I am the perfect watchdog. I sit in the warmest area of the room, and watch. I notice everything; how the eldest human belches every fifth sip of her drink, how the cats chew on the wires when they are hungry, and how the youngest human sits and ignores it all, either with her hot, flat and glowy Click machine in her lap, or outside, caring for the plants. I sit, I observe, and I understand. I notice the old, aging cat as he limps, looking at his girl with hope in his eyes, seeking her attention and touch that she gives him so rarely anymore. I know she loves him, though. She goes out of her way to make his life easier, placing boxes and totes in strategic places so he doesn't have to jump as far, and risk breaking one of his fragile bones.
I see. I understand.
That's how my life used to be, though. When the young one left, the elder human couldn't take care of me. She'd cry over the lack of something called "munee" and our food bowls were filled less and less. She didn't eat as much either, preferring to drown herself in her drinks and her stinking smoke, wallowing in misery. She gave me away in order to eat, since my food cost more of this "munee" that she was steadily losing. I don't blame her- how can I?
I understand.
So now I’m here. I watch the light as it travels every day, across the floor and into the pens. I notice how some of the other dogs roll in the warm spot created by the light, and others shy away from it, whining and hoping it won’t hurt them. I see the young puppies get adopted, and the old dogs get taken to the back room, where they never come back. And though I know I’m more of an older dog, I can’t help but hope that I’ll have a home too, someday, to watch, to protect, and to love. There are still a few years left for me. A few thousand walks, perhaps. That's enough, isn't it?
I want a home. And I think I found one.
[Rocky, a quiet, reserved and observant pit bull whom Makuu adopted when she was a young girl. He went to the pound, but was freed when Linkin and Jay made their great escape. He was adopted by a sailor, who took him on his new ship's maiden voyage- with the now-werewolf Makuu stowed away in the hold- and, unfortunately, was there when the ship sank. He and Makuu made it to the East Marshlands and came to the North, where she set up shop as the local "nurse" for animals, and he stood guard over his girl. He, B'Aridae and Terre are her constant companions. ]
[Lines from Aywas; Design by Darkened Glory]
