Renni the Rescuer by Felix Salten Read Free Book Online Page B

afraid. Don’t act so queer,” he said.
    It did not help. The old dog was hearing a strange name instead of the one he was used to. He had found a place of safety here, but he did not feel at home. His thoughts were elsewhere. At every second he expected some new abuse, and he could not believe in this continuing kindness. There was something uncanny about it. It disturbed him. Renni watched while Nemo was petted, without the slightest jealousy. Kitty oftenchallenged Nemo to play, but Nemo could not play. Real freedom prevailed only when the three animals were left alone. George and his mother accepted the shy nature of the pointer, and gave up trying to change him or make a closer friendship with him.

Chapter VII
    L IFE GLIDED ALONG IN THE same old peaceful way.
    â€œI’m anxious to try an experiment, to see whether kindness can accomplish all that we hope. Or more. You see, Mother, don’t you, how clever and willing Renni is? If it can be done, fine! If not, well, I’ll just let it go.”
    â€œWhat are you going to make of him?”
    â€œI don’t want him to become cruel, a man-hunter, leaping at the throats of criminals. That wouldn’t bethe sort of job I’d like myself. Renni must be helpful. Do good. That’s what he’s fitted for by nature.”
    Now an interesting time began, for, very quietly George started to try Renni out in methodical training. To his delight he found remarkable talents in the dog, gifts which were quite obviously awakened by kindness, and increased more and more by praise. Again and again George caught a certain look in Renni’s eyes. A look of unlimited confidence, of utter devotion, and not only eagerness to understand, but joyful understanding itself. Moreover, there was a mute, insistent questioning, as though Renni encouraged George to give him some sort of command, which he would be eager to obey.
    It took very little to induce Renni to lie still when George walked away, perfectly still instead of jumping up and running after him. That was the first lesson. George would say, “Lie down, old man,” and Renni, at the fifth or sixth trial, grasped what was wanted of him. He would drop as though struck by lightning at the first word of the command. He was praised and petted without stint. George talked to him often and long, andRenni would listen with ears pricked up, nose pointed down.
    â€œWe’re going to do something really worth while, we two,” said George. “We’ll show Karl all right what can be done without the whip. Perhaps then he’ll treat poor Pasha better, eh?”
    Renni acted as though he understood every word. The only thing he lacked was speech. The only thing, thought George, and every time he felt himself strangely moved by the word “only.” How close a dog can get to a man, and still how far, how very far we stay from each other, in spite of our friendship and devotion.
    * * *
    It was a long time before Renni reached the point where he understood George’s outstretched hand as a sign for him to lie down. It was a long time before he would let George go away, would stay quietly in his place and only hurry after him when George raised his arm or called. Many a time during this period of training vexation welled up in George’s heart and he was near scolding, but he always took a few deep breaths and recalledhis thoughts about the helpless fellow. And then he remembered, “Why, we’ve started Renni out a good deal younger than is usually recommended. I mustn’t forget that, must I, old man?” Sometimes he would stand in front of Renni and say softly to him, “How could anyone mistreat you, brother of mine?” So, ordinarily, good nature took the place of vexation. Yet, alone with the dog, George had a pretty tough time of it. He kept their difficulties from his mother. They took the most serious pains. They went out in the afternoons a long way from