Name: Cassandra Rose
Nickname: Kitty Hunter *gaming alias*

Age: 17 Years
Gender: Female
Relationship: Single

Hair & Eye Color: Naturally Ginger with Chocolate Brown Eyes
Pets Border Collie x Bull Arab/Great Dane "ACE" and Ginger Cat "TROUBLE"

Personality: Bubbly, Friendly, Shy, Kind/Caring
Random: Easily Confused, Love Laughing, Love to Have a Chat, Love Making Friends, Love Roleplaying, Drawing, Gaming, Writing.

Shivering slightly, I was drenched in the cold coat of winter’s snowy grasp, my ears lay flat and my tail limp between my thighs. I could hardly move my toes, let alone continue to trudge through the slush below. Steps ahead lead to a well-lit shelter. Sapphire bright eyes hesitant, but, warmth was necessary and human contact was inevitable. My strides were short, fast paced and nervous, head dangling and eyes shifting from one form to another. Fear, despair and memories arose; I avoided their reach with slender fingers and ripped gloves.

Obscured coughs of illness surrounded me, sobs of pain and loss slowly became assuaged, men and women alike in this world, all gathered in one place hiding from the torments of winter. My malnourished figure moved over the hard pavement, paws spreading over its surface; my claws scraped and breathe rattled. I wasn't safe, a wheezing constricted breath of air arose from my chest; wintertime caught its prey by choosing those that were feeble and unwelcome.

As I reached an unoccupied corner, the tight pressure on organs halted me in my tracks, eyes widened and ears latched to my skull, tail tightened becoming one with my abdomen. Jowls twitched baring covered fangs, a sudden ooze of saliva webbed over my maw. I looked around rapidly for the source of my constriction; few glimpses followed my irrational movements. I saw in someone’s eyes, the look of hesitation. I suddenly convulsed, dark matted pelt hitting the ground, pale eyes rolling back and maw gaping taking in sudden gasps of air.

Everything went dark silence, isolation, confusion and fear. My mind was blank; my body limp.

A shock-wave of blinding light abruptly struck me. Dazed and lost, I somehow felt refreshed. Swiveling ears rotated upon my cranium, tail wiggling like a young pup once more. I heaved my legs under my form, placing firm paws under my chest they tensed and lifted a lean frame. Surrounded by grass I was hit with a wall of lavender. My velvet nose raced and glistened in the sun; I was home. Why was I here? But, it wasn't the same. I wasn't me; I was young again, barely bigger than my human’s shoe.

Her face lit up, beaming with joy. Pale pink lips drawing up towards her ears in a smile; emerald green eyes locked on mine and loose golden strands danced around her face. I was in a box, a bow around my neck; a present is what I was, a present that would be forgotten one day. I felt her gentle touch wrap under my front legs and around my chest; she pulled me in for an almost strangulating hug after stating my new calling.

“Olive,” The elegant voice would ring in my over-sized ears.

My coat was a graceful gold, topped off with a hefty black patch down my back, and muzzle stained a sooty shade. I was meant to be her dream present, and so I was a German shepherd, loyal, devoted and protective. I’d do anything for her.

And so I did, days, weeks and months past. I followed her everywhere; from her room to the kitchen, from the house to the gate, I watched as she climbed onto the bus and vanished from sight, waited as the clock ticked for her arrival back home. Almost three years passed of this routine, she taught me tricks, from sit and fetch to dead and beg. Happiness and contentment was all I felt and all I knew.

Sarah, well, she wasn't as happy. Her father was a drunk and her mother quiet and solitary. Beaten anytime he felt she deserved it and threatened if she told anyone, but I done nothing, I loved Ken just as much as I loved mistress. She’d finally finished school though her plans to move only brought worse scenarios.

Ken wanted her to stay; she was to do as he said. This wasn't her idea, I watched as they argued. The callused hands of her own father cuffed the paled skin of her cheek reddened to the eye. She acted tough and allowed no tears to surface, but it angered him further, his bronzed fingers grabbed at the golden locks she kept down and pulled them harshly backwards. This made her cringe, eyes wide as her mouth gaped. He almost seemed content she wasn't able to hide the pain it caused.

I could hear it, the strain in her voice as it cracked, she tried to speak and instead only sobs were heard. I sat limply in the corner, fearing what he’d do. He had her backed into a corner and as he raised a hand to wrap around her neck I heard a gasp. He was going to make her pay for the tainted thoughts of abandoning the family. This was the last straw.

