sheltered

//I've woken up in a box. It's cold, but there's one spot of warmth in the corner.// (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[investigate the corner->bed musings]] ] (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[look outside->shelter life]]]

//What's this? It's soft and warm. A bed? The neighbor dog used to tell me of his through the fence. He always looked down on me for sleeping in the dirt.// (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[lie down in the bed->morning snooze]]] (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[investigate the rest of the room->shelter life]]]

//I walk to the door, cautiously. I don't want to attract attention. There are other dogs, but I've only met one other dog before, through the fence. I see each of us dogs has a little room, with a water bowl and a bed. Everyone else seems happy, or at least indifferent and bored.// [[approach a neighboring dog->neighbors]] [[return to the bed to rest->morning snooze]]

//I curl up and cover my nose with my tail. I'm cold, but this bed is so warm. I think I'll just drift off for a bit while I feel safe. But wait, a human has come. The other dogs are barking and looking at him.// (text-colour:#204DBB)[[[cower in the corner->hang back]]] (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[proceed with caution->cautious]]]

//I want to ask the dog next to me where we are, but I can't see him. The wall won't let me even catch a glimpse of his fur, though I hear his small whines. I gaze across to the other side of the hall, and there is another neighbor. Easily twice my size, and darker than me. So dark that I cannot tell where his body ends and his legs begin. He looks like the midnight sky in the backyard, where I'd lie staring at the stars waiting for hope. He's ignoring the bed, curled up on the floor snoring.// (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[try to get his attention->neighbors two]]] (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[return to your bed->morning snooze]]]

//I give a little whine, hoping to wake Midnight (the name's appropriate, don't you think?). He doesn't stir. I don't want to scare off the other dogs or make a scene, but I have no choice. I bark once. Once again, louder. Midnight doesn't stir, and the others pay no attention to me.// (text-colour:#4C7BEE)[[[return to your bed->morning snooze]]]

//I keep my tail in front of my face, covering one of my eyes. I don't know this man. I can tell from the reactions of the other dogs that he is familiar with all of them, but I am not. I don't want to provoke him. What if he yells, lashes out with his hands or feet?// (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[proceed with caution->cautious]]]

//I move my tail slightly as the man approaches my room. Just enough to get a good look at him. He smiles, holds out his hand toward me. I want to see what he is holding but I'm too far away. It smells like food. He continues to smile, and his hand doesn't move. This is strange, the man who used to come into my yard would always greet me with a quick slap, sometimes a kick. Certainly not with food. I slowly walk toward him, keeping my eyes on his hands. He's crouching low to the ground so I know he can't kick out.// (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[find out what is in the man's hand->a treat]] ] (text-colour:#204DBB)[[[return to your bed->comfort]]]

//I keep walking forward, more cautious the closer I get. I've kept my eyes on his hands this entire time, but now my eyes flicker up to his face. He's smiling; his eyes are big and round. Not angry and small like the man who used to come to my yard. I look back down to his hand, and there is a small piece of food there. My nose was right! Food! For me, I suppose. I look up to see if this is okay; I'm not used to being given food like this. The man smiles and moves his hand slowly toward me. The smell of food grows stronger, and I can almost taste it.// (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[take the treat->sliver of hope]]] (text-colour:#204DBB)[[[return to your bed->comfort]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#4F4A4A")) //I turn back, and make it back to the bed in the corner as fast as I can. This is all too much. I don't know what this new place is and I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I know it is better than the yard I came from, but I'm still nervous about these other dogs, this new man, and everything else that happened today. I think I'll stay here in this corner, safe for now.// (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[sleep->day two]]]

