Writing
Below is information on Quickflicker's writing commissions, and examples.
Quickflicker has been writing fiction as a hobby for over 20 years.
In 2014 she won a writing contest on Furry Paws for her short story "For the Very Last Time".
Rules
Quickflicker has been writing fiction as a hobby for over 20 years.
In 2014 she won a writing contest on Furry Paws for her short story "For the Very Last Time".
Rules
- Don't claim you wrote it
- Credit me for writing it on whatever site/sta.sh/post/etc that you display it on even if you're going to edit it
$1 USD = 2 FPP = 100 dA Points
Litter Pup Intros - $3.00 |
[Bulk discounts for orders of 3 or more!] |
- Approx. 100-200 words
- Introduces litter pups - gives their name, basic personality traits, things they love and/or dislike, which of their siblings (and/or parents) they're closest to, etc
Example #1
"Meet Draco! This funny fellow isn't quite all there upstairs, but his eccentricities just add to his charm! Despite the fact that his "pet" pumpkin is very much an inanimate object, Draco insists it's alive, and that it talks to him. It's best to just go along with it, as his hypnotic eye can mesmerise anyone he chooses, and while the brainwashing it causes is only temporary... You don't want to know what kinds of things he makes those who disagree with him do. As long as you don't challenge his perception of the world, Draco is a friendly guy who loves to play games and go on grand adventures!" (110 words) |
Example #2
"Meet Butter! This little fellow may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but he makes up for it by being the sweetest! He tries his hardest to help everyone around him the best he can... but he often ends up making things worse instead, much to his shame and chagrin. He enjoys reading, although he can't progress much further than his Little Golden Books, and tries to live each day to its fullest. He always wears a ribbon with an unlucky horseshoe on it around his neck, although he believes that the horse shoe is actually good luck. He is wrong." (103 words) |
Example #3
"Meet Candy Corn! This little lady is quite the trickster - a trait she seems to have inherited from her mother Draft. Candy Corn will do anything to get one over on someone else, and is particularly fond of classical comedy instruments such as rubber chickens and whoopee cushions. It's all about having as much fun as possible, and her victims usually see the humor too! Candy Corn has an easy time making friends, as others are drawn to her extroverted personality and enjoy her pranks - even when they're the ones getting tricked! Like her mother Draft, vines can grow anywhere on her body, although they seem to favor her front legs." (111 words) |
Example #4
"Meet Lucien! This fiery little troublemaker is a total bad boy, and he makes sure everyone knows it! He spends a great deal of time just sauntering around with his tough-guy swagger, puffing out his chest and steppin' to anyone who gives him a look he doesn't like. Don't let his bravado fool you though - Lucien's rough exterior hides a creative soul, and he often locks himself away to secretly paint. The dark themes he puts down on the canvas help to purge his psyche of the demons inside." (89 words) |
Example #5
"Looking to the stars, it’s Cosmos! This sweet boy is deaf, but he doesn’t let that stop him! Using his telescope to map out the night sky doesn’t require being able to hear after all! When he isn’t staying up past his bedtime to spy on the stars, Cosmos loves being outdoors and exploring nature. He especially loves flowers - smelling them, watering them, picking them to make beautiful bouquets for his mother - the one thing he doesn’t like about flowers are the BEES. Being unable to hear, Cosmos has had some close calls with bees sneaking up on him and giving him quite a fright - once he even tried to snap one up in his mouth, thinking he could just devour it and end his worries… and on that day, Cosmos learned a valuable lesson. Bees are not food." (142 words) Example #7
Sweet, sassy and ready for adventure, Summit is here! This spunky girl is a real go-getter, and she never sits still for long! Together with her brother Ridge, she wants to see the entire world! Summit loves to hike more than anything else, but mountain climbing is like vertical hiking, as her brother always tells her. Summit isn’t the most studious pup - she’s very intelligent, but those smarts don’t always translate well to academics. She leaves the book learning to others - she’d rather learn by doing and seeing! (90 words) |
Example #6
DID SOMEONE SAY DINOSAUR?! Dino is here for it! Anything that involves dinosaurs or their scaly descendants, even only tangentially, is something he is ready for and all about. Dinosaur toys, dinosaur books, dinosaur movies, dinosaur-shaped foods, dinosaur fossils… it is all dinos, all the time! Dino dreams of someday discovering a whole new species of dinosaur! He hasn’t decided what he’ll call it yet, but he has a shortlist of names hidden away just in case. In Dino's mind, it’s only a matter of time before he’s a great paleontologist - even though studying isn’t exactly his favorite hobby. He knows he can make it work out because it's his dream! (112 words) Example #8
This little chonker is Ridge! While his first love is mountain climbing, eating delicious snacks is a close second! And hey, he needs a lot of calories for energy so he can get to the top every time he climbs! Ridge has an adventurers spirit, and is constantly ready to see what’s over the horizon in any given direction. He’s never too happy to stay in one place for very long - who knows what he’s missing by hanging around?! He is particularly close to his sister Summit, and they love climbing and hiking together! Even when they’re just at home they can usually be found side by side, looking over maps and trail guide books to find the next big adventure they can go on together! (127 words) |
Character Personalities - $4.00
- Short "snapshot" descriptions of your character's personality
- Usually approx. 100-200 words
- Captures the essence of who they are with descriptive language
- Can be done entirely from scratch, or from existing personality traits
Example #1
"Quickflicker is a gentle and cautious girl. She often puts the wants and needs of others before herself and has a hard time giving herself permission to be happy, but she's trying to change. She enjoys the company of a few close friends and has a hard time meeting new people. Despite her severe anxiety, Quickflicker is willing to give second, third and even fourth chances to those around her, believing deep down that everyone has some good inside themselves - and she's willing to give them the opportunity to show it. Quickflicker likes doing quiet hobbies like reading and writing, and also enjoys playing video games. She likes to lose herself in another world in whatever way she can, preferring to pretend she's anyone but herself. She enjoys having complete control in video games, and the ability to make the world be just how she wants it." (151 words) Example #3
"Bhang is a calm and low-key fellow. Those who know him often say he's emotionless, but the truth is, he just keeps his feelings under a tight lock and key, only letting those closest to him in. He spends most of his time on his own and usually prefers his solitude, although there are times he feels a bit lonely. When that happens, he just buries himself deeper into his studies and tries to forget that he's a living creature that needs companionship. Bhang is something of a jack of all trades, although his real passion lies with astronomy - the great expanse of space fascinates him, the way he feels so small when he looks up at the night sky drives his desire to unlock all the secrets of the universe, to prove that his existence isn't meaningless, that he has a purpose." (147 words) |
Example #2
"Ennai is a plant-dog, or "sprout", and also a British archaeologist and explorer. He spends his days traveling the world, learning about ancient civilizations and finding relics from days long gone. He thrives on not only learning but teaching others about the way the world was many, many years ago. Ennai isn't particularly fond of humans, although there are a few he would consider a friend - reluctantly. He can come off as a bossy, surly know-it-all, but that's just because he doesn't have time to bother being polite! He's so busy and has so much going on in his mind all the time that niceties fall to the wayside in favor of getting the information across to someone else and then getting back to work." (133 words) Example #4
"Walcott is a male cat and a very fancy fellow. He loves to look good and will go out of his way to do so. Countless times he has been caught preening in front of a mirror, looking at himself from every angle while saying things like "Who's that handsome guy? Oh, it's me? Well, what do you know..." Walcott even enjoys dressing up sometimes, usually with a top hat and bow tie, because hey, what's fancier than that? Not much! Walcott can be snobbish and stuck-up because when you're this beautiful, you should let everyone know how much better you are. He can also be sarcastic, and come off as rude pretty often. However, deep down inside Walcott is a pretty nice guy. He can be very generous with his time and his resources if he feels someone is deserving enough of either, and for those few lucky enough to count themselves among his friends, Walcott is a good listener and offers sound, practical advice. Walcott is also quite a smooth-talker and can romance men and women alike with quotes from classical poetry, gentle touches and pick-up lines that are out of this world." (202 words) |
Character Histories - $5.00
- In-depth histories of your character's background from birth to present day
- Can be done entirely from scratch or written around a basic outline provided by the commissioner
- Usually written in the first person, but can be in the third person if desired
- Usually 600+ words (max of 2,000)
Example #1
"I was born to a small litter, just three of us when all was said and done. You'd think that would mean my siblings and I got plenty of love and attention from our mother, but you'd be wrong. My mother never wanted puppies, but she had them anyway as my father insisted, but then he walked out shortly before we were all born – to this day I've never met him – and that's probably for the best, to be honest. I have no idea what I'd do if he showed up now, all these years later, but I don't think it would be very good for his health. Heck, maybe he's already dead. Mother always said he was a bad dog, into trouble at every turn.
My siblings and I – two sisters and a brother – were left to our own devices most of the time. Our mother did the bare minimum of care for us, then growled at us to leave her alone. There was food, although never quite enough, and we had a place to sleep at night, but we were expected to leave the home during the day and not come back until dark.
We lived in a pretty bad area, looking back. At the time it was just home, and growing up we didn't really know any different. Everyone in the neighborhood was just as scruffy and dirty as we were, and we spent our puppy-hood running with several other pups, terrorizing the neighbors and getting into mischief.
It wasn't until we started getting a bit older that we realized there were other neighborhoods, nicer ones that were clean and safe, with friendly animals who could buy nice things and weren't afraid at night that their crazy neighbors would break into their homes and take what they had.
That was when the resentment for our mother began. Why couldn't we live like that? Why couldn't we have nice things and a clean, safe home? When we asked, she blamed our father for leaving or blamed us. She told us she never wanted to be a mother, that we should just leave if we didn't like it there, and before too long that's exactly what I did.
Life on the streets was tough, especially for a young dog just out of puppy-hood, and I spent a lot of nights cold and hungry, hiding among dumpsters and trash to avoid the packs of trouble-making animals looking to get into fights. Finding food was hard for a lone dog on the streets, and despite my distaste for the lawless thugs and gangs, I knew they were my ticket to survival.
Getting in with a pack was no simple feat, however, and it took all my fast talking and charm to get one to let me in. The Lost Dogs, they called themselves, and they were led by a gruff old bulldog named Celo.
As far as street dog gangs went, The Lost Dogs were pretty tame. Sure, they had their rivalries – in particular with The Bad Dogs – but we mostly kept to ourselves. We were kind of like a little family, and compared to the one I'd left,t his family was great. We all looked out for one another and made sure none of us went hungry. We just had to make sure we all pulled our own weight.
Our days were mostly spent seeking our food wherever we could find it, and defending what little territory we had from the other packs and gangs. I quickly learned how to fight, and it wasn't long before I was one of the best in the pack. Celo said I had a natural talent, but I really preferred to use my charm and quick wits instead of my teeth and claws.
I stayed with The Lost Dogs for several years, moving up in the ranks and gaining more trust, but my heart just wasn't in it. I was going through the motions, surviving, but not really living.
Then one day, while scavenging a particularly lush and well-stocked dumpster in the nice part of town, I saw the most amazing sight – a beautiful female dog walking through the nearby farmers market with her human companion. I watched from the shadowed alleyway as they browsed the stalls, sampling things here and there and slowly filling their basket.
The female was stunning, with a pale and flowing coat, soft seafoam green and white with beautiful pale brindle markings across her body. Her full tail lazily wagged as she trotted along with a bouncing, feminine gait. I was completely intoxicated.
I hardly realized that I had started walking towards her, and when our eyes met I felt frozen in place even as my paws stepped across the sun-warmed asphalt of the road between us.
We stood nose-to-nose, taking in each other's scents, and I was mesmerized. I'd never seen – or smelled! - someone as lovely as her, and my tail began to wag faster and faster the longer we looked at each other.
Her human companion turned around from the melons she'd been browsing, and blinked in surprise to see me there, then smiled kindly. She greeted me politely although I must have looked a mess – filthy and ragged from all my years on the streets. She introduced herself as Quickflicker, and her stunning companion seemed to snap out of her daze to introduce herself as Lilith.
I smiled my most charming smile and introduced myself as well.
We stood there among the fruits and vegetables for what seemed like an eternity as we got to know each other. I told them about The Lost Dogs, about scavenging for food and defending our territory. I even told them about my mother – it was like once I started speaking I couldn't stop, finally getting out everything I'd kept bottled inside for so long – all the fear, the anger and resentment, it all came out.
When I fell silent at last, my companions looked at each other wordlessly for a moment or two, their eyes speaking volumes, then turned to me and Quickflicker spoke, gaze gentle:
“Would you like to come live with us?"
(1045 words)
"I was born to a small litter, just three of us when all was said and done. You'd think that would mean my siblings and I got plenty of love and attention from our mother, but you'd be wrong. My mother never wanted puppies, but she had them anyway as my father insisted, but then he walked out shortly before we were all born – to this day I've never met him – and that's probably for the best, to be honest. I have no idea what I'd do if he showed up now, all these years later, but I don't think it would be very good for his health. Heck, maybe he's already dead. Mother always said he was a bad dog, into trouble at every turn.
My siblings and I – two sisters and a brother – were left to our own devices most of the time. Our mother did the bare minimum of care for us, then growled at us to leave her alone. There was food, although never quite enough, and we had a place to sleep at night, but we were expected to leave the home during the day and not come back until dark.
We lived in a pretty bad area, looking back. At the time it was just home, and growing up we didn't really know any different. Everyone in the neighborhood was just as scruffy and dirty as we were, and we spent our puppy-hood running with several other pups, terrorizing the neighbors and getting into mischief.
It wasn't until we started getting a bit older that we realized there were other neighborhoods, nicer ones that were clean and safe, with friendly animals who could buy nice things and weren't afraid at night that their crazy neighbors would break into their homes and take what they had.
That was when the resentment for our mother began. Why couldn't we live like that? Why couldn't we have nice things and a clean, safe home? When we asked, she blamed our father for leaving or blamed us. She told us she never wanted to be a mother, that we should just leave if we didn't like it there, and before too long that's exactly what I did.
Life on the streets was tough, especially for a young dog just out of puppy-hood, and I spent a lot of nights cold and hungry, hiding among dumpsters and trash to avoid the packs of trouble-making animals looking to get into fights. Finding food was hard for a lone dog on the streets, and despite my distaste for the lawless thugs and gangs, I knew they were my ticket to survival.
Getting in with a pack was no simple feat, however, and it took all my fast talking and charm to get one to let me in. The Lost Dogs, they called themselves, and they were led by a gruff old bulldog named Celo.
As far as street dog gangs went, The Lost Dogs were pretty tame. Sure, they had their rivalries – in particular with The Bad Dogs – but we mostly kept to ourselves. We were kind of like a little family, and compared to the one I'd left,t his family was great. We all looked out for one another and made sure none of us went hungry. We just had to make sure we all pulled our own weight.
Our days were mostly spent seeking our food wherever we could find it, and defending what little territory we had from the other packs and gangs. I quickly learned how to fight, and it wasn't long before I was one of the best in the pack. Celo said I had a natural talent, but I really preferred to use my charm and quick wits instead of my teeth and claws.
I stayed with The Lost Dogs for several years, moving up in the ranks and gaining more trust, but my heart just wasn't in it. I was going through the motions, surviving, but not really living.
Then one day, while scavenging a particularly lush and well-stocked dumpster in the nice part of town, I saw the most amazing sight – a beautiful female dog walking through the nearby farmers market with her human companion. I watched from the shadowed alleyway as they browsed the stalls, sampling things here and there and slowly filling their basket.
