When the girls got to town, the shops were all ready decorated with Christmas attire. There were stalls selling food, sweet treats, Hot Chocolate and a lot more. It was like a winter wonderland.

Ellie felt excited. She loved this time of the year. The reminder of colours from the lights, the music and the movies gave her joy. Her eye with the remaining vision saw all of it at that moment. she was wearing a christmas jumper with a personally made picture of her, Jinx, Delilah and her mother in christmas hats. The dogs looked so cute with sparkles on their collars.

"You still have that jumper?" Bella asked. "We need to update it to add Phoenix."

"I know," sighed Ellie.

Bella was wearing a Christmas jumper with her and Ellie with Coco. She had red hearts round them with snowflakes in the middle. The jumper itself was dark green. She and Coco walked beside Ellie, letting her get some white cane skills   In.

"Where should we go first?" Bella asked.

"Hm ... not sure," said Ellie, swishing her cane from side to side. "I am kind of thirsty."

"Want a hot chocolate?" Bella asked as they walked passed the stand.

Ellie squinted at the prices. For a small Hot chocolate, it costed £4. The medium one costed £4.50. The large was £5. To add cream and sprinkles on top was an extra £1. Ellie nodded.

"But are you sure, Bella?" She asked. "A bit pricey."

"It's Christmas, Ellie!" Bella said patting her shoulder. "Plus it will cheer you up
Ellie smiled. She knew Bella was right.

"Two large hot chocolates, please!" Bella asked.

"Coming up," said a lady with blond hair wearing a grinch jumper. "Anything for the dog?"

Bella stared at the puppy menu. Then she saw a Christmas dog cookie and a puppuccino. The prices for those were cheaper. Then human treats.

"Hm ... A Dog Christmas Tree Puppuccino, please!" She requested..

The woman got to work. Coco got excited and wagged her tail. Puppuccino? She loved them. Ellie giggled.

"Someone's excited," she pointed out. "Phoenix would have had one, too!"

"What about Jinx and Delilah?" Asked Bella.

"Mum always treated them to it," said Ellie looking thoughtful. "But I never got to walk them alone."

"Here, ladies," said the woman. "That'll be £14, please."

Bella got out her card and tapped it on the contactless. The woman looked at Ellie.

"Have you found the dogs yet?" She asked.

Ellie shook her head. "I know it was my dad that dog napped them. But that's all I know!"

"I'm sure they'll be home soon, love!" The woman reassured her. "My family live that way. My daughter has a dog named Lilly."

Ellie nodded. Bella handed her her hot chocolate.

"Told you we have everything under control," she said. "Thank you, Mam! Merry Christmas."

Ellie nodded. "If your daughter sees the three dogs, get her to let me know. I think I am friends with her!"

The lady smiled. "Of course we will!"

"Merry Christmas," said Ellie, starting to drink. "Thank you!"

Then she slowly followed Bella and Coco through the crowd. They found a bench and sat. Coco lapped up her puppuccino, enjoying it.

"Do you have wipes, Bella?" Asked Ellie watching closely at Coco. "She's making a mess!"

The girls giggled. Then Bella got out some cleaning wipes and gently cleaned up after Coco finished.

"Let's go," she said. "We will carry our drinks round!"

Ellie nodded and got up, unfolding her cane that she recently folded. Then the girls set off on their busy trip.

***

Snow began to fall outside the house where Lilly and her humans lived. It covered the driveway and their cars. It looked so white.

Phoenix woke up to a happy looking Husky standing above her. She liked Lilly. She was a nice dog.

"Morning, sleepy head!" She said. "My owner is getting some food."

Delilah and Jinx got to their paws. But Phoenix didn't. She curled up and shivered.

"Are you cold?" Lilly asked the golden retriever. "You look it!"

Phoenix nodded. Lilly felt bad.

"Come on, Nixie!" She said, gently nuzzling her. "It's okay. Food will help!"

Phoenix eventually got to her paws and trotted after the husky to the kitchen.

"Morning dogs," said the human with a smile. "I let your family know you are here. Daniela told Ellie this morning."

Phoenix felt happy! She did wonder how Ellie knew what happened to the three of them. Jinx and Delilah wagged their tails.

"Feel free to walk home," said the girl. "But it's cold today."

Phoenix shivered.

"We should wait one more day, guys!" She barked at Jinx and Delilah.

Both dogs agreed. Then the girl put bowls of food in front of each dog. She looked at Phoenix who was shivering.

"Poor pup!" She thought to herself, petting the youngest dog's head.

they all tucked into their food. Phoenix had finished hers before the others and went back to curl up next to the fire. It was lit.

"Nixie?" Delilah had followed her. "Are you okay? You seem scared."

"Just cold," admitted Phoenix.

The two dogs curled up near the fire. Delilah managed to curl up round Phoenix. She wanted to keep her friend warm.

"There you both are," said Jinx trotting in. "Is things okay?"

"Nixie's feeling the cold, Jinx!" Delilah told him. "Hey, Lilly!"

The husky came in, feeling bad for the three dogs.

"You all look like you've been in fights," she said. "Well, Nixie hasn't. But you two have!"

"With one another," sighed Jinx. "But the man that stole us hurt us more."

Delilah sighed and nodded in agreement. Lilly gasped.

"That man should be in human cages," she growled. "Animal abuse?"

Phoenix couldn't help but agree. Being locked up and starved for the amount of time she was, was what no dog should have to be put through.

"Phoenix is so skinny," said Delilah, putting Phoenix's paw on hers. "The man never fed her. We had to sneak out and give her our leftovers. Which weren't that much."

"I'm grateful that you both did that for me," whimpered Phoenix. "I am hungry."

Her stomach rumbled to prove a point. The other three dogs looked at her.

"I'll get something," said Lilly, turning tail and trotting out.

Jinx joined his friends and nuzzled the two of them. He didn't like to see Phoenix so afraid and hungry.

————————

A/N:

Here is chapter 10. This was a beautiful but sad chapter. But there will be a happy ending, don't worry. Our dogs will be taking over the next chapter. This story is nearly at its end. But don't threat, because there are still two chapters to go.

Q&A:

1: Do you think Phoenix will be okay?

2: What do you think Lilly will think when the dogs do set off back home?

Hope you liked this chapter and see you in chapter Eleven and Twelve.

Wolfie out.

Wordcount:1072