//The man is still looking, smiling. I am so close to his hand I can smell something other than the food, soap I think. I slowly, cautiously pick the little treat up from his palm. It tastes like nothing I've tasted before. It's gone before I know it, and I'm left staring at the man, watching his hands. He turns his hand over, and I am sure he is going to hit me.// (text-colour:#204DBB)[[[run->comfort]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#4F4A4A")) //I wake and I don't feel stiff. This bed is better than I imagined when the neighbor dog described it to me. I've slept for so long that the other dogs are already up, even Midnight.// (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[try to get Midnight's attention->midnight the dog]]] (text-colour:#6990F0)[[[drink some water->hydrohomie]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#4F4A4A")) //I walk toward the edge of my room, and the movement is enough to attract Midnight's attention. He barks a hello, and waves his tail. I give a quiet bark in return, and wave back. We hear a door slam somewhere beyond our rooms, and an angry voice. Midnight looks at me. ''Bad man'', his eyes say. I already know. I've heard that voice every morning for as long as I can remember. The door to our rooms flings open.// [[hide->bed hideout]] (text-color:#6990F0)[[[stand your ground->uprising]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#4F4A4A")) //I walk toward the water bowl in my room, and take a long drink. The water tastes pure, a little like the metal of the bowl. I don't see any dirt or leaves in the water, and I wonder where it came from. Not the sky, I don't think. A door slams outside of the hall that our rooms are in, and a faint angry voice floats in. Midnight lifts his head and whines. ''Bad man'', he seems to say. I already know. I've heard that voice every morning for as long as I can remember. The door to our rooms flings open.// [[hide->bed hideout]] (text-color:#6990F0)[[[stand your ground->uprising]]]

//I turn and run to the bed. I lift the edge of the bed with my nose to bury myself beneath, but I'm not fast enough. He's already caught sight of me. His anger fills the entire hall, and the other dogs cower in their beds like me. Except for one. Midnight. He stands tall and he's puffed up his fur. He looks terrifying, just a set of white teeth among a hulking mass of black. The man lumbers down the hall to my room. Midnight snarls.// (text-colour:#5D5B57)[[[back even closer to the corner->taken]]] (text-colour:red)[[[bare your teeth->uprising]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#C61B1B")) //Midnight is still snarling. The nice man pleads with the bad man in front of my room. I know hiding is no use, and I have nowhere to run, so I mimic Midnight. I've never tried to stand my ground against a man before, only squirrels and foxes that have tried to steal my food. I look at Midnight. Fur puffed, eyes squinty, and teeth bared. I try to puff my coat, but I am terrified. My tail is between my legs and won't budge. I squint and show my teeth, and the bad man stops yelling for a moment. Did it work? No, he starts up again, louder than before. I bark. Midnight joins in. He barks again, loud, then snarls so low it sounds like a bear growl. ''Fight! We must fight!'' Midnight is saying. The other dogs have all crept to their doors, and are watching Midnight and the bad man. One by one, they start to bark.// (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[(background:black)[(text-colour:#F8F9FA)[[[bark louder->safety]]]]]

//I'm backed so far into the corner I can feel the bricks pressing into my body. I have nowhere else to run, and hiding is useless. I hadn't noticed before, but there is a lock on the door. A padlock, just like the one I used to see on the box he kept my food in. He catches sight of it as he reaches my room, then turns back to the door. Midnight barks at his back, then snarls at him when he returns to my room. The nice man from yesterday is upset now and following the bad man, but the bad man acts like he doesn't exist. He dangles keys in front of me, taunting me.// (text-colour:red)[[[snarl at the man->uprising]]] (text-colour:#B4BAC0)[[[press closer to the corner->taken for real]]]