The female was stunning, with a pale and flowing coat, soft seafoam green and white with beautiful pale brindle markings across her body. Her full tail lazily wagged as she trotted along with a bouncing, feminine gait. I was completely intoxicated.
I hardly realized that I had started walking towards her, and when our eyes met I felt frozen in place even as my paws stepped across the sun-warmed asphalt of the road between us.
We stood nose-to-nose, taking in each other's scents, and I was mesmerized. I'd never seen – or smelled! - someone as lovely as her, and my tail began to wag faster and faster the longer we looked at each other.
Her human companion turned around from the melons she'd been browsing, and blinked in surprise to see me there, then smiled kindly. She greeted me politely although I must have looked a mess – filthy and ragged from all my years on the streets. She introduced herself as Quickflicker, and her stunning companion seemed to snap out of her daze to introduce herself as Lilith.
I smiled my most charming smile and introduced myself as well.
We stood there among the fruits and vegetables for what seemed like an eternity as we got to know each other. I told them about The Lost Dogs, about scavenging for food and defending our territory. I even told them about my mother – it was like once I started speaking I couldn't stop, finally getting out everything I'd kept bottled inside for so long – all the fear, the anger and resentment, it all came out.
When I fell silent at last, my companions looked at each other wordlessly for a moment or two, their eyes speaking volumes, then turned to me and Quickflicker spoke, gaze gentle:
“Would you like to come live with us?"
(1045 words)
Example #2
“Everywhere you go, there you are.”
I heard that phrase from my father, when I first decided to begin traveling – but the message never really sunk in, I guess.
I was young when I first got the itch – home was rough, I didn’t really see eye-to-eye with my family and nothing seemed to be working out in my life, so I left.
I had no real destination in mind – just “away”. And that’s just where I went.
First I ended up in Alaska, and while it was lovely that summer, before too long the cold began to set in. I settled down to wait out the winter and bought a lovely warm scarf from a local grandmother, a retired sled dog living out the last of her years creating beautiful things and watching her grand-pups grow up around her. When I told her about my travels, and my reasons for leaving home, she told me “everywhere you go, there you are.”
Spring came, and I still felt the pull – Alaska wasn’t home, and I still felt so empty, so wrong.
So I left.
Next I found myself in Germany – although I couldn’t speak the language I got along alright, and I took up residence in a small apartment above a flower shop. I worked part time in the shop helping to make floral arrangements, and discovered that almost every customer was for a funeral, which was all very depressing.
I made friends with the kindly dachshund who ran the shop, and he told me how his flowers gave a single bright light in a dark and sad place for his customers. He took pride in creating beauty for ugly times.
I told him why I was travelling – how I felt empty at home, and was seeking my purpose, and to discover who I really was.
“Everywhere you go, there you are.” He said to me in his heavily-accented English, eyes sad.
Germany was too depressing, I concluded, so I moved on.
I found myself in Japan next, and a stern old shiba inu let me sleep on the floor of his ramen shop in exchange for helping to prep the ingredients every morning.
He told me about all his regular customers, who stopped to eat on their way to a nearby shrine. About how many had been lost, or broken, but found healing and strength at the shrine, praying to the old Shinto gods and goddesses for enlightenment and peace.
I told him about my travels, and why I left. How I never felt like I fit anywhere, like there was a piece of me that was missing, that I had to find.
He tutted a bit, then said “everywhere you go, there you are,” with a frown.
I didn’t really like ramen much, I decided. It was time to leave.
Every place seemed to be the same – okay at first, but eventually the itch came back and I realized that nothing had changed, and I had to go.
I ended up in Hawaii, and it was there on the beach, watching the ebb and flow of the waves in the sunset that my father’s voice came back to me, his words echoing in my mind, the words I kept no matter where I went:
“Everywhere you go, there you are.”
And suddenly I understood what they all had meant. I hadn’t been running from a bad town, or a terrible family. I hadn’t been running from no opportunities, or no future.
I had been running from myself. From my insecurities, my failures, my fears.
Everywhere I went, I came right along with, and the problems came too. Nothing would get better for me, or easier, or make more sense, until I fixed myself. Until I looked inside and found out what I needed to truly love myself, and understand my shortcomings.
Years later now, I’ve found my home – it’s inside of me, and wherever I roam, I know who I am.
I’m everywhere I go, and that’s the best gift I could ever give myself.
I’m home.
(686 words)
“Everywhere you go, there you are.”
I heard that phrase from my father, when I first decided to begin traveling – but the message never really sunk in, I guess.
I was young when I first got the itch – home was rough, I didn’t really see eye-to-eye with my family and nothing seemed to be working out in my life, so I left.
I had no real destination in mind – just “away”. And that’s just where I went.
First I ended up in Alaska, and while it was lovely that summer, before too long the cold began to set in. I settled down to wait out the winter and bought a lovely warm scarf from a local grandmother, a retired sled dog living out the last of her years creating beautiful things and watching her grand-pups grow up around her. When I told her about my travels, and my reasons for leaving home, she told me “everywhere you go, there you are.”
Spring came, and I still felt the pull – Alaska wasn’t home, and I still felt so empty, so wrong.
So I left.
Next I found myself in Germany – although I couldn’t speak the language I got along alright, and I took up residence in a small apartment above a flower shop. I worked part time in the shop helping to make floral arrangements, and discovered that almost every customer was for a funeral, which was all very depressing.
I made friends with the kindly dachshund who ran the shop, and he told me how his flowers gave a single bright light in a dark and sad place for his customers. He took pride in creating beauty for ugly times.
I told him why I was travelling – how I felt empty at home, and was seeking my purpose, and to discover who I really was.
“Everywhere you go, there you are.” He said to me in his heavily-accented English, eyes sad.
Germany was too depressing, I concluded, so I moved on.
I found myself in Japan next, and a stern old shiba inu let me sleep on the floor of his ramen shop in exchange for helping to prep the ingredients every morning.
He told me about all his regular customers, who stopped to eat on their way to a nearby shrine. About how many had been lost, or broken, but found healing and strength at the shrine, praying to the old Shinto gods and goddesses for enlightenment and peace.
I told him about my travels, and why I left. How I never felt like I fit anywhere, like there was a piece of me that was missing, that I had to find.
He tutted a bit, then said “everywhere you go, there you are,” with a frown.
I didn’t really like ramen much, I decided. It was time to leave.
Every place seemed to be the same – okay at first, but eventually the itch came back and I realized that nothing had changed, and I had to go.
I ended up in Hawaii, and it was there on the beach, watching the ebb and flow of the waves in the sunset that my father’s voice came back to me, his words echoing in my mind, the words I kept no matter where I went:
“Everywhere you go, there you are.”
And suddenly I understood what they all had meant. I hadn’t been running from a bad town, or a terrible family. I hadn’t been running from no opportunities, or no future.
I had been running from myself. From my insecurities, my failures, my fears.
Everywhere I went, I came right along with, and the problems came too. Nothing would get better for me, or easier, or make more sense, until I fixed myself. Until I looked inside and found out what I needed to truly love myself, and understand my shortcomings.
Years later now, I’ve found my home – it’s inside of me, and wherever I roam, I know who I am.
I’m everywhere I go, and that’s the best gift I could ever give myself.
I’m home.
(686 words)
Couple/Love Stories - Inquire for pricing
- Short pieces that tell the story of a couple coming together and/or starting their family
- Any length - commonly ordered from 200 to 2000 words
- Can be done from scratch or around parameters given by the commissioner
- Pricing is based on a large amount of factors and changes from client to client - inquire for pricing and we'll discuss what you want and a quote will be made
Example #1
The moon was full the night Orion asked Lilith to be his mate.
She stood, bathed in the pale blue light as she looked through her telescope at the stars above, and Orion knew that he could not wait any longer to ask her to be his. The way her fur glistened in the dilute light, how her eyes sparkled and reflected the starlight from above as she turned to glance over her shoulder at him coyly… he knew that there would never be another to make him feel the way she did.
It was with a shy, almost innocent smile that she accepted his offer to stand by his side through the rest of this life together, to follow each other even into the afterlife, to always be as one.
A small ceremony was held at the next full moon, and there in the night, surrounded by a few close friends, they made their pledge to one another.
In what seemed like no time at all, Lilith grew heavy with pups, and the full moon, ever faithful, watched over her as she labored to deliver their children into the world – little Kings and Queens of their parents hearts – maybe even Gods.
(204 words)
The moon was full the night Orion asked Lilith to be his mate.
She stood, bathed in the pale blue light as she looked through her telescope at the stars above, and Orion knew that he could not wait any longer to ask her to be his. The way her fur glistened in the dilute light, how her eyes sparkled and reflected the starlight from above as she turned to glance over her shoulder at him coyly… he knew that there would never be another to make him feel the way she did.
It was with a shy, almost innocent smile that she accepted his offer to stand by his side through the rest of this life together, to follow each other even into the afterlife, to always be as one.
A small ceremony was held at the next full moon, and there in the night, surrounded by a few close friends, they made their pledge to one another.
In what seemed like no time at all, Lilith grew heavy with pups, and the full moon, ever faithful, watched over her as she labored to deliver their children into the world – little Kings and Queens of their parents hearts – maybe even Gods.
(204 words)
Example #2
"It was twilight in the Elven forest when Dawn and Jasper met.
The fireflies were flitting about, flashing their lights and floating on the breeze, searching for their mates as the daylight faded.
Dawn was grazing peacefully on the sweet long grass that grew next to the willow trees, and that was where Jasper found her, wandering near. He stood beside her and kept a watchful gaze, head held high, as the smaller female ate.
They stood that way in companionable silence for some time, both hurting from the losses they'd suffered and enjoying the companionship, feeling as though they'd known each other for years, even though they had not yet spoken a word to one another.
And when they finally did speak, they discovered how much they had in common, how their hearts ached the same for the loved ones that were gone from their lives, and how alone they both were in a big world.
They quickly became fast friends, and even quicker became so much more.
The traveled the world together, seeing great sights and doing even greater things, but when it was time to settle down, it was to that same clearing with the sweet grass and the willow trees that they returned.
And it is in that clearing, among the fireflies, that they are raising their young."
(222 words)
"It was twilight in the Elven forest when Dawn and Jasper met.
The fireflies were flitting about, flashing their lights and floating on the breeze, searching for their mates as the daylight faded.
Dawn was grazing peacefully on the sweet long grass that grew next to the willow trees, and that was where Jasper found her, wandering near. He stood beside her and kept a watchful gaze, head held high, as the smaller female ate.
They stood that way in companionable silence for some time, both hurting from the losses they'd suffered and enjoying the companionship, feeling as though they'd known each other for years, even though they had not yet spoken a word to one another.
And when they finally did speak, they discovered how much they had in common, how their hearts ached the same for the loved ones that were gone from their lives, and how alone they both were in a big world.
They quickly became fast friends, and even quicker became so much more.
The traveled the world together, seeing great sights and doing even greater things, but when it was time to settle down, it was to that same clearing with the sweet grass and the willow trees that they returned.
And it is in that clearing, among the fireflies, that they are raising their young."
(222 words)
Example #3
Sunlight streamed in through a large bay window, the golden beams warming the two cats as they lay together, Draft on her back and Donut on her side, basking happily.
A floating dust mote drifted through a sliver of light and settled on Draft’s nose. The purple cat’s eyes snapped open, glowing white in the sunlight, and she sneezed a few times, sending the flake of dust spiraling back into the air.
“Bless you,” Donut said primly from her side, eyes still closed, and Draft sniffled in reply as she rolled over, curling her tail around her mate’s and letting them intertwine lazily.
“I was thinking about going to visit Jonny and Patrick this afternoon,” Donut said around a dainty yawn, before beginning to lick her white paw, “their pups are almost fully grown and I want to see them one more time before they go out on their own…”
Draft regarded her with large, luminous eyes seriously.
“You really love those kids… I know we haven’t talked about it too much, but do you wish we had some? Of our own, I mean?”
Donut moved to face her mate, a wistful expression taking over her features.
“Oh Draft, I’ve thought about it, sure. But we can’t have kittens. Not our own, at least. And that’s okay, maybe we could adopt some day...”
Draft watched Donut’s face as she fell silent, and knew what she was seeing – longing. She could recognize it because she felt it too. She knew Donut wanted her own kittens, kittens that were part of them both, something she believed to be impossible. But Draft knew differently.
It was time, she considered, for her best trick yet.
---
Draft dug through the various random things stored in the hall closet, an expression of concentration on her face. As she pawed through boxes, she tossed a few things over her shoulder – a whoopee cushion, some packages of firecrackers, and some fountain fireworks.
Pranks and tricks had been banned in the house after the incident of the firecrackers in the litter box, but this was, Draft reasoned, an extenuating circumstance.
And besides, the litter box prank had been amazing.
The doorbell rang, startling Draft a bit and causing her tail to fluff up. After standing still for a moment, ears perked and whiskers twitching, she pranced to open the door.
Standing on the front steps was a tall, slender woman in flowing blue robes, a hood hiding her face in shadow. A few tendrils of pure white hair peaked out, fluttering in the light breeze.
“Draft the Pumpkin Cat, you have summoned me.” The woman spoke grandly, and Draft stepped aside to let the visitor inside with a demure bow of her head.
“Thank you for coming,” the cat said, gesturing with a paw for the woman to have a seat on the nearby living room sofa, “my friends Toby and Acrobat said you may be able to help my mate and I with a problem we’re having.”
The woman nodded as she sat down and folded her hands in her lap. She left her hood up.
“Yes,” the woman spoke, voice echoing slightly in an almost otherworldly fashion, “I do believe I can give you what you seek. I merely need a little bit of you both…”
She reached out and deftly plucked a bit of fur from Draft’s neck, seeming not to hear the cat’s squeal of surprise.
“And your mate’s sample…?”
Draft jumped up. “Oh, right! Umm…” she looked around for a moment, then bounded across the room to Donut’s favorite striped arm chair. She rubbed her paw back and forth across the cushion rapidly, tongue peaking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration, then lifted away a large ball of her mate’s fur.
‘Boy, we need to vacuum more often…’ she thought to herself as she handed it to the woman, who made what might have been a slight gagging sound.
“....Right...” the robed woman said, and stood, robes fluttering around her despite the lack of any breeze in the house, “I will go to the place we discussed earlier and await you there.”
And in a puff of sweet smelling, pink sparkling smoke, she disappeared.
---
That evening, Donut returned home from her visit with her friends and their puppies. It had been great to see them all together as a happy family, and the visit had left Donut feeling even more ready for kittens of her own. She knew it was time she and Draft had a serious discussion about starting a family, but she was at a loss on how to begin the discussion.
She got inside, but the house was dark and silent. Had Draft gone out? Just as she was getting ready to check upstairs, she heard the crackling, whistling sound that, being mates with Draft, she knew all too well – fireworks – and coming from the back yard!
“Augh! She knows those aren’t allowed after she lit my tail on fire! What is she doing?!” Donut raged, and she rushed outside just as the fountain firework finished and went out with a few last colorful, crackling bursts, leaving the smoky, sulfuric scent lingering in the air in a large cloud of smoke.
Looking around, Donut saw a piece of paper on the patio table, the white of it glowing in the fading light of the sunset dipping just below the horizon. She padded daintily across the wood deck to read it.
“Donut –
Have a seat ;)
<3 Draft”
Shrugging, she hopped up into the nearest chair, and-
THHHHHBBBBTTTTTT!
“AUUUUGHH!” Donut shrieked, hopping up to see the deflated whoopee cushion she had just sat on.
