The White Wolf of Winter

Part Four, Samson and Jake

Chapter Six
    It's Saturday morning. I let the dogs out and sat down to have my morning coffee and a bowl of cereal. I can hear my dogs barking at something. I look out the window and everything is a blur of white. So I put on my boots, coat, hat, scarf and my gloves for a closer look. I step outside to see my dogs standing at the fence barking towards the tree line.

    "Sammy, Jake, come see momma."
But they just look back at me and keep on barking. So I go get the frisbee to distract them from whatever deer or squirrel has gotten them stirred up.

    "Come on boys, momma's got the frisbee."
I throw the Frisbee towards them but neither of them go for it. So I walk to where they are, with considerable effort I might add. A lot of snow has fallen overnight and I feel like I need to bring out the snow shoes.

    "Hey boys, what's got you boys so excited. What do you see? Is it a deer? Oh, I bet it's a big old buck, isn't it fellas?" I look over the fence to the tree line but I can barely make it out. It must be a white deer. Is there such a thing as a white deer? An albino maybe?

    "Come on boys, don't you wanna play Frisbee with momma?" Suddenly it walks out from the trees. Oh my God, it's a white Wolf! Could this be the same wolf I encountered in the forest?

    "Come on Sammy, let's get inside! Come on Jake!"
I get their attention and throw the Frisbee towards the house. They take off after it and I am running right behind them. I run and open the door. "Come on boys, get inside, let's go."

They must have sensed my terror because they ran inside and I bolted the door. How many wolves live around here, I wondered to myself? This could not possibly be the same one I encountered in the forest by the school. That's quite a ways from here. My heart is beating out of my chest. I put the shotgun close to the door and hope I don't have to use it. The boys fall asleep on the rug in front of the fireplace. They love the fireplace. But sometimes today I will have to venture outside to collect more firewood to bring inside. I hope the wolf has moved on by then.

    I spent my morning reading. It's now noon and I need to let the dogs out and gather some firewood to bring inside.

    "Come on boys, you want to go outside for a while? Momma's gotta gather up some wood to bring inside." The boys spring out the door running across the yard like a couple of bullets. I proceed to the back of the house to get the wheel barrel and load up some wood. I can hear the dogs barking again but it doesn't last. So I assume everything's ok. I load up my wheel barrel and head back to the front of the house. I am coming around the corner when I see Jake and Sammy prancing around with, "Oh my God! The White Wolf has jumped the fence!"

I try to run to the door to get my shotgun but the wolf blocks me. His golden eyes are piercing into mine.

    "Please, Mr. Wolf, just go home from where you came from."

Neither one of us moves from our spot.
My dogs have come onto the porch to stand beside the wolf.

    "What is this, boys, three against one? I've taken very good care of you boys, don't you turn on me now."

They all three lie down together in front of the door. It's cold out here. I need to get inside. What should I do?

    "Can you boys please move so I can get this firewood inside, please?"

All three move over to the side to let me pass.
Should I go for it? Is this a trick?

I slowly ease my wheel barrel onto the porch and push open the door. I push my wheel barrel inside and all three race in behind me. Now I have a wolf in my house. This is like a night mare I can't wake up from.

They all three lay down by the fire like they are waiting and watching for me to come inside and stack the firewood by the fireplace. This is some strange stuff. I need to empty my wheel barrel and go lie down. I'm suddenly not feeling well. It's like all of the blood has rushed from my head.
I feel myself slowly collapsing onto the floor, as the wolf comes over to cradle my fall. "What is this creature?" I ask myself as darkness takes over my brain.

I wake up to all three licking my face.

    "Stop it guys! I'm alright!"

I look up at two pairs of baby blue eyes and one pair of golden eyes. They all three lie down beside me on the floor.

I wonder if I am dreaming all of this. But the wolf starts licking me again. And I know I am not dreaming. I sit up and the wolf slips in behind me to support my back like a big cushion.

    "Thank you, Mr. Wolf, you are a true gentleman."What am I saying? This is just nuts!

    "How about if I make steaks for all of us? Would you guys like that?"

Two bark and one growls. Lord have mercy! I've taken in a wolf. I have officially lost my mind.
We ate our steaks and then they all wanted out. So I opened the door and they all ran like the wind, except; Mr. Wolf jumped the fence and kept on going.