Lip drawn back, ivory k-9’s visible, eyebrows furrowed and an almost thundering snarl emitted through thick vocal cords from deep within my chest. 38 kg of muscle arose, my hind legs tensed and crouched, front legs straight and angled forward, my head dropped just below my shoulders heights and I scowled, bright golden-brown eyes glaring harshly.

Suddenly, I sprung, maw gaping as I snapped my teeth, he’d noticed my reaction and turned only the slightest, catching a glimpse of the blur now latched onto his arm. Thick teeth with a power greater than man’s tore into his flesh, the emission of red spilled from the limb, I’d locked my jaws and wasn't letting go. His focus was on me no longer my mistress. The depths of his eyes churned in mine as he’d brought up an arm with a clenched fist and struck it down upon my face.

This caused no change. I held. It was instinct to protect. I heard Sarah’s screeching as she’d seen him grab the iron for the fireplace and raised it, this wasn't a fear to me; I’d never been struck with anything. I shook my head with a violent rattling rumble. His flesh only tore more, and my grip loosened, my ears latching upon my cranium, tail tucking as the piercing cry materialized from within me. The iron collided with my face from right to left leaving no visible damage, the pain made me drop.

Trust was broken, both parties no longer acquainted. I had opened my jowls again already mid-air I was lunging at him though my course changed and instead I hit the coffee table with a screeching ring in my right ear.

It was all blank until I’d awoken in the streets. Autumn was upon the town and I was lost, I’d never been here before, kept at home, I’d been abandoned. My mistress had picked me up; her warm embrace was all I remembered while being carried outside. She was the one I remembered, she was the one who’d brought me here and left me. The scent I’d never forget of roses and lavender on her clothes.

My trust of man was broken, trust of myself lost to my memory. I’d spent my life with that family. They’d raised me, fed me, given me shelter. I’d cherished every moment, chewed shoes and clothes I had found about. They’d given me everything for a fruitful life, what did I do, I broke it, I attacked her father, I dissatisfied my mistress … and this … this was my reprimand.

I awoke once more; it’d been 5 long years since that day. The poor people minded their business, a sick dog, was a dead dog. Flaccidly lying in the corner away from those about, I let out a gruff groan, one of hurt and anguish. I was alone, I was cold and I was hungry, this I could not fix.

My thoughts were of Sarah, she’d never forgive me, she’d never come find me. 5 years was long enough, long enough for her to forget. Our friendship was that of man and his companion, forever as one, but, no more for us both, our friendship was betrayed by me alone. Betrayed because I couldn't stand seeing her unhappy any more, now I witnessed it no more, I was ready to leave this place at the ripe age of nearly 7. I felt too much pain in my life and it was time I let it all go.
Done: 6/06/2014

Good morning/evening ladies and gentlemen of the United Nations. I ask you to take a look at the person to your left, your right and in front of you, they are healthy, content and even caring, they are kin, supporters and outsiders. I am here not to speak about something new, but about something we should all be aware of. Families – families at risk that have no probable way of ensuring their communities or even their children’s safety. These people of the less fortunate live daily, they live with constant hazards ringing in their heads, a drought could hit or even a flood, diseases’ could spread or their waters’ polluted, yet, we – we of the fortunate sit idly by, living life like nothing is happening, we see the news and hear about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They speak of the men who have been lost and the families that are now in mourning, though do they mention the many that have lost loved ones in smaller places? No, they do not, “Climate Injustice” is what this is called, these people – these people suffer from climate changes worst events – these people offer little to no contribution to its change – these people have families and communities just as we have and yet, is it not they who suffer the consequences the greatest?

Words spoken by Pushkar Bisht in his poem ‘I want to see the world from the window’ are “I want to see a world from the window, a happy world, a quiet world, a beautiful world” these words, they signify a world many of us see, we live in peace, we live in calm communities, we see a place that is respected and offers sanctuary to many. These things while raining true for us, do not follow suit in places such as Honduras, Myanmar or even Nicaragua. Do you know where these places are? Many of us do not; many of us undoubtedly question these places as I speak. All three of these places are listed as the top 5 countries most affected by the world’s climate change, unlike us, they do not see a world that is cheerful – they see a world that is ever altering, a world that is never quiet, they see a world which never bears stunning plants or striking colors.