“DRAFT!” she roared, and as if she’d been summoned by some dark ritual, the prankster cat came ambling up nonchalantly from around the side of the house.
“Hiiiii!” she sang sweetly, and Donut glared.
“What were you thinking?! You know we agreed, no more pranks in the house!”
“Weeeelll, technically we aren't in the house, but you’re right… just one more?” Draft wheedled, holding up a single small pink firecracker.
“What? Why? No!” Donut sputtered, “the last time you played with those, you almost burned your whiskers off!”
“Nah, the last time I played with a firecracker you ended up full of kitty litter,” Draft teased with a playful wink, bumping her shoulder against her mate, “But come on, trust me…” she begged, and Donut gave an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes.
“Fine… get it out of your system…” she groaned, voice flat and resigned.
Picture
Draft dug through the various random things stored in the hall closet, an expression of concentration on her face. As she pawed through boxes, she tossed a few things over her shoulder – a whoopee cushion, some packages of firecrackers, and some fountain fireworks.
Pranks and tricks had been banned in the house after the incident of the firecrackers in the litter box, but this was, Draft reasoned, an extenuating circumstance.
And besides, the litter box prank had been amazing.
The doorbell rang, startling Draft a bit and causing her tail to fluff up. After standing still for a moment, ears perked and whiskers twitching, she pranced to open the door.
Standing on the front steps was a tall, slender woman in flowing blue robes, a hood hiding her face in shadow. A few tendrils of pure white hair peaked out, fluttering in the light breeze.
“Draft the Pumpkin Cat, you have summoned me.” The woman spoke grandly, and Draft stepped aside to let the visitor inside with a demure bow of her head.
“Thank you for coming,” the cat said, gesturing with a paw for the woman to have a seat on the nearby living room sofa, “my friends Toby and Acrobat said you may be able to help my mate and I with a problem we’re having.”
The woman nodded as she sat down and folded her hands in her lap. She left her hood up.
“Yes,” the woman spoke, voice echoing slightly in an almost otherworldly fashion, “I do believe I can give you what you seek. I merely need a little bit of you both…”
She reached out and deftly plucked a bit of fur from Draft’s neck, seeming not to hear the cat’s squeal of surprise.
“And your mate’s sample…?”
Draft jumped up. “Oh, right! Umm…” she looked around for a moment, then bounded across the room to Donut’s favorite striped arm chair. She rubbed her paw back and forth across the cushion rapidly, tongue peaking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration, then lifted away a large ball of her mate’s fur.
‘Boy, we need to vacuum more often…’ she thought to herself as she handed it to the woman, who made what might have been a slight gagging sound.
“....Right...” the robed woman said, and stood, robes fluttering around her despite the lack of any breeze in the house, “I will go to the place we discussed earlier and await you there.”
And in a puff of sweet smelling, pink sparkling smoke, she disappeared.
Picture
With an excited squeal, Draft lit the firecracker and tossed it into the yard. It bounced a few times in the soft grass, then flickered for a moment before exploding with a muted pop and a puff of sparkling pink smoke. A sweet scent wafted across the yard, and the air took on an almost iridescent glow.
When the smoke cleared, there stood the mysterious woman in the blue robes.
“Donut, Draft… step forward…” she said grandly, voice ringing around the two cats who stood, transfixed.
“What? I don’t understand…?” Donut said, voice subdued, feeling awed and a little undsure.
Draft gave her a reassuring smile, and guided her forward, looking into her mate's eyes with a gentle tenderness.
Once they stood before the mysterious woman, she spoke again.
“Donut, Draft… I am a Love Mystic. I am here because of a great need within you both. A need that I have the power to fulfill.”
She held out her hands. In each palm rested the fur she’d taken. She put her hands together and a pale pink glow began to form around them, growing brighter and more intense with each passing moment.
Before her on the ground a simple wooden box appeared from thin air with a soft popping sound, pink smoke wafting off of it like steam, and the Love Mystic put her glowing clasped hands inside for a moment, then withdrew them, empty. The glow had transferred to the contents of the box, and then lights and colors began flashing from within, and a strange humming sound that filled the cats' chests with a warmth and tenderness that left them both with teary eyes.
And then, it all stopped.
The Love Mystic gestured to the box and took a measured step away, clasping her hands behind her back.
Donut and Draft looked at each other apprehensively, before cautiously approaching the box. Together they peered inside, and were stunned to see...
Kittens!
“Through the pure and true love the both of you share, these kittens have been brought into existence,” the Love Mystic began, voice taking on an ethereal, otherworldly quality, “they are a part of you both, your true children. May the love you feel for one other and for your kittens grow – raise them well, for they are touched by true love and will do great things.”
And then she disappeared in a puff of pink, sparkling smoke, leaving the new parents reeling.
Donut and Draft stared down into the box, then looked up at each other, matching expressions of wonder and tenderness on their faces. Draft beamed.
“Best prank ever!”
(1,956 words)
Sunlight streamed in through a large bay window, the golden beams warming the two cats as they lay together, Draft on her back and Donut on her side, basking happily.
A floating dust mote drifted through a sliver of light and settled on Draft’s nose. The purple cat’s eyes snapped open, glowing white in the sunlight, and she sneezed a few times, sending the flake of dust spiraling back into the air.
“Bless you,” Donut said primly from her side, eyes still closed, and Draft sniffled in reply as she rolled over, curling her tail around her mate’s and letting them intertwine lazily.
“I was thinking about going to visit Jonny and Patrick this afternoon,” Donut said around a dainty yawn, before beginning to lick her white paw, “their pups are almost fully grown and I want to see them one more time before they go out on their own…”
Draft regarded her with large, luminous eyes seriously.
“You really love those kids… I know we haven’t talked about it too much, but do you wish we had some? Of our own, I mean?”
Donut moved to face her mate, a wistful expression taking over her features.
“Oh Draft, I’ve thought about it, sure. But we can’t have kittens. Not our own, at least. And that’s okay, maybe we could adopt some day...”
Draft watched Donut’s face as she fell silent, and knew what she was seeing – longing. She could recognize it because she felt it too. She knew Donut wanted her own kittens, kittens that were part of them both, something she believed to be impossible. But Draft knew differently.
It was time, she considered, for her best trick yet.
---
Draft dug through the various random things stored in the hall closet, an expression of concentration on her face. As she pawed through boxes, she tossed a few things over her shoulder – a whoopee cushion, some packages of firecrackers, and some fountain fireworks.
Pranks and tricks had been banned in the house after the incident of the firecrackers in the litter box, but this was, Draft reasoned, an extenuating circumstance.
And besides, the litter box prank had been amazing.
The doorbell rang, startling Draft a bit and causing her tail to fluff up. After standing still for a moment, ears perked and whiskers twitching, she pranced to open the door.
Standing on the front steps was a tall, slender woman in flowing blue robes, a hood hiding her face in shadow. A few tendrils of pure white hair peaked out, fluttering in the light breeze.
“Draft the Pumpkin Cat, you have summoned me.” The woman spoke grandly, and Draft stepped aside to let the visitor inside with a demure bow of her head.
“Thank you for coming,” the cat said, gesturing with a paw for the woman to have a seat on the nearby living room sofa, “my friends Toby and Acrobat said you may be able to help my mate and I with a problem we’re having.”
The woman nodded as she sat down and folded her hands in her lap. She left her hood up.
“Yes,” the woman spoke, voice echoing slightly in an almost otherworldly fashion, “I do believe I can give you what you seek. I merely need a little bit of you both…”
She reached out and deftly plucked a bit of fur from Draft’s neck, seeming not to hear the cat’s squeal of surprise.
“And your mate’s sample…?”
Draft jumped up. “Oh, right! Umm…” she looked around for a moment, then bounded across the room to Donut’s favorite striped arm chair. She rubbed her paw back and forth across the cushion rapidly, tongue peaking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration, then lifted away a large ball of her mate’s fur.
‘Boy, we need to vacuum more often…’ she thought to herself as she handed it to the woman, who made what might have been a slight gagging sound.
“....Right...” the robed woman said, and stood, robes fluttering around her despite the lack of any breeze in the house, “I will go to the place we discussed earlier and await you there.”
And in a puff of sweet smelling, pink sparkling smoke, she disappeared.
---
That evening, Donut returned home from her visit with her friends and their puppies. It had been great to see them all together as a happy family, and the visit had left Donut feeling even more ready for kittens of her own. She knew it was time she and Draft had a serious discussion about starting a family, but she was at a loss on how to begin the discussion.
She got inside, but the house was dark and silent. Had Draft gone out? Just as she was getting ready to check upstairs, she heard the crackling, whistling sound that, being mates with Draft, she knew all too well – fireworks – and coming from the back yard!
“Augh! She knows those aren’t allowed after she lit my tail on fire! What is she doing?!” Donut raged, and she rushed outside just as the fountain firework finished and went out with a few last colorful, crackling bursts, leaving the smoky, sulfuric scent lingering in the air in a large cloud of smoke.
Looking around, Donut saw a piece of paper on the patio table, the white of it glowing in the fading light of the sunset dipping just below the horizon. She padded daintily across the wood deck to read it.
“Donut –
Have a seat ;)
<3 Draft”
Shrugging, she hopped up into the nearest chair, and-
THHHHHBBBBTTTTTT!
“AUUUUGHH!” Donut shrieked, hopping up to see the deflated whoopee cushion she had just sat on.
“DRAFT!” she roared, and as if she’d been summoned by some dark ritual, the prankster cat came ambling up nonchalantly from around the side of the house.
“Hiiiii!” she sang sweetly, and Donut glared.
“What were you thinking?! You know we agreed, no more pranks in the house!”
“Weeeelll, technically we aren't in the house, but you’re right… just one more?” Draft wheedled, holding up a single small pink firecracker.
“What? Why? No!” Donut sputtered, “the last time you played with those, you almost burned your whiskers off!”
“Nah, the last time I played with a firecracker you ended up full of kitty litter,” Draft teased with a playful wink, bumping her shoulder against her mate, “But come on, trust me…” she begged, and Donut gave an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes.
“Fine… get it out of your system…” she groaned, voice flat and resigned.
Picture
Draft dug through the various random things stored in the hall closet, an expression of concentration on her face. As she pawed through boxes, she tossed a few things over her shoulder – a whoopee cushion, some packages of firecrackers, and some fountain fireworks.
Pranks and tricks had been banned in the house after the incident of the firecrackers in the litter box, but this was, Draft reasoned, an extenuating circumstance.
And besides, the litter box prank had been amazing.
The doorbell rang, startling Draft a bit and causing her tail to fluff up. After standing still for a moment, ears perked and whiskers twitching, she pranced to open the door.
Standing on the front steps was a tall, slender woman in flowing blue robes, a hood hiding her face in shadow. A few tendrils of pure white hair peaked out, fluttering in the light breeze.
“Draft the Pumpkin Cat, you have summoned me.” The woman spoke grandly, and Draft stepped aside to let the visitor inside with a demure bow of her head.
“Thank you for coming,” the cat said, gesturing with a paw for the woman to have a seat on the nearby living room sofa, “my friends Toby and Acrobat said you may be able to help my mate and I with a problem we’re having.”
The woman nodded as she sat down and folded her hands in her lap. She left her hood up.
“Yes,” the woman spoke, voice echoing slightly in an almost otherworldly fashion, “I do believe I can give you what you seek. I merely need a little bit of you both…”
She reached out and deftly plucked a bit of fur from Draft’s neck, seeming not to hear the cat’s squeal of surprise.
“And your mate’s sample…?”
Draft jumped up. “Oh, right! Umm…” she looked around for a moment, then bounded across the room to Donut’s favorite striped arm chair. She rubbed her paw back and forth across the cushion rapidly, tongue peaking out of the corner of her mouth in concentration, then lifted away a large ball of her mate’s fur.
‘Boy, we need to vacuum more often…’ she thought to herself as she handed it to the woman, who made what might have been a slight gagging sound.
“....Right...” the robed woman said, and stood, robes fluttering around her despite the lack of any breeze in the house, “I will go to the place we discussed earlier and await you there.”
And in a puff of sweet smelling, pink sparkling smoke, she disappeared.
Picture
With an excited squeal, Draft lit the firecracker and tossed it into the yard. It bounced a few times in the soft grass, then flickered for a moment before exploding with a muted pop and a puff of sparkling pink smoke. A sweet scent wafted across the yard, and the air took on an almost iridescent glow.
When the smoke cleared, there stood the mysterious woman in the blue robes.
“Donut, Draft… step forward…” she said grandly, voice ringing around the two cats who stood, transfixed.
“What? I don’t understand…?” Donut said, voice subdued, feeling awed and a little undsure.
Draft gave her a reassuring smile, and guided her forward, looking into her mate's eyes with a gentle tenderness.
Once they stood before the mysterious woman, she spoke again.
“Donut, Draft… I am a Love Mystic. I am here because of a great need within you both. A need that I have the power to fulfill.”
She held out her hands. In each palm rested the fur she’d taken. She put her hands together and a pale pink glow began to form around them, growing brighter and more intense with each passing moment.
Before her on the ground a simple wooden box appeared from thin air with a soft popping sound, pink smoke wafting off of it like steam, and the Love Mystic put her glowing clasped hands inside for a moment, then withdrew them, empty. The glow had transferred to the contents of the box, and then lights and colors began flashing from within, and a strange humming sound that filled the cats' chests with a warmth and tenderness that left them both with teary eyes.
And then, it all stopped.
The Love Mystic gestured to the box and took a measured step away, clasping her hands behind her back.
Donut and Draft looked at each other apprehensively, before cautiously approaching the box. Together they peered inside, and were stunned to see...
Kittens!
“Through the pure and true love the both of you share, these kittens have been brought into existence,” the Love Mystic began, voice taking on an ethereal, otherworldly quality, “they are a part of you both, your true children. May the love you feel for one other and for your kittens grow – raise them well, for they are touched by true love and will do great things.”
And then she disappeared in a puff of pink, sparkling smoke, leaving the new parents reeling.
Donut and Draft stared down into the box, then looked up at each other, matching expressions of wonder and tenderness on their faces. Draft beamed.
“Best prank ever!”
(1,956 words)
Example #4
"All aboard the train to PAIN TOWN, population YOUR FACE!" Toby clicked the computer mouse furiously, his templar character on the screen unleashing holy hell upon his enemies. "You like that?! Die, undead scum!" A burst of radiant fire engulfed the skeletons his character was battling, and he let out a victorious cheer, tail wagging excitedly as the fight was over and his party still stood. "Good fight, guys, next maybe we-"
He was interrupted by Acrobat coming into the room, eyebrow arched. "Is the big hero able to take a break from his epic battles for a while?"
Toby grinned, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. "Yeah, no problem." He turned his microphone back on, and excused himself from his party and logged out of his game. "What's up?"
Acrobat hopped up on the couch, and patted the cushion next to him with a paw. Toby climbed up next to him, and gave his muzzle a quick lick. Acrobat playfully nipped at his mate, and then settled in more comfortably.
"I was out for a run, and something weird happened..." he began, looking a bit bewildered, "a woman came up to me, wearing the most ridiculous outfit. These long blue robes, hood and all, she looked like she was right out of one of your fantasy games or something. She said she was a "love mystic", and-"
Toby's eyes went wide and he let out a surprised yelp. "A love mystic?! Are you sure?"
Acrobat nodded. "Yes, I'm very sure. She said she sensed a great need in me and my mate, and that-"
"-She could help us fulfill that need, right?" Toby interjected, eyes wild with excitement.