(change:?page, (background:"black")) (text-colour:grey)[//The man fumbles with the lock, then throws the door to my room open. The nice man is in tears now. The bad man stalks toward me as Midnight barks, and I brace myself for a kick. Not one today, but three. Each one makes me feel as if my heart has stopped. The bad man takes hold of my collar and drags me. Past my water with no dirt, past the nice man with tears streaming down his face, past Midnight still snarling and barking. ''Fight! You have to fight!'' Midnight is pleading with me but I don't know how. I'm not brave like him. I am limp in the bad man's grasp. I despair.//]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //I bark louder, Midnight responds. Every other dog in each room echoes us. We are loud as thunder now, and the bad man stops touching the lock. He covers his ears. The nice man pushes him through the doorway. Though the bad man is out of sight, we keep barking, growling, and snarling. We don't stop until the nice man returns, and smiles. He walks to each room and hands each dog the same food he gave me yesterday. When he reaches me, I still hesitate. I don't know if the bad man will be back, and I am afraid. I sit on my bed, tired. I know the man has food for me, but I am so tired all I want to do is sleep. The man opens my door, and walks toward me. He crouches low and reaches out his hand, close enough to my nose that I can smell how delicious it must be.// (text-colour:#6D6C69)[[[take the treat->step to trust]]] (text-colour:#5D5B57)[[[sleep->sleep]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //The nice man still has his hand stretched out, reaching toward me. I lift my eyes to his, and he smiles. I am tired, but I am hungry too. I take the treat, and it's even better than I remember from yesterday. The man turns his hand over, and I think he might hit me. I shrink back, and the man takes his hand away, frowning. I watch his as he leaves my room, and pats Midnight's head as he leaves our hall. Maybe he wasn't going to hit me, maybe he wanted to pat my head like Midnight. I want to know what that feels like, but the man is gone now. There's nothing left to do but sleep.// (text-colour:#6D6C69)[[[sleep->day 3]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //I don't think I have the energy to lift my head, so I lift my eyes to the nice man. He must know that I am tired, and scared. He puts the treat in his pocket, and reaches his hand out to me like he may hit me. I can see the lines on the palm of his hand. I let out a faint whine, scared. He stops, frowns, then turns to the door. I watch his as he leaves my room, and pats Midnight's head as he leaves our hall. Maybe he wasn't going to hit me, maybe he wanted to pat my head like Midnight. I want to know what that feels like, but the man is gone now. There's nothing left to do but sleep.// (text-colour:#6D6C69)[[[sleep->day 3]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //The next morning, I'm woken by the sound of the door to the hall opening. After yesterday, I don't know what to think. I jump out of my bed and rush to the door to my room, hoping for the best but expecting the worst. It's the nice man! I want to share my happiness with someone, but Midnight is still asleep. The man starts to greet every dog, working his way toward me.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[stay by the door->trust]]] (text-colour:#5D5B57)[[[return to your bed->going backward]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //The man makes his way to me, and I see now that he has a bowl of food in his hand. I didn't realize the food that appeared in my room was put there by him. I must have been too tired to wake when he'd dropped it off earlier. He also has a pitcher of water in his other hand, and fills my water bowl when he opens my door. I sit patiently, the smell of food tantalizing me. The man sets the food down next to my water, but places himself between the bowls and me.// (text-colour:#5D5B57)[[[rush around the man to get to the food->fight for food]] ] (text-colour:#84837F)[[[wait to see if he moves->another step to trust]]]

//I walk back to my bed. I don't know what to think. I know the man has been nice to me, but I don't know if he will be nice all the time. He reaches my door, and sets down a bowl of food next to my water bowl. He stands there for a moment gazing at me. I don't know what he wants. I give a little growl, and he turns away.// [[eat the food->breakfast]] [[stay in bed->lonely]]

