🐾 Shelley’s First Day at Training School
(as told by Shelley the Infamous Beagle herself)
Alright, gather round. Tail up, ears forward — this is the story of my very first day at Ms D’s Dog Training School. A day of destiny. A day of treats. A day where I, Shelley, began my journey toward graduating with honours just like Master Alun.
🐶 Arrival: The Grand Entrance
I strutted through the door like a celebrity arriving at a red‑carpet event.
Master David said, “Be a good girl, Shelley.”
Master Alun said, “You’ll smash it.”
Of course I will. I’m Shelley.
The room smelled of new friends, fresh treats, and opportunity. I gave it a thorough sniff — purely academic research.
🎓 Orientation with Ms D
Ms D greeted me with a smile and said, “Hello Shelley, ready to learn?”
I tilted my head, wagged my tail, and gave her my best scholarly look.
(That means I didn’t bark… yet.)
She explained the rules:
Listen
Learn
Try your best
Don’t eat the pencils
I agreed to three out of four.
📚 Lesson One: Sit & Stay
Ms D said, “Shelley, sit.”
I sat instantly.
Not because she told me to — but because I sensed a treat was imminent.
Then she said, “Stay.”
I stayed… for a whole three seconds.
Then a pigeon outside moved, and I had to alert everyone.
Ms D wrote something on her clipboard.
I’m pretty sure it was “Shelley: prodigy.”
🐾 Lesson Two: Lead Walking
We went outside.
I walked beautifully for ten steps.
Then a leaf blew past, and I had to chase it.
Then another dog barked, and I had to respond; it would have been rude not to.
Then someone dropped a crisp... well I had to investigate.
Ms D said, “We’ll work on focus.”
I think she meant I’m very observant.
🐕 Lesson Three: Socialisation 101
I met a spaniel named Marley.
He sniffed me.
I sniffed him.
We became best friends for exactly seven minutes.
Then I met a terrier named Freddy
She wore a tiny jumper.
I sniffed the jumper.
She didn’t appreciate it.
Ms D said, “Shelley is enthusiastic.”
Correct.
⭐ End of Day Report
Ms D told Master David and Master Alun:
“Shelley has lots of potential.”
I translated that as:
“Shelley is clearly destined for honours.”
I trotted out of the school with my tail high, my ears flopping proudly, and my first‑day certificate (okay, it was just a sticker, but I’m counting it).
🐾 Shelley’s Closing Bark
Day one: conquered.
Tomorrow: greatness continues.
Soon: graduation.
Hat, gown, applause — the full Teesside treatment.
Author-Carol M. Benton