Acrobat blinked slowly. "...yes? How did you know that?"
Toby stood on the couch, whole body wiggling with excitement, unable to sit still any longer. "Don't you remember? My parents! They're a dog and a cat and they had my siblings and I!" He exclaimed, nearly vibrating with eagerness.
Acrobat looked thoughtful for a moment. "How did they pull that off, anyway?"
"A love mystic!" Toby exclaimed, jumping up and down on the couch now, unable to contain himself any longer, "she came to Quickflicker's house and took my parents on a walk and when they came back, my mom was pregnant with us!"
Acrobat nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, that's all great, and we're both super awesome, but I don't think our skill sets include the ability to carry pups..."
Toby frowned for a moment, then brightened. "I'm sure the love mystic knows that, so she must have some idea. I mean, if you want to have puppies..."
Acrobat smiled. "I won't lie, I've thought about it before. Haven't you?"
Toby's tail wagged wildly. "Of course! I love kids, and I love you, so it only makes sense..."
Acrobat pounced Toby, giving him several big licks to the muzzle and face. "I'm glad to hear that, because we're meeting her in the park in an hour."
---
Toby and Acrobat arrived at the meeting with the love mystic, and were surprised to hear her plan.
"The two of you have a true and real love," she began in a grand voice, "and so I can use my magic to do something very special for you both. I can give you a litter of pups. They will be a real mix of the two of you, your own biological children. Of course, as males neither of you can carry the litter. My magic only runs so deep, and altering your physical forms is a little bit beyond my powers."
Toby and Acrobat looked at each other, slightly relieved. Both were happy to be male, and the idea of childbirth was frankly frightening and distasteful.
"So," the love mystic continued, "I will have to work my magic in a different way."
She reached out and plucked a bit of fur from Toby's back, striking so quickly he hardly knew what was happening.
"Ow!" he yelped, eyes wide.
"Your turn, Acrobat." she said, and did the same to him. He let out a little squeak of surprise, and licked his shoulder where she'd pulled out some of his fur.
"And now..." The love mystic put the two tufts of fur together in her left hand, and turned her back to the two curious dogs, "a little bit of hocus pocus..."
There was a humming sound. Toby tried to peek around the love mystic to see what she was doing, and Acrobat gave him a nip to the side.
"No peeking, you want to mess it up?" He hissed.
"Sorry..." Toby grumbled, settling back in to wait.
The humming sound got louder, until the fellows felt like the vibrations were deep within their own chest, rumbling in their hearts.
And then there was a great "POP!", and the love mystic turned back around.
In her arms, she held a wooden box, and when she put it down before Toby and Acrobat, what they saw inside astounded them!
Puppies!
(835 words)
"All aboard the train to PAIN TOWN, population YOUR FACE!" Toby clicked the computer mouse furiously, his templar character on the screen unleashing holy hell upon his enemies. "You like that?! Die, undead scum!" A burst of radiant fire engulfed the skeletons his character was battling, and he let out a victorious cheer, tail wagging excitedly as the fight was over and his party still stood. "Good fight, guys, next maybe we-"
He was interrupted by Acrobat coming into the room, eyebrow arched. "Is the big hero able to take a break from his epic battles for a while?"
Toby grinned, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. "Yeah, no problem." He turned his microphone back on, and excused himself from his party and logged out of his game. "What's up?"
Acrobat hopped up on the couch, and patted the cushion next to him with a paw. Toby climbed up next to him, and gave his muzzle a quick lick. Acrobat playfully nipped at his mate, and then settled in more comfortably.
"I was out for a run, and something weird happened..." he began, looking a bit bewildered, "a woman came up to me, wearing the most ridiculous outfit. These long blue robes, hood and all, she looked like she was right out of one of your fantasy games or something. She said she was a "love mystic", and-"
Toby's eyes went wide and he let out a surprised yelp. "A love mystic?! Are you sure?"
Acrobat nodded. "Yes, I'm very sure. She said she sensed a great need in me and my mate, and that-"
"-She could help us fulfill that need, right?" Toby interjected, eyes wild with excitement.
Acrobat blinked slowly. "...yes? How did you know that?"
Toby stood on the couch, whole body wiggling with excitement, unable to sit still any longer. "Don't you remember? My parents! They're a dog and a cat and they had my siblings and I!" He exclaimed, nearly vibrating with eagerness.
Acrobat looked thoughtful for a moment. "How did they pull that off, anyway?"
"A love mystic!" Toby exclaimed, jumping up and down on the couch now, unable to contain himself any longer, "she came to Quickflicker's house and took my parents on a walk and when they came back, my mom was pregnant with us!"
Acrobat nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, that's all great, and we're both super awesome, but I don't think our skill sets include the ability to carry pups..."
Toby frowned for a moment, then brightened. "I'm sure the love mystic knows that, so she must have some idea. I mean, if you want to have puppies..."
Acrobat smiled. "I won't lie, I've thought about it before. Haven't you?"
Toby's tail wagged wildly. "Of course! I love kids, and I love you, so it only makes sense..."
Acrobat pounced Toby, giving him several big licks to the muzzle and face. "I'm glad to hear that, because we're meeting her in the park in an hour."
---
Toby and Acrobat arrived at the meeting with the love mystic, and were surprised to hear her plan.
"The two of you have a true and real love," she began in a grand voice, "and so I can use my magic to do something very special for you both. I can give you a litter of pups. They will be a real mix of the two of you, your own biological children. Of course, as males neither of you can carry the litter. My magic only runs so deep, and altering your physical forms is a little bit beyond my powers."
Toby and Acrobat looked at each other, slightly relieved. Both were happy to be male, and the idea of childbirth was frankly frightening and distasteful.
"So," the love mystic continued, "I will have to work my magic in a different way."
She reached out and plucked a bit of fur from Toby's back, striking so quickly he hardly knew what was happening.
"Ow!" he yelped, eyes wide.
"Your turn, Acrobat." she said, and did the same to him. He let out a little squeak of surprise, and licked his shoulder where she'd pulled out some of his fur.
"And now..." The love mystic put the two tufts of fur together in her left hand, and turned her back to the two curious dogs, "a little bit of hocus pocus..."
There was a humming sound. Toby tried to peek around the love mystic to see what she was doing, and Acrobat gave him a nip to the side.
"No peeking, you want to mess it up?" He hissed.
"Sorry..." Toby grumbled, settling back in to wait.
The humming sound got louder, until the fellows felt like the vibrations were deep within their own chest, rumbling in their hearts.
And then there was a great "POP!", and the love mystic turned back around.
In her arms, she held a wooden box, and when she put it down before Toby and Acrobat, what they saw inside astounded them!
Puppies!
(835 words)
Example #5
The stars were just beginning to show themselves in the twilight sky, twinkling coyly as the sun slowly finished its decent for the night. An owl called into the encroaching darkness that was falling on an open field in the country outside the nearby city, just past where the street lights stop.
From the street came a dog, dark fur glistening in the moonlight. On her back was a long, tube-shaped pack, and there was an eager smile on her face.
The dog padded into the field, grass cool and slightly damp under her paws. She walked past an old and weathered “for sale” sign, barely sparing it a glance and proceeded to the center of the field, tail wagging in anticipation. Shrugging off the long pack on her back, she pulled from within a beautiful telescope and began to set it up, humming to herself softly and glancing up at the clear night sky every now and again, hardly able to contain her excitement.
Finally, the telescope was set up and calibrated, and with a wiggle of happiness, she set to work-peeking through the lens, taking notes on what she saw and muttering to herself thoughtfully as she looked at the great cosmos above.
Ever since she was a pup, the mysteries and beauties of space intrigued her – these are stars that had been there for millions of years before her and would be there for millions of years more. These same stars were looked upon by all the great dogs of history, and there was still so much to learn about them! They had been her constant companion throughout her life – as friendships faded, as others let her down, the stars were always there to guide her. Someday, she would learn all of their secrets.
Just as she brought the focus of her telescope to a particularly bright star in the Hercules constellation, she heard the sounds of footsteps behind her. It wasn't uncommon for some of the younger animals living in the area to come upon her while stargazing to ask questions, or even request a turn with her telescope, so she turned with a smile, only to see a dirty, unkempt dog staring at her menacingly. His fur was dark and matted, muted colors in his coat hard to make out in the meager light offered from the crescent moon and stars above, and his eyes glowed unnervingly.
“Hello?” she began cautiously, “my name is Phoenix... can I help you?”
The dog took another deliberate step forward, head low.
“Yeah, you can help me. Give me that telescope.” he snarled, lip curling to reveal large white teeth.
Phoenix blinked in surprise, then narrowed her eyes. “No! It's mine, why would I give it to you?” she demanded, self-righteous.
“Well, I tried asking nicely...” the dog mused to himself, before lunging forward and pushing past Phoenix, knocking her aside as he began to grab at the telescope with his teeth and try to drag it away.
“Hey! Stop that!” she shrieked, jumping forward to grab the other end of the telescope with a yelp, “that's MINE!”
“Not anymore,” the other dog growled, “now it's mine.”
~ ~ ~
It was, Ziv concluded to himself, the perfect night for a stroll. The sky was crystal clear and the light from the moon was just enough to illuminate his path as he walked from the city into the countryside. The summer breeze was warm and inviting, and all around he was very pleased to be out and about.
Evening walks like this were the only time he could see the stars, the city lights were just too bright. And he did so love to see them up there, twinkling away, completely unaware of the beautiful spectacle they put on for the small creatures living so far below. Looking up at them Ziv felt tiny, but his heart felt full. He wasn't sure how to really explain it, he just felt that those stars had something to do with his destiny.
As he padded down the road, his ears perked as he heard a snarl, then a yelp, and then growling and shouting. He scented the air and froze.
He knew that smell.
Running quickly toward the noise, Ziv burst into the field with a flurry of barks meant to draw attention to himself, and as both dogs looked up at his arrival Phoenix was able to wrench the telescope away from the other dog with a triumphant yip.
“DEX!” Ziv shouted, and the other dog whipped around with a roar, teeth bared.
“Ziv,” he snarled, eyes narrowing, “I should have guessed. Always playing the hero, aren't you? This doesn't concern you, why don't you go back to your precious shelter and leave me alone.”
Ziv growled softly, moving toward the smaller dog with his head low, “I don't think the lady wants you to bother her anymore. Why don't you get back to whatever dumpster you crawled out of and let her be.”
Dex laughed, tossing his head in derision. “And what are you going to do to make me? You're weak, couldn't hack it on the 'mean streets', huh Ziv?” he snorted, “you don't scare me.”
Ziv yawned, affecting a bored demeanor, “oh, you're still here? I don't have time to listen to street dogs too scared to be anything besides thieves and bullies. A real weak dog is one who is too scared to even try to be better than he is. You should be ashamed of yourself, now get out of here!” he growled, then lunged toward Dex with his teeth bared.
Dex flinched out of reflex, seeing the larger Ziv rush him, and in shame, he dropped his tail a bit and backed away.
“Fine, I'll go. That piece of junk probably isn't worth much anyway. And neither of you are worth my time,” Dex sneered, brushing past Ziv and shoulder checking him on the way, “see you on the streets, Ziv.” he growled, and then he trotted away back toward the city.
Ziv looked to Phoenix cautiously, watching as she fussed over her telescope, getting it back on the tripod and looking it over carefully for scratches or dents, tutting to herself under her breath.
“Brute... break my telescope, I'll break his face... can't believe the nerve... how dare he... what a heathen...”
“Erm... are you alright?” Ziv asked cautiously, taking a few nervous steps toward her.
“Oh!” Phoenix started, blinking in surprise, “I'm sorry, thank you for your help!” she exclaimed, prancing toward him with a big smile, “I mean, I'm sure I could have handled him on my own, but who knows what kind of damage he might have done to my telescope before I got rid of him!”
“Hah, yeah... it's no problem.” Ziv said shyly, tail wagging low as he looked at her bathed in the moonlight. She almost looked to be glowing, not just from her markings, but something inside of her... she was radiant.
“I'm Phoenix,” she introduced herself, stepping closer to give his muzzle a sniff, “glad to meet you!”
Ziv balked for a moment, then remembered his manners and gave his head a little shake.
“Oh, right – I'm Ziv. Happy to help!” he replied, sniffing her back shyly. She smelled like summer grass after a rain, and something magical.
“So... you want to try it out?” Phoenix asked, gesturing to the telescope, “it's the least I could do after you rescued us.” she said with a sly smirk, and Ziv smiled.
“Sure! I... don't think I've ever used one before though...” he replied nervously, “I'm not really sure how it works.”
Phoenix laughed, “It's pretty easy really... just look through!”
Ziv carefully padded up to the telescope and gave Phoenix a nervous look. She nodded encouragingly, and he put his eye up to it and peered through.
“Oh! Is that... is that a star?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes! That's Kornephoros – it means “club-bearer”, it's a giant star, and it's the left knee of the Hercules constellation! It's the brightest star in the constellation, isn't it lovely?” Phoenix mused, smiling as she stared up at the sky.
Ziv pulled back from the telescope to look at her, and he couldn't help but smile too. She truly was lovely...
Phoenix met his gaze, blushing slightly. He was a strange fellow, he seemed so bashful but earnest, and she felt drawn to him.
“Would... would you like me to walk you home? Never know who else will want to steal this thing.” Ziv asked, patting the telescope with a paw.
“Oh, sure! But I'm not finished yet... I still have some research to do. Would you like to stay, maybe?” Phoenix asked with a shy smile.
“I think I'd like that,” Ziv replied, “I'd like that a lot.”
The two stayed up until the early hours of the morning, as the first streaks of sunlight began to crest the far horizon. They looked at the stars and at each other, talking for hours. Ziv learned about how the stars were a highlight of Phoenix's life, how they made her feel safe and secure in their constancy. By the time he was walking her home, Ziv knew that he wanted to make her feel that way too.
“Would you like to continue your astronomy lessons tomorrow? I guess my telescope needs a bodyguard, and I wouldn't trust anyone else to look out for it like you.” Phoenix teased as they stood on her doorstep.
Ziv chuckled, shifting his weight from paw to paw nervously. “Sure, I'll meet you at the field again tonight for my guard duty.”
With a laugh, Phoenix slipped through her front door, looking over her shoulder to meet his eyes.
“Goodnight, Ziv,” she said sweetly, and he smiled.
“Goodnight, Phoenix,” he replied, and then the door closed and he stood alone in the pink light of the rising sun.
~ ~ ~
The next evening fell, and Ziv was waiting in the field when Phoenix arrived, her telescope on her back.
“Hello!” he called, tail wagging with excitement, and he bounded toward her.
“Hi, Ziv!” Phoenix replied as she put the telescope down and began to set it up, “are you ready to see a dragon?”
Ziv stopped short, head tilted in confusion. “A dragon? I thought we were looking at stars?”
Phoenix laughed out loud, giving her head a little shake of amusement, “Silly... the constellation Draco! It's a dragon!” her tail wagged as she began to aim the telescope, peeking through it and shifting it slightly.
“Oh.” Ziv muttered, “I knew that...” he blushed with embarrassment, and Phoenix giggled.
“I'm only teasing you, come here and I'll show you what I mean.”
Ziv shyly sat beside her, and she pulled her face back so he could peek through the telescope.
“You see? There he is!?”
“Um... it just looks like stars to me...” he said with a frown.
“You have to use your imagination! Here, this will make it a little easier...” Phoenix said as she began to dig through her pack, “Ah ha! Here, look at this!”
