Born to Race

Chapter 7

When the storm had ended and the sun began to rise over the horizon. Light filtered into the cages, warming the dogs. Sasha was led outside with her pups. They bounded onto the wet grass. Yipping and snapping as they played.

The man with the white fur around his face had returned, wearing a white shirt and a blue pelt over the top. He went inside with The Boss and they discussed something.

Snowy waited outside the door, trying to understand what they were talking about. Sasha went to her kennel, sniffed it, then curled up inside.

Both the men came back out of the house, The Boss had a rope. They went over to Sasha and the puppies, everyone watched them.

Sasha growled as the white haired man moved to pick up a puppy. The Boss raised his voice angrily at Sasha. The female dog whined and tried to protect her pups. The men picked up Golden and Stripe Tail, but Sasha barked and showed her teeth.

Tiger leaped at the man and sank his teeth into the master's arm. He was then whipped several times. The other man who the dogs did not know grabbed the pups and put them in a small cage.

Snowy and Shadow watched in horror. Tan, who had her muzzle on still, approached the two men threateningly, her hackles raised. Tiger kept his tail straight out and slowly wagged it, showing dominance in his posture. Smokey whined and tucked in his tail, upset that the pups were now leaving.

The men ignored the dogs and took the puppies away. Sasha was locked in her kennel while her pups were taken out of sight.

~

Weeks went by, Tiger was staying close to Sasha, grieving with her. Tan would sometimes come over and give her friend a comforting lick and a bone. But Tiger was still upset his pups were all gone and Tan wasn't having any pups now. Since she had them taken in surgery.

"Do you think we should run away?" Shadow asked his sister.

"Running won't work, and we can't leave the others," Snowy whispered.

The door swung open and the man came out, leading two more greyhounds on a leash.

One greyhound had white and silver fur, while the other was white and had a brindle brown colour. They were nervous as the others approached and sniffed them. Tiger nipped the one that was a male, growling lightly before going back to his mate.

The new dogs were friendly, but frightened by Tiger's display of dominance. Shadow padded over to the female, he caught a scent he did not really recognise and kept sniffing. The female growled and snapped at him. Shadow backed away.

"Who are you?" Snowy asked.

"I'm Falcon, this is Silver," the brindle and white dog said.

"Well nice to meet you both, but first, I am the alpha and Sasha over there is MY mate. Also, don't mess with any of us, alright?" Tiger warned.

"Alright...alpha," Falcon lowered his head and assumed a submissive stance.

The pack left the newcomers alone and went back to whatever they had been doing. Shadow and Snowy watched them suspiciously. Silver and Falcon pad across the yard. They found two dog houses and go inside. The Boss must have made those just for them.

"I wonder why the master wants them here?" Shadow wondered.

"Maybe to breed, Tiger and Sasha's pups have gone, so now Tiger will probably be put with Silver," said Snowy. "Then what about Falcon? He'll probably be put with Tan."

"Or...you," Shadow gulped.

Snowy felt a sense of dread wash over her at the possibility. Falcon was a handsome dog but she hardly knew him.

"I hope we don't have to breed," said Snowy.

"Yeah," Shadow said. He looked over at Silver who was grooming herself. Her coat was shining in the sun.

"Wait, Shadow, you like Silver?" Snowy gasped, her eyes wide.

"No!? Why do you say that?" Shadow barked, feeling embarrassed.

Snowy laughed. Maybe she wouldn't find a mate here, but if Shadow wanted to then she would be happy for him.