Soon, we make it home as I yawn. I so want to sleep, and no one complains about a dog sleeping, saying, 'go do your homework, I need you to mow the lawn,' which is nice so far. But then again, if we're leaving tomorrow or the next day, I need to figure out some plans. Plus, figure out what Shiners is going to be doing.
Looking around, I spot Shiners as he watches us return and calls out, <So how did the adventure go? Did you eat any kids? If so, tell me you saved a leg.> he jokes as I groan a little bit. Okay, little chance of kids...unless you count a goat, and that is too old.
I shake my head, <No... did have to run off because some idiot brought a reindeer for the parade, and my instincts go into overdrive. Wasn't a threat, but is messing with my mind. I hope it doesn't affect my chances on this trip. Speaking of which, I would like to talk to you about the trip, and whether you're going or not, and if so, how do we handle it?>
Heading into the house, I watch my dad head to the fridge and pull out some meat as I hear Shiners reply, <I'm not sure I would love to go with you, but I have to fly there and not like I know the way, so we would have to figure something out.> he says.
Thinking about it, I hmmmmm as best as a dog can, <Maybe we can set up points to meet us at, a lot of the trip is just following the same roads, and of course, the ferry. So we can check in and make sure you're doing well. Maybe after dinner we can talk with my dad.">
Glancing over, I see my dad dropping some extra meat into the dog dish, making me lick my lips as he smiles, "Been a long day for Fluffy, so I think he deserves a little extra." I wouldn't argue with that, even if I am able to do so.
I quickly inhale the meat, feeling hungry and drained after everything. It tastes good, but I have no real time to register any of the flavors. I rub against my dad's side, yawning slightly as I nose towards the door. I have to use the bushes, but also want to talk to him a bit and see if I am going, and plan the trip if so.
He chuckles as he nods his head, as he calls to Sarah, "Hon, you should go do your homework now so you don't have to do anything over the holidays. We're leaving first thing tomorrow also, so choose some clothes and things you want to take," he says.
Sarah gives a small pout, "But, Dad, I wanted to go play with fluffy," she says, which makes me give a panting smile at the happiness of it. Though it is bad timing if I really want to figure out the holiday trip.
My dad's face relaxes a bit. "How about this, do your packing and half an hour of homework, and we can take Fluffy out to play fetch," he says. This immediately gets a yay from my sister, who runs upstairs to quickly go do her homework.
He smiles to Sarah, "I'm going to take Fluffy out and use the bathroom and maybe check to make sure that he isn't too stressed." he says as he opens the door as I quickly run out and down the yard to the bushes as I hear my dad following after me laughing, "Fluffy, not so fast, I'm not a spring chicken." he calls.
I roll my eyes as I head over to the shed and run behind it while letting Shiners know, <I think now's a good time to discuss the trip and see what you're wanting to do.> I say as I finish my business and come back around the shed and sit in front of my dad.
My dad finds one of the chairs and sits down as Shiners lands in a tree near us, "Okay, Fluffy, what's so important? Though first, I want you to know, you do well today, you have some trouble, but you also get yourself out of the situation before it gets too bad. Though I would like to know what happened," he says.
Shiners gives a small kawing laugh as I shrug, <I am fine for the most part, though being hungry isn't a good idea. The nativity scene is fine, and kinda cool, though the smell is a bit much. It is when the reindeer shows up, and I get really hungry. I don't think I would do anything, but it is a bit much for me, so I move away.>
My dad nods his head, "You do great. You seem fine, you've had a few small incidents, but they are to be expected. I don't see any issues with you coming to your grandparents, after this I will let them know. Now I get the feeling that you want to talk about something else too," he says.
"Mike was wanting to talk about me following you guys for the trip. I'm willing to do it, but it's not exactly the easiest thing to do." He says as I nod, and I can imagine how the trip would be hard for him. But at the same time, it is something I would enjoy. Having his companionship there helps for the times that I am stressed.
Giving a small gulp, I nod, <Yeah, I would like to see him come. The trouble is, how does he get there? If I can turn into an eagle, I can show him the way. But I worry about would I be stuck as an eagle for a while, plus how I am explained. The thought I have is, what if we can link up with him at various points? Only real trouble would be Burnaby, where there are a lot of various exits.> My mind is racing as I think about the various possibilities and ways we could do it.
Looking between us, my dad nods, "Well, we could meet every so often along the trip at the ferry dock, in towns. Most of the route is along highways that you just follow one after the other. Burnaby might be hard as there are multiple exits, maybe we could eat at a restaurant or something near it, and wait for him to arrive."
Shiners tilts his head, looking thoughtfully at this, "It could work as long as the path is straight. Mike can let me know when I'm in the area, and let you know. I definitely want to go, I doubt this doofus will be able to handle Christmas alone without trying to eat the turkey or something."
I can't help but groan before adding, <Well...he's not quite wrong, he's annoying, but right now he's my best friend. You all help