She flipped through a book and showed him a picture of Draco, with lines connecting the stars and a faint dragon drawn over the lines.
“See, that star is his head, and these ones make up his body...”
“Oh, I understand! It's like a 'connect the dots'!” he exclaimed, tail pounding the ground in excitement. He quickly looked through the telescope again, trying to find the pattern...
“I see it!” he yelped, “there's the head! And the tail!”
He pulled back from the telescope to look into her eyes with wonder.
“This is amazing! How many more of these are there?”
Phoenix laughed, looking at him tenderly. His excitement was adorable, and reminded her so much of herself as a pup, first learning about the stars.
“There are so many more... let me show you!”
Later on into the night, as they were taking a break from the stargazing to rest their eyes they looked over Phoenix's notes and texts, and the conversation drifted.
“I've always loved the stars,” Phoenix mused, “they've been there for so long, you know? And they'll be there forever. They die, but their light takes so long to reach us... some of these stars may not really even exist anymore. It's like we're seeing their ghosts or spirits. I think that's really beautiful.” she said thoughtfully, looking up at the sky with a wistful expression.
Ziv blinked slowly, taking it all in. “That's sad too, though, isn't it? I mean... what if the stars in Draco die? Eventually, no one could see it again?”
“That's why it's beautiful.” Phoenix replied solemnly, “nothing can live forever Ziv. We have to appreciate everything we have now, and enjoy its beauty while it's here.”
Ziv nodded, mind racing.
“So you've always looked at the stars?” he asked, and Phoenix nodded.
“Even as a young pup, I've always just been fascinated by the night sky. None of my friends ever really understood. They thought it was kind of boring I guess. I mean, they don't really do anything up there, just twinkle and shine... but that was always enough for me. My parents thought I could go on to be a famous astronomer, or even go to space someday... but I just want to look and learn. I tried to go to school for astronomy, but it's all just so competitive. They all just want to discover something new to get rich or famous and that just isn't me. So I just work at the library, and I let the stars be my escape instead. I'm happier this way.” she said, a peaceful smile on her face.
“That makes sense,” Ziv replied, “I mean, you wouldn't want your passion to just become your boring job, right?” he mused, and Phoenix nodded.
“What about you?” she asked, “how did you know that dog last night anyway? What did you call him, Dex? He seemed so rough, not at all like you...”
Ziv frowned, “I've known Dex since we were pups.” he replied shortly, “so were you parents upset that you didn't want to pursue astronomy as a career?”
Phoenix balked for a second at the obvious subject change, but decided not to push, “they were a little disappointed at first, but they truly just want me to be happy, so they're supportive.”
Phoenix frowned a little, it was obvious to her that Ziv was carrying a lot of pain about his past, and she wished she could help him. He was so mysterious but so kind and good... just the kind of dog she could see herself settling down with some day, even...
Ziv smiled, “that's good. It would be a shame if your parents were angry with you for pursuing your happiness. I'm glad it all worked out so well for you.”
Ziv could feel himself falling for this lovely girl, and hated himself for it a bit. She came from a good family, a supportive family that loved her. She lived in the nice part of the city, had a good and stable job, she was so smart... what would she ever see in a poor dog like him? Maybe it would be best if he just left her alone, and didn't waste her time...
As the sun began to rise, Ziv walked Phoenix home again, and as she prepared to go inside she licked his muzzle shyly.
“I had a nice time tonight, teaching you about the stars...” she said softly, and Ziv blushed.
“Um... me too.” he murmured, averting his eyes nervously, “good night.”
Phoenix frowned and headed up the stairs to her front door, a little disappointed at his rebuff. Maybe he just wasn't interested?
Just as she opened up the door and began to step inside, Ziv let out a yelp. Phoenix jumped and turned, eyes hopeful.
“Um... would you maybe like to get lunch later? I mean, if you aren't busy or-”
“I'd love to!” she interrupted, eyes shining with excitement, “that would be wonderful! I know just the place, the cafe down the street!” she pointed with her nose to a place just within view on the corner.
“Okay, I'll meet you there! Noon?”
“Sure! I can't wait!”
“Me too... see you then!” Ziv exclaimed, tail thrashing through the air with pure happiness.
“Good night, Ziv,” Phoenix said sweetly, and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind herself.
“Good night, Phoenix,” Ziv whispered to the closed door.
~ ~ ~
Noon came, and a weary Ziv waited outside the cafe. He watched as Phoenix left her front door and pranced down the sidewalk toward him. He couldn't believe how much more beautiful she was in the daylight – her markings glowed in the sun, and her coat shimmered and almost seemed to sparkle.
“Hi Ziv!” she crowed, “are you ready for lunch?”
“Always,” he teased, “let's eat!”
They got inside and set up at a table next to the large front windows, sunlight streaming in and warming the air around them.
They each ordered a simple meal, and while they ate, Phoenix went on a mission – to get to know this strange and handsome dog that was capturing her heart.
“So Ziv, what do you do for work?” she asked with a smile.
Ziv couldn't believe how absolutely perfect she was. The sunlight through the window made her lovely eyes sparkle and gleam, and her fur looked so soft... he wondered what it would feel like to run his paws over her, or nuzzle his face into the fluff of her neck...
“Ziv? Did you hear me?”
Ziv jumped, realizing that as he'd been staring, her mouth had been moving... oops.
“Oh, I'm sorry... I must have been um... lost in thought...” he blushed, looking down at the wood grain of the table top in embarrassment. Phoenix reached out to touch his paw with hers, and he raised his gaze to meet her eyes bashfully.
“That's okay, I was just asking what you do for work?”
Ziv sighed, “I work at the shelter on 4th Street.” he replied, and Phoenix smiled.
“The Shelter of Saint Roth?” she asked, and Ziv nodded, “I've heard great things about that shelter! They fed over 2,000 at-risk or homeless dogs last year, that's amazing! And you work there?”
Ziv blushed, usually people turned their noses up at his work – having someone be so impressed was a surprise!
“Yeah, I manage the kitchens, it's sort of the heart of the shelter. It's hard work and it doesn't pay very much, but... I think it's important. Showing the homeless dogs of the city that they haven't been forgotten, it's how we can help to heal this place.” he said simply, and Phoenix beamed at him.
“That's wonderful, I had no idea you did such admirable work!” she exclaimed, tail wagging in the booth and slapping the back of her seat loudly, “you should be so proud!”
Ziv puffed his chest a bit, loving the praise even as it made him a little bashful. “Thank you! I love my work, but usually, when I tell someone about it they think I'm wasting my time...”
“Well, they're wrong!” Phoenix said passionately, “we need to help everyone in this city, even those who may not be able to help themselves. Is that how you know Dex? From the shelter?”
Ziv sighed heavily. He knew it was time. She had accepted him so far, maybe she would still look at him like that, like he was worth something, even after hearing the truth...
“No. I met Ziv when we were pups...” he swallowed hard, took a drink of his water, and closed his eyes for a moment to collect his thoughts.
“When I was very young, my father died in an accident at work. It was just my mother and me, and she was never very... maternal. I don't think she really ever wanted pups, she just had me for my dad. With him gone, she became really depressed... she stopped taking care of me, and everything I did seemed to just make her angry. She wouldn't feed me, and just locked me in my room all the time. If I tried to leave she'd attack me... finally I just ran away. I ended up in the system and was placed with a foster family. That's where I met Dex.”
Phoenix stared at him in horror, “that's terrible!”
Ziv nodded. “At first Dex and I got along alright, but he'd had it even worse than me before the foster family. He'd been on the streets a long time already, and he didn't adjust well to being in a home. He stole from our foster parents, and they weren't exactly nice to begin with. They beat us, made us clean the house and sleep in the cellar. Dex and I ran away together, but once we were back on the streets he started to use me for an easy meal. Everything I got, he took. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore, and I went my own way and left him to fend for himself. I had to do terrible things to survive... things I regret. I stole what I needed from whoever I could...” he hung his head in shame, unable to meet her eyes, “I hate who I had to become.”
“Hey, look at me,” Phoenix said, tapping his chin with her paw. Ziv raised his eyes, and Phoenix gave him a gentle smile, “you did what you had to do to get by, and look at you now! You're paying that back to society every day, helping dogs like you weren't able to be helped.”
Ziv nodded, “I try. I didn't want to be a bad dog...”
“And you're not. You're the best dog I've ever met,” she said seriously, and Ziv's eyes welled up with tears for just a moment, before he blinked them away.
“But what about Dex? Surely he deserves to redeem himself too?” she asked, and Ziv shook his head.
“I've tried to help Dex many times. I always see him out on the streets and I try to get him to come to Saint Roth, but he won't have it. Says only the weak need to ask for help, and he's fine on his own. I think when I left him and went my own way it really hurt him. I mean, he was always pretty cruel to me, but I'm not sure he ever really learned how to have a good relationship with someone else. Maybe in his mind, we were friends...?”
Phoenix sighed sadly. “That's really terrible... maybe together we could help him?”
Ziv shrugged, “I mean, I guess we could try? If that would make you happy?”
“It would,” she replied, “and what's more, I think it would make you happy too.”
Ziv nodded. “I think you're right. And I think I know where we could find him. Maybe tomorrow you could meet me at my place, and we could go take a look for him?”
“That sounds perfect.” Phoenix said with a bright smile, “I think this will be good for both of you.”
“I hope you're right,” Ziv replied, “I really do.”
~ ~ ~
The next afternoon Phoenix took a walk to the other side of town, where the factories and lower income housing were, across the train tracks. Smog filled the air from the industrial park, and the sound of sirens and puppies crying filled the air.
She nervously approached a large, run-down apartment building, and buzzed Ziv's place. He pressed the button to unlock the front door, and she nervously slipped inside.
The lobby smelled... not so fresh, and Phoenix headed for the elevator, only to see it was out of order. With a sigh she hit the stairs, going up four flights before she reached Ziv's floor and headed to his door.
She gave a ring of the doorbell, and Ziv quickly opened the door and ushered her inside.
“Come on in,” he said with a nervous smile, “sorry it isn't much...”
Phoenix looked around curiously. The apartment was very clean, and the curtains on the few windows were all wide open to let in as much natural light as possible. The place was sparsely decorated, but the few paintings and knick-knacks that were placed around seemed lovingly selected, and it was obvious that while Ziv didn't have much, he took great pride in what he did have and cared for it well.
“I'd give you the tour but, well, this is it.” he said, gesturing to the single room, “it's just a loft so...”
Phoenix smiled, “It's lovely. I bet this is the nicest place in the building.”
Ziv laughed, “honestly, you're probably right. I could move to somewhere a little nicer, but there are dogs here that need my help. Mrs. Sanchez, the elderly chihuahua down the hall, can't get up and down the stairs alone anymore. If I wasn't here to help her, she'd never get to go out. And Sadie on the second floor just had a litter not too long ago. I help watch the pups a few times a week so she can get to work at the diner down the road.”
Phoenix smiled at him tenderly, every time she learned something new about this dog, she felt even more certain that he was the one she was meant to find...
“Um... are you ready to find Dex? I think I know where he should be today. The Italian restaurant on 6th Avenue did a fresh bake of their garlic bread this morning, which means they threw the old stuff out. Dex wouldn't want to miss that dumpster dive.”
“I'm ready,” she replied, “let's go save your friend.”
~ ~ ~
Ziv and Phoenix walked down a filthy, dark alleyway toward a stand of dumpsters. Even from a distance, they could hear the sound of something rooting around in one of the open dumpsters. When they were a few feet away, Ziv motioned for Phoenix to stay back, and he approached cautiously.
“Dex, you in there?” he called, and the sounds from the dumpster went silent for a moment.
“Whaddya want, Ziv?” came Dex's voice, echoing from inside the large metal box.
“Come out here, I want to talk to you,” Ziv responded, squaring his stance and lifting his tail high.
Dex's head popped out of the top of the dumpster, ears askew and a smudge of filth across his muzzle.
“I'm busy, what do you want?” he growled, and Ziv sighed.
“We just want to talk to you, can you please come out?”
With a roll of his eyes, Dex hopped out of the dumpster and gave a great shake, sending bits of food and trash flying from his coat.
“Okay, I'm out. Say what you want to say and go away.”
“We want to help you,” Ziv began, “you don't have to live like this anymore.”
Dex snorted in derision, “what, you want to do your good deed for the day, shelter boy? Give me a sandwich and a dose of hope and send me on my way?”
Ziv narrowed his eyes, “don't be so proud! We all need help sometimes, and you could have so much more than this if you just tried!”
“You don't know anything,” Dex sneered, “this is all I am, and all I'll ever be.”
Phoenix stepped forward, tender expression on her face, “If Ziv could raise himself up, then so can you.” she said gently, “you just need some friends to help you.”
“Not everyone is as wonderful as Ziv,” Dex ground out, eyes narrowed, “some of us are just broken, and that's all there is to it.”
“Maybe you could be fixed,” Ziv said, “if you'd let some friends in to help you.”
Dex faltered for a moment, looking into Ziv's eyes, full of earnest hope, and then at Phoenix, her expression so kind and pure.
“I don't need your help or your pity!” he exclaimed and tried to push past them.
Ziv caught him by the shoulder with a paw and looked into his eyes. “Please Dex. I forgive you, you know. For what you did to me. How you treated me, stole from me... I understand. You did what you had to do to survive, same as everyone else. You were so strong... but now if you can just let yourself be a little bit weak... we can help you. You don't have to live like this anymore, we can help you try to have a normal life. I know you can do it.”
Dex blinked slowly, staring into Ziv's eyes. He saw what his life could have been if his parents hadn't died, if his siblings hadn't abandoned him, if the foster families hadn't abused him... for the first time since he was a puppy, he felt a little bit of hope in his heart.
“Fine. I guess if you two want to waste your time on me... I can try.”
Ziv turned to look at Phoenix, an expression of pure gratitude on his face. Phoenix smiled at him sweetly.
Look at what we can do together, working as a team... she thought to herself.
She makes me a better dog, makes me want to be a better dog... Ziv thought, smiling at her with pure adoration.
This is meant to be. They thought together, this is fate.
~ ~ ~
SIX MONTHS LATER
Outside the city, just past where the street lights stop is a large open field, filled with wildflowers, with a beautiful view of the sky just beginning to fill with stars in the twilight.
An old, weathered 'for sale' sign now has a fresh new 'sold' sticker on it, and in the middle of the field a smaller sized dog sets up a picnic, telescope nearby. He's clean now, and his iridescent blues and greens shine in the light from the rising full moon.
Nearby, two dogs look up at the sky side by side.
“I've never been happier than I have these last months with you,” Ziv said, looking down at the female beside him, “you make me want to be a better dog and I'm falling more in love with you every day.”
Phoenix smiled up at him adoringly, “you're already the greatest dog I've ever known. I'm so proud of you for helping Dex – he's become a great friend to us both, and that's all thanks to you. Your compassion for those in need is your greatest strength, and I hope that's a value you'll pass down to the next generation...” she looked at him slyly out of the corner of her eye, and Ziv blinked a few times.
“The... next generation...” he stammered, “as in... puppies...?”
Phoenix giggled, “that would be the next generation, yes.” she teased.
“Is that next generation... coming soon...?” he asked, voice a squeak of terror and excitement both.
Phoenix took his paw and placed it against her belly just in time for him to feel a little wiggle from within.
“AH!” he squealed, jumping back in shock, “something...something moved!”
Phoenix laughed out loud, swatting at Ziv's shoulder playfully, “that's your puppies, you silly old dog!” she cried, and Ziv pounced on her, nuzzling her muzzle with his own and licking her face.