(change:?page, (background:"#E04135")) //I'm hungry, and I've waited for the man to put this food down. Now he stops me from eating? I don't understand. My stomach rumbles. I dash toward the man, knowing I can fit between his legs. The man steps aside in surprise, and I accidentally step on his toes. He turns with his hand out, and I know he's going to hit me. I'd usually just run, but after yesterday I think I should fight. I don't want to be hit. I lunge at him, and he escapes outside my room. He looks at me through the door and frowns. I can tell he is confused. I am confused, too. Maybe he wasn't going to hit me. Why else would he hold his hand out so I could see his palm? I remember now that he pat Midnight's head yesterday. I feel terrible.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[eat the food->a full belly]]] (text-colour:#84837F)[[[approach the man->an apology]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //The smell of food fills my nose and my stomach rumbles, but still I wait. The man hold his hand out with his palm down, and I think he might hit me. He doesn't move though, just keeps his hand steady there, above my head. I stare at his hand. I don't dare move my eyes away, though I desperately want to see what his eyes are doing. He starts to slowly move his hand toward my head, and I remember watching him pat Midnight yesterday. He gently places his hand on my head, and I see his eyes now. He isn't angry at all. He starts to scratch behind my ear, and my tail starts to wag. I can't help it, this feels so much better than I had imagined. The man lifts his hand, and pulls it back through the bars. I want him to stay, but I can see Midnight waiting for his food.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[eat the food->a full belly]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //I watch the man give Midnight a bowl of food, and watch him pat Midnight's head. After the man has gone, I go to the food. I realize I'm starving as my stomach growls, and I eat the food as fast as I can. I look over to Midnight, and he tilts his head. ''Why did you growl at the nice man?'' Midnight is saying. I whimper. ''What if he isn't nice?'' Midnight shakes his head a little as if he can't believe what I've said. He curls up in a little circle and closes his eyes.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[curl up and snooze->mid morning snooze]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //As I realize my mistake I whimper softly, then slowly move my head to the man. He holds my gaze, then lifts his hand again. He reaches through the bars of my door, and gently places his hand on my head. This does feel nice, and I am even more sorry for lunging at the man earlier. He starts to move his hand, and he scratches behind my ear. My tail starts to wag, I am so happy. This feels so much better than I imagined. The man lifts his hand, and pulls it back through the bars. I want him to stay, but I can see Midnight waiting for his food.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[eat the food->a full belly]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //The man leaves my room, but looks through the bars of my door. I look back at him, but don't move. Eventually, he turns away and moves on to Midnight's room. When he is done and leaves the hall, I feel as if I can finally relax. Midnight barks softly at me. ''Why didn't you say hello to the nice man?'' Midnight is saying. I whine back. Midnight can tell I am still uneasy from yesterday. He waves his tail as if to say everything will be okay. I make my way to my food, and eat it as fast as I can. I will never get tired of this food they give me. It's so good I feel as if I could eat mountains of it every day.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[curl up and snooze->mid morning snooze]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //Asleep already? I bark to see if Midnight will wake, I just want some company. Instead of waking midnight, I hear a round of barks from every other dog's room. I can't see any of them, but I can hear every single bark. The man opens the door to the hall cautiously, as if he is afraid of what he will find. He walks down the hall, looking at all of us barking our heads off, then stops at Midnight. The man chuckles and shakes his head, then turns to me. He smiles. I don't know what to do.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[approach the man->trust again]] ] (text-colour:#5D5B57)[[[do nothing->time jump ]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#84C0E4")) //I curl up like midnight, my stomach full and my eyes ready to close. I don't even go back to my bed, I'm so tired. I don't know how long I linger here in this in-between place, almost asleep but still alert. I am wakened by the man entering the hall again, this time with another woman. They do this every day when the sun is high, let all of the dogs run free on the grassy field outside. I don't get to go outside with the other dogs, and neither does Midnight. They tried to bring me out with everyone once, but it was overwhelming. There was so much noise and so many other bodies pressing against mine I didn't know what to do, so I bared my teeth at the other dogs so they would give me some space. The nice man didn't like that, so I only go alone now. I don't know why Midnight goes alone, but he's so big I'm sure the other dogs are scared of him.// (text-colour:grey)[[[wait for the dogs to come back->patience]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[talk to Midnight->friends?]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#58585E")) //It's been weeks, and every day the man comes to my room, drops off food and water, and leaves. He reaches his hand out every day, but I don't know how to react. Most days I am scared, terrified that he will hit me. Some days I think of Midnight shaking his head, in awe that I question the man's kindness. Midnight disappeared a long time ago, though. I remember the day they took him away, but I don't knwo where they took him to. He was upset when they came to take him, and I could smell the fear on him. The nice man was there, but it wasn't him that took midnight. It was another woman in a white coat. She tried to soothe Midnight, but there were tears in her eyes. I don't know what happened to him after that, but he never came back. Today, the man comes back to my room after I've eaten. He walks to me in my bed, and crouches down in front of me. He has a leash in his hand, but it is soft like my bed and not hard like the chain I used to have when I lived in the yard.// (text-colour:white)[[[allow the man to leash you->journey to darkness]]] (text-colour:black)[[[run->fight for life]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#3A3A3F")) //I don't know where the man is going to lead me, but I let him clip the leash on to my collar. He stands, and gently tugs on the leash. I follow him. We go out the door, down the hall, and into a new room. There are some chairs, and big windows I can see through. There are some cars outside, and I can see the sun glinting off them. We keep moving, and enter a new room. There is a table, with a small set of steps. The man pats the table, and I know he wants me to jump up.// (text-colour:white)[[[climb the steps->true darkness]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#3A3A3F")) //I try to move away from the man, but he is too fast for me. He covers my body with his, and clips the leash to my collar. I don't want to leave my room. It isn't time yet. We usually go outside for a little bit after all the other dogs have gone and come back (for good reason - the only dog that liked me was Midnight and he's gone now), but no dogs have been outside yet. I pull to the side, staying against the wall. The man pulls the leash tight, and drags me with him. He is smiling the entire time, which is freaking me out because this isn't happy. I fight him all the way out of the hallway and through the big room that leads outside. He pulls me straight past the door to the outdoors and into a new room. There's a table and a little set of stairs. I've stopped pulling, because the man has also stopped walking. He pats the table and I know he wants me to climb up.// (text-colour:white)[[[climb the steps->true darkness]]]

