Post by Vitoryxe on Oct 15, 2014 14:34:47 GMT -5
A light breeze cut through he thick, humid air and rippled along Thistle's russet pelt as she sat under a young oak tree near the edge of the forest. Her deep green eyes twinkled as she watched that pack's pups wrestle and tumble along in the soft leaves under the watchful eyes of their mothers nearby. It was such a treat to watch such young ones having fun, free of the cares adult life would--
Thonk!
An acorn fell from the tree and hit Thistle squarely between her shoulders. Ignoring it, she continued to watch the pups from her post. Unlike the mothers, she wasn't watching them solely for the purpose of their safety, she rather enjoyed the innocent fun and exploration of the youngsters. Their round, puffy red bodies and lanky, uncoordinated legs made them an amusing sight to behold. And how they were growing! It wouldn't be long before the older ones--
Thonk!
This time the acorn struck her right on the head. Looking up, she spied a squirrel sitting on a low branch, chattering as if laughing at her. Irritated, she got up and placed her front paws on the thin trunk of the tree, using her weight to shake it. The squirrel lost balance and fell a short distance to the ground before scampering off into the undergrowth. Satisfied, Thistle settled back down to continue enjoying the lovely spring day.
Seconds later, however, she heard a great deal of chattering coming from behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that the forest floor and trees were teaming with squirrels. A wave of irritation washed over her, ending the peaceful feeling she had moments before. Few things annoyed her as much as squirrels. That's it! She thought to herself as she stood up.
Thistle made her way over to the playing pups and cleared her throat. As alpha female, she immediately got their undivided attention. "I need everyone two months and older to help me," She said in a very grave voice. Trying not to laugh at the worried looks on the pups' faces, she gestured to the gang of squirrels. "It seems we have an invading force in our territory that we need to drive out. Don't harm them. Whomever chases of the most enemy soldiers gets the largest bone from tonight's dinner. All right, troops? ATTACK!"
With that, the pups bounded after the family of squirrels, Thistle bringing up the rear. The mothers giggled, but did not join in. Thistle, however, was in the heat of the action as she bound playfully after squirrels and helped the pups with the occasional stubborn hanger-on. Her entire body was alive with joy and laughter as she and the pups frolicked amongst the leaves at the forest's edge.
This, she thought, is what made everything worth while. All the pressures and stress of being a leader were worth it for moments like this and there wasn't a doubt in her mind that she wouldn't lay down her life for this clan.
Thonk!
An acorn fell from the tree and hit Thistle squarely between her shoulders. Ignoring it, she continued to watch the pups from her post. Unlike the mothers, she wasn't watching them solely for the purpose of their safety, she rather enjoyed the innocent fun and exploration of the youngsters. Their round, puffy red bodies and lanky, uncoordinated legs made them an amusing sight to behold. And how they were growing! It wouldn't be long before the older ones--
Thonk!
This time the acorn struck her right on the head. Looking up, she spied a squirrel sitting on a low branch, chattering as if laughing at her. Irritated, she got up and placed her front paws on the thin trunk of the tree, using her weight to shake it. The squirrel lost balance and fell a short distance to the ground before scampering off into the undergrowth. Satisfied, Thistle settled back down to continue enjoying the lovely spring day.
Seconds later, however, she heard a great deal of chattering coming from behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that the forest floor and trees were teaming with squirrels. A wave of irritation washed over her, ending the peaceful feeling she had moments before. Few things annoyed her as much as squirrels. That's it! She thought to herself as she stood up.
Thistle made her way over to the playing pups and cleared her throat. As alpha female, she immediately got their undivided attention. "I need everyone two months and older to help me," She said in a very grave voice. Trying not to laugh at the worried looks on the pups' faces, she gestured to the gang of squirrels. "It seems we have an invading force in our territory that we need to drive out. Don't harm them. Whomever chases of the most enemy soldiers gets the largest bone from tonight's dinner. All right, troops? ATTACK!"
With that, the pups bounded after the family of squirrels, Thistle bringing up the rear. The mothers giggled, but did not join in. Thistle, however, was in the heat of the action as she bound playfully after squirrels and helped the pups with the occasional stubborn hanger-on. Her entire body was alive with joy and laughter as she and the pups frolicked amongst the leaves at the forest's edge.
This, she thought, is what made everything worth while. All the pressures and stress of being a leader were worth it for moments like this and there wasn't a doubt in her mind that she wouldn't lay down her life for this clan.