“A family!” he cried, “my own family, our own family... Phoenix...”
She looked up at him tenderly as he held her down in the grass, and smiled.
“You've given me so much...” he said softly, touching his nose to hers, “too much, really. Belief in myself, my oldest friend back, and now a family of my own... is it wrong of me to be so afraid that I'll lose it all?”
Phoenix licked the tip of his nose and smiled, “It's not wrong to feel like that... I feel that way too sometimes. But you need to know Ziv, I will be yours until the last star in the sky dies.”
Ziv felt tears welling up in his eyes, and he let them fall as he looked down at his mate so tenderly.
“Before I met you,” Phoenix began, “the stars were my greatest love. They were constant and always there, and I thought if I could understand everything about them, the rest of the world would make sense too. But now you're here, and I see everything more clearly. The stars watch over us so we can watch over each other.”
Ziv smiled, rubbing his cheek against hers, their tears intermingling together in their fur. Then they stood together and walked to their friend for a picnic and some stargazing.
And together they talked into the night about their plans for the future, their hopes, their dreams – and the little stars that are soon to be born.
(1,496 words)
The stars were just beginning to show themselves in the twilight sky, twinkling coyly as the sun slowly finished its decent for the night. An owl called into the encroaching darkness that was falling on an open field in the country outside the nearby city, just past where the street lights stop.
From the street came a dog, dark fur glistening in the moonlight. On her back was a long, tube-shaped pack, and there was an eager smile on her face.
The dog padded into the field, grass cool and slightly damp under her paws. She walked past an old and weathered “for sale” sign, barely sparing it a glance and proceeded to the center of the field, tail wagging in anticipation. Shrugging off the long pack on her back, she pulled from within a beautiful telescope and began to set it up, humming to herself softly and glancing up at the clear night sky every now and again, hardly able to contain her excitement.
Finally, the telescope was set up and calibrated, and with a wiggle of happiness, she set to work-peeking through the lens, taking notes on what she saw and muttering to herself thoughtfully as she looked at the great cosmos above.
Ever since she was a pup, the mysteries and beauties of space intrigued her – these are stars that had been there for millions of years before her and would be there for millions of years more. These same stars were looked upon by all the great dogs of history, and there was still so much to learn about them! They had been her constant companion throughout her life – as friendships faded, as others let her down, the stars were always there to guide her. Someday, she would learn all of their secrets.
Just as she brought the focus of her telescope to a particularly bright star in the Hercules constellation, she heard the sounds of footsteps behind her. It wasn't uncommon for some of the younger animals living in the area to come upon her while stargazing to ask questions, or even request a turn with her telescope, so she turned with a smile, only to see a dirty, unkempt dog staring at her menacingly. His fur was dark and matted, muted colors in his coat hard to make out in the meager light offered from the crescent moon and stars above, and his eyes glowed unnervingly.
“Hello?” she began cautiously, “my name is Phoenix... can I help you?”
The dog took another deliberate step forward, head low.
“Yeah, you can help me. Give me that telescope.” he snarled, lip curling to reveal large white teeth.
Phoenix blinked in surprise, then narrowed her eyes. “No! It's mine, why would I give it to you?” she demanded, self-righteous.
“Well, I tried asking nicely...” the dog mused to himself, before lunging forward and pushing past Phoenix, knocking her aside as he began to grab at the telescope with his teeth and try to drag it away.
“Hey! Stop that!” she shrieked, jumping forward to grab the other end of the telescope with a yelp, “that's MINE!”
“Not anymore,” the other dog growled, “now it's mine.”
~ ~ ~
It was, Ziv concluded to himself, the perfect night for a stroll. The sky was crystal clear and the light from the moon was just enough to illuminate his path as he walked from the city into the countryside. The summer breeze was warm and inviting, and all around he was very pleased to be out and about.
Evening walks like this were the only time he could see the stars, the city lights were just too bright. And he did so love to see them up there, twinkling away, completely unaware of the beautiful spectacle they put on for the small creatures living so far below. Looking up at them Ziv felt tiny, but his heart felt full. He wasn't sure how to really explain it, he just felt that those stars had something to do with his destiny.
As he padded down the road, his ears perked as he heard a snarl, then a yelp, and then growling and shouting. He scented the air and froze.
He knew that smell.
Running quickly toward the noise, Ziv burst into the field with a flurry of barks meant to draw attention to himself, and as both dogs looked up at his arrival Phoenix was able to wrench the telescope away from the other dog with a triumphant yip.
“DEX!” Ziv shouted, and the other dog whipped around with a roar, teeth bared.
“Ziv,” he snarled, eyes narrowing, “I should have guessed. Always playing the hero, aren't you? This doesn't concern you, why don't you go back to your precious shelter and leave me alone.”
Ziv growled softly, moving toward the smaller dog with his head low, “I don't think the lady wants you to bother her anymore. Why don't you get back to whatever dumpster you crawled out of and let her be.”
Dex laughed, tossing his head in derision. “And what are you going to do to make me? You're weak, couldn't hack it on the 'mean streets', huh Ziv?” he snorted, “you don't scare me.”
Ziv yawned, affecting a bored demeanor, “oh, you're still here? I don't have time to listen to street dogs too scared to be anything besides thieves and bullies. A real weak dog is one who is too scared to even try to be better than he is. You should be ashamed of yourself, now get out of here!” he growled, then lunged toward Dex with his teeth bared.
Dex flinched out of reflex, seeing the larger Ziv rush him, and in shame, he dropped his tail a bit and backed away.
“Fine, I'll go. That piece of junk probably isn't worth much anyway. And neither of you are worth my time,” Dex sneered, brushing past Ziv and shoulder checking him on the way, “see you on the streets, Ziv.” he growled, and then he trotted away back toward the city.
Ziv looked to Phoenix cautiously, watching as she fussed over her telescope, getting it back on the tripod and looking it over carefully for scratches or dents, tutting to herself under her breath.
“Brute... break my telescope, I'll break his face... can't believe the nerve... how dare he... what a heathen...”
“Erm... are you alright?” Ziv asked cautiously, taking a few nervous steps toward her.
“Oh!” Phoenix started, blinking in surprise, “I'm sorry, thank you for your help!” she exclaimed, prancing toward him with a big smile, “I mean, I'm sure I could have handled him on my own, but who knows what kind of damage he might have done to my telescope before I got rid of him!”
“Hah, yeah... it's no problem.” Ziv said shyly, tail wagging low as he looked at her bathed in the moonlight. She almost looked to be glowing, not just from her markings, but something inside of her... she was radiant.
“I'm Phoenix,” she introduced herself, stepping closer to give his muzzle a sniff, “glad to meet you!”
Ziv balked for a moment, then remembered his manners and gave his head a little shake.
“Oh, right – I'm Ziv. Happy to help!” he replied, sniffing her back shyly. She smelled like summer grass after a rain, and something magical.
“So... you want to try it out?” Phoenix asked, gesturing to the telescope, “it's the least I could do after you rescued us.” she said with a sly smirk, and Ziv smiled.
“Sure! I... don't think I've ever used one before though...” he replied nervously, “I'm not really sure how it works.”
Phoenix laughed, “It's pretty easy really... just look through!”
Ziv carefully padded up to the telescope and gave Phoenix a nervous look. She nodded encouragingly, and he put his eye up to it and peered through.
“Oh! Is that... is that a star?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes! That's Kornephoros – it means “club-bearer”, it's a giant star, and it's the left knee of the Hercules constellation! It's the brightest star in the constellation, isn't it lovely?” Phoenix mused, smiling as she stared up at the sky.
Ziv pulled back from the telescope to look at her, and he couldn't help but smile too. She truly was lovely...
Phoenix met his gaze, blushing slightly. He was a strange fellow, he seemed so bashful but earnest, and she felt drawn to him.
“Would... would you like me to walk you home? Never know who else will want to steal this thing.” Ziv asked, patting the telescope with a paw.
“Oh, sure! But I'm not finished yet... I still have some research to do. Would you like to stay, maybe?” Phoenix asked with a shy smile.
“I think I'd like that,” Ziv replied, “I'd like that a lot.”
The two stayed up until the early hours of the morning, as the first streaks of sunlight began to crest the far horizon. They looked at the stars and at each other, talking for hours. Ziv learned about how the stars were a highlight of Phoenix's life, how they made her feel safe and secure in their constancy. By the time he was walking her home, Ziv knew that he wanted to make her feel that way too.
“Would you like to continue your astronomy lessons tomorrow? I guess my telescope needs a bodyguard, and I wouldn't trust anyone else to look out for it like you.” Phoenix teased as they stood on her doorstep.
Ziv chuckled, shifting his weight from paw to paw nervously. “Sure, I'll meet you at the field again tonight for my guard duty.”
With a laugh, Phoenix slipped through her front door, looking over her shoulder to meet his eyes.
“Goodnight, Ziv,” she said sweetly, and he smiled.
“Goodnight, Phoenix,” he replied, and then the door closed and he stood alone in the pink light of the rising sun.
~ ~ ~
The next evening fell, and Ziv was waiting in the field when Phoenix arrived, her telescope on her back.
“Hello!” he called, tail wagging with excitement, and he bounded toward her.
“Hi, Ziv!” Phoenix replied as she put the telescope down and began to set it up, “are you ready to see a dragon?”
Ziv stopped short, head tilted in confusion. “A dragon? I thought we were looking at stars?”
Phoenix laughed out loud, giving her head a little shake of amusement, “Silly... the constellation Draco! It's a dragon!” her tail wagged as she began to aim the telescope, peeking through it and shifting it slightly.
“Oh.” Ziv muttered, “I knew that...” he blushed with embarrassment, and Phoenix giggled.
“I'm only teasing you, come here and I'll show you what I mean.”
Ziv shyly sat beside her, and she pulled her face back so he could peek through the telescope.
“You see? There he is!?”
“Um... it just looks like stars to me...” he said with a frown.
“You have to use your imagination! Here, this will make it a little easier...” Phoenix said as she began to dig through her pack, “Ah ha! Here, look at this!”
She flipped through a book and showed him a picture of Draco, with lines connecting the stars and a faint dragon drawn over the lines.
“See, that star is his head, and these ones make up his body...”
“Oh, I understand! It's like a 'connect the dots'!” he exclaimed, tail pounding the ground in excitement. He quickly looked through the telescope again, trying to find the pattern...
“I see it!” he yelped, “there's the head! And the tail!”
He pulled back from the telescope to look into her eyes with wonder.
“This is amazing! How many more of these are there?”
Phoenix laughed, looking at him tenderly. His excitement was adorable, and reminded her so much of herself as a pup, first learning about the stars.
“There are so many more... let me show you!”
Later on into the night, as they were taking a break from the stargazing to rest their eyes they looked over Phoenix's notes and texts, and the conversation drifted.
“I've always loved the stars,” Phoenix mused, “they've been there for so long, you know? And they'll be there forever. They die, but their light takes so long to reach us... some of these stars may not really even exist anymore. It's like we're seeing their ghosts or spirits. I think that's really beautiful.” she said thoughtfully, looking up at the sky with a wistful expression.
Ziv blinked slowly, taking it all in. “That's sad too, though, isn't it? I mean... what if the stars in Draco die? Eventually, no one could see it again?”
“That's why it's beautiful.” Phoenix replied solemnly, “nothing can live forever Ziv. We have to appreciate everything we have now, and enjoy its beauty while it's here.”
Ziv nodded, mind racing.
“So you've always looked at the stars?” he asked, and Phoenix nodded.
“Even as a young pup, I've always just been fascinated by the night sky. None of my friends ever really understood. They thought it was kind of boring I guess. I mean, they don't really do anything up there, just twinkle and shine... but that was always enough for me. My parents thought I could go on to be a famous astronomer, or even go to space someday... but I just want to look and learn. I tried to go to school for astronomy, but it's all just so competitive. They all just want to discover something new to get rich or famous and that just isn't me. So I just work at the library, and I let the stars be my escape instead. I'm happier this way.” she said, a peaceful smile on her face.
“That makes sense,” Ziv replied, “I mean, you wouldn't want your passion to just become your boring job, right?” he mused, and Phoenix nodded.
“What about you?” she asked, “how did you know that dog last night anyway? What did you call him, Dex? He seemed so rough, not at all like you...”
Ziv frowned, “I've known Dex since we were pups.” he replied shortly, “so were you parents upset that you didn't want to pursue astronomy as a career?”
Phoenix balked for a second at the obvious subject change, but decided not to push, “they were a little disappointed at first, but they truly just want me to be happy, so they're supportive.”
Phoenix frowned a little, it was obvious to her that Ziv was carrying a lot of pain about his past, and she wished she could help him. He was so mysterious but so kind and good... just the kind of dog she could see herself settling down with some day, even...
Ziv smiled, “that's good. It would be a shame if your parents were angry with you for pursuing your happiness. I'm glad it all worked out so well for you.”
Ziv could feel himself falling for this lovely girl, and hated himself for it a bit. She came from a good family, a supportive family that loved her. She lived in the nice part of the city, had a good and stable job, she was so smart... what would she ever see in a poor dog like him? Maybe it would be best if he just left her alone, and didn't waste her time...
As the sun began to rise, Ziv walked Phoenix home again, and as she prepared to go inside she licked his muzzle shyly.
“I had a nice time tonight, teaching you about the stars...” she said softly, and Ziv blushed.
“Um... me too.” he murmured, averting his eyes nervously, “good night.”
Phoenix frowned and headed up the stairs to her front door, a little disappointed at his rebuff. Maybe he just wasn't interested?
Just as she opened up the door and began to step inside, Ziv let out a yelp. Phoenix jumped and turned, eyes hopeful.
“Um... would you maybe like to get lunch later? I mean, if you aren't busy or-”
“I'd love to!” she interrupted, eyes shining with excitement, “that would be wonderful! I know just the place, the cafe down the street!” she pointed with her nose to a place just within view on the corner.
“Okay, I'll meet you there! Noon?”
“Sure! I can't wait!”
“Me too... see you then!” Ziv exclaimed, tail thrashing through the air with pure happiness.
“Good night, Ziv,” Phoenix said sweetly, and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind herself.
“Good night, Phoenix,” Ziv whispered to the closed door.
~ ~ ~
Noon came, and a weary Ziv waited outside the cafe. He watched as Phoenix left her front door and pranced down the sidewalk toward him. He couldn't believe how much more beautiful she was in the daylight – her markings glowed in the sun, and her coat shimmered and almost seemed to sparkle.
“Hi Ziv!” she crowed, “are you ready for lunch?”
“Always,” he teased, “let's eat!”
They got inside and set up at a table next to the large front windows, sunlight streaming in and warming the air around them.
They each ordered a simple meal, and while they ate, Phoenix went on a mission – to get to know this strange and handsome dog that was capturing her heart.
“So Ziv, what do you do for work?” she asked with a smile.
Ziv couldn't believe how absolutely perfect she was. The sunlight through the window made her lovely eyes sparkle and gleam, and her fur looked so soft... he wondered what it would feel like to run his paws over her, or nuzzle his face into the fluff of her neck...
“Ziv? Did you hear me?”
Ziv jumped, realizing that as he'd been staring, her mouth had been moving... oops.
“Oh, I'm sorry... I must have been um... lost in thought...” he blushed, looking down at the wood grain of the table top in embarrassment. Phoenix reached out to touch his paw with hers, and he raised his gaze to meet her eyes bashfully.
