Stained Fur

    A cold burst of air rushed in through the large opening of the cardboard box I was sleeping in along with Atlanta, a Newfoundland that my birthers used for fighting. Then again, they use all of us dogs to fight. I sleep out here in my parent's trashy yard along with all of the other dogs.

Another burst of air hurled across my face and I shivered, curling closer to Atlanta for warmth. She lifted her read uo and swiped her tongue along my cheek in a motherly manner.

     Atlanta arrived at my birther's business years ago while she was baring a litter of pups. I was only seven years of age but I remember clearly my birthers beating Atlanta's stomach in intentions to kill her pups. She has soon gave birth to four dead pups. She actually birthed five pups. The fifth pup was alive. I had managed to help Atlanta nurse her only living put back to perfect health. I had named this pup Miracle because of the beatings she survived. Miracle had to be hidden from my birthers or they would have hit her with bars until she was bloody and frozen forever.

     Atlanta must have heard my heart beat faster because she nudged her nose to mine. I slanted my lips to reassure her that I am fine. She locked her golden yellow eyes on mine and I could tell she didn't believe my half smile. I grunted softly and sat up. I rubbed my cheek to hers and nodded, indicating her to stay in our box. I padded over to the large wooden box my birthers never moved out of the yard. I used my shoulder to push the box over, reveling a large hole in the ground. I crawled carefully in to the dark den. I reached the bottom and sat on the cold, wet dirt.

     My eyes adjusted after a few minutes and I made out the familiar shape of Miracle's matted black pelt with white on her paws and stomach. Miracle was hovered in a corner, afraid that it was something else. She realized it was me and her talk thumped against the dirt floor in relief. I pulled my lips back into a smile and walked over to her. She licked across my face and on to my eyelids. I yipped silently with excitement and butted my forehead into hers.

      I was relieved to see that she was okay. This den was dug a few years ago by Atlanta and I to keep Miracle hidden. We know that one day my birthers will discover Miracle. We are both prepared to fight for her though because we know once they find her they will attempt to kill her painfully and slowly. I wrap my paw around Miracle's neck and roll over onto the cold earth,  bringing her down on top of me. She grunted playfully and lie her head on my chest. I put my paw behind her ear and scratched it softly. She closed her eyes in relaxation. Her heart started beating softer and her muscles loosened. She fell asleep on my chest.