The message passed on by the poem by Bisht is not the only form of its kind; a song by Louis Armstrong “What a wonderful world” brings forth the same message and offers mental imagery of a world we’d all enjoy. The words he uses “I see skies of blue, clouds of white, bright blessed days, dark sacred nights, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world” these are words – words that people gathered here today can relate to, these are words – words that people in places such as Honduras and Nicaragua cannot join in relation, these are words – words that we should strive to achieve for everyone. Why should we – we of the United Nations privileged get to sit and stare up at the skies above thinking of how beautiful it is when we could strive – strive to offer those around us, those in the poorest countries a life where they too could gaze up at the heavens and see what we see?

I am here not to state facts or offer words of persuasion; I am here to ask – to ask all men and women attending today, to listen, to think and to understand the terrorizations that thousands of families face in their own daily lives. In 2010, reports by the Annual Disaster Statistical Review states that a total of 385 natural disasters occurred with the associated casualties surpassing 297 thousand people throughout the world’s developing countries alone. These people had families, friends, communities and animals, just as those in the war have and just as we here today have, we all know what it is like to love and to lose and we all know that for someone else to love someone as much as we do only to lose them in the matter of only a day’s turn of events, it must be hard and must be painful, they mourn as we do, but, they must move on faster than we must, they have to prepare crops and pray that the next flood or drought isn't till after the seasons harvest, they have to pray that they lose no other kin or loved ones as they have many others.

More words spoken by Bisht “I want to see a world from the window, a world full of shining colors everywhere, a world fully dedicated to love, a world knows only the way of humanity”. Many of us claim to know the ways of humanity, we as a whole nation claim this statement, yet do we really know what the meaning of humanity is? Humanity is all individuals alike measured as a group, the quality of being compassionate and the act of bringing everyone together. We do not offer this quality of life to those in the poorest countries, we do not offer them a place in what we call humanity, they must fend for themselves, protect what they love and pray to the heavens that they get to see the sun again and get to see the end of harvest instead of starving as many poor countries do.

I would like to ask that you – you as an individual would think – think of how you would feel if you were in the same position as those in these countries, no knowledge of when another drought, flood or deadly disease would hit. I would like to ask that you – you as an individual would think – think of how these mothers, fathers, siblings and friends could live a life where they can spend their day carefree and happy. I would like to ask that you – you as an individual would think – think of how we as a nation could change the affects these many families face from climate change. Form a petition, donate to programs which offer help to those in need with items such as food, clothes, shelter and more, create awareness in those around you and offer support wherever available, these are few options which we can take.

I offer words by William Wordsworth “To her fair words did nature link, the human soul that through me ran, and much it grieved my heart to think, what man has made of man” these words offer one simple question that we should ask ourselves, what has man made of mankind? There is no simple answer to this, and yet I ask you to think of what we have made of those around us? Is it because we were born in this nation that we believe we are an upper class compared to those around us. We all know that what I speak about relates to the pollution many companies create in their workplaces for a living, but, I mention nothing of their damage, I mention only to you what I believe you as an individual should focus on…. is there anything we can do as a nation to help and support these starving children and frightful parents?

I leave you with this question in mind – this question that I hope for you all to take in and realize the many lives that are lost in which we do not take notice for the issue of Climate Injustice to this day, grows worse and we are the only people who can rise to meet their needs.
Done: 30/04/2014

The wave of threatening clouds rolled in as the man headed towards the abandoned grounds only shelter. A heavy breeze from the clouds spat down upon the park and its dwellers. Untrimmed brush filled the gap between me and the man who staggered. Clouds grew denser, hiding the golden sun and soon the grey shadows shrouded the sky with a dark white. Tattered long drench coat tails floundered and thrashed, slowly being coated in drifting white speckles. Looking up to the sky, squinted almond eyes blinked, watching the snow before the man scrambled for the shelter faster than he had been. He curled up under the shelter shivering lightly and gazing upon the brush, with his knees tucked to his chest as the fog of his breath scattered. As his dulled yet once wise eyes settled upon mine, his hardened face melted; and fine pursed lips stretched. "Apple!" he cried out. Although I did not respond, the outstretched arm and slender hand reached for me.

