Stalking the Dragon by Mike Resnick

take her is to an island where everyone breeds dragons and can be expected to know who she is.”
    â€œBut they're uniquely equipped to keep her here,” noted Jeeves.
    â€œThey're not going to keep her anywhere,” replied Mallory.
    â€œI don't understand.”
    â€œShe was kidnapped for one of two reasons: ransom or to set it up for some other animal to win the show tomorrow. She's been gone four hours, she's due in the ring tomorrow afternoon, and there hasn't been a ransom demand. Unless your boss gets a phone call soon, we have to assume she was kidnapped solely to keep her out of the show. If she's that recognizable, the thief can't pass her off as his own. There's a very easy way to make sure she misses the show and is never identified.”
    â€œHold your tongue!” cried the gremlin. “I won't hear such talk!”
    â€œYour devotion is admirable,” said Mallory. “But it doesn't change the logic of the situation.”
    â€œFluffy's alive!” snapped Jeeves. “I can feel it!”
    â€œI'll keep looking for her right up until ring time, but I thought you ought to understand what the odds are.”
    â€œSpeaking of odd…” said Feline, pointing up the road.
    Fifty yards ahead of them six men, each with a toy dragon on a leash, paraded around in a large circle, while a seventh man, clearly acting as the judge, gave them a string of commands.
    â€œA handling class for youngsters,” remarked Jeeves knowingly.
    â€œHow can you tell they're youngsters from this distance?” asked Mallory.
    â€œBecause they need a handling class,” answered the gremlin.
    â€œTrot, dammit, don't fly!” yelled the judge as two of the dragons spread their wings and flew out to the ends of their leashes.
    â€œAll right, line ’em up and pose ’em,” said the judge, and the six dragons were maneuvered into a single straight row.
    The judge walked up and down the line making comments. “Left forefoot's toeing out…Watch those wings…Moving his bowels—that's going to cost you points…I don't care if she is in heat, he's supposed to look at me , not her …”
    Finally the judge leaned over to more closely inspect each dragon. The first wagged its scaly tail and jumped into his arms, the second backed away squealing in terror, the third was sound asleep, the fourth and fifth were in flagrante delicto. He came to the sixth, then yelped and jumped back.
    â€œShooting fire at the judge is a disqualification!” he screamed, rubbing his singed chin.
    â€œYou can't disqualify us,” protested the handler. “This is just a class, not a show.”
    The judge put two fingers in his mouth and whistled, and a moment later four burly kennel attendants approached him. “I want that dragon deflamed and neutered,” he ordered.
    â€œYou can't do that!” yelled the handler.
    The judge pointed to the handler. “Neuter him as well!”
    The handler picked the dragon up in his arms and aimed him at the four approaching men. “Now!” he hissed, and a sheet of flame spurted out of the dragon's mouth.
    â€œDon't just stand there!” demanded the judge as the attendants drew back. “Get them!”
    â€œMaybe we could all just discuss it like gentlemen,” suggested one of the attendants.
    â€œI'm sure we could resolve our differences over a friendly drink,” added a second.
    â€œThat's it!” bellowed the judge. “I'm having you all neutered!”
    â€œHere's what Godzilla and I think of you and your orders!” snapped the handler. He unhooked the leash from the tiny dragon and pointed it at the judge, who took one look at the dragon's hate-filled little eyes, turned, and raced down the road. The dragon spread its wings and was soon in hot pursuit.
    â€œI like training classes!” enthused Felina.
    Suddenly everyone noticed Mallory's little party.
    â€œJust passing