by Lucy E. Zahnle

Created on: September 10, 2009

Dogs in Moonlight

Neglected by the mother, kicked by the father, and left outside in the icy cold of night and the broiling heat of day by both, the dog waited for the boys to return. The boys were the only ones who loved or cared for him, but he hadn't seen them in days. He missed them; missed the gentle caresses of the older boy, Jack; missed his playful tussles with the younger boy, Scott.

Soon starvation forced the dog to leave his home and he wandered into the woods to look for food. That first night, he found a spot to sleep in a hollow hole at the base of a large tree.

He awoke to a bright, full moon shining in his eyes as it bathed the earth and sky with its silvery sheen. Growls and howls echoed through the forest and he became aware that he was not alone. Raising on his haunches, he saw gleaming eyes and smelled blood-laden breath. He was surrounded by a pack of wolves. Their fur glistened in the moonlight and their bared, yellow teeth glowed with an inner fire as they lounged and panted in the tall grasses nearby.

He knew they would tear him apart if he showed the least sign of aggression, so he lowered his head to show his subservience. They all ignored him except the oldest, biggest, meanest looking male, who loped over to him and touched noses with him. To his surprise, the animal smelled not of wolf or even of dog. It smelled like the older boy - the one called Jack. The dog peered warily through the moonlight at the wolf. It was making no aggressive moves and seemed to be waiting for his reaction.

He lowered himself to his belly in subservience to this great creature who must know his master; must have been with him recently. Perhaps if the dog won the wolf's affection, it might lead him to Jack.

A second wolf detached itself from the pack and padded over to him. He maintained his subservient stance, but the wolf shoved its nose in his face, then took his ear in its mouth and tugged playfully. The scent of the animal engulfed him. Again, it was not the scent of wolf, but of boy, of Scott, his smaller master, of Scott, who loved to romp and run and play with him.

The second wolf tugged at his ear again, then ran a few feet, whirling suddenly to look back. The wolf was waiting for him to chase it! The first wolf gave him a playful nudge and he needed no more encouragement. He leaped up, galloping after the wolf that smelled like Scott, eager to relive the happier times the Scott scent had triggered in his memory.

They jumped and whirled,

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