Lost and Found, A story of family.

Chapter 2: Six months before!

It was a perfect, summer's day. The sun shone like yellow streams of light through the blinds in every house down the street. All the houses were different colours. Some were painted blue, pink and brown. There was not a cloud in the sky. Everything was slightly dry from the drought  that was happening.

In one of the pink houses, a Golden Retriever stretched. Her paws extending as she tried to wake up. Her pink nose twitched as she sniffed the air. Breakfast must be cooking. She got on all fours and trotted over to her owner. She gave a little whine to show that she was awake.

The girl stretched and managed to sit up. Her hand reached out to the dog.

"Morning, Nixie!" She yawned. "Is it breakfast?"

The dog tilted her head and looked at her. She put a paw on the girl's knee. I wished I can talk. She thought as she received a pat on the head. She licked the girl on the hand.

"Ellie!" Came a voice from downstairs. "Breakfast is ready!"

"Coming, Mother!" Ellie got up and smiled at her dog.

"Phoenix's food is ready, too!" Came her mother's voice.

At that word, Phoenix's ears pricked up. Her tail wagged, whipping the bedside table with a ting. Ellie giggled and hugged her.

"Calm down, girl!" She smiled.

Phoenix couldn't stop. She was so excited for her breakfast. She looked at Ellie, waiting for a command. After all, she is my mistress. She thought. I'm her service dog!

"Go," said Ellie, knowing what she was thinking.

Phoenix bounded down the carpeted stairs and clattered into the dining room. The dining room had flowered wallpaper with different colour of flowers ranging from purple to red. The family liked to keep bright colours in the house for Ellie. The girl lost her left eye because of RetinaBlastoma in it. The right eye was still working. But her vision was slightly going.

Ellie followed her pooch into the room, walking into a chair. Phoenix ran to her and grabbed her pyjama t-shirt and helped her round to her chair. She sat down, her tail whipping Ellie's chair to help her.

"Silly dog," giggled Ellie as she sat down.

"Who are you calling silly dog?" Phoenix tilted her head again. She whimpered and lay down at Ellie's side.

"Breakfast is served," said Ellie's Mother coming in.

She placed the plate in front of Ellie, explaining where things were on it. She was a pale woman that hasn't seen the sun for a while. Her hazel eyes were normal, but slightly damaged because of a fight that she and Ellie's Father were in once. Her hair was curly and blond. She was wearing heavy makeup to hide scars that she received from the horrid man. Her dress had bright colours and was a pleated skirt.

"Thank you!" Said Ellie.

Her mother joined her. "So, what you going to do today, Darling?" She asked. "Go to the park?"

Ellie shrugged. "Wouldn't it be too hot for Phoenix?"

"Good point," said her mother. "We do need to get her something for her paws!"

Ellie started nibbling at her food. She was in deep thought.

"Are you okay, Ellie?" Asked her mother.

"Yes," said Ellie. "Just thinking."

Phoenix lay there, listening to the humans talk. She sort of understood what they said. But wasn't sure what every word meant. She sighed, giving a huff.

"Oh," said Ellie. "Phoenix hasn't had her food!"

Phoenix pricked up her ears again. Breakfast?

The humans laughed as she did this. Then the Mother left the room. Phoenix watched her and got excited all over again. Ellie couldn't help but laugh.

"You are so cute!" She told her friend. "Want to go for work later? Go to the shop? Then the park for a treat?"

All those words Phoenix understood. She barked and wagged her tail.

***

It was after breakfast, and Phoenix was upstairs, waiting for Ellie to put her harness on. She was patient but couldn't help but whimper in excitement at the idea that they were going to the shop for the week shop. Phoenix loved working. Any time the harness wasn't on her, she felt bored. Unless she went to the park to play ball!

Ellie was texting her friends Bella, Lexie and Freya. They always met up with their dogs Jasmine, Coco and Zippy. Jasmine was a King Charles spaniel with brown patches. Coco was a chocolate Labrador' that belong to Bella. Zippy was a brown and white Jack Russell. All of the dogs got along, which was great for their humans.

"We are going to meet up with your friends, girl!" Ellie confirmed after five minutes. "Let's get ready!"

Phoenix trotted over to her as she lifted up her harness. Ellie shook it.

"Harness on!" She said.

Phoenix put her head through the hole for her head.then waited for Ellie to farsen the belly band. All the while panting and wagging her tail. She put her nose on Ellie's shoulder

"Good girl!" Ellie tickled her ears. "Let's go!"

She held the cold handle and found the leash. Clipping it on to the collar, she lead the dog out of her room.

***

Soon they were walking through the bustling town. People moved out of Ellie's way as the duo walked through. Ellie was lucky that people hadn't tried to pet Phoenix. The town's people knew that she was a guide dog and obeyed the rule.

"Hey, Ellie!" Came a voice over the crowd.

Ellie stopped, giving the steady command. Phoenix slowed down and then stopped. Ellie smiled as Bella walked up with Coco! Bella was dressed in purple.

"Where are you off too, before the park?" Bella asked her friend. "Do you need help?"

Ellie explained that she and Phoenix were going off to the shop first. Bella patted her shoulder.

"You are brave to do that!" She said. "It's busy in there today!"

Phoenix sat down, looking at her friend. Coco knew she was working. But came over, all the same.

"Hey, Nix!" She woofed. "Can't wait to play later."

"Same," Phoenix barked. "Do you know if Jaz and Zip are coming?"

"Don't know," came the reply. "Oh. Have to go! Bella is finished talking to Ellie. I'll see you later!"

Phoenix nodded and got to her paws as Ellie gave her the Forward command. She trotted with ease. She managed to avoid more people and street furniture.

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A/N: here is chapter 2. I hoped you enjoyed it.

Thank you @shy_fangirl and @spiritx for sharing the story on your message boards. And thank you all so far for the comments and votes. Means a lot.

Wolfie out!

Word count apart from this and author's note: 1078