(change:?page, (background:"black")) (text-colour:grey)[//I climb the steps, and stand on the table. The man presses down on my back, and I lie down. I keep my head up, watching the man. There is an open door leading to a room that I have never been in. The nice man says something, and a woman enters the room. She holds a small treat out to me, and I take it gently. It's my favorite kind. I wonder if the nice man told her that. I watch as she turns away and does something on the counter. Her back is to me, and I can't tell what she has in her hands. I start to whine. She turns to me and the nice man, and in her hands is something long and pointed. I look back at the man, and I am scared. He strokes my head, but he has tears in his eyes. I don't know what to think. What is the woman going to do to me? I feel a pinch on my neck, then nothing. All I see is the man's face. Everything else is black. The black creeps up the man's face, covering his mouth, his nose, his ears. Soon all I see are his eyes, overflowing with tears. Soon, just blackness.//]

(change:?page, (background:"#84C0E4")) //I sit quietly and wait. The man should return soon with the other dogs, and I'll be able to go next. As lonely as it is to go alone, I love the feel of grass beneath my paws and the smell of the crisp air blowing across the field. It seems as if they are gone for an eternity, and I stand and pace my room. I drink some water to fill the time. I sit back down, still waiting.// (text-colour:grey)[[[wait->dogs return]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#84C0E4")) //I look over at Midnight as I walk up to my door. He's curled up, but I think his eyes are open. It's hard to tell with his dark eyes in all that black fur. I wave my tail. His tail moves ever so slightly, like he can't be bothered to actually say hello. I grunt and sit back down. Midnight lifts and tilts his head. ''What do you want? So impatient.'' I swear he rolls his eyes at me. ''I just wanted to say hello. Why so grumpy?'' I blink at him, expecting an actual answer. He just closes his eyes and ignores the rest of my attempts to catch his attention. How rude.// (text-colour:grey)[[[wait->dogs return]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#A9D6F1")) //The man and woman finally return with the other dogs. Once they are all back in their rooms, they approach me and Midnight. At the same time? The nice man is opening my door as the woman opens Midnight's. The man clips a leash on my collar, as usual, and begins to lead me out. Midnight is already out the door and on his way to the field. The man guides me along, and soon we are on the field. Midnight is still leashed. I can tell he is impatient.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[slowly approach Midnight->Midnight trust]]] (text-colour:#5D5B57)[[[run at Midnight->Midnight frenzy]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#A9D6F1")) //I whine at Midnight. ''Why so antsy?'' He doesn't reply, just sits and squirms. I step toward him, slowly because I don't know why he's acting like he wants to run away. This is the closest I've ever been to him, and he's even bigger in person. I don't have to look up to greet him as he isn't a whole lot taller than me, but he's so strong. He stretches, then reaches his nose toward me. He waves his tail. ''Hurry up and say hi so we can run, jeez.'' I wave my tail back at him. The nice man must have taken that as a good sign, because before I know it Midnight and I are both unleashed and free. Midnight takes off, sprinting toward the other end of the field.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[follow Midnight->follow midnight]]] (text-colour:#84837F)[[[explore the field->explore]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#A9D6F1")) //Midnight is squirming so much now, it's making me nervous. The nice man leads me right over to where Midnight is standing, and Midnight lunges at me. His tail is waving like crazy, and I know he doesn't mean any harm. I whine. ''Calm down, man.'' Midnight barks, ''It's time to run!! I can't calm down!! It's gonna be so much fun!!'' I have no idea what he means but he's so excited that I'm excited too. The woman with Midnight tells him to sit, and he sits down with his tail still waving so fast it's a blur. I watch the woman unleash Midnight, and he sprints off down the field. I realize the man has unleashed me too.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[follow Midnight->follow midnight]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#7A9CBF")) //The man is still standing there, smiling at me, with his hands in his pockets. I step toward him, slowly. He smiles wider. I step gain, and my nose almost touches the bars of my door. He takes a hand out of his pocket, and holds it out toward me. This time, I think I know it isn't to hit. He reaches toward me, and gently places his hand on my head. I look into his eyes, and he's still smiling. I can't help it; I start to wag my tail. He laughs a moment, then takes his hand back. He leaves, and I watch him until he disappears through the door.