Born to Race

Chapter 8

Spring had ended and summer began. The man took Snowy, Tan, Tiger, and Falcon in his truck and they drove away from the yard.

Snowy had only been in the truck once, and that was almost a year ago now. Tiger sat in the back with Tan and looked ahead at the front seats of the car. Snowy and Falcon looked out the window, wagging their tails in excitement. It was the first time they both had been away from their companions. Shadow and Silver were left at home with Sasha and Smokey.

"Where is the race track exactly?" Falcon asked.

"It's two hours away, up in the hills," Tiger barked.

Falcon let out several barks as he stuck his head out the window. The man closed it suddenly and the grey and white hound pulled his head back in.

"So, where were you before?" Sowy asked. The white she-dog laid down on the seat with Falcon.

"I lived with Silver and three other greyhounds in a yard like yours. Silver and I were both the fastest, so one day our master gave us to your owner." Falcon explained to her as he iched his ear with his foot.

"You must have been sad, leaving your old pack," Snowy said sympathetically.

"Yeah, I miss my brothers and my mother, Silver is the only family I have left, even though she isnt my sister," Falcon whined.

Snowy nuzzled him comfortingly. Falcon smiled, wagging his tail. The two dogs continued to talk, bond as friends.

Two hours later they arrived at the track. The man leashed his dogs and led them out of the car. There were two buildings situated across from the racing track. Behind the buildings was a beautiful forest, with tall pine trees. Across the road was an open field, probably for whippets to course.

The man with the white hair came over to The Boss and they talked. Then the dogs were roughly pulled along to the buildings. Snowy pulled back on the leash, wanting to stretch her legs. But the man tugged her lead and told her no in an angry tone.

Dogs barked and jumped at the cages as they walked down the rows to some empty ones. All four dogs were locked in the cages.

Snowy quivered in fear, lowering herself to the ground, her belly touching concrete. Falcon watched her and laid down, pressing his body against the cage. Tiger and Tan did not bark, they tucked their tails under and laid down.

"This is what happens at the races, dogs bark and are aggressive sometimes. Just ignore them you two," Tan barked.

"Alright, we will try," Falcon sighed.

Later on someone came in and gave the dogs a bowl of kibble. Snowy had an idea, it was her chance to escape. When the person opened her cage she darted out. But another person was there to catch her and put a leash on her neck.

"Snowy! Run!" Falcon barked.

"Yuu bad dog! Get back in your cage! And all you dogs stop barking!" the man who had Snowy yelled.

"Don't be so cruel to them," the younger boy who had fed the dogs said.

"They're dogs Michael, just animals!" the older man said and shoved Snowy in her cage. "No food for her tonight."

Snowy tucked her tail and lowered her head. Feeling frightened and hungry. The boy watched the older man leave. Then he put some kibble into Snowy's cage. The white greyhound ate the kibble gratefully. Then she looked up at the boy. He smiled and reached through the wire mesh to scratch the she-dog's chin. Snowy felt happy, wagging her tail and licking her lips, savouring the taste of the kibble.

Falcon whined and wagged his tail. The boy named Michael went to his cage next and gave him a scratch, then some more kibble. He gave all four of them some more kibble before leaving the dog building to find the older man.

"He is nice," Falcon said.

"Yes, I never knew humans apart from The Boss's mate and daughter could be so kind. In my nine years of racing, I have always been yelled at and beaten by humans. But I guess I am getting old, but I hopefully will still live to see the day when humans are nice," Tiger barked.

The old brindle dog was very wise in his words, he was a caring alpha. I wonder who will take his place when he is gone? Snowy thought. I wonder if Tan will be Alpha or Falcon? They would both be good leaders, I hope Falcon stays.