Please help me find this disturbingly bizarre short story

[MeMyselfandI]

In the '90s I read a lot of terror and horror short story anthologies. Some of it was from a single author (King, Barker), some from a collection (Matheson, Poe, etc.).

I read one short story that I am pretty sure was named "Ready". I cannot locate this story or figure out the author's name so I need some help please.

The story was about a successful business guy (maybe blonde?) who lived alone in his apartment I think, and similar to the lead character in Fight Club I think he was bored and unsatisfied with life.

He hears disturbing sounds from his next door neighbor's apartment and investigates. Turns out the neighbor is beating a big dog senseless, and the dog simply takes the punishment. The guy is appalled by what he sees, but the neighbor tells him to join in to let off steam. Reluctantly the guy joins in, and he feels the stress leave him as a result.

Pretty soon, he's over at his neighbor's every day to beat that dog with every ounce of energy they have until, I believe, the neighbor moves away and leaves the dog with the guy. I'm not sure, but I think the guy goes crazy and is ready to move onto people next at the end.

Anyway, when current Lakers coach recently said he deals with the stress of losing by going home to beat his dog (he doesn't have one), it jogged my memory of this story. Hopefully someone can tell me who wrote it, or where I can find it again.

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

Sounds horrible.

[Angra]

Originally Posted by DeadbeatAtDawn

Sounds horrible.

Agreed.

[Anthropophagus]

I dont know what its called and i dont care.Why would anyone wants to read this.
Even though it is only a book it seems a very cowardly one.