My pelt shaggy, wiry hair tangled and gripped at the branches of the shrub. Wide set ears, thick based and well-tuned, latched at my cranium as a snake of fur tunneled its way between my thighs. Frosty breath, heated and heavy, rattled in the cold air as a heaving chest struggled but soon the tattered coat embraced me amidst its warmth and scrawny arms pulled me from the snow. A trail of dragged paws sailed through the sleet like trenches from a war zone. I was a skeleton, malnourished with sunken ribs, no stomach but the outline of my spine. It didn't matter, as long as master was safe.

“Apple,” he sobbed quietly as his arms cuddled my neck with one hand resting on my chest and the other rubbing my cheek. “It’s alright girl, I’m …” a wheezy and heavy set of alcohol reeking coughs escaped. “I’m okay.” He pressed his face into the comfort of my coat.

“You used to be such an energetic child,” he whispered “but, you’ll always be the apple of my eye.” And that I was, “You were so small. How could I have let this happen to us, to you?” his voice cracked and his salty tears soaked into my coat as he sat holding me on his lap. “My wife, my children, all dead because I couldn't save them” He almost shouted as he clenched his fingers held my fur in clumps. The marching tears soldiered on and my dry nose pressed into his white wrinkled cheek absorbing a tear. My mind flashed back to the old memories, - Margo was smiling; her thin, yet wide lips separated revealing pearly white cubes; little Josephina giggling as she always had clung like a monkey to Dannie’s side.

“It’s all my fault.” He had pulled a small picture that was torn and old from his coat pocket. Unraveling the image, he showed it - me at his side, his arm around Margo’s waist, Dannie standing in front, with Jo sitting on her waist and arms wrapped around her. All were smiling and happy but master interrupted as he cried out, “I killed them; I let them die!” Sorrow was etched in his voice. As he thrashed out, the empty brown bagged bottle hit a wooden post and shattered. I jolted at the sound and of course he’d grabbed the second bottle he had had with him and pressed its glassy rim to his mouth. The warm liquid drizzled down his chin and throat onto my pelt as I shifted and stretched.

Old bones crackled and popped as the heavy blast of the storm upset the shelter and its rusted hinges. The snow topped the trees like ice cream cones and the brush beat back and forth in confusion as the blizzard grew heavier. Not a possum in sight, not even a single person in the open. A tumbling umbrella was flung about; obviously no one cared enough to catch it. We huddled together. Master’s breathing was heavy and the white walls circling us grew thicker; I was afraid of what would happen to master.

He continued his tirade of anger and sorrow filled stories. The blazing anger was visible in the depths of his eyes as I gazed at him with a soft generous face. “That fire! My stupidity, I didn't help them!” He pulled me in more tightly: the stream-like tears froze as they slid down his face. My own coat became a series of icicles and his grip became less. The anger in his eyes changed to pain as he shook his head slowly, closed his eyes and began to sob once again. “I saw it; I could have helped them…” His sentence trailed off as he shifted and sat up to look at me. My eyes opened a little to look at him. Eventually, I dozed off; that’s what it felt like. My mind wandered back to that unfortunate night.

I was smaller than I was now. My tail jolting fast in a relay back and forth with front paws on a white window sill looking down at master getting in the car. He couldn't hear my high pitch bark. I could smell an odd scent, and wandered to mistress’s door, nosed my way out of the gap it presented and bounded down the spiral steps to the kitchen. I barked at the foggy room and snapped my jaws at the dancing orange flames. The strange creature danced on the roof, walls and any object it could reach. Filling the room and seeping through some cracks that led to the room above I heard a cry. The front door was blocked and so was the back. Jo was scrambling across the upstairs hall as I ran back up to see what was wrong.

Dannie pushed past me, making me stumble as she scooped up Jo and rushed for Margo’s room. They were coughing and rushing about as I sneezed and shook out my smoked coated fur. I ran to the window and stood up again, barking and yapping. Master looked at me but left. I jumped up and then stopped. I ran back downstairs almost sliding into the angry orange demon. I ran for the small room that was full of stored boxes and forgot about the others. I was afraid and unsure what master had done as I scrambled out of a small broken vent in the wall that led outside. I stopped at the mailbox by the driveway and began snapping my jaws at the grey clouds surrounding the house.