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[curl up and sleep->mid morning snooze]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#A9D6F1")) //Midnight is already so far away but he was so excited about this running thing that I sprint after him as fast as I can. I've never been in an open space as big as this, and I don't ever remember running for fun. I kind of like it though! The breeze blows past my face and the sun is shining down on my dark fur, warming me. Before I know it, I'm with Midnight again. He stope suddenly, then throws his front paws out in front of him with his tail in the air, waving like crazy. ''Wanna play? I'll chase ya!'' He jumps up, and I sprint away. I'm no match for him, he's at my side in seconds. He runs past me and barks. ''Chase me instead!!'' And we're off.// (text-colour:grey)[[[run!->fun and games]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#A9D6F1")) //Midnight's already so far down the field, I don't even try to catch him yet. He'll tire eventually. I take it slow, sniffing around as I walk. I can smell other dogs of course, and the grass smells amazing. It smells even better than the little grass I could smell through the fence where the neighboring dog used to talk to me. That grass was too far away for me to really sniff, but here I can just stick my nose right down into it, so I do. After a minute, Midnight catches my eye. He's still running on the other side of the field, and he looks happy. Ecstatic, even. I I want to feel like he does.// (text-colour:#84837F)[[[follow Midnight->follow midnight]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I sprint after Midnight, and we go back and forth chasing each other. He was right, it's so much fun. It feels good to run free like this, breathing in the fresh air and just plain having fun. Eventually we have to stop, we're both tired. I plop down in the grass. It tickles my belly as I lay down, and I have the urge to roll around and see if it tickles my back too. I see Midnight already rolling around on his back and I have to laugh. I have to try it! If he was right about the running he's probably right about this too. I roll over onto my back and the world turn upside down, but it feels great. I squirm around for a bit and the grass scratches every itch on my back. I roll back to my belly at the same time the man calls for me.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[go to the man->linger]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[go to Midnight->heading inside]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I hear the man, but I don't know that I'm ready to go back inside yet. I make my way to Midnight instead. ''One more lap?'' He waves his tail at me. I sprint toward him, and off we run. I hear the man and woman laugh behind us, and when we return to them they are both smiling. Midnight looks at me as the woman leashes him,, and he yawns. I'm ready to go inside too, I think. I'm ready to lie down in that fluffy bed of mine and snooze the rest of the day away.//] (text-colour:grey)[`[[go inside->midnight sleep]]`]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I hear the man, and know it's time to go back inside. I really don't mind at the moment, I think of my bed and how nice it will be to take a nap before dinner. The man is smiling as he clips the leash on to my collar, and even pats my head once before we walk inside. I am happy.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[go inside->midnight sleep]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//We walk inside, and Midnight sticks close to me the entire walk. I can feel his tail swatting mine every now and then, as if he's letting me know he's still there for me. When we get to our rooms, Midnight looks at me, then reaches his nose out to touch mine. I'm a bit surprised, but I let him. It's kind of nice, actually. I wave my tail at him, and the nice man leads me into my room.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[sleep->day 4]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[// I wake the next day with a good feeling. Yesterday was so fun, I hope today will be the same. I walk over to my door, and I see Midnight already up, waiting for me. ''You sleep forever man, even longer than me.'' He waves his tail hello and I do the same. When the man comes in to bring us breakfast, Midnight and I are still there looking at each other, chatting every now and then. The man looks a little surprised that we are both by our doors, but he sets our food bowls in our rooms. Instead of leaving us to eat as he usually does, he leans against the wall and watches me. Watches Midnight. Watches me.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[eat breakfast->breakfast 4]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[look to Midnight for advice->midnight shrug]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//My stomach rumbles, and I look down to my food. It tastes as good as it smells, and it's gone before I know it. When I look back up, Midnight is done eating, and the man is still leaning on the wall. He goes to Midnight's room, and leashes him. I watch as he leads Midnight to my door, and leads Midnight inside my room. I don't know where this is going, but Midnight wags his tail and whines. ''We get to hang out TOGETHER?? Niiice!'' I can't help but agree with him. The man unleashes Midnight, then moves Midnight's bed into my room, right next to my bed.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[talk to Midnight->fast friends]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[lie down->snooze together]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I look at the man, then over to Midnight. Midnight looks at the man, then back at me. He doesn't say anything to me, just looks down at his food and starts eating. I realize I'm starving.