This is so much fun! The man and woman are fast, but I'm faster! My weak paw feels strong! I bark and bark and jump! The two children are running too, we're a running pack! We could take down a whole herd of squirrels! I'm ready! Let them try to outrun me!

The whole pack is laughing and smiling! They're happy and I'm happy! There's grass everywhere! I smell flowers and bugs and dirt! The man holds something in his hand. It's flat and round. He throws it! It flies! I must chase it! I run after it and it topples into the grass! I grab it between my teeth and shake and growl!

"You'll catch it next time, mate!"

"Ross, why are you taking your shoes off?"

The woman is kneeling by the little boy. I'll run to them! I'll show them my new toy! The little boy tries to grab it and I run away! They can't have it! I caught it! The little girl is running from the man and he grabs her and lifts her into his arms. She's laughing and squealing and my tail begins to wag. "Flat tire, love?"

"Ross took his shoes off again."

"Keep your shoes on, buddy, ya' don't know what's been crawlin' out here." The little girl squirms away from him laughing. I wag my tail and chase after her with the flat toy in my mouth. I'll get her! I'll get her if it's the last thing I do! "Don't go too far, Cara!"

The sky is so blue! The sun is so warm! The grass is so soft! I run after the little girl and she laughs and giggles! This is so much fun! I wish we could live out here! We could run all day every day! Suddenly the little girl is on the ground. I trot to her and sniff her. She's not crying. She's grabbing at the grass. She has a handful. She's picking up rocks and flowers. There's a bug on her dress. It flies away. She shows me a handful of grass and I sniff it. I want to eat it but I don't want to drop my toy. 

My ears twitch. I hear squealing and I see the little boy running toward us! The little girl stands up and runs! I get up and run too! I can outrun them both! They're both laughing and giggling! My tail wags! I drop the toy and pant! I get slobber everywhere and I don't care, I'm too happy to care! The little boy takes the toy I dropped and I don't care! He runs away with it and puts it on his head. The little girl follows him and they both want a go with the flat toy. I think I'll find a place to make a mess...

"It's good to get the kids outside, isn't it?"

"It's good to get you outside, Mal."

"Is that a jab?"

"You travel around the world but how much of it do you actually get to see? And it's good to get your mind off things. Have some family time."

"Maybe you're right..."

I kick up the dirt behind me. I must leave no trace for any animal to find me! I see the children running around with the toy! The man and woman are playing with them! I'm missing out!

I run at full speed! I bark and bark and birds scatter! I sniff the little girl who pets my fur. "Good boy, Charlie!"

The little boy slaps my back. It doesn't hurt but I keep my eye on him. "Good boy, Charlie."

"Time for a snack, kids!"

I smell....I smell food! I leave those kids in the dust! It's time to eat! This is the best pack ever!

**********

I squirm and whine. The man holds me tightly and I want down this instant! The woman stands in front of me with something in her hands. It's sharp. She grabs my paw and I feel something wrap around my claw. 

I yelp!

"Sorry, Charlie, that was a long one!"

"We haven't clipped his nails in weeks..."

"Months. But I hate doing it and he hates it too."

"Almost done, boy...jus' a few more...."

I yelp again! They're torturing me! This is awful, I want down! Put me down! I whine and struggle but the man is so strong! His grip doesn't hurt but I can't escape him! I smell....I smell blood. It's my blood. They've ripped me open! They've cut me! I'm wounded! I must lick it but I can't get free!

"Sorry, Charlie...just hold him, Mal, while I get a tissue to clean him up."

"You're a good boy....you're my good boy...." 

The man's voice is soft and soothing. I calm down some but I still want down! I have to lick my wound! How could they do this to me? How could they hurt me? Maybe they didn't mean to. The woman comes back. She puts something wet to my paw. I squirm again but my wound feels better. If only I could lick it! Licking heals all! Must! Apply! Tongue!

"Alight, boy, one more nail..."

I yelp one more time before the man sets me down on the floor. I'm free! I limp away and crawl under the table where I can lick in peace. The blood is gone but I still smell it. I lick all my paws for good measure. My claws are shorter. I hope I can still dig. There's a hole outside I've been working on. But wouldn't you know? Every time I go out there, it's smaller than when I left it. But no matter, I'll work on it later. It will be the biggest hole in the world and my owners will be so proud. 

"Ang's comin' for dinner, Linda."

"Alright, I'll just get a few more plates, then."

I smell food but I'm too busy licking. I smell meat and cheese but I have to lick! I have to clean myself up! I can't be weak while I eat! But the smell is too much to bear.....maybe just a quick sample....