Margo was trying to open the windows; they’d always been hard to open and only master could get them. Josephina was crying and coughing heavily; poor Dannie struggled to hold her as she tried covering her mouth with her shirt. I heard neighbors rushing to help but the demon seemed unstoppable as it swallowed the entire house. Half way down the road as I tried to find master to help I heard the screaming and shouting; my heart was racing and my movements were fast and determined. I never found master that day and returned home by nightfall. The fire truck had stopped the evil creature and I ran inside the broken front door, nose to the ground, tail low. I searched every room but there wasn't a sign of anyone. They had left me.

I eventually sunk back to reality and looked to master one last time. He was coughing and crying again. “I killed them! I let them die!” He shook his head though he could hardly move; the cold was seeping through every vein, making it harder to breathe and keep warm, I didn't understand. He was sculling the pure alcohol that he knew wasn't good for him. My nose kissed his cheek and I figured it was time to sleep as he rested his head, dropped the bottle and his breathing slowed. I pressed into him and settled into a deep sleep. The morning would find us at peace.
Done: 11/05/2014

My life was about the change, nothing was ever going to be the same. I doubted everything I knew, was my mind playing tricks on me. Finally, my mind caved in to the pain that shot through my left ear, I yelped loud, the fractured wood of the underside of the porch dug its ragged edges into the recently scabbed over left ear edge.

The warm red discharge ran down the side of my face landing on my paw as I shook my head. My half ear flopping as the blood flew off it painting the dry land and wooden planks above me. Flattening my ears as a sudden stench of trespassing mutts filled my nostrils; I shifted, pulling my brown stained white paws into the compacted space beneath me. The sunlight beaming through the planks above me was highlighting the sapphire eyes that glared out onto the sunny land, the heat waves hiding the blurry figures moving towards the homestead.

The orange splash of fur and waves made its way towards the estate, a larger grey figure in tow as I raised my head as high as I could and watched closely. The heatwaves dying off, they got closer and closer. Tensing tightly the bridge of my nose tightened in disgust at the scent of intruders. I shook my head a filthy sneeze escaped as I ruffled the bluish black fur coating my back. I was in a foul mood and this wasn't going to improve it, the young teasing female trying to bring fights for her. Neither fascinated nor captivated as I stayed quiet and remained under the porch of Fern’s house. Before I knew it the orange fuzz ball of energetic vibes laid in front of me her paws extending, at arm’s length pawing the air towards me.

I pulled up my lip baring the well sharpened, yellowed k-9’s, my eyes scanned her over, she was kind, playful, young and friendly, I loathed her. The grey wolf behind her keeping his distance, obvious reasons as I realized the rumbling growl rising in my chest, it raced up through my throat and emerged as my tongue slipped its way between my fangs licking my nose leaving a slobbery gleam upon it. Poor Ali continued her game pawing and pawing the air until she bopped my nose and I snapped, something hit me and my jaws spread, the saliva forming webs from top jaw to bottom as I snarled, letting it shatter and echo grabbing at her paw as she recoiled it quickly.

Her horror struck eyes met with mine, the cringing whimper of the male behind her reached my ears as I bluffed a charge forward sending dirt flying out from under the porch Ali retreated, I wasn't the reason she was here, echoing gripes and unhappy grunts emerged from the house floor boards. I was lucky, I didn't get locked inside, and I hid under the porch to keep some freedom. Balto was inside smashed, stunned, and dead to the world visibly out of it as he tossed and turned. I myself could hear him whining, running in his sleep, squishing Fern who was as lifeless as a log.

I returned my focus to Ali and Buster, the grey wolf stood eyeing me as Ali pranced around him teasing him, her tail raised, ears perked and whiny gripes grabbing his attention as they began playing chase around the yard. I was repulsed and uninterested. Eventually I pulled myself to the inner edge of the porch step and poked my head out, visibly snapping the air, my teeth clashing together as they rebounded, the saliva flew each which way imaginable, the strident, deliberate, attention grabbing barks, causing Ali and Buster to halt in their trails, two sets of eyes on me. I felt it.

I for one heard the unsettling cry of my brother whose ears had picked up the inappropriate fit in which I was pitching. A dense gust blew up the dust the shrilling shrieks as it squeezed its way through the rough unfixed window sill cracks. I looked back to the two intruders, the slobber like froth trundled down my maw making me look rabid as I rumbled further, their senses fixed on the window evidently having perceived the cry I had too. Balto was slowly waking up, the sound of his heart beating more rapidly, his breathing thickening and movements slowing as everything caught up with him.

