The Secret Life of Pets Meet the Parents

The Bystander

Crawling through the grass, a little mouse searched for food. It flinched as a raindrop landed on its head. Yet it continued its search. Climbing up a rock, it scanned the area. Just then, the mouse had a bad feeling that it was being watched. Before it could run away, a dark shadow swooped down and caught the mouse, ending its life. The stranger looked down at the mouse, hunger rising within her. However, she knew that she would get her share later. Right now, she was more concerned about someone she had taken into her care.

Two days earlier, she was looking for someone to eat when an odd sight caught her attention. A silver and white Pomeranian was dragging a bag behind him. Curious, she followed the dog undetected. At last, he reached a small pond with a bridge. The stranger watched as the dog climbed up on the bridge and dumped the bag into the pond. As it fell, she thought she saw what looked like feathers inside. Letting out a huff, the Pomeranian walked away.

Once he was gone, the stranger decided to see what exactly was in the bag, even though she didn't know how to swim. Then again, she wasn't designed for swimming. Taking to the air, she quickly dived and plunged herself into the pond. Holding her breath, she struggled to swim towards the bottom. Right before she thought her lungs would burst, she found the bag. Grabbing it, she headed back for the surface.

Clambering up onto the muddy shore, the stranger ripped open the bag with her claws. Inside, she found a soggy mound of feathers, all tied up. She was starting to think she risked her life for a dead body when she noticed that it was moving. Lowering her head, she even heard a heartbeat, though it was very slow.

Right then, the stranger knew she had to protect and provide for the victim. I wonder what happened to that Pomeranian... she thought to herself as she flew back to her tree, an enormous willow. Landing on a branch, she carried the mouse to her guest. Gently, she coaxed him to eat the rodent after she tore into small pieces. The stranger noticed that the guest was probably suffering from a concussion and he slept often. 

However, today was different because he was now muttering something in his sleep. To the stranger, it sounded awfully like a person's name. Suddenly, he jolted awake, a terrified look in his eyes. "Norman?!" he cried before he conked out again. Who's Norman? the stranger thought quietly. Leaning down, she whispered to her guest, "Don't worry, you'll soon be reunited with this Norman, whoever he is." Cautiously, she reached out and stroked the feathers on the hawk's head.