“That's okay, I was just asking what you do for work?”
Ziv sighed, “I work at the shelter on 4th Street.” he replied, and Phoenix smiled.
“The Shelter of Saint Roth?” she asked, and Ziv nodded, “I've heard great things about that shelter! They fed over 2,000 at-risk or homeless dogs last year, that's amazing! And you work there?”
Ziv blushed, usually people turned their noses up at his work – having someone be so impressed was a surprise!
“Yeah, I manage the kitchens, it's sort of the heart of the shelter. It's hard work and it doesn't pay very much, but... I think it's important. Showing the homeless dogs of the city that they haven't been forgotten, it's how we can help to heal this place.” he said simply, and Phoenix beamed at him.
“That's wonderful, I had no idea you did such admirable work!” she exclaimed, tail wagging in the booth and slapping the back of her seat loudly, “you should be so proud!”
Ziv puffed his chest a bit, loving the praise even as it made him a little bashful. “Thank you! I love my work, but usually, when I tell someone about it they think I'm wasting my time...”
“Well, they're wrong!” Phoenix said passionately, “we need to help everyone in this city, even those who may not be able to help themselves. Is that how you know Dex? From the shelter?”
Ziv sighed heavily. He knew it was time. She had accepted him so far, maybe she would still look at him like that, like he was worth something, even after hearing the truth...
“No. I met Ziv when we were pups...” he swallowed hard, took a drink of his water, and closed his eyes for a moment to collect his thoughts.
“When I was very young, my father died in an accident at work. It was just my mother and me, and she was never very... maternal. I don't think she really ever wanted pups, she just had me for my dad. With him gone, she became really depressed... she stopped taking care of me, and everything I did seemed to just make her angry. She wouldn't feed me, and just locked me in my room all the time. If I tried to leave she'd attack me... finally I just ran away. I ended up in the system and was placed with a foster family. That's where I met Dex.”
Phoenix stared at him in horror, “that's terrible!”
Ziv nodded. “At first Dex and I got along alright, but he'd had it even worse than me before the foster family. He'd been on the streets a long time already, and he didn't adjust well to being in a home. He stole from our foster parents, and they weren't exactly nice to begin with. They beat us, made us clean the house and sleep in the cellar. Dex and I ran away together, but once we were back on the streets he started to use me for an easy meal. Everything I got, he took. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore, and I went my own way and left him to fend for himself. I had to do terrible things to survive... things I regret. I stole what I needed from whoever I could...” he hung his head in shame, unable to meet her eyes, “I hate who I had to become.”
“Hey, look at me,” Phoenix said, tapping his chin with her paw. Ziv raised his eyes, and Phoenix gave him a gentle smile, “you did what you had to do to get by, and look at you now! You're paying that back to society every day, helping dogs like you weren't able to be helped.”
Ziv nodded, “I try. I didn't want to be a bad dog...”
“And you're not. You're the best dog I've ever met,” she said seriously, and Ziv's eyes welled up with tears for just a moment, before he blinked them away.
“But what about Dex? Surely he deserves to redeem himself too?” she asked, and Ziv shook his head.
“I've tried to help Dex many times. I always see him out on the streets and I try to get him to come to Saint Roth, but he won't have it. Says only the weak need to ask for help, and he's fine on his own. I think when I left him and went my own way it really hurt him. I mean, he was always pretty cruel to me, but I'm not sure he ever really learned how to have a good relationship with someone else. Maybe in his mind, we were friends...?”
Phoenix sighed sadly. “That's really terrible... maybe together we could help him?”
Ziv shrugged, “I mean, I guess we could try? If that would make you happy?”
“It would,” she replied, “and what's more, I think it would make you happy too.”
Ziv nodded. “I think you're right. And I think I know where we could find him. Maybe tomorrow you could meet me at my place, and we could go take a look for him?”
“That sounds perfect.” Phoenix said with a bright smile, “I think this will be good for both of you.”
“I hope you're right,” Ziv replied, “I really do.”
~ ~ ~
The next afternoon Phoenix took a walk to the other side of town, where the factories and lower income housing were, across the train tracks. Smog filled the air from the industrial park, and the sound of sirens and puppies crying filled the air.
She nervously approached a large, run-down apartment building, and buzzed Ziv's place. He pressed the button to unlock the front door, and she nervously slipped inside.
The lobby smelled... not so fresh, and Phoenix headed for the elevator, only to see it was out of order. With a sigh she hit the stairs, going up four flights before she reached Ziv's floor and headed to his door.
She gave a ring of the doorbell, and Ziv quickly opened the door and ushered her inside.
“Come on in,” he said with a nervous smile, “sorry it isn't much...”
Phoenix looked around curiously. The apartment was very clean, and the curtains on the few windows were all wide open to let in as much natural light as possible. The place was sparsely decorated, but the few paintings and knick-knacks that were placed around seemed lovingly selected, and it was obvious that while Ziv didn't have much, he took great pride in what he did have and cared for it well.
“I'd give you the tour but, well, this is it.” he said, gesturing to the single room, “it's just a loft so...”
Phoenix smiled, “It's lovely. I bet this is the nicest place in the building.”
Ziv laughed, “honestly, you're probably right. I could move to somewhere a little nicer, but there are dogs here that need my help. Mrs. Sanchez, the elderly chihuahua down the hall, can't get up and down the stairs alone anymore. If I wasn't here to help her, she'd never get to go out. And Sadie on the second floor just had a litter not too long ago. I help watch the pups a few times a week so she can get to work at the diner down the road.”
Phoenix smiled at him tenderly, every time she learned something new about this dog, she felt even more certain that he was the one she was meant to find...
“Um... are you ready to find Dex? I think I know where he should be today. The Italian restaurant on 6th Avenue did a fresh bake of their garlic bread this morning, which means they threw the old stuff out. Dex wouldn't want to miss that dumpster dive.”
“I'm ready,” she replied, “let's go save your friend.”
~ ~ ~
Ziv and Phoenix walked down a filthy, dark alleyway toward a stand of dumpsters. Even from a distance, they could hear the sound of something rooting around in one of the open dumpsters. When they were a few feet away, Ziv motioned for Phoenix to stay back, and he approached cautiously.
“Dex, you in there?” he called, and the sounds from the dumpster went silent for a moment.
“Whaddya want, Ziv?” came Dex's voice, echoing from inside the large metal box.
“Come out here, I want to talk to you,” Ziv responded, squaring his stance and lifting his tail high.
Dex's head popped out of the top of the dumpster, ears askew and a smudge of filth across his muzzle.
“I'm busy, what do you want?” he growled, and Ziv sighed.
“We just want to talk to you, can you please come out?”
With a roll of his eyes, Dex hopped out of the dumpster and gave a great shake, sending bits of food and trash flying from his coat.
“Okay, I'm out. Say what you want to say and go away.”
“We want to help you,” Ziv began, “you don't have to live like this anymore.”
Dex snorted in derision, “what, you want to do your good deed for the day, shelter boy? Give me a sandwich and a dose of hope and send me on my way?”
Ziv narrowed his eyes, “don't be so proud! We all need help sometimes, and you could have so much more than this if you just tried!”
“You don't know anything,” Dex sneered, “this is all I am, and all I'll ever be.”
Phoenix stepped forward, tender expression on her face, “If Ziv could raise himself up, then so can you.” she said gently, “you just need some friends to help you.”
“Not everyone is as wonderful as Ziv,” Dex ground out, eyes narrowed, “some of us are just broken, and that's all there is to it.”
“Maybe you could be fixed,” Ziv said, “if you'd let some friends in to help you.”
Dex faltered for a moment, looking into Ziv's eyes, full of earnest hope, and then at Phoenix, her expression so kind and pure.
“I don't need your help or your pity!” he exclaimed and tried to push past them.
Ziv caught him by the shoulder with a paw and looked into his eyes. “Please Dex. I forgive you, you know. For what you did to me. How you treated me, stole from me... I understand. You did what you had to do to survive, same as everyone else. You were so strong... but now if you can just let yourself be a little bit weak... we can help you. You don't have to live like this anymore, we can help you try to have a normal life. I know you can do it.”
Dex blinked slowly, staring into Ziv's eyes. He saw what his life could have been if his parents hadn't died, if his siblings hadn't abandoned him, if the foster families hadn't abused him... for the first time since he was a puppy, he felt a little bit of hope in his heart.
“Fine. I guess if you two want to waste your time on me... I can try.”
Ziv turned to look at Phoenix, an expression of pure gratitude on his face. Phoenix smiled at him sweetly.
Look at what we can do together, working as a team... she thought to herself.
She makes me a better dog, makes me want to be a better dog... Ziv thought, smiling at her with pure adoration.
This is meant to be. They thought together, this is fate.
~ ~ ~
SIX MONTHS LATER
Outside the city, just past where the street lights stop is a large open field, filled with wildflowers, with a beautiful view of the sky just beginning to fill with stars in the twilight.
An old, weathered 'for sale' sign now has a fresh new 'sold' sticker on it, and in the middle of the field a smaller sized dog sets up a picnic, telescope nearby. He's clean now, and his iridescent blues and greens shine in the light from the rising full moon.
Nearby, two dogs look up at the sky side by side.
“I've never been happier than I have these last months with you,” Ziv said, looking down at the female beside him, “you make me want to be a better dog and I'm falling more in love with you every day.”
Phoenix smiled up at him adoringly, “you're already the greatest dog I've ever known. I'm so proud of you for helping Dex – he's become a great friend to us both, and that's all thanks to you. Your compassion for those in need is your greatest strength, and I hope that's a value you'll pass down to the next generation...” she looked at him slyly out of the corner of her eye, and Ziv blinked a few times.
“The... next generation...” he stammered, “as in... puppies...?”
Phoenix giggled, “that would be the next generation, yes.” she teased.
“Is that next generation... coming soon...?” he asked, voice a squeak of terror and excitement both.
Phoenix took his paw and placed it against her belly just in time for him to feel a little wiggle from within.
“AH!” he squealed, jumping back in shock, “something...something moved!”
Phoenix laughed out loud, swatting at Ziv's shoulder playfully, “that's your puppies, you silly old dog!” she cried, and Ziv pounced on her, nuzzling her muzzle with his own and licking her face.
“A family!” he cried, “my own family, our own family... Phoenix...”
She looked up at him tenderly as he held her down in the grass, and smiled.
“You've given me so much...” he said softly, touching his nose to hers, “too much, really. Belief in myself, my oldest friend back, and now a family of my own... is it wrong of me to be so afraid that I'll lose it all?”
Phoenix licked the tip of his nose and smiled, “It's not wrong to feel like that... I feel that way too sometimes. But you need to know Ziv, I will be yours until the last star in the sky dies.”
Ziv felt tears welling up in his eyes, and he let them fall as he looked down at his mate so tenderly.
“Before I met you,” Phoenix began, “the stars were my greatest love. They were constant and always there, and I thought if I could understand everything about them, the rest of the world would make sense too. But now you're here, and I see everything more clearly. The stars watch over us so we can watch over each other.”
Ziv smiled, rubbing his cheek against hers, their tears intermingling together in their fur. Then they stood together and walked to their friend for a picnic and some stargazing.
And together they talked into the night about their plans for the future, their hopes, their dreams – and the little stars that are soon to be born.
(1,496 words)
Example #6
Life has always been good to me, living here with my human Lucy and her grown human pup Jackie. When Jackie’s mate Daniel joined us, life got even better. My pack loves me, and I love them, too. Everything is much more fun when they’re around to play, and a lazy snooze together on the sofa on a warm afternoon is just the best. Lucy knows just where to scratch my belly, and Jackie and Daniel are amazing playmates, always ready to tug or toss a ball. In short, my life is heavenly.
So, why have I always felt a little empty? Like something is missing?
I see Lucy with Jackie, watch them together - Lucy helps Jackie with all sorts of things, teaches her, comforts her - and it reminds me of those dim memories in the back of my mind of my own mother when I was just a pup. She would nudge me with her nose to correct me when I was doing something bad, she would clean me lovingly and cuddle me all night long. She would play with me, let me chew on her ears and her lips and never got angry...
Then I watch Jackie and her mate Daniel together. The tenderness they share, seeing them sit together so close, casually touching one another on an arm or leg, the happy sounds they make when they show their teeth in that strange expression that I’ve learned means a human is happy - is this what I’m missing?
Maybe I’ll never feel fully complete until I have a mate of my own, and pups that I can raise up?
I try not to think about these things if I can help it, because as much as I love my humans, they aren’t like me. There isn’t anyone like me here at all. I love my friends, but sometimes I still feel so alone.
------------
It was raining the day Jackie and Daniel brought home a little surprise. Lucy and I were on the couch together - she was watching the picture box, and I was staring out the window watching the drops run down the glass, knowing Jackie and Daniel were out there somewhere and wondering when they would come home. I never much liked it when my friends weren’t around, everything was much better when we were all together and if I had my way, no one would ever go anywhere else!
Almost like thinking about her brought her home, the door suddenly swung open and there they were! The scent of rain still clung to them as they toed their shoes off. Jackie’s arms were full of a large blanketed bundle, and I jumped up eagerly and ran over for the customary pets that I always get upon my friends arriving - only to stop short.
Something smelled weird.
Okay, maybe not weird, just different. Jackie smelled different.
Cautiously I sniffed at her from several feet away, head cocked.
Then I heard a squeaking whine, and I yelped in surprise.
It’s another dog! It’s someone like me!
I began bouncing around eagerly, whining in excitement. I looked back over my shoulder at Lucy, eyes wide.
What are you waiting for?! Can’t you smell that? Can’t you hear it?! Come on come on come on come on!
Lucy had heard it, and she entered the kitchen with a skeptical expression.
Jackie opened the blanket bundle a little bit, and a head popped out!
A head like mine, kind of!
The humans talked, I honestly didn’t pay too much attention. I never understand exactly what they’re saying anyway, but I can usually figure it out through their expressions and smells pretty well. I was just transfixed on the head - much smaller than mine - with kind brown eyes that looked excited, but a little bit afraid too.
Then the bundle saw me, and began wriggling so much that Jackie had to put it down, and from within the blanket emerged (albeit clumsily) a dog like me! A girl dog like me!
She shook herself, fell over from the force of it, and then bounced over to press her nose close to mine and breathe deep.
I held perfectly still, because as excited as I was, I could smell something more than just another dog - I could smell sickness, and weakness. This girl was beautiful, but she wasn’t very well at all, and I didn’t want to accidentally hurt her.
I let her sniff me up one side and down the other, quivering in excitement and with the iron will it took me to not just go completely crazy and start playing immediately - how long had I been dreaming of a friend, and now she was here!
The humans were still talking, I understood Lucy could tell the new dog was sick, so thin, her fur patchy in spots, skin scabby and scaly. She moved slowly, legs trembling a bit like it was too hard to hold her little body up for too long.
Jackie looked desperate and sad, she stroked the new dog and looked at her mother pleadingly, and I understood that Lucy wasn’t sure the new dog should stay!
I stared up at my human, whining softly, then sniffed the new dog again and allowed myself to give her one long, sloppy lick up the side of her head, trying to convince Lucy that the new addition should stay.
Look at how nice I can be to her! She’s sick? I’ll help! Let her stay!
Lucy sighed, and reached out to the new girl. Rubbed behind her ears and got several sweet kisses in response and I could see her resolve melt in that moment.
I gave the new girl an approving look, she clearly had the human manipulation technique down perfectly, and I was very impressed!
