Born to Race

Chapter 14

Snowy, Shadow, and Falcon were taken in the truck to the race again. They were brought to the cages and put inside. Snowy was tied up by a chain to the wall and so was Falcon. The humans were not letting them escape again.

Shadow and Snowy were taken to the track and put in the starting boxes. They were ready for the second round. A gun was fired and they took off.

"And in the lead is 'Fire and Ice'! After escaping into the wilderness with 'Falcon Blaze', she has returned at last! Coming up beside her is 'Lightning Jack'! Behind him is 'Bluebell' and 'Rudolph the Reindeer'!"

Snowy was overtaken by Bluebell and Rudolph. She rounded a bend and raced to the first line. The end of lap one.

The final lap was easy, Snowy was fast and was not growing tired. She remembered hunting the deer in the woods. It was not as fast as a greyhound and easy to chase. Shadow panted, catching up to her, but Snowy made one last burst of speed and crossed over the finish line.

"Well done Snowy!" Shadow barked.

The other dogs looked mad as they slowly padded over to their masters. Snowy wagged her tail as The Boss came over and led his dogs to the stands to get his trophy.

Snowy and Shadow had a rest in their cages. The boy Michael came over and fed the dogs. He came to Snowy's cage and opened it so he could pat her. Snowy jumped up and licked his face. But then the cranky man who was the boy's boss came over and scolded the boy.

Snowy tucked her tail as the cage was shut and the humans left. She curled up and decided to go to sleep.

The races went on for two weeks. Snowy, Shadow, and Falcon won some of them. Always two or one of the dogs was put in a race. And everyday they were fed to keep their strength up for running.

The Boss came to the kennels one day with Smokey. He put the whippet in the middle cage between Snow and Shadow.

"Hey Shadow," Smokey barked. "How are the races?" he asked.

"They're good, we win lots," Shadow wagged his tail.

"Well that's good! Tomorrow I'm going to catch rabbits!" Smokey said.

The dogs wagged their tails and barked in excitement at the thought of catching rabbits. Smokey said no more as he curled up and fell asleep. Shadow and Snowy decided to sleep too. Since the last race was the next day.

~

Smokey was taken to the field to course with other whippets. While Snowy was taken to the track to race.

The gun was fired and Snowy ran, chasing the rabbits which was their target. It was like coursing, but on a track and the dogs wore muzzles and jackets. Number four pushed past her. Snowy growled and tried to get ahead. But the black greyhound tried to tackle her to the ground. Both dogs went down in a flurry of paws. Snowy fought back as the male tried to bite her. Luckily he could not because of his muzzle. But he raked his claws down her fur.

"Get off!" Snowy snarled.

The male greyhound was pulled off by two humans and led away. Snowy stood up and shook her pelt. Someone leashed her and led her off the track. Taking her back to the kennels.

"Why are you back so early?" Falcon asked when she returned.

"One of the dogs attacked me," Snowy said.

"What?!" Falcon and Shadow's hackles rose and they let out growls of anger.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Snowy said and began licking her wounds.

Falcon and Shadow laid down pressing their pelts against the cage. They kept a watchful eye over Snowy.

That night they went back to the yard and were put into the kennels. Falcon was taken to his dog house with Silver. The Boss fed them before going into the house. Snowy watched him go. Then turned to Falcon.

"We have to escape with everyone," she said.

"You're right but we are locked in the cage," Falcon said.

"When he lets us out we run," Snowy replied.

"Okay," Falcon agreed, "We will all get out."

"If only we had been able to escape, we could have found you," Shadow growled deep in his throat.

"It's all The Boss's fault," Falcon growled as well.

Snowy agreed with them. The Boss had brought them here, it was his fault for Tiger and Tan being so aggressive. And he made them race even after Tiger was killed. Anger filled Snowy. She flattened her ears and watched the human den. The lights turned off, signalling that the man had gone to sleep.

"What about Sasha? She is old and probably won't make it," Shadow asked.

The old brindle dog was sleeping as she usually did. The Boss did not care about her though, he ignored her now and only paid attention to the four young dogs.

"She might have to stay behind," Falcon sighed.

"No!" Snowy bristled.

"We'll find a way!" Shadow added.

"Alright, I'll think," Falcon laid down and rested his head on his paws.

Snowy yawned and curled up. Falling into sleep. What if The Boss stops us from escaping? What if we can't help Sasha? She thought as she began dreaming. Dreaming of life beyond the yard.

~

The sun rose high in the sky. Birds were singing and the dogs were barking. A car pulled up out the front and a man walked into the yard with The Boss. Falcon froze and barked. Silver whined and looked over at Shadow.

"My master, he is here for me and Silver!" Falcon said.

Snowy felt her heart sink. Her best friend was going to leave her.

The Boss unchained Falcon and put a leash on his collar. The other man tried to make his dog come but failed. Falcon let out a small whine as he looked up at Snowy. Silver padded over and licked Falcon goodbye. The other dogs in the cages barked.

"Silence! You mutts," The boss shouted at them.

Falcon's master led his dog out of the gate and away from the yard. Snowy watched them go while Silver pulled on her chain and howled. The Boss whipped the cages and then the doghouse. Everyone became silent.