Healing Myself

"I don't like you being scared"

My derailing train of thought was enough to get me up and moving. I freshened up and wore a long sleeved pastel pink top, which showed parts of my upper back through a criss-cross pattern, and a pair of light blue shorts, brushing my dirty blonde hair and putting them up in a clip. I pick up my glass vial pendant from the dish on my bedside table, clasping it around my neck. No matter if it matched with my outfit or not, I always wore it. 

Pocketing my handy sanitizer for today's outing, I went down and made breakfast for my parents. Dad probably could have fixed something for this morning, but his cooking could go south sometimes. Mom and dad were supposed to have a nice romantic day today and burnt breakfast would be a perfect start. Not.

I wasn't really in the mood to eat, so I just consumed my morning coffee and went in the garage to check on Pumpkin. He was in his huge crate, snoring off. I moved closer to him, wanting to touch his smooth fur coat and just as my hand touched him, his eyes flew open. He saw me and immediately flew out of his humble abode, jumping on me and attacking me with his muzzle. I petted his head and gave him some dog food and water, along with some bacon I had brought for him. It was a good day to take him out, but I was going to the mall and coming back before nightfall wasn't an option. I shuddered as I thought about that one time I had witnessed mom and dad making out. Gross.

By now you must have an idea of who Pumpkin is. He is my almost 5 year old Alaskan malamute, who has a beautiful orange fur coat, hence the name Pumpkin. I guess it's time I give you a little more information about my past. 

Pumpkin was originally Dylan's, yes, you now have a name for the boy in my flashbacks, but it's okay. No need to freak out. I am not freaking out. 

Nope, not at all.

Dylan had found him a little less than a year before I came here. He'd been 11 something at the time, and seeing the little orange fluffball, had immediately started calling him Pumpkin. He'd been lucky it was a gender neutral name; I'd seen dogs get offended with their names, because their owners had named them without knowing their gender. Trust me; I've seen a huge black bulldog with a collar that said Flora.

Pumpkin was, still is, really attached to him. His appetite had severely decreased after the first month, and he had kept by my side during all that time; not seeing Dylan had taken a toll on the poor animal too. I'd approached Anna, Dylan's mother, about keeping the dog with me as Dylan had trained him to protect me. She had been happy that I would take care of him, because he was another reminder of what she had lost. I still remember how it had went down almost 4 years ago.

I was sitting in my tree house, sketching the forest, when I heard a dog barking somewhere under the tree. I looked out the window to see an orange colored dog. From what I remembered from the encyclopedias I'd read, he was either a husky or an Alaskan malamute; those were the only dog breeds that resembled a wolf in appearance. He wasn't fully grown up, but he couldn't be classified as a puppy either. He had a collar around his neck, so he must be someone's pet.

I was getting down the tree when I heard footsteps approaching. As my feet hit the ground, I turned around to see Dylan half bent, his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. The dog looked at me and sniffed, and after probably figuring out that I wasn't a threat, began licking both of my hands. I think he wanted me to pet him or something, but I couldn't be too sure.

Dylan came closer and ruffled the fur on the dog's head. "You've gotta slow down, Pumpkin." He looked at me and smiled. "I'm sorry if he scared you. He can get a little too excited."

"It's okay. He didn't scare me." The dog, Pumpkin, came closer to me, as if he understood what I'd just said. "You never told me you had a dog."

"We have only known each other for two weeks." He said while holding two fingers up. "Plus, you never asked." He finishes with a cheeky smile.

That makes sense, but I want to know why he decided to introduce his dog to me all of a sudden. Also, I'm curious about what breed Pumpkin is. "What breed is he?" I question while ruffling behind Pumpkin's ears.

"He's...................an Alaskan something." he tells me, thinking hard about something, probably wondering what that something is. I decide to ease his troubles and mine. "An Alaskan malamute. They're hard to find, very expensive too. Why did you bring him here today?"

Dylan gets a serious look on his face, which seems at odds with his 12 year old face. "When I first met you, you seemed really scared. I don't like you being scared, so I brought Pumpkin. He'll always protect you. See, he likes you." He says, pointing at said Pumpkin who is now nuzzling my legs. Hmm, this pup's growing on me, I think as I pet him once again.

After fooling around with Pumpkin for a while, I went on my way to the park nearby. Not a lot of people would be there in the morning, and I could have some time to myself. I remember very well that I told dad I would go spend some money on myself, but this was also a way of relaxing for me. Not to mention I still felt like crap after last night's dream, and the memories I'd had this morning, too had exhausted me. Being around a bunch of people who were probably on their caffeine highs didn't seem like the best plan right now.

I am sitting on one of the swings, moving it lightly with the help of my feet, when a dog comes out of nowhere and jumps in my lap. Huh, is today some kind of dog attack day that I'm not aware of. I quickly balance myself on the swing, holding the dog, which I now notice is a golden retriever. He's licking at my face, and I can't help but laugh quietly at his enthusiasm. The dog also has a broken leash on him, but before I can analyze anything, a smooth, masculine voice reaches my ears.

"Max! Get off of her! I am so sorry. He's never done that before. Are you okay?"

Well, hello human interaction.

•••••

AN: I think we all know who this'll be, but you guys can comment and tell me anyway.

QOTD: Do any of you guys have pets, and if so, which animals are they? I don't, though I'd really like to get myself a cat. Comment and tell me!