I heard Jackie and Daniel begin saying a word, then Lucy said it. They stroked the new girl together, saying the word lovingly to her as she gazed up at them adoringly, and I understood - it was her name-word.
Princess.
------------
Jackie, Daniel and Lucy spent a lot of time with Princess. They gave her baths a lot (better her than me!), and she had to leave often. She always came back smelling the same - like the vet.
When they would leave with her, I’d spend my time staring out the window, waiting for their return, and worrying about my friend. She was getting better for sure - stronger, not as skinny - and she was growing!
When she had arrived, I knew she was younger than me. I’d thought she might have been even younger than she was, but eventually I realized she just hadn’t grown as much as she should have by her age.
With good food, help from the vet, and lots of love from our humans (and myself, I’ll admit!), she seemed to be getting better every day. We could no longer see her ribs, she could run around and play with me for hours, and while she wasn’t as tall as me, she was definitely bigger than when she had arrived!
When she wasn’t getting the funny smelling baths, or away at the vet, Princess and I were joined at the hip. We ate together, slept together, and of course, we played together. Sometimes we played with our humans too, and those were always the very best times!
I knew it was important that Princess got strong and healthy, so I made sure that she ate all her food at every meal - and even let her get into my dish from time to time if she still seemed hungry when her meal was done. Sometimes, when we got treats I’d let her eat some of mine, and I kept her active to build up her strength. When we slept, I kept close to her so she stayed warm and got good, restful, healing sleep.
Princess became my entire world, and making sure she got healthy and stayed that way was my number one priority in life. She was my best friend, my companion - and I knew she felt the same way about me.
------------
Another day, another trip to the vet for Princess. The humans got up in the morning, and did their usual activities, while Princess and I had our breakfast. She was eating slower today, usually she was done and nosing around my dish before I was half finished, but today I ate the last of my kibble and looked over to see her slowly munching away at a dish that was still half-full.
Concerned, I padded over to nuzzle her ear, and give it a playful nip, trying to cheer her up a bit. She just glanced over at me with dull eyes, then looked back down at her food and continued to slowly munch.
Lucy and Jackie came over and scooped her up, their scent conveying their worry as well, and I whined softly at Lucy, touching her hand with my nose.
She smiled down at me but it didn’t reach her eyes, and she ruffled behind my ears a bit in the way she knows I love so much.
A kiss on the nose from Jackie, and then they left with my best friend. I laid down in the middle of the kitchen floor with a mournful whine, and began to wait.
------------
It seemed like years before Lucy and Jackie returned, and when they walked in th door my excitement was very short lived - they returned without Princess.
Horrified, I sniffed all around them, jumping up even though I know I’m not supposed to, sniffing their arms - where was she?!
Lucy and Jackie both stroked me, making the word-sounds that I never really understood too well, but the tones were comforting, and I could smell Princess on them. The smells were okay, not great, but she smelled alive at least.
I sadly plodded to my bed and laid down with a long sigh. All I could do is hope that she would come home soon.
I refused my dinner that night. I knew Lucy was worried about me, and I hated to make her feel that way, but I just couldn’t stomach the idea of eating anything, my thoughts consumed with Princess. We were supposed to eat dinner together. Then we were supposed to go outside together. And then we were supposed to cuddle up in my bed together. She wasn’t here, and nothing felt right.
Is this what having a mate feels like? I wondered, is Princess just my best friend? Or is she more?
Another heavy sigh - maybe the answer to that question didn’t even matter. What if Princess never came home?
------------
Days went by, with Princess gone nothing felt the same. Food didn’t taste as good, my favorite toys were neglected, even my favorite treats couldn’t rouse my spirits.
By this point, I knew that if I ever saw Princess again, I would make sure she understood the depth of my feelings for her. She would know that I loved her so much more than a dog loves his best friend, that I wanted to be her mate - to protect her, and cherish and treasure her until the end of our days. I just had to hold out hope that I would get that chance.
Then, after so many days without my best friend, Jackie’s phone rang. When she put it away, she called for Lucy and Daniel, and they all rushed toward the door. I raised my head up from the floor, ears perked, and watched them curiously. Lucy looked back at me, and her smile made her eyes shine again, for the first time since my love went away. She said some words, and I listened hard, hoping to hear just one… and then there it was.
Princess.
She smiled again and I jumped up, tail wiggling.
She said “Princess”!
Princess was coming home!
------------
When I think back on all that happened after Princess joined our family, it’s almost too wonderful to believe. I was so alone, even with my humans there with me. I was longing for a family of my own, for a mate to love and cherish - and then there she was. Perfect for me in every way. Kind and gentle, patient with my quirks, and always ready to play all my favorite games.
Looking back, it was inevitable that we would become mates. It was all so natural, like it was meant to be.
Princess came home healthy - she no longer needed the smelly baths or weird pebbles put into her food dish. She was strong, and could even run faster than me!
I’ll admit, there were even a few times she won a wrestling match, and I was just so proud of her.
But I was never more proud than I was in the moment that she agreed to be my mate, and told me that she loved me from the first moment we met.
And the day that she gave birth to our pups will always be the best day of my life. Watching her delivering 12 healthy, happy children - my children… there really aren’t any words. Not in human talk, or dog. It was just perfect.
Seeing Lucy’s face when all the pups were born though, there’s a word for that. And that word is “hilarious”.
I don’t speak human very well, but when she and Jackie spoke about the pups, this is what I heard her say:
“We have to find homes for some of these puppies - we can’t possibly fit anyone else into this house! This is too many, even for us!”
I know Lucy, Jackie and Daniel will find the perfect homes for our children - after all, they are the best humans in the word, and they can do anything. They saved my sweet Princess. As far as I’m concerned, they’re heroes.
I just hope my children can find humans even half as amazing as mine.
(2,354 words)
Life has always been good to me, living here with my human Lucy and her grown human pup Jackie. When Jackie’s mate Daniel joined us, life got even better. My pack loves me, and I love them, too. Everything is much more fun when they’re around to play, and a lazy snooze together on the sofa on a warm afternoon is just the best. Lucy knows just where to scratch my belly, and Jackie and Daniel are amazing playmates, always ready to tug or toss a ball. In short, my life is heavenly.
So, why have I always felt a little empty? Like something is missing?
I see Lucy with Jackie, watch them together - Lucy helps Jackie with all sorts of things, teaches her, comforts her - and it reminds me of those dim memories in the back of my mind of my own mother when I was just a pup. She would nudge me with her nose to correct me when I was doing something bad, she would clean me lovingly and cuddle me all night long. She would play with me, let me chew on her ears and her lips and never got angry...
Then I watch Jackie and her mate Daniel together. The tenderness they share, seeing them sit together so close, casually touching one another on an arm or leg, the happy sounds they make when they show their teeth in that strange expression that I’ve learned means a human is happy - is this what I’m missing?
Maybe I’ll never feel fully complete until I have a mate of my own, and pups that I can raise up?
I try not to think about these things if I can help it, because as much as I love my humans, they aren’t like me. There isn’t anyone like me here at all. I love my friends, but sometimes I still feel so alone.
------------
It was raining the day Jackie and Daniel brought home a little surprise. Lucy and I were on the couch together - she was watching the picture box, and I was staring out the window watching the drops run down the glass, knowing Jackie and Daniel were out there somewhere and wondering when they would come home. I never much liked it when my friends weren’t around, everything was much better when we were all together and if I had my way, no one would ever go anywhere else!
Almost like thinking about her brought her home, the door suddenly swung open and there they were! The scent of rain still clung to them as they toed their shoes off. Jackie’s arms were full of a large blanketed bundle, and I jumped up eagerly and ran over for the customary pets that I always get upon my friends arriving - only to stop short.
Something smelled weird.
Okay, maybe not weird, just different. Jackie smelled different.
Cautiously I sniffed at her from several feet away, head cocked.
Then I heard a squeaking whine, and I yelped in surprise.
It’s another dog! It’s someone like me!
I began bouncing around eagerly, whining in excitement. I looked back over my shoulder at Lucy, eyes wide.
What are you waiting for?! Can’t you smell that? Can’t you hear it?! Come on come on come on come on!
Lucy had heard it, and she entered the kitchen with a skeptical expression.
Jackie opened the blanket bundle a little bit, and a head popped out!
A head like mine, kind of!
The humans talked, I honestly didn’t pay too much attention. I never understand exactly what they’re saying anyway, but I can usually figure it out through their expressions and smells pretty well. I was just transfixed on the head - much smaller than mine - with kind brown eyes that looked excited, but a little bit afraid too.
Then the bundle saw me, and began wriggling so much that Jackie had to put it down, and from within the blanket emerged (albeit clumsily) a dog like me! A girl dog like me!
She shook herself, fell over from the force of it, and then bounced over to press her nose close to mine and breathe deep.
I held perfectly still, because as excited as I was, I could smell something more than just another dog - I could smell sickness, and weakness. This girl was beautiful, but she wasn’t very well at all, and I didn’t want to accidentally hurt her.
I let her sniff me up one side and down the other, quivering in excitement and with the iron will it took me to not just go completely crazy and start playing immediately - how long had I been dreaming of a friend, and now she was here!
The humans were still talking, I understood Lucy could tell the new dog was sick, so thin, her fur patchy in spots, skin scabby and scaly. She moved slowly, legs trembling a bit like it was too hard to hold her little body up for too long.
Jackie looked desperate and sad, she stroked the new dog and looked at her mother pleadingly, and I understood that Lucy wasn’t sure the new dog should stay!
I stared up at my human, whining softly, then sniffed the new dog again and allowed myself to give her one long, sloppy lick up the side of her head, trying to convince Lucy that the new addition should stay.
Look at how nice I can be to her! She’s sick? I’ll help! Let her stay!
Lucy sighed, and reached out to the new girl. Rubbed behind her ears and got several sweet kisses in response and I could see her resolve melt in that moment.
I gave the new girl an approving look, she clearly had the human manipulation technique down perfectly, and I was very impressed!
I heard Jackie and Daniel begin saying a word, then Lucy said it. They stroked the new girl together, saying the word lovingly to her as she gazed up at them adoringly, and I understood - it was her name-word.
Princess.
------------
Jackie, Daniel and Lucy spent a lot of time with Princess. They gave her baths a lot (better her than me!), and she had to leave often. She always came back smelling the same - like the vet.
When they would leave with her, I’d spend my time staring out the window, waiting for their return, and worrying about my friend. She was getting better for sure - stronger, not as skinny - and she was growing!
When she had arrived, I knew she was younger than me. I’d thought she might have been even younger than she was, but eventually I realized she just hadn’t grown as much as she should have by her age.
With good food, help from the vet, and lots of love from our humans (and myself, I’ll admit!), she seemed to be getting better every day. We could no longer see her ribs, she could run around and play with me for hours, and while she wasn’t as tall as me, she was definitely bigger than when she had arrived!
When she wasn’t getting the funny smelling baths, or away at the vet, Princess and I were joined at the hip. We ate together, slept together, and of course, we played together. Sometimes we played with our humans too, and those were always the very best times!
I knew it was important that Princess got strong and healthy, so I made sure that she ate all her food at every meal - and even let her get into my dish from time to time if she still seemed hungry when her meal was done. Sometimes, when we got treats I’d let her eat some of mine, and I kept her active to build up her strength. When we slept, I kept close to her so she stayed warm and got good, restful, healing sleep.
Princess became my entire world, and making sure she got healthy and stayed that way was my number one priority in life. She was my best friend, my companion - and I knew she felt the same way about me.
------------
Another day, another trip to the vet for Princess. The humans got up in the morning, and did their usual activities, while Princess and I had our breakfast. She was eating slower today, usually she was done and nosing around my dish before I was half finished, but today I ate the last of my kibble and looked over to see her slowly munching away at a dish that was still half-full.
Concerned, I padded over to nuzzle her ear, and give it a playful nip, trying to cheer her up a bit. She just glanced over at me with dull eyes, then looked back down at her food and continued to slowly munch.
Lucy and Jackie came over and scooped her up, their scent conveying their worry as well, and I whined softly at Lucy, touching her hand with my nose.
She smiled down at me but it didn’t reach her eyes, and she ruffled behind my ears a bit in the way she knows I love so much.
A kiss on the nose from Jackie, and then they left with my best friend. I laid down in the middle of the kitchen floor with a mournful whine, and began to wait.
------------
It seemed like years before Lucy and Jackie returned, and when they walked in th door my excitement was very short lived - they returned without Princess.
Horrified, I sniffed all around them, jumping up even though I know I’m not supposed to, sniffing their arms - where was she?!
Lucy and Jackie both stroked me, making the word-sounds that I never really understood too well, but the tones were comforting, and I could smell Princess on them. The smells were okay, not great, but she smelled alive at least.
I sadly plodded to my bed and laid down with a long sigh. All I could do is hope that she would come home soon.
I refused my dinner that night. I knew Lucy was worried about me, and I hated to make her feel that way, but I just couldn’t stomach the idea of eating anything, my thoughts consumed with Princess. We were supposed to eat dinner together. Then we were supposed to go outside together. And then we were supposed to cuddle up in my bed together. She wasn’t here, and nothing felt right.
Is this what having a mate feels like? I wondered, is Princess just my best friend? Or is she more?
Another heavy sigh - maybe the answer to that question didn’t even matter. What if Princess never came home?
------------
Days went by, with Princess gone nothing felt the same. Food didn’t taste as good, my favorite toys were neglected, even my favorite treats couldn’t rouse my spirits.
By this point, I knew that if I ever saw Princess again, I would make sure she understood the depth of my feelings for her. She would know that I loved her so much more than a dog loves his best friend, that I wanted to be her mate - to protect her, and cherish and treasure her until the end of our days. I just had to hold out hope that I would get that chance.
Then, after so many days without my best friend, Jackie’s phone rang. When she put it away, she called for Lucy and Daniel, and they all rushed toward the door. I raised my head up from the floor, ears perked, and watched them curiously. Lucy looked back at me, and her smile made her eyes shine again, for the first time since my love went away. She said some words, and I listened hard, hoping to hear just one… and then there it was.
Princess.
She smiled again and I jumped up, tail wiggling.
She said “Princess”!
Princess was coming home!
------------
When I think back on all that happened after Princess joined our family, it’s almost too wonderful to believe. I was so alone, even with my humans there with me. I was longing for a family of my own, for a mate to love and cherish - and then there she was. Perfect for me in every way. Kind and gentle, patient with my quirks, and always ready to play all my favorite games.
Looking back, it was inevitable that we would become mates. It was all so natural, like it was meant to be.
Princess came home healthy - she no longer needed the smelly baths or weird pebbles put into her food dish. She was strong, and could even run faster than me!
I’ll admit, there were even a few times she won a wrestling match, and I was just so proud of her.
But I was never more proud than I was in the moment that she agreed to be my mate, and told me that she loved me from the first moment we met.
And the day that she gave birth to our pups will always be the best day of my life. Watching her delivering 12 healthy, happy children - my children… there really aren’t any words. Not in human talk, or dog. It was just perfect.
Seeing Lucy’s face when all the pups were born though, there’s a word for that. And that word is “hilarious”.
I don’t speak human very well, but when she and Jackie spoke about the pups, this is what I heard her say:
“We have to find homes for some of these puppies - we can’t possibly fit anyone else into this house! This is too many, even for us!”
I know Lucy, Jackie and Daniel will find the perfect homes for our children - after all, they are the best humans in the word, and they can do anything. They saved my sweet Princess. As far as I’m concerned, they’re heroes.
I just hope my children can find humans even half as amazing as mine.
(2,354 words)