Born to Race

Chapter 13

The Master led the dogs through the crowd. But the two greyhounds were anxious and on the lookout. Their old master could be anywhere. But there were lots of people and an unlikely chance they would be spotted.

The Master took them to several stalls and bought three treats which he gave to his dogs.

"Hey Shep," Snowy nudged the collie.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Our old master is here, can you smell him? He will have a spicy scent and he is wearing a black coat with a grey pelt underneath, his fur on his head is black," Snowy whined.

Shep sniffed the air and his hackles rose. He looked at a man standing several feet away that matched the description. Snowy backed away and so did Shep. That man was no good.

The hunter sat down on a table to eat the sausage roll he had bought. The dogs laid down at his feet. Snowy looked up at him and licked her lips. The hunter gave her, Shep, and Falcon a piece.

The dogs noticed the man again. He was coming towards them. Snowy watched and let out a small growl. The man stopped at the table and talked to the hunter. They were talking about her and Falcon.

"Those are my dogs sir, champion race dogs," The Boss said.

"Then why were they on the streets when I found them?" the hunter asked.

The boss looked at Snowy with anger in his eyes. He smiled at the hunter. But The Master stood up and glared at him. Refusing to hand Snowy or Falcon over.

Shep barked at the strange smelling man. Knowing he was trouble.

"I will report you to the authorities if you don't hand my dogs over now! They are my dogs and I can pay you for them."

"...Fine," The Master handed the leads over.

Falcon and Snowy struggled and barked as their old master tried to pull them away. They did not want to go back. Dread washed over the white greyhound. But then Snowy remembered her brother, and Smokey, and she did realised they could go home now. But they would never see Shep again.

"I'm sorry Snowy, I can't help," the collie barked. He sat beside his master who looked upset as he watched the greyhounds get pulled away.

"They were good hunters on my farm, they would be better off with me!" he called.

"They're racing dogs and this male here is a champion! I have to get him back to the owner who gave him to me. And as for the female, she will be alright with her real master." The Boss shouted back and turned around, leading the dogs through the market and to his truck.

~

Shadow was bored and hungry. He had been chained up for several days. Silver had been separated from him and locked in her cage. Smokey was still there to kee[ him company at least.

The door opened and The Boss stepped out. He was back from wherever he had gone. Two dogs were led out of the house by a leash. Shadow realised who they were and started barking. He pulled on his chain and wagged his tail. Snowy ran towards him and they pawed over one another with their long legs. Snowy and Shadow both felt their spirits sore and they were happy at last. Silver and Falcon licked each other's muzzles, wagging their tails and trembling in excitement. Then The Boss put Falcon on the chain and Snowy into her cage. Ending the happy reunion.

"So how did you survive?" Silver asked.

"Well we were in the forest for a few days, but then he wandered into this town. A man found us and took us to his home. There were other dogs there and we had fun on his farm," Snowy explained.

"The man took us and the dogs hunting! We caught ducks and a deer!" Falcon added.

"But three days later we went to the town with the hunter and we ran into The Boss. The boss took us, now we are back."

Snowy and Falcon looked at each other, upset about what had happened. Shadow felt sorry for them but he was still glad they were back.

"There will be another race soon, hopefully we can all get out," Smokey said.

"Right," Snowy agreed.

The dogs agreed and made a plan to escape during the race if they could.