Instinct

The Prize

Over the following weeks, Sparky grew some impressive incisors – the type carnivores use to tear flesh from bones. I knew our vegan diet wouldn't satisfy him for much longer, and the way he nipped at my fingers during play might someday result in me losing a few if I didn't start feeding him what he needed.

My aim had improved somewhat since crafting the bow, but I hadn't managed to bring home a prize for my efforts. Every animal – and there weren't many – proved too elusive. Most ran for cover as soon as they smelled me.

With no choice than to keep trying, I packed a dozen arrows into a shoulder bag and tossed Sparky his chew branch to keep him amused while I was out. He ignored it, choosing instead to whimper at my feet.

"You want to come?" I asked in dismay, fearful that he'd run off or I'd shoot him by accident.

He yipped with excitement.

I couldn't refuse him, and at first he stayed close on my heels, happy to follow my footprints in what remained of the snow. When we reached the cold stream, he lifted his nose into the air and sniffed, his ears swivelling like radar antenna homing in on whatever he smelled. In a blink he was gone, darting off into the undergrowth. I swore a blue streak.

As tempted as I was to chase after him, I knew the undergrowth was too thick for me to get very far, so I waited, listening intently for any sign of his return.

A moment later, a large-eared bundle of white fur bounded out from the spot Sparky had disappeared into. It skidded to a stop when it saw me. Sparky's head appeared, but he too stopped just at the edge of the thick vegetation. Indecisive in where to go, the creature sat there, a prime target. I was unprepared and by the time I'd loaded an arrow into the bow, the creature had made up its mind and darted in my direction. Sparky was on it. It was twice his size, but it didn't stand a chance once Sparky sank his teeth into its neck.

Contrary to what I thought he'd do, Sparky dragged the creature to me. He sat with his tails wagging.

"Good boy!" I praised, reaching down to scratch behind his ears, avoiding his most favoured sweet-spot on his chest because it boasted a crimson stain of victory. "I'm sorry I didn't help. If I'd known that was what you'd planned, I'd have made the kill. I'll be ready next time. Promise."

With that said, he wandered off again in the same direction. I tied our prize by its feet and slung it over my shoulder before walking on upstream with my weapon poised in readiness. I'd occasionally catch glimpses of Sparky's orange fur when he wandered close to the edge of the thick growth or through thinner patches, but nothing else appeared.

It was a good first day and we ate well that night. Having gobbled up the entrails as quickly as they fell to the floor, Sparky lay by my side while I finished preparing the meat. The smell of it roasting roused him from slumber. He seemed to appreciate the appetising aroma as much as I did. Although, he got impatient and lit up his tails, fanning them over the flat hot-rock I lay the fillets on so they cooked from both sides at once.