Chapter Sixty-Eight: Stealing the Dog (II)

The male and female dogs were locked together, impossible to separate no matter how hard you tried. Tao Huan struck the male dog’s head with a firewood stick, making it cry out miserably, but it could not escape. The female dog kept retreating, pulled by the male, and being tied to a wooden stake, she too could not break free, whimpering in pain.

“Huan, don’t hit them. There are more over there. Don’t scare them away,” Tao You’neng called out to Tao Huan, who stopped his assault.

“Are you planning on catching another one?” Le’er asked Tao You’neng.

“One or two, it’s all the same,” Tao You’neng replied with a sly grin. “You’ve gotten timid lately. Before, you’d have loved to round up every dog in the village. It’s just being an assistant, nothing more.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! How am I timid?” Le’er glared at him, annoyed. “I have to mind my reputation now, don’t I? Why be greedy for another dog? Fine, let’s do it—two or one, it’s the same. One for eating, one for smoking, cured dog meat tastes best.”

Tao You’neng and the others burst out laughing. Le’er fetched a rope from home and tossed it to Tao Huan. Both were experienced; together with Tao You’neng, he tied a slipknot and looped it around the male dog’s neck. With a strong pull, the male dog was silenced.

Even so, the male dog remained entangled with the female. He would rather die beneath her, a dog’s passion undiminished. For several minutes, they strained, both still struggling and joined. “Damn, even now he’s not impotent,” Tao You’neng wiped his sweat, Le’er laughed, and the others joined in. “Laugh all you want—is everyone hungry?”

With another forceful tug, Tao You’neng and Tao Huan finally separated the dogs. The female dog retreated, barking, while the male rolled his eyes and went limp. But they were seasoned hands; even if the male seemed lifeless, a bit of earth on his nose would revive him. They hung the dog from a tree and dusted their hands, wiping their sweat.

“Lazy fools, you just watch and never help. Next time, it’s your turn.” The group headed back inside, leaving the spot for the dogs’ rendezvous. The other males were fearless; the black dog still hung from the tree, but as soon as Le’er and his companions left, three males dashed in. With only one female, a fight broke out.

In the arena of romance, the strong prevail. The yellow dog chased off the others, becoming the female’s new mate. The losers lingered outside the garden, waiting for their chance once the yellow dog finished.

Dogs are clever in many ways, yet in matters of passion, utterly foolish. Their willingness to die for love, even as dogs, was enough to make one shake their head.

The female resisted, unwilling to submit, while the male persisted—gentle, fierce, affectionate, or threatening, trying every trick.

Le’er and his companions disliked these shameless scenes, so they went inside, some drinking tea, others playing cards. Le’er’s yellow dog was tied up in the courtyard, whining pitifully, as if protesting that, otherwise, he’d join the fray for a mate.

“Want to die, you stupid dog.”

Le’er gave it a gentle kick.

“He just wants some pleasure,” Tao You’neng said with a wicked grin. “Le’er, you’re cruel, denying the dog his chance for romance. Be careful, he might sue you in court.”

“Do you want some pleasure too?” Le’er retorted, grinning. “We won’t interfere.”

Laughter broke out. Tao Huasong spat his tea, spraying Tao You’neng, who kicked him in annoyance. Tao You’neng chased him, but Tao Huasong escaped outside.

“Hey, they’re at it again!” Tao Huasong shouted from outside.

“Huan, your female dog is really something, finding a new mate so quickly,” Tao Xianggui laughed.

“Your female dog’s randy, your sow’s randy, your whole family’s randy,” Tao Huan, who often bullied Tao Xianggui, was furious that Xianggui dared to talk back. The six walked out, joking. They watched the yellow dog and the female dog couple, and soon hung the yellow dog from the tree in the same way.

Le’er fetched two boning knives from home, handing them to Tao Xianggui and Tao Taoguilun. Skinning was their task. The two fearless male dogs still circled outside, but Tao You’neng and Tao Huan grabbed sticks and chased them away.

“Le’er, someone’s coming,” Tao You’neng said, just as a figure approached in the dim moonlight. Their hearts sank; if the dog's owner came, it would be trouble. They started to hide the dogs, but Le’er recognized the visitor.

“It’s fine, it’s my uncle.”

“Scared me—your uncle comes at just the wrong time to spook us.”

Old Shengtian ambled over, surprised to see so many gathered in the garden.

“What are you kids up to?”

“Hehe… Uncle, we’re just playing,” Le’er stammered, standing in front. “Caught two dogs—wanted some dog meat.”

“Two dogs?” Old Shengtian’s eyes lit up, but he quickly changed his expression. “Le’er, you’re a village assistant now, how can you do such things?”

“Uncle… it’s just two dogs, no one will know.”

Le’er feared no one but the old man, never daring to be brash in front of him.

“No one will know?” The old man glanced over the group. “What if they talk?”

“Uncle Sha, why would we say anything?” Tao You’neng grinned, stepping forward. “We’re Le’er’s closest friends, grew up together. It’s just two dogs—what’s the big deal?”

“Yes, Uncle, even if others find out, what’s there to fear?” Le’er laughed. Having done it, he wasn't afraid. “I doubt anyone would dare punish me. Who hasn’t done such things?”

“If you’re not afraid, I’m not. I’d like some dog meat too,” Old Shengtian smiled again. “You two kids, you don’t know how to butcher dogs. Step aside, I’ll do it.”

The group was delighted. Old Shengtian was an expert, quick and efficient, soon finishing one dog. He kept only the liver and kidneys, discarding the rest.

“Take them to wash, stir-fry the liver and kidneys for two dishes, and chop two legs for stew.”

Cheers erupted. They carried the bloody dog, drew water from the well and washed it.

Soon, the dog meat was in the pot, fire blazing, the aroma spreading. The liver and kidneys were fried first, filling two big plates, and they started drinking. Soon after, the old man finished butchering the second dog, and the meat was stewed and served. Le’er called his aunt over, and seven or eight people tore into the meat, eating heartily.

“Let’s have another feast tomorrow night,” Tao Huan said, leading the female dog away, as Le’er saw off his friends.

The old man took just two dog heads home to stew.

Two dogs were too much to finish; Le’er salted the leftovers for smoked meat. Le’er’s stove had a chimney, so the smoke escaped, so he chopped the meat and sent it to his uncle’s house for his aunt to hang over their stove, letting the daily cooking smoke cure it.

Dog meat is delicious, but smoked dog meat is even better.