My attention focused more on the trespassers than my awaking brother, he was stuck inside there wasn’t much he could do. Unforgiving eyes watching Ali as she got nearer and jumped up onto the veranda above me, she headed for a window her paws light but still causing the creaking slats to sing a painful song. Standing on hind legs two front paws on the window sill and a nose pressing against it trying to see inside through the curtains providing no access upsetting her. She moved back above me clawing at a breach in the veranda trying to pry it open, her claws scarring the innocent wood, as I snarled permitting it to hiss and ripple in the direction of her.

Breaking my train of thought was the large thud that collided into the wall lacking warning, the unclear grumpy whimper riled in the house. Paws pacing out of line trying to gain stability as I continued my fit of woofs and barks. Ali still attacking the porch above and the grey wolf not far off yapping as if he didn’t know the ancestries he contained, a simple awareness he seemed to have. Balto stumbled, tripped, colliding with the wall again before shaking his head, ears flapping slapping his face before his front end lifted, heaving itself, tightening muscles in his hind legs swelled and the curtains ruffled with a nose tunneling about to see out the window.

The foggy breath glazed the window in a display of grey smog as an ebony nose bared itself to the light; two white marks down his upper lips gleamed intensely in the light as he blinked and shifted trying to see the commotion outside. Nose twitching; like that of an itty bitty rabbit that would casually be seen as cute. This large muzzle however eventually spread, the circular shape of a funnel snapped together heavily, the clashing bangs like thunder as Balto’s saliva ran down his jowls, some forming large slobbery webs from top jaw to bottom as the echoing barks that were deep, and well certainly pissed off emitted from the lungs which held so much air. He lunge at the window, ears perked up, tail raised stiff and high as the growl rumbled in the barks catching the attention of Ali and Buster in the yard.

The two intruding flea bags jumped as the 85 pound husky threw his body into what was obviously a sturdy piece of glass. His muscles rippled under his thick coat as the grey wolf ‘Buster’ began yapping at the window, he sat casually like he was safe and provoked the fuming attack dog. Ali’s tail rose as she saw Balto, she leaped off the porch and ran to the window. Her ears erect upon her head, her tongue hanging out and tail racing fast as she jumped up at the window licking at it trying to get Balto’s attention.

Once his eyes shifted from Buster to her she spun around wiggling her rump in front of him but, that wasn't the best idea. The large dark midnight dog became a blur throwing himself again at the window an untaught unkempt line drew itself upon the window. Sounding like ice the window was cracking under the mass weight of the husky, a bothered moan emitted from the house, it wasn’t Balto, and Basilio immediately snapped his head to look at the underside of the house. Fern stretched and yawned stridently as she rolled over rubbing her face; she could hear the commotion and already had a headache.

She was drunk, drunk as a homeless man, but she slowly stumbled to her feet, she bumped into the oak dining table and scrabbled around until the obvious clink of metal sliding hit my ears. I sunk back into the depths of the porch sanctuary and looked out at Ali and Buster unaware of what was coming. Balto still jumped at the window, paws smudging saliva all over its surface painting a picture as he continued to alarmingly send out the message of intruders he didn’t agree upon. Fern coughed as she wrapped her hand around the weapon she pulled it to her chest and fumbled around trying to open the 6 bullet barrel to check it was loaded.

She moved towards the fireplace, thankfully not lit as she leaned into the frame made of solid rocks, she reached up holding the gun uneasily in one hand. She grabbed at the small box pulling it down and dropping it she grouched and knelt down stumbling forward as she caught the empty gun and began pulling at the box lid opening it to get to the bullets within. She held the open barrel awkwardly as she tried to put a bullet into the empty slots; she squinted her eyes and almost threw the lot as she dropped one.

“Si I will shoot aquellos perros.” She mumbled in Mexican to herself as she grabbed another bullet this time sliding it into the cozy tunnel. She placed 4 bullets in the gun and eventually gave up after dropping the others. She turned and looked at Balto by the window.

“Balto venir aquí!” she demanded heavily.

