Glorious and Free
opening excerpt
Under an overcast sky, mountains hunker down. The valley is sprinkled with wildflowers and a ladybug convention. Blades of grass tickle me as I run circles around Mama.
Whoo-hoo! We made it. A butterfly trio plays hide and seek among the peonies and I yearn to join them. I blink back tears. The view is spectacular. Inhaling deeply, I attempt to absorb every sweet scent.
“Take them away,” the gatekeeper grunts. “We’re overcrowded and short staffed.”
I hang my head. It’s possible my language skills are dog-years behind the prestigious caretaker.
“Cat got your tongue?” the gatekeeper jests, forcing me to cower.
I sniffle. My hind legs bounce and I resist the urge to sprint.
Evergreens and white birch trees reach for the clouds. On closer examination, I spy the maple leaf at my toes. It displays a map of veins, branching in multiple directions. The wind whistles. I jump, certain the grassy hills are calling my name.
“Hush little one,” Mama says in her follow-my-lead voice. “Top Dog is the crème de la crème of kennels.” She extends a paw to the gatekeeper.
Grumpy Gatekeeper ignores her gesture. “We’re the best of the best,” he says, sticking his nose in the air. “Why did you high-tail it to our paradise, anyway?”
Mama starts to reply but he turns his back and digs in the dirt.
“Hey mister,” I bark. “I didn’t want to leave home.”
“Respect your elders,” Mama wags in my direction. “Don’t mind the pup, he’s young.”
Her long lashes flicker and I regret my impulsiveness. Mama is so beautiful. Everyone back home said she had a heart of gold. I never want to disappoint her.
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