|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on May 22, 2008 11:42:33 GMT -4
 "Come on!"The girl called out cheerfully to her companion, a red male Volpe. He certainly wasn't sharing her enthusiasm, the look on his face being one of pure loathing. He barked in protest, making one last plea for her to let him go home. His plea was ignored as his owner continued to walk, humming quietly to herself. "We need to find a good spot."She continued walking before stopping suddenly, causing her Volpe to nearly plummet into her. His fur bristling in anger, Octile opened his mouth to bark but was once again cut off. "Here we go!"Kabuto was quite pleased with herself. It was a beautiful spot, a nice open gap a good distance away from any other trainers complete with several trees providing an excellent shady resting place. The grass felt soft underfoot and there was a steady breeze blowing past and carrying on straight down to a small bit of river which ran nicely alongside their patch. The Sun shone brightly in the sky and it promised to be a clear, warm day. Taking off her jacket, Kabuto turned to face Octile who still had a look of anger plastered on his face. Seeing at once how uncooperative he looked she let out a sigh. So much for hoping that this would be easy Octile: 0, 1/5 |
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on May 22, 2008 15:57:33 GMT -4
Uh-huh, no way. She could not make him do this. Being forced to learn tricks like he was some dog? Of course he was a dog-like animal, but that wasn't the point. Sensing that he wouldn't be allowed to give up and go home anytime soon he flopped down onto the grass and glared sulkily at his owner. He'd show her there was no chance of him becoming an 'obedient' pet.
Kabuto sighed again. Fortunately she had a back-up plan for when good manners just wouldn't do. She bent down and zipped open her bag (which was still a hazardous shade of yellow, despite everyone's around her pleas to change it) and carefully rummaged through it.
"Bingo!"
She pulled out her prize, a large bag of treats with an obnoxiously happy smiling Volpe on the front. It's treatalicious! The slogan read.
Octile's ears pricked as he heard the familiar sound of his favourite treat bag being opened. His head swiveled round slowly as he fixed his gaze on the packaging, ignoring the cool breeze which was ruffling his fur.
"Okay, now here's the deal. You listen to me, you get a treat. You learn a trick, you get a treat. But," She paused for dramatic effect, "Ignore me and you get nothing. Kapische?"
Octile mumbled something unintelligible before turning back round gruffly. At least she had his attention
Octile: 0, 2/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on May 23, 2008 11:30:01 GMT -4
Now for the next stage of her plan. Creeping forward, Kabuto continued to walk towards Octile until she was about a foot away. Untying her jacket from around her waist and placing it carefully on the floor she sat down next to him. The grass felt spongy beneath her and the sun was shining down, making her feel pleasantly warm. She turned to face the reluctant Volpe, a look of determination plastered across her face.
"Octile."
She spoke clearly, leaning forward and giving him a gentle tap on the nose as she did so. Frowning, Octile turned round and gazed at her in puzzlement.
"Good boy!"
She fed him a treat, confusing him even more.
What the-What was this human up to? Octile's ears pricked up, alert and ready, but he still ate the treat, enjoying the meaty taste. As soon as he was done he stared curiously at Kabuto. Deciding she wasn't worth the effort nor his attention, his head turned back and he relaxed again. He too was enjoying the weather, although he did find himself longing for the refreshing coolness of the shade.
Perfect Kabuto thought happily Just the reaction she was looking for. This would be a piece of cake...
Octile: 0, 3/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on May 25, 2008 7:29:20 GMT -4
"Octile."
Once more she leaned forward and tapped him on the nose as she spoke. As he looked up at her, she praised him again and fed him another treat.
Octile crunched it up, licking his lips hungrily. He glanced up hopefully at the bag, his gaze fixed on it. If he looked cute enough maybe she would give him another treat? Gazing up at her, he pulled the cutest look he could manage, making his eyes wide and his face innocent.
"Nice try!"
