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I was going on a long hike hoping to clear my mind and find some inspiration for my new book. I had been talking and riding with a trucker named Chuck. Suddenly he decided he had enough of my "College boy attitude". He stopped the truck and kicked me out. I looked around, and there was forrest all around. I was nowhere. There was only a long lonely road and a rainy night ready to drown a giraffe.

With only my backpack slung over my shoulder and a plastic bag covering my head, I walked on the shoulder hoping for someone to have mercy on me. But after what felt like hours I sadly realized I was completely alone on this road and it seemed like it would remain that way. No cars, no trucks, no nothing!

Then, suddenly, I saw a light through the trees to my left. I could just make out that it wasn't a house. It appeared to be at least a 3 story building. I figured this was my only hope to get out of this mess, so I decided, against my better judgement, to stalk through the woods and in the direction I had seen the building.

It turned out to be an old factory building, maybe from the 50s or 60s. It was surrounded by high, rusty fences, the grass was long and unkempt, and the walls had lost every semblance of their original color. All together it made the place appear completely abandoned. The only light source was some old Street lights shining dimly on the facade and the dirty, yet fully intact windows.

I walked around the building to the entrance, where an old van with the imprint "Berenger Security" was parked. At least there would be a Guard inside the building, so I could ask for help. I went to the entrance door and in absence of a bell, knocked on the door.

After a while I saw him: A middle aged, bold man, corpulent but firm, with strong muscular arms and a hands like a butcher. He wore a grey uniform shirt with black applications and tie, a badge and a patch with the Security Company's Logo on the right and the American flag on the left arm. He had black pants and shoes, and a belt with a gun holster, magazine pouch, and other equipment attached to it. He looked like an absolute professional, an authority figure, and yet somehow still managed to look like an old grumpy teddybear who was in need for a hug.

I asked him, if I could come in, but naturally he refused, grunting: "This is private property, Sir! I have to ask you to leave!" - "But it's an emergency!" I insisted. "Can I at least make a call?" I had a cellphone but there was no signal. To my dismay he had the same problem, there was no Landline and with his Walkie talkie he couldn't even reach HQ.

He told me I had to go now. Enough is enough, I thought and told him, he couldn't simply leave me alone out here. I could get sick or starve to death or be eaten by wild animals. He considered my words for a while and stated, he couldn't risk loosing his job by letting me in. He was sorry, but the only people allowed to enter were the owners of the factory and the staff of Berenger Security, and there were no exceptions.

An idea struck me. "Oh, in that case: Employ me! I will guard this building to kingdom come, if it helps get me out of the rain!" He couldn't do that, he told me, obviously ignoring my sarcasm. I wasn't trained to be a proper guard, he didn't even knew who I was. "My name is Hector! Nice to meet you!" I exclaimed, shaking his hand.

"Hector?" the Guard asked in sudden astonishment. "Yeah, I know, it's a Dog's name, big deal!" I had heard that joke frequently, since I had come to the States. I was surprised. It seemed I had triggered something in him. But I was more surprised as he told me to wait a minute and left back into the building. When he came back, I was baffled to see he held a Dog's collar, a harness and a leash in his hands. Attached to the harness was the logo of Berenger Security.

I asked him what's the collar was for and he explained his plan: He couldn't let me in as a trespasser, neither could he simply employ me as a Guard. But if I take the place of his Guard dog "Hector" I would be at least kind of employed and not trespassing anymore, thus able to come inside.

Under any other circumstances I probably would have ran away. But as it was still raining, and I was tired of walking alone in the dark, and to be honest i was more than a little intrigued by his strange logic. He didn't seem like some kind of pervert, that much I could see. He didn't seem horny or in need to demonstrate his dominance. A little out of balance maybe, but sympathetic in his grumpiness and he seemed kind of trustworthy. I could tell he truly wanted to help me.

After a few moments, he confessed his former Guard dog Gary had been run over by a bus last week and since then he gotten unbelievably bored and lonely at work. He had nobody to talk to, or go on patrol with. He really missed his beloved Gary - he was really in need of a hug!

What made him think I would agree to something like that, I asked. Clearly, I was still here! I hadn't told him how crazy that was, or that he should have been locked away. On the other hand, what other choice would I have? I thought a while about it and decided: What the heck, I do it!

