Born to Race

Chapter 5

(Found artwork that looks like Snowy and Shadow)

Every week dogs were taken to the runs and left there to bark and race each other. The pups were growing bigger and when they were finally able to see and hear, Shadow and Snowy led them around the yard, showing them everything. The younger pups become attached to the older greyhound pups. They loved playing with Shadow and Snowy, who were also willing to watch them while their parents were training or having a break.

"Watch me Snowy! I'm the fastest greyhound here!" Stripe Tail boasted and raced around in circles.

His sisters and the nameless pup joined in the game. But Nameless got distracted and started chewing on a stick. While his siblings played somewhere else.

Shadow padded over to Nameless and grabbed the other end of the stick, growling playfully and wagging his tail.

The nameless pup growled also and pulled on the stick with all his force. Shadow was careful not to hurt the pup as he gently tugged the stick free. Then he trotted away with his trophy, head high in triumph. Nameless scampered after him and leaped up to grab the stick.

Snowy watched after the other pups, making sure they didn't get into any trouble. Golden was tussling with Stripe Tail. She pinned him down and nipped his ears. Tabby found her sister's tail and chomped onto the end. The light brindle she-pup whirled around and snapped at her sister.

"Hey that hurt!" yelped Golden. She growled and nipped Tabby.

Snowy got into a play bow, barking for the pups attention. The little greyhounds ran towards her. Excited to play with the other she-dog. Snowy darted away, doing zoomies back and forth. She crouched down and Golden grabbed her ear with her sharp teeth.

"Oi, let go," Snowy barked.

Tabby and Stripe Tail knocked into her, making her fall on her side. The pups jumped on top of Snowy. Howling victoriously.

"Looks like you got into a situation," barked Shadow in amusement.

Snowy carefully moved and the pups slid off. She panted and put her head on the ground. Just as Sasha and Tiger came back from the runs.

The Boss took their leashes off and put them into the kennels. Snowy and Shadow nudged the pups along. The brindle mother dog barked and her pups raced over to her. Climbing into the kennel and lying down beside her.

'Thank you Snowy and Shadow," Sasha said.

"You're welcome, those pups are a handful," Shadow said.

"Yeah, you're lucky to have such beautiful and sweet pups," Snowy added.

"I knew two young dogs like yourself could handle them," Sasha said.

Snowy and Shadow went into their cages and laid down on the soft bedding. They had a well earned nap while Sasha nursed the pups.

Snowy woke up to barking and someone yelling. The Man was raising his whip to strike Tan. The she-dog was growling and there was blood on the man's arm.

"Oh no! Tan!" Snowy stood up and barked. Even if the tan dog sometimes was mean, she still didn't like seeing a dog hurt.

The dogs clawed at their cages but there was nothing they could do. Tan was whipped three times in a row. Then the man marched back into the house.

"Why did he do that?" Sasha barked.

"Because I'm...I'm pregnant with Tiger's pups," Tan confessed, tucking her tail and lowering her head.

The dogs all gasped. Tiger glanced at Sasha who bared her teeth at him.

"It's true I admit it, Tan is pregnant with my pups, but I only love Sasha," Tiger confessed.

Snowy could see the guilt in Tiger's eyes. The old alpha dog seemed vulnerable. Sasha looked unsympathetically at him. Their relationship was now damaged.

"I thought you cared about us," Sasha growled and shielded her pups from the male.

"I do!" Tiger barked, "You're my mate and I only care about you and our pups."

The master came out with a strange object that looked like a small basket with a strap. He put it on Tan and ordered her into her kennel. The female looked at Tiger who glared at her, angry that she had ruined his relationship with Sasha.

"It's not Tan's fault," Shadow growled quietly.

"I agree," Snowy shook the stress off and laid back down.

The dogs did not speak, instead they groomed themselves and did not bother to look at each other. They felt unsure and anxious, not knowing what would happen next.