Kabuto couldn't help laughing. She waited patiently until he gave up, watching him turn back round to watch the water again. Then she repeated it once more, calling out his name and tapping him on the noise.
"Good boy." She praised as he once more turned round, feeding him yet another treat. He's going to get so fat... She thought with a sigh.
Octile was starting to get annoyed now. He didn't mind being fed treats of course, but his owner's constant taps were beginning to irritate him. His fur bristled slightly, vowing to nip her if she did it much more. He wasn't particularly violent, but there was only so much tapping on the nose that one Volpe could take
Octile: 0, 4/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on May 26, 2008 11:38:47 GMT -4
The heat of the sun was starting to get to him. Feeling rather tired, Octile suddenly shifted his weight and rolled over, exposing his belly. He barked happily, enjoying the feel of the cool grass against his back. Kabuto stood over him, a sudden feeling of dread in her stomach. How could she tap him now?
Deciding not to back down from a challenge, Kabuto waited until he was still before tapping him once more, this time under the chin.
"Octile."
She repeated again.
This time he rolled back over and glanced up at her once more. Wasn't he even allowed to lie down now? Any minute she'd be expecting him to start begging for treats or something like that. Still, he must have been doing something right since she once more threw him a treat, which he crunched up quickly. If there was one thing he'd learned, it was that you had to grab these opportunities while you can. One day you could be guzzling down so many treats you got a meat overload, the next you would be lucky if you even got your regular can.
Kabuto smiled, happy that she'd managed to handle the situation.
"I think you're ready now." She grinned, deciding to do the next stage
Octile: 1, 0/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Feb 19, 2009 6:42:07 GMT -4
Her tone made him instantly cautious. She sounded...excited, for some bizarre reason. He stared up at her for a few minutes, watching for any signs that he was about to hugged, tricked or forced into some ridiculous situation. Being a rather impatient Volpe though, he grew tired of watching her face as she stood there doing nothing, and eventually he turned away once more.
Bingo! Kabuto had been waiting for this. Hopefully he'd react how she wanted him to. Standing up straight, she opened her mouth to speak clearly.
"Octile." This time she didn't tap him, hoping he would react without the need for a tap.
Fortunately, Octile spun round, angrily expecting to greet the usual tap with a nip with his teeth. He was surprised when no tap followed-he had come to associate the two syllable word with a hit of some kind. His anger faded slightly and he blinked with confusion. Oh well. With a shrug he turned back round. Maybe the human had finally decided to leave him alone...
Octile: 1, 1/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Feb 19, 2009 6:58:49 GMT -4
Yippee! Kabuto felt like she'd just climbed Mount Everest, put on a jet pack and soared over the Arabian sea. She resisted the temptation to punch the air dramatically, although she did risk a little 'Woohoo!' dance when Octile wasn't looking.
Despite her cheerfulness, she couldn't help thinking it might have been a fluke. If it was, then she'd need to go through all this again. Better try it again, just in case.
"Octile."
The Volpe spun round once more. He wished she'd stop it already! It was very irritating to have someone calling out to you again and again. He had been complementing taking a nap since it was so warm, and the grass was so soft. No chance of that with someone barking at him every five seconds.
"Good boy!" She beamed, throwing him two treats. Octile snaffled them up greedily. He had no complaints if she wanted to give him treats. Kabuto threw in a pat for good measure. One trick down, fourty-seven to go...
Octile: 1, 2/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Feb 20, 2009 16:27:20 GMT -4
She was pleased with her progress so far, not a doubt about that. Might as well try and teach him something else now he was in a learning mood. She paused thoughtfully, trying to recall some of the tricks she had read about. After a minute or two of pensive thinking, she shook her head and zipped open her backpack once more.
"Here we are!" She pulled out a rather bulky-looking book, entitled '101 Tricks to Teach your Volpe-and more!' She had a brief laugh at the smiling sketch of a happy trainer and her pet pictured on the cover, before flicking through. Was there any product without a cheesily happy mascot?
