The Mean Dog

The Mean Dog by Donna L Goldberg (A Short Story Contest entry)

Magenta, 7, and her owner Leah walked their neighborhood daily. There weren’t many streets, but they created routes. Magenta was sweet and quiet, but bike riders, other dogs and cars scared her. She BARKED! Thursday, they walked down Leonard Dr. when a runner frightened Magenta. The barking began.

Across the street, a woman told her little grandson, “Don’t go near the dog. It’s a mean dog”

Hurt, Leah asked, “Why?”

The woman answered, “Because it barks.”