Steven

6. Puppy

Something was coming. I could sense it. My ears pricked up, and as I opened my eyes, I was met with blinding daylight. Yesterday had been exhausting, I'd slept deeply all night and well in to today's day. But yesterday was yesterday, and I need to move on. Danger may just be coming. Yet my limbs are in so much pain, I cannot run, and my walk is too slow to match the fast pace of whatever was coming for me. So, nervous as I was, I had to face it.

It was a dog. Dogs can be just as bad as humans...especially the hulking guard dog staring intensely at me, pounding towards my trembling body with intent: he wanted to get to me. I immediately ran to hide in some nook in the trolley, for size was the only advantage I had, yet also the biggest disadvantage. He slowed as he approached, and then stopped. He didn't lunge at me, but instead laid down, showing his belly, a sigh of vulnerability. And his bum was facing me. Reluctantly I came forth to sniff it, I had no other choice.

I trust him. I couldn't sense anything bad though I retreat as he turned back over, before we ended up staring at each other. And then he dropped whatever was in his mouth my my feet.

A toy! I love those! I snagged it up, before realising it was a show of trust. I mean surely no dog would give up their toy for no reason? So I gave in and went with him. Anyway, I had nothing to loose, I am sure to die of this cold and fear soon.

He didn't like running so slow, but he accepted it because of me. Gratefulness filled me. He knows these places well, he has been here before, but he smells totally different from the area. In fact, he smells cosy and warm, in a strangely familiar way. I think that's partly why I trust him. I follow him until this pleasant corner, the houses are fairly large, but more overwhelmingly smell of food! He watches over my soft toy as I rampage through someone's bins, full of fresh goodies, that the wasteful, careless humans leave like nothing. What an awful species, those humans! Not that I'm complaining. These bits of chicken are truly delicious.