His teeth snapped shut as his heavy build dropped from the window, Ali and Buster now frozen as they watched the empty window and curtain swaying. Their eyes trailed along the wall listening to the rhythm of the paws hitting the creaky wood and the uneven steps of Fern heading to the door. Keys rattling and my own frame curled up tight as I watched both Ali and Busters reactions. The door slowly slid open and Balto rushed out.

“Deje que el perro loco” The heavy voice shouted as she raised her arm the short thin barrel reaching for the sky as she pulled the trigger and fired a shot.

The orange fuzz ball of Ali was already scampering off, tail between her thighs and ears against her cranium. Balto froze just above my head as he was ready to attack the grey wolf mutt. It stood frozen in the yard, eyes look at the woman with the weapon which most would run from. He met eyes with Fern who stumbled forward a few steps and aimed towards its head before shouting, “shoo usted filthy perro!” her arm shook a moment as the wolf tilted his head. The loud explosion of the ammunition being fired echoed over the dehydrated land as the wolf yelped and scuttled away, straggling after Ali’s tracks.

Balto barked as he stood on the edge of the porch he watched the wolf stop not far off obviously not getting the hint as he turned to wander back. Fern began to utter words under her breath and I bolted out from under the porch as my brother’s feet hit the floor and ran close at his flank heading for the wolf.

I stopped at the homestead gate watching Balto rush at the wolf, jaws snapping and teeth clashing as he leaped off of tensed hind legs front paws extending as his maw opened wide greeting the oblivious young wolf with an eruption of snarling and shattering bites. Buster now struggled; he was crying and calling for help as I watched. Fern walked over gun loosely hanging in hand aimed at the ground as she beamed a certain grin, knowing that wolf would never after learning this lesson.

Balto’s fang sunk into the wolf’s shoulders, sides, legs, back, and neck or face as he tackled him down he tore at what he could though he didn’t fully aim to kill. He was warning this mangy mutt that this was his territory and only those who lived there could enter. Calming down and he held tight, his large paw on the wolf’s chest as he growled down to him through clenched jaws around his jugular.

This was a very strong warning as the wolf submitted and once the heavy ball of muscle and fur got off he rolled over and scampered off. Proud in his mind, Balto pranced back to Fern who still had squinted eyes and was glaring down at the orange American Indian Dog that seemed too interested in Balto and I. My tongue slapped my nose again as he woofed lightly looking up to Fern, Balto’s eyes followed her gaze and he pulled a lip at the female in the distance though she stood ready to run fern whispered something lightly “copia de seguridad de los niños,” the simple request of back up boys. I moved around Fern and followed at Balto’s flank we stopped by the tree in the yard and watched as she headed towards the young dog.

Balto stood uneasily, tail raised high, nose twitching, ears erect and eyes stern as he watched Fern head towards the orange dog. She put the gun into its holster, clipping the strap over it before she knelt down a mere few meters from Ali. Fingers dancing at the edge of a belt pouch pulling out two pieces of dried jerky before extending her arm offering them to the dog, her spare left arm reached around slowly and gripped the rope unhooking it from its clip readying it.

My own eyes shifted uncertainly as I watched Ali and Fern. I tilted my head as the 16 month she dog moved towards Fern, ears low back and tail tucked, her back arched and fur fluffed up as she stopped every now and then. I could practically hear her stomach rumbling for food as she moved to Fern. Cautiously she sniffed the meat before opening her maw and taking a hold of it she lowered to the ground stomach resting on the dusty earth as she ate. Soon she was fighting; the high pitched yelp of the dog as she tugged at the rope now tight around her neck; she shook her head violently as she pulled trying to free herself of it.

“Shut up chucho!”Fern shouted sternly. She tugged at the rope harshly, dragging the dog along leaving skid marks where Ali refused to move. Eventually she picked up her feet as she whined walking low to the ground on top of her tail ears back.

“Balto, Basilio guardia de la casa,” Fern called back as she headed into the distance eventually disappearing from hearing, sight and scent range. Balto and I took our separate ways, I slid myself back into my den under the porch, Balto on the other hand sat above me on the porch watching and waiting for a sign she was coming back.

It'd been a few days since I'd been to my home, my spender limbs drawing me forward as I edged towards regions I knew better than to enter. Bear River was home to those unfavorable to my kind, the thick collar about my neck sporting a tied Mexican flag, signalling my opposition to the natives of the region. As I moved slowly, head dangling and tail limp I'd freeze, the rumble