On the appointed day, the representatives gathered
and one by one, in a orderly fashion, each made his selection from a series
of catalogs depicting body parts available. As the day wore on, it became
clear that there was not enough material on have to satisfy all breed requirements.
Shortages were beginning to develop, especially in the ear and tail categories.
A few of the
breed representatives began to show signs
of anxiety. A Greyhound crowded near a large dog at the front of
the line. "Please, friend Rottweiler," whined the Greyhound, "let
me take your place in line. If I stay at the end of the line there
won't be any long tails to act as a rudder, Greyhound will run
crookedly." "Well, Okay," said the Rottweiler,
and he moved back a step for the grateful Greyhound. The line began
inching forward again. "Pardon me, sir," rumbled a deep voice at
the rottweiler's shoulder. "Would you mind if I went ahead of you?"
"Well," said the Rottweiler, "I really don't
think...." "You see, " the deep voice went on, "we St. Bernards must have
great size to perform our rescue work in the show. It's extremely
difficult for small dogs to rescue people. Just think of all those
lost children."
"Oh, all right," sighed the Rottweiler, and
again he moved back in line."
And so it went....a little prototype dog for
whom a long body was essential so he could wriggle into badger holes edged
in; a Terrier type needed agility and speed to catch rats; another needed
a dense coat to be comfortable while guarding sheep in winter; a tiny prototype
needed a silky coat to please those upon whose lap she sat. Finally,
all that remained was the tired canine who had patiently yielded his place
to the others. Sadly, he looked through the catalogues. Most of the
items had black lines drawn through them....all of the good stock was gone.
The Rottweiler sighed deeply.
"HURRY UP", yapped the Eighth Fate, without
looking up. "Well," said the Rottweiler, very alert now that his
turn had come. "I guess a big deep chest won't look bad with small
ears that stand up sharply."
"Sorry," said the Eighth Fate. "All
out of stand-up ears."
"NO STAND UP EARS!?" howled the Rottweilers.
"That's what I said. We can give you
rosettes, long or medium-short, but they all drop."
"I'll take the medium-short," said the Rottweiler
with disappointment,
"They won't be too noticeable with a nice
bright color combination."
"NO BRIGHT COLORS," yipped the Second Fate.
"Only black." "BLACK?" Snarled the Rottweiler.
"Wait, Wait," whimpered the Fourth Fate, in
an attempt to placate, "Here are a few tan markings you can scatter on
the face and legs." "I have three white hairs here," said the Fifth Fate.
Not enough for everyone, but occasionally you can sprinkle two or three
on a chest."
"It's not really what we had in mind." said
the Rottweiler. Then he
brightened, "However a big plume of a tail
will make up for everything."
"SORRY," barked the Sixth Fate, "NO TAILS."
"WHAT!" Roared the Rottweiler, "You expect
me to report back to my breed chairman in BLACK with a few tan markings,
DROP EARS and NO TAIL?"
"Sorry," said the others. "You should
have gotten here sooner."
"One moment," the Chief Fate interceded.
"This prototype was one of the first to arrive."
"I can't help that," said the Eighth Fate
crankily (he was getting very tired). "Besides," added the Third Fate,
"All of the catalogues are closed. There are no more supplies to
be had."
"I realize that, " answered the Chief Fate,
"but we can do what all good dogs should do.....give something of ourselves.
From each of us, Rottweiler, you will receive
one gift to bestow upon your breed: COURAGE, GENTLENESS, INTELLIGENCE,
STRENGTH, LOYALTY, PLACIDITY, HANDSOMENESS and VIGILANCE. However,
the greatest attribute of any breed you already possess in abundance.....