MICHAEL AND VALENTINO parked their car on a quiet street en route to the beach, choosing a section of the road covered by tall hedges. Half an hour later, their patience was rewarded. They saw the top of Queen’s head as she ran up the steep rise of the street, Moppet following closely behind.
Michael had a thought. She treated the dog as her child; that dog was her Achilles’ heel.
Queen was looking behind her, watching out for Moppet, so she didn’t see Valentino standing there ready to grab her.
Moppet barked angrily.
Queen looked forward, but it was too late.
He had her in a chokehold inside of two swift moves. First, he grabbed her wrist, then twisted her arm against her back. She was bodily pressed to his front, his left arm around her neck.
Michael kicked Moppet with his steel-to
