The Wounds We Heal

Chapter fifty-nine: Deja Vu With A Twist!

Snowflake watched Chase, hoping he would welcome the activity. Ned just watched curiously.

A challenge huh? Chase thought. Well, then it's on!

And to everyone's relief Chase began tracking again and when he started to get out of sight, they slowly followed. But were almost startled, when he was suddenly coming back toward them.

"Woah,.. Hello.." he said, straightening up abruptly at sensing them in front of him, then resumed tracking around them.

"I wonder what he'll find first." Rubble said aloud.

"Ah-choo!"

"There's your answer." Chester announced, shrugging.

"Ugh!" he sniffed, rubbing a paw across his nose. "Pepper.. really guys?.. I'm allergic to dust, you know.."

"And?" Skye queried.

"Ohh.. got it.." Rocky realized awkwardly. "Small particles, sensitive nose.. Oops."

Chase just sighed and continued to track..

"There isn't any more of my allergens in this thing.. is there?" he asked briefly.

"No.. I don't think so.." Marshall replied.

"And anyway.. 'Sensitive nose' you'd probably have known it." Chester clarified.

"Point taken.." Chase supposed, then kept on the trail.

"You'll find the other smells less sneezy," Snowflake commented.

"But, dust and pepper are different. Dust has no flavor when you smell it," the husky continued, confused.

"Right, but my nose.. is more sensitive than others,.. which is why I'm allergic to dust.. Therefore,.. things that are similar to it.. Can get me sneezing just as badly more than other people.. or pups.." Chase explained between sniffing frenzies.

"That's why he doesn't help with the cooking much.." Skye recalled. "Plus he's not that into it."

"Exactly." Chase confirmed.

Suddenly biffing into something drew his attention, but without knowing what it was he simply kept going, making his way around the empty treat dispenser and continuing his tracking.

"Oh, okay. Thanks," Snowflake replied now having her question answered.

He was making his way around past the front door when it suddenly opened, and he jumped to face the sound and rush of air defensively. But realizing what it was, he straightened back up and began tracking again. And it was after he'd gone only a short distance when he stopped and lifted his head.

"Found your bear, Marshall." he said looking back over his shoulder, expecting them to be there.

"How did you know?" Marshall wondered in a bit of surprise.

"Well,.. mostly 'cause it smells like you." Chase replied simply. "But it also smells like that lickity lemon jam we tried to make.. Ick!!"

Snowflake blinked in surprise.

"I'm surprised you knew it was Marshall's teddy and not another item of his, like a chew toy," Snowflake commented.

'Boy he's good' she thought to herself.

"Well it's not like the lemon could be ignored. Wooph!" Chase replied, shaking his head at the thought. "It's the only reminder we have of how badly we messed up the recipe.. But I guess it was a good thing since it helped us keep the ants from ruining the jam fest."