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nearly throwing the fat man off his feet. The dog shot by him to the cage. It was the second time Rufus had laid eyes on Matty since he'd arrived. The first time, he slammed into the bars to get in. To keep him from injuring himself, Jerry had quarantined him to the interior of the house. |
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Now Jerry made a move to collar him, but the dog had come to a dead stop just two feet from the cage, frozen at the bars, looking like a pointer stalking a thrush. Across the cage Matty sat in a crouch. His eyes were wide and motionless as he took in the dog. For a minute the two stared at each other like in a still lifeRufus arrowing without sound or movement except the rise and fall of his chest; Matty hugging his knees with his chin squared on them, his eyes locked onto the dog. |
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While Jerry and Muzzy waited in fascination for the stare-down to break, Matty worked his mind on Rufus, holding him in stunned embrace while he probed. |
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Suddenly and without warning, Rufus licked his nose, turned around, and slowly click-clacked back into the house. |
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