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[eat breakfast->breakfast 4]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I reach my nose out toward Midnight, and he touches his nose to mine. He stretches, then yawns. I'm tired too. Midnight heads toward his bed, and I follow to mine.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[curl up and sleep->friends snooze]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I'm tired, and though I'd love to play with Midnight I'd really love to sleep right now. I head to my bed and lie down. Midnight follows, and reaches his nose toward mine. I touch my nose to his, and he lies down in his bed next to mine.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[snooze->friends snooze]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//Midnight and I lie there snoozing, for I don't know how long. Eventually we are woken by the sound of a dog barking and snarling. I haven't heard this dog before, he's loud and mean. Midnight goes to the door, and the nice man walks to our end of the hall with this new dog. As the man opens the door to Midnight's old room, the new dog snaps his teeth and snarls at Midnight. ''Whoa, chill out man.'' Midnight whimpers. He comes back to his bed, and we watch the new dog after the man leaves. The dog just sits there by his door, waiting. Waiting for what? Midnight barks softly at him. The new dog looks over and snarls.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[talk to the new dog->attempt]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[tell midnight to leave him be->stick up]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//Since Midnight tried, I figure I would try my luck. Instead of barking I try to catch his attention with a small whine as I tilt my head. ''You okay over there?'' The new dog doesn't snarl at me, but he huffs like I've offended him. He doesn't look at me, just keeps his eyes on the door.//] (text-colour:grey)[lie back down[[lie back down->snooze again]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I walk toward the door to be with Midnight. ''Hey, maybe we should just leave him alone for a day or two'' I swat him with my tail. Midnight playfully jumps on my tail, and soon we forget all about the new dog. Midnight stops to drink some water, and I yawn.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[lie down->snooze again]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I lie back down and fall asleep again. When I wake, my head is stretched out to Midnight's bed, and his head is stretched out to rest on my bed. Two people enter the hallway with the nice man, but I don't pay them any mind. New people come through every now and then but they never make it down to me and Midnight. Every time a new person comes, they take one of the other dogs with them and the dog is never seen again. I don't know where they go, but from things I've overheard the other dogs talk about it sounds like they go to paradise. Good food, nice beds, a lot of head pats, and sometimes they mention places to run free, like yards filled with grass. The nice man and the other two people haven't stopped, though they're walking slowly and looking at every dog. It's a woman and a man, and they both have happy, kind faces. I'm still lying in my bed when they reach my door.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[approach the people->new owners]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[wake Midnight->siblings]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//The woman smiles at me, and I think she wants me to come over. I stretch, then walk over to the door. She reaches out her hand like the nice man usually does, and I let her place her hand on my head. She smiles and laughs, then takes her hand away. The man with her steps forward and does the same, but he scratches my ears a bit too. My tail wags as he smiles at me. The nice man says something to them, and they both nod their heads enthusiastically. The nice man comes into my room with a leash in his hand.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[go to Midnight->goodbye friend]]] (text-colour:grey)[[[accept the leash->onward]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//The woman looks at me and Midnight, and the man with her talks to the nice man. I nudge Midnight. He opens one eye. I nudge him again. ''What do you want, man?'' Midnight growls softly. ''New people'' I whimper. Midnight looks up for real then, and gets out of his bed. He waves his tail to me. ''Well come on, don't just lie there'' his tail says. I follow him to the door. The woman is smiling at us, and reaches both her hands through the bars. She places one on my head and one on Midnight's. After a few moments, she takes her hands back and the nice man opens our door, with two leashes. He clips one on Midnight's collar and one on mine.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[follow the man->home at last]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#FBF68A")) (text-colour:black)[//I walk to back to Midnight, and nudge him awake. He looks at me, then looks at the leash in the man's hand and the people outside the door. ''Without me?'' he whimpers. ''I know'' I whimper back. Midnight gets up, and goes with me to the door. The man clips the leash on my collar, and Midnight whines. I turn to him, and he touches his nose to mine.//] (text-colour:grey)[[[go with the new people->onward]]]

