"I don't know why I was expectin' a Christmas card from Bon..."

"It's still hard to believe he's gone."

I chew on the piece of rope. I still avoid my owners when I can but they don't seem to be mad anymore. They take me out on walks sometimes when it's not too cold. The yellow stuff is back. It's so cold on my paws and I don't like it. It falls from the sky and sticks to my fur. The woman pushes the baby around in some kind of contraption. She coos and giggles and squeals. And she smells. To be fair, I smell too. 

There's more booming and crashing. I hide again. The humans don't seem to mind and they even go outside to watch it. They leave me in here. Good. 

**********

"Charlie! Angus sent ya' somethin'!"

I jump off the couch at the sound of my name and run to find the man. He's holding a box and reading something. I sniff the box. It smells like humans, especially that small man. I haven't seen him in a while. I miss playing with him. I miss the man with the wild fur too. I miss his gentle smile. I miss his old bread scent. 

I hope he's okay. 

"Ang got Charlie a ball."

"That was nice of him."

I tilt my head at the toy the man is holding. Is it? Could it be? For me? 

"Go get it!" He throws it across the room and I leap and bound after it, my tail wagging a mile a minute! It rolls under tables and chairs and I knock them all out of my way to get to my new toy! It's mine! Move out of my way! Nothing can stop the force of Charlie! I hear squealing.

"Is that doggy funny? Huh? Is he funny?"

I trap the ball in my teeth and bring it back to the humans. The man tries taking it and I won't let him. He thinks it's his! I'll show him! 

"I ought to take him to a park or somethin'. He'd probably like that." I take my toy to my bed and scurry underneath it. I've got a whole collection of toys under here that they don't even know about! I'm so tricky! I scratch at the ball with my teeth. I lick it. I set it between my paws so it doesn't roll away. I'm the happiest dog in the world!

**********

This ball is huge! I must have it! I bark after it every time my owner kicks it! It rolls over the grass and up and down hills! I want this yard! I could dig all the holes I want! I could run and run forever! And I can chase balls!

"Get the ball, Charlie!"

I hear cheering. The woman and baby are watching us. They're watching me! I must put on a show! I roll around in the grass and kick it up behind me! I scratch at the ball and try to jump on it! I try grabbing it in my teeth but it's too big! I slobber on it instead! The man kicks it. He's very good at kicking! The ball rolls exactly where he wants it to! And I chase it! The woman cheers for me! She cheers for us! And for me! I'm making her proud!

"You've got two footie champs on your hands, love. If you're not careful Cara will win a trophy."

"Charlie can't get enough of that ball."

I can't get enough of this ball! I want it in my mouth! I want to carry it with me wherever I go! I bark at it and paw at it! I sniff and I sneeze! You're mine! I will conquer you!!!

But what's that?

I perk my ears at the sound. It sounds like scurrying. I hear clicking teeth. I hear rustling fur....

SQUIRREL!!!

I bark and gallop towards the unsuspecting squirrel! He'll never catch me sneaking up on him! He takes off with a nut in his mouth and I chase him down! I'll have him! I'll have him for breakfast! Give me a reason!

He runs through the grass and I ignore the pain in my weak leg! Running faster will make it stronger! So will barking louder! He's mine!

"Charlie, leave it!"

I don't know any Charlie! All I know is teeth! 

"Fuck, I'll get him. Charlie, come here!"

The squirrel runs up a tree and so do I! I'll get up this tree! I can climb just as good as any dog! I'm eating good tonight! I don't hear my owner walk up behind me. He hooks the rope on me and gently tugs me away. I bark! 

"Kill the wildlife an' we'll have the rangers on our arses, now let's go."

I bark and howl! No! I was so close!