While his owner 'uhmed' and 'aahed' her way through the book, Octile had been distracted again. He was getting a bit warm thanks to the Sun, and he rather fancied a paddle. Lazily lifting himself to his feet, he padded slowly down to the water. Dipping a paw in, he grinned at the cool temperature. Perfect
Octile: 1, 3/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Feb 21, 2009 13:34:08 GMT -4
Roll over. That was what Kabuto had decided to attempt to teach the Volpe, and she had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy. The thought of pushing Octile over again and again in an attempt to teach him sounded less inviting by the second.
"Octile!" Hearing his name, Octile turned round. He was reluctant to leave the water, especially when it was so tantalizingly refreshing. Sensing he wasn't about to bound up the hill eagerly, Kabuto rolled her eyes before walking over to him. Scooping him up, she carried him back up to the grass.
"Good boy." She plonked him back down, quickly moving her arms out of harm's way. He glared at her. He wasn't even allowed to paddle now? What a swizz! She better have something good she wanted him to do or else...
Taking a deep breath, Kabuto adjusted her hat. It was now or never.
"Roll over." She announced clearly, before leaning forward and giving Octile a gentle push
Octile: 1, 4/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Feb 22, 2009 12:47:53 GMT -4
Surprised was not the word. Neither was gentle. Octile barely had time to let out a yip before he found himself pushed over. He blinked in surprise as he fell on his back and rolled right back onto his front. It took him a moment to react before he jumped to his feet, growling angrily.
Oops, maybe that was a bit hard Quickly Kabuto threw him a treat and began to pat him gently.
"Good boy!" She praised him, carefully avoiding his mouth in case he decided to bite her.
What the-? Octile frowned in confusion, trying to figure out what had just happened. What was his owner playing at? Was she trying to torture him or something? Bribery? He tilted his head and let out a small growl, urging her to explain
Octile: 2, 5/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Feb 28, 2009 16:39:01 GMT -4
"It's a trick," Kabuto tried to explain, but to no avail. Octile still looked confused and agitated. Hopefully he'd get it soon though. Kabuto crouched down again and gave him a push-this time being a little more gentle, "Roll over."
The repeating of the motion did nothing to settle the Volpe's confusion. Still feeling baffled, he crunched up the treat he had been given and tried to think things through logically. Maybe what she was saying had something to do with why he was being pushed continually? He decided to try and pay attention
Octile: 2, 1/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Apr 29, 2009 12:49:44 GMT -4
Phew, he had reacted less violently this time. Always a good sign, not to be chomped at. Hopefully she could note that as some sort of progress. Yet again, she waited until he sat himself back up. She decided to go through the steps slower this time, to make sure he understood.
Crouching down, she carefully began to move the Volpe around. She gently pushed on his back until he lay down, keeping steady eye contact with him.
"Roll over." She pronounced the words clearly, gently turning him over onto his back as she said so.
Hmm, she did things slower this time. Octile noted that it was a two-syllable word. He would see if she said something that sounded the same next time
Octile: 2, 2/5
|
|
|
|
Post by kabuto_rocks on Apr 30, 2009 15:50:13 GMT -4
She finished turning him round until he was back on his belly. She gave him an affectionate scratch behind the ear, throwing him another treat as she did so. They really should make low-fat treats... She thought briefly. She pondered about making her own brand, visions of riches and fame. Of course, she had no idea how to make Volpe food. But why should that stop her?
A yap from Octile brought her back down to Earth. He knew about his owner's tendencies to zone out, and he also knew she needed to be brought back to the real world once in a while.
Reminded of her duties, Kabuto repeated teaching Octile the trick, speaking the phrase clearly. The Volpe strained to listen, recognizing the previous words from before. Perhaps the two things were linked, like they had been with his name? Next time she used the phrase, he would do it and see how she reacted
Octile: 2, 3/5
|
|