(change:?page, (background:"#F7F7F4")) (text-colour:grey)[//The nice man leads me out to the new people, and hands the leash to the woman. She smiles at me, and pats my head once more. She leads me outside, to a car. The man with her opens the car door, and the woman pats the seat. I jump up. We go on a short drive, and I whine the entire time. I miss Midnight, and don't know if I'll ever see him again. A few weeks later, I've gotten used to this new home. The new people let me sleep inside in a bed, and their yard is big and full of grass. They give me great food to eat, and pat my head every time they see me. I still miss Midnight, but I see him in my dreams.//]

(change:?page, (background:"#F7F7F4")) (text-colour:grey)[//I look to Midnight, and he's wagging his tail and sniffing the new people's clothes. I follow his lead and let the nice man take me out. The nice man hands my leash to the woman, and Midnight's leash to the man. We walk outside, and the man opens a car door. Midnight jumps up into the seat, and I follow. Midnight sticks his head out the window the entire time we drive. When we get to where we're going, I know it's the paradise the other dogs had talked about. There's two beds here, one for me and one for Midnight. Our beds are so big that sometimes when I'm scared I'll just curl up next to Midnight in his. There's water bowls and food and there's even a big yard filled with grass. Sometimes Midnight and I spend the entire day out there, just running and rolling in the grass. I am content.//]