FROM THE LOGS OF DOCTOR EDWARD TOOMS, RESEARCH SCIENTIST AT TEXAS A&M DNA MEDICAL FACILITY MARCH 3,1999: Have nearly finished calculations and gathered all the materials nessecary to create a new animal specimen. When complete, we should be able to grow a genetically enhanced "cattle dog", capable of handling the largest and most difficult of animals.(personal note: Call James and see if they managed to subdue that six legged cow we grew last month) MARCH 27, 1999: So far so good. We managed to procure the DNA of several large prehistoric dogs from the local museum. The Blue Heeler embryo seems to have accepted the DNA with little problem. However, the subject seems to be rejecting the primate hormones we injected to increase it's brain capacity. My colleagues fear the subject will be no smarter than the average dog. I am cautiously optimistic, however. APRIL 12, 1999: Incredible! In just 16 days the subject has reached the size of a full grown saint bernard! It's out, running about, and playing as any puppy would. It's metabolic processes seem to require it to eat a tremendous amount, a foresight we didn't account for. Sadly, it seems to be lacking the intelligence I had hoped for. And we can't seemed to get it paper trained... APRIL 20, 1999: Something has gone horribly wrong. The test subject, who my colleagues have labeled "Sparky", has gotten way too big. He has reached a weight of almost 900 pounds and is easily 15 feet high at the shoulder. We have had to place him in an undergrouund arena for storage, and have to use earth movers to cleaun up after him. On the upside, he seems to have stopped growing several days ago. The department head wants us to put Sparky to sleep and begin vivisection....but I can't bring myself to do it. MAY 5, 1999: Disaster! Sparky escaped his arena during the night, and rampaged through the town. He totally cleaned out every supermarket, eating everything he could find. In addition, he buried several dozen police cars when the local PD tried to subdue him. Luckily, he returned to the arena by dawn, and we have him sedated for now. Unluckily, the local authorities are screaming for us to destroy Sparky, and my department head seems inclined to agree. I have an idea, but I got to get Sparky to cooperate to do it. MAY 23, 1999: Early this morning, I managed to load Sparky into a tractor trailer and leave town. I have a destination in ind that may work out for Sparky. It's going to be a long trip, though, and it's difficult keeping him under wraps.... we stop at night away from towns, and I have reluctantly let Sparky raid feed stores, mini-marts, etc. to keep him fed. If worse comes to worse we may have to steal some cattle....I hope this trip goes by fast. JUNE 17, 1999: I finally reached the destination. Sparky has left a trail of disaster across the country, and I've seen pictures of us in the Weekly World News. But we finally Made it. Now I gotta figure out how to get him into the building. I'm sure they'll keep him once they get to know him. JUNE 17, 1999, LATER THAT DAY: I managed to get Sparky to sit in front of the doors here at the HQ for The Sentinels of Liberty and Justice, Earth Branch. I tied a large tablecloth around his neck like a cape, and pinned a note to it that read "This is Sparky. He likes to eat. Please take good care of my puppy. Signed, Sparky's mom". I rang the doorbell and hid in the bushes. Ok, so it wasn't the greatest plan. I'm a scientist. Give me a break. Moments later, the door opened, and a very suprised butler fellow got covered in doggie drool as Sparky gave him a big wet kiss.He then bounded through the door (destroying much of the framework) and into the house. Barking and screaming followed, but it all settled down after a bit. I decided to get while the getting was good. SEPTEMBER 9,1999: Have been sitting at home for months now, living off unemployment as the research facilty canned me. My mood was brightened when I saw a human interest story concerning the Sentinels of Liberty and Justice. There was Sparky, now being titled "The Giant Wonder Puppy", helping to pull a wrecked train out of a canyon with some other super types. Fortunately, the heroes managed to get everyone off the train to safety before Sparky started burying it. I sighed at the sight, shut off the T.V., and went to sleep content that Sparky was going to be okay. |
