. I lay back down. Another bad dream for a dog that had plenty. I remembered what the dog Rascal had said, and shivered. I lay back down, but wasn't asleep for a long, long time. March 2, 2006 Bucky went out for his morning training again today. I brought out the tug toys. Dad and I began our daily work, him tugging at certain angles, trying to catch me off guard, and me adjusting to keep tugging. After about 15 tough, hard-fought minutes, I won and we set the toy down. Dad rose and said, "Trinket, I've been meaning to tell you. The date for Dogpalooza was released today. It's earlier than I thought. March 26th." I jumped up in shock. It was only 24 d...

Trinket's Journal February 25, 2006 And so, after I learned about the dog Rascal I began my training with the thought that I couldn't be stopped. Weeks of training, and I felt as strong as ever. I couldn't be stopped. And it was time to see how Bucky could fare. He had his first practice today, and I stopped in to watch. His sprints were going well, but he didn't seem to be getting much better than before. He came over to see me once he had a break. "You know, Trinket, this could be the last year that I could do this. I'm starting to lose my grip." "Not much coming from the dog that they call the pug that always finished second," I quipped. "Hush, the book hasn't come out yet. I still need to polish it off." "The author could always change the ending." This aggravated him, I could see it in his face. He was trying to think of a way to get me back for that one. Then, he had a way. "I spoke to Dad today....

Last time on the Pug That Always Finished Second, we wondered if Bucky was going to Pugtacular. Trinket's birthday was celebrated, and we looked in on his diary. And now, Chapter Six. Trinket's Journal January 31, 2006 Is there a happier dog than I? Yesterday was my birthday, and today I get a day without Bucky. He went out for some shots, and I sniggered as he passed me. He gave a bark, not quite happy with the whole affair. Dad turned to me once Mom and Bucky were out the door. "Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about." I sat and wondered what this might entail. "Trinket, you're thinking too hard." Huh? I blinked and looked around, wondering how he knew what I was thinking. He was speaking again, and I tried to concentrate. "Bucky may have his race at Pugtacular, but he doesn't get all the competition around here. There is a new competition called Dogpalooza, and I want you to attend. Their big event is a mega tug-of...

Previously, we learned that Pugtacular had been cancelled. And now, back to the story. Trinket's Journal Jan 29, 2006 The humans had a big argument at dinner. Mom thought that Bucky should opt out of next year's Pugtacular. Given his recent success, I have to admit that she has a point. However, Dad seemed to think otherwise, saying that she should keep hope. It turned into a big yelling match, with Mom yelling at Dad, and Dad defending his point, though not very well, I might add. Meanwhile me and Bucky were hiding under the table. "What do you think?" I barked. "About what?" "Do you want to go to Pugtacular next year?" "About that," he barked,"I don't know. I honestly don't know." That was good enough of an answer for me. Good enough. Jan 30, 2006 My birthday! Henry cuddled me and told me I was the greatest little doggy in the world, which I suppose lifts your morale, even if you hear it twenty ...

Well, a year came and past. For the purpose of this story, I will send you, reader to the day before Pugtacular where we meet our furry hero.....well, I won't tell you. Reader, sit back and enjoy.(or perhaps you won't) I wish I could say that Bucky was having a fun time on the day before Pugtacular. Unfortunately, he wasn't. In fact Bucky, at this particular moment, was vomiting. To say that Bucky was having a fun time is stretching the truth to a breaking point. Let's just say that he was glad he did not have to participate in any races, and leave it at that. "Bucky, I really think you should stop vomiting. You know the race is in three hours and you need to be ready," said Trinket. "I can't help it. I keep thinking of last year!" wailed Bucky. "Oh, you'll do fine," Trinket reassured him."I just wish I was coming." Just then Mom entered the room, carrying the soggy towels she had been using to clean up ...

The next day, Bucky felt as refreshed as person just out of a shower. Well, maybe more refreshed than that, but that's about what he felt like. Anyway, he had tons of energy. He didn't even care when his annoying brother, Trinket got in trouble. Trinket was always getting in trouble. In fact, Bucky considered himself the "good dog" of the family. Yeah right. But we have to go with it so I can use his name in print. He can always back out and not get a chance to earn millions.( Or an occasional cookie.) In fact, Bucky was a dog that always wanted to work alone. Of course mom and dad had to support him later on in his life. He was only twelve, after all. Bucky was going to wait a long time before the next Pugtacular.

Dinner was very subdued that night. Everyone was thinking about that day, and what changes needed to be made. It was Dad who spoke up first. "This ends another Pugtacular. Tomorrow we go on with life. This was a fun and eventful day." " Not fun for me ", Bucky thought, " Not fun at all ". Dad looked at them as if to say, "don't challenge my statement." A round of applause followed his statement. Dad took a bow. "Nicely said,"said Mom."Nicely said," she said again, passing a plate of mashed potatoes to a very hungry Dad. "Well, I said it from my heart. We need to settle down after Pugtacular. It was disappointing, yes, but not enough to make us cry,"Dad said through a mouthful of potatoes."Mmmmm, these are good!" No conversation passed through the rest of dinner. Everyone was busy enjoying dinner. Eventually, everyone drifted off to bed. Bucky lay awake for a while. He thought about the day ahea...

(Sorry to all you fans who like pugs.I took a break off writing this story.Anyway, back to our story.As you may recall,I left our story with dad asking what place Bucky was in.Mom said he was in ''Same as last year!'') ''What!''shouted dad. He yelled so loud mom jumped, and people stared. ''Goodness gracious!''mom yelled, very surprised.Usally dad didn't show much interest in pug stuff.She was the one who visited pug sites and stuff like that.But now he was displaying interest to the pug world.''Is it really that bad?'' ''Of course!Did you realize he has been second place for, let me see...4 years?'' ''Yes I realize that but...I still don't see what all the fuss is about.'' Of course to Bucky what the adults where talking about made no sense.He'd been wanting to win and lost.There was nothing else to it.He, like mom,'' Didn't see what all the fuss is about....

Chapter 1. Pugtacular "Go!" shouted the judge . Bucky took off at the speed of light. Well, thought Bucky, at least I'm going faster than last year. He raced, feet pounding on the ground. Finally , (It seemed like hours) he jumped into mom's arms. Then they went to the judge and mom asked "What place is Bucky in?" The judge answered "Second place ma'am ." Bucky and mom stalked away. Later, dad came and asked "So, what place is Bucky in?" Mom answered "Same as last year!"