The Return by Dayna Lorentz Page B

the wrong track with all this sneaking about. Humans love dogs. If we just show a sniff of poise and reflect an open countenance, they will do anything for us.”
    â€œI have no idea what the poofy yapper just said, but I don’t like the smell of it,” grumbled Zeus.
    â€œShe said we have to act nice and approachable,” Callie barked. “A task it’s not clear you can handle.” She growled softly on her last woofs.
    Zeus sneered, but kept quiet.
    Well, that is a change , Shep noted. Time was, he’d have bitten her snout off for that….
    Pumpkin reared in front of Zeus, planted her paws on his chest, and began sniffing his jowls and turning her head from side to side. “Oh, I think that we can make him look friendly,” she woofed, unaware that she was a heartbeat away from getting swiped with a fang.
    Zeus, however, kept his cool. He grimaced at the yapper’s shiny black nose as it wuffled in his ear, but let her finish her analysis of his “countenance” … whatever that was.
    Ginny watched Pumpkin’s brave investigation of Zeus with a look of shock but then paraded closer to the boxer herself and gave him a perfunctory sniff. “Yes,” she yipped. “I think that Pumpkin and I can make you all seem like the friendliest bunch of dogs this side of the swamplands.” She gave a nod of her snout and a wave of her tail.
    Dover looked at Shep, eyebrows raised. Shep had no idea how Pumpkin thought she could turn Zeus into a friendly dog, but, Great Wolf, he was happy to let her try.

Rufus was adamant about finding some kibble before any dog attempted to transform Zeus into a friendly dog. “We’ll all have starved to death before she gives up on this fuzz-headed plan,” he grumbled.
    â€œNo need to get growly,” Callie barked. “But I agree with Rufus. My tummy’s rumbling!”
    Shep wagged his tail. “Who’s up for some hunting?” he woofed. He glanced at Callie and saw the excitement flash across her muzzle.
    â€œFirst dog to catch a squirrel gets first choice of kibble!” Callie howled. She sprang into the brush and began snuffling through the leaves.
    Shep dove after her. He took a deep breath, scented all possible prey, and dashed after a squirrel hidden in a tussock of grass. Pure joy pulsed through him like lifeblood. How could he give this up? Hunting felt as necessary to his life now as breathing. Callie was wrong — life on a leash could never make him this happy. He watched Callie tear after a fleeing bird and saw the smile on her jowls. He knew she felt that same spark running under her fur. Give her time , he thought. Maybe after a sun or two out of her cage, she’ll remember how great pack life can be.
    Callie downed two squirrels, Dover nabbed a rat, and Shep caught a rabbit, which meant there was enough meat for all. Fuzz offered to share some of the grasshoppers he’d caught, but no dog accepted the invitation.
    â€œNo need to choke down bugs — snort — when there’s meat in the bowl!” Daisy yipped, licking her jowls.
    Oscar stood near her, struggling to tear the leg off the rabbit. He jammed his little paws into the hide, tugged, and fell flat on his tail. Shep wondered if this was one of those let-the-pup-figure-it-out-himself situations. Before he came to a decision, Daisy strutted up to Oscar and shoved him aside.
    â€œI can do it!” yipped Oscar as Daisy wrenched the bones apart.
    â€œJust shut your snout,” Daisy growled. She spat the meat at his paws.
    Oscar looked at the rabbit hock. “You didn’t have to help me.”
    Daisy’s ears and tail relaxed, like she was going to maybe give the poor pup a lick, but then she reasserted her tough stance. “I couldn’t — snort — let you ruin the whole rabbit with your scratching.” She turned back to her meal.
    â€œThank you,” Oscar snuffled.
    Daisy