My Name is Discipline

Matt is my owner or handler which is his job and I met Matt when I was one year old. He named me Discipline, hoping that I would live up to my name. I am trained to search for the source of the smells and differentiate objects with similar smells. Matt treats me with great care and I really enjoy the times we spend training and playing together.

I soon graduated from the training school and joined the force. Matt would call me to work everyday and we would patrol the area together. There wasn't much work to be done other than chasing snatch thieves but Matt told me that we had to be disciplined and stay vigilant. I loved Matt and so obeyed his commands with pride. We continued to go back to the training centre where I was taught more skills on taking down a criminal and revised what I had learnt.

I was sleeping soundly in a kennel Matt had built for me outside his house. That was my first time in Matt's house as I usually slept in the police station. It was dawn when Matt woke me up but being used to such scenarios, I restrained myself from barking at him. Instead, I pricked up my ears and awaited his command.

Signalling for me to get into the car, Matt grabbed his keys and drove the car. We were not headed for the station, my regular training included remembering the routes I take and I knew for sure that we were not headed in the direction we came from. Matt's expression was intense. I knew something serious had happened. We arrived in the heart of the city which was bustling with energy. I saw a few fellow dogs with their handlers.

I sat beside Matt. Practising my self-discipline which I have trained since young. My nose picked up a familiar scent which was uncommon in that area and let out a soft growl to seek attention from Matt and inform him of what I detected.

I remained on my hinds until Matt finally gave me the go-ahead sign. I ran into a huge room with flashing lights and deafening music. Flattening my ears, I tried to block out the music as I followed the smell. Repeated training in the school proved useful as I allowed instincts to take over my movements.

My nose brought me to a smaller room where the smell was strongest. I leapt at the person holding the white packet and bit his arm. Matt was close behind me and the other dogs brought down other people in the room. I ceased wrestling with the teenage boy as soon as I heard Matt's command.

Everyone in the room was brought back to the station and I retired to the police kennel, too tired to travel back to Matt's house. I was well-rewarded the next day with more snacks from Matt. Through this, I learnt how important discipline is. Had I rushed into the room too early, we would not be able to catch them in the act of handing over the substance, thus not being able to prove all of them guilty.

Discipline is important no matter how tough it is to train for it. It is only through discipline that we are able to achieve our goals.