Petting - Shelley Jackson

 A man petted his dog in such a way that the dog screamed in pain. So the man explained to his dog that this was his own particular style of petting, that he knew no other way of showing affection, though he conceded that there might be better ways open to others, if not, unfortunately, to him, and that since the dog knew from other signs, such as the brim-full bowl of kibble the man put down every morning without fail, that the man loved the dog, the dog should accept the man’s unusual style of petting, and even learn to enjoy it. more