It was two months into their search, and there was no sign. Ellie wouldn't give up, though. She and Bella searched high and low, calling her name, hoping she would return soon.
"Okay," sighed Bella one day. "It's obvious that no one has seen Phoenix, Ellie!"
"We can't give up, Bella!" Ellie told her friend. "This is my guide dog we are talking about!"
"True," said Bella. "Hey, Coco, girl!"
Coco whimpered as she licked Ellie's hand for reassurement.
"Bless her," said Ellie, petting the Chocolate lab. "You miss Phoenix too!"
Coco wagged her tail.
"Bless her," giggled Bella.
"Let's go home," sighed Ellie. "Mother will be worried about me!"
They walked off to Ellie's house.
***
When they got back, Ellie's Mother hugged them both.
"Guessing no sign," she guessed, reading the looks on the girls's faces.
They both shook their heads.
"Come to think of it," said Ellie's Mother. "I miss my dogs Jinx and Delilah. They both made me feel safe. Both would protect me and Ellie!"
Ellie stared at her. "The XL Bully and German Sheperd? Aww! I miss them! I felt safe with those dogs round!"
"Did he take them, too?" Bella guessed.
Ellie and her mother nodded. Bella frowned.
"Are you okay, Bella?" Ellie's Mother asked. "You look deep in thought, my dear!"
Bella didn't answer. She was going through stuff in her mind.
***
Phoenix shivered in her cage. The yard where it stood was starting to be covered by white slushy snow. Some of it was yellow where Jinx or Killer had marked. Phoenix wanted Freedom from the cage! Her neck hurt from the chain and she felt colder each day that passed.
***
It was a particular day when Phoenix woke up. The air smelt of blood. Not Killer again! She growled internally.
"Morning, Golden Princess!" Came Killer's bark. "How can I be at service?"
"Ha ha," Phoenix barked sarcastically. "What do you really want, Killer? You do know I can't get out of here! You are lucky!"
She snapped her jaws to prove a point. Killer backed up a bit, but continued to gloat.
"Doesn't mean I can't treat you like a lady of leisure," she grinned, showing her stained teeth.
Phoenix growled. She didn't like the XL Bully. She was a horrible dog!
"A penny for your thoughts, golden!" Killer barked.
"What I think, is none of your business, Killer!" Phoenix glared at her.
"Easy, easy,!" Killer backed even more. "Just trying to talk, girl to girl!"
She winked, her eye looking directly at Phoenix. It was only then that Phoenix noticed that Killer had a few scars, too!
"Okay, then!" She managed to face the bigger dog. "What happened to your face? Did someone attack you? Is that why you hate other dogs?"
"Wow," Killer sounded surprised. "So many questions!"
"Just answer them, Killer!" Phoenix begged. "Then we can get to the bottom of why you hate Jinx! He's not done anything to you! All he's done is live here!"
YOU ARE READING
Lost and Found, A story of family.
AventuraSneak Peak to the first chapter.: Snow fluttered down as the pup trotted alone, nose to the ground. She didn't know her true destination was. But all she knew was that she had to be back at her owner's side. She remembered a strange man grabbing her...
