I must explain how this fictional short story has come about. I rescued a dog, a Wheaten Terrier ten years ago. His name was Sam. He had been kicked, beaten and brutalised in different ways by a previous owner, I believe he had been used as a hunting dog and for fighting. He was seven years, when I rescued him and he was totally aggressive towards every dog. I could not unleash him at all as it was too risky. My eight years with Sam taught me so much not least how to coax him, so that he trusted that I would not be like a previous owner. Sam died of natural causes when he was 15 years plus. This story is not about Sam, although he inspired me to write it. It is a tribute to Sam and all the dogs that survive in spite of them being abused. It tells the story of a dog, ‘Colt’ who is kidnapped by the dog-fighting godfathers and how his owner succeeds in rescuing him at a price. His name is Colt. The reason for the name is because a near neighbour of mine had a dog of that name. I used to pass them each day, when we were walking our dogs and he was treated wonderfully. His name was Colt. In a sense it is a tribute to him and his owner also…