The Guard told me his name was Hank. He said I needed to take my clothes off before I could come in. It was still freezing out there, but we were far away from every civilization, and nobody could see me. I quickly stripped off my clothes and dropped down on all fours. Hank quickly attached the collar around my neck before I could change my mind. Next came fitting the harness around my body and attaching the leash to the Harness.

He gathered up and stuffed my clothes into my backpack, and took it in one hand and my leash into the other. Before leading me inside, he commanded me that from now on I was to act only as his dog. That meant no talking, and no human behavior. I had to obey every word he said, otherwise he would kick me out faster than a Coyote could poop! I signaled my agreement by barking one time and testing how far I could stretch my tongue out of my mouth.

Happy, he led me inside. I walked with him an all fours and tried to keep up with his speed. As we reached his office, he commanded me to "Stay!" and "Sit!", and I quickly did as I was told. He opened the door, and threw my stuff in, locking the door behind him. We began our patrol. Walking along the dark, but at least warm and dry floors. I followed his every command while he held up his flashlight and lit our way.

I could feel the smooth artificial texture of the Linoleum under my feet, the dust and little pieces of gravel rough on my bare skin. I could smell the room, the scent of the old decaying structure of the building. I realized I could also smell Hank, or should I call him Master? I could hear the weight in his every step, the leather of his shoes, the rustling of his belt and the leash he was holding in hands, with me trying to keep pace with him on the other side. His keys jingled loudly as they shook on the side of his belt. Tiny pieces of chains and other metal rattling as they brushed against each other. I listened to his breathing. He seemed a little labored, like one would expect from a man of his build.

I soon began to enjoy myself, putting more and more attention into my surroundings. I focussed on my task and listened to my master's every command. He was strict and got loud at some points, but I could see he was happy with how obedient I was and the job I was doing. I could see in his eye, even though he tried to hide it, that he was more than a little proud. Not once that night did I fall out of character! He even petted me and rubbed my neck, and I felt great.

Later, when we arrived back at his office, he sat down on his big black office chair, looking at me. For a moment it seemed he had forgotten I was a human. After a second or two he laughed. He decided I needed a drink and went to fill a metal bowl with some water. I didn't realize how thirsty I had become, and drank some of it. I thought it tasted a bit weird, like he had given me the wrong bowl. Maybe it was the one Gary used to eat his Dog food out of.

I realized it was a test to see if I could cope with the taste. He then opened a drawer and retrieved a pack of Dog treats. He read the ingredients and was brave enough to take a bite himself. He wanted to make sure it was safe for me to eat some of them. The look on his face was priceless, but he managed to choke it down. But he couldn't give them to me just like that. I had to perform some tricks for him, like "Roll over!" or "Play dead" or the one where he laid the tiny bone shaped biscuit on my nose and I had to wait patiently before he commanded me to eat it. They tasted horrible, but I did it anyway, because it helped my new friend and owner overcome the death of his old partner. Making him happy again made me feel happy. He smiled and started to pet me. He sent waves of pleasure through my body.

We took another walk later and he talked to me like he used to talk with Gary. Then, seemingly all of a sudden, our shift came to an end, and so was our time together. He led me back to the office, leading me to a small room where I could dress myself again. He promised to take me into Town where I could continue my journey! I could see him getting melancholic again, and I made a decision. I refused to get dressed and laid my head on his knee.

He petted me and said: "The shift is over! I have to go now! I'm tired, I want to go home and get some sleep!" I gave him my biggest sad Dog expression and he finally gave in: "Okay okay! But only for one night!" If I had a tail, it would definitely have been wagging!

He put my backpack on the passenger seat and led me to a cage on the inside of his van. He than drove for an hour or so, before we arrived at his house. Luckily he had a garage, so the neighbors would be no problem! We went inside and after a quick meal - I was allowed to eat the rests of Hank's lasagna out of a bowl - he got me out of the harness. I kept the collar on. We took a warm shower together, and got ready for bed. I started towards Gary's old Dog bed. Since it was still a little cold outside, Hank called me to him, and I was allowed to share the bed with him.

The bed was cozy and warm, and I loved sleeping beside him, while he rubbed my belly like the good boy I had been. From here on we got a little "unprofessional" I must confess. But Hey, our shift was over! And even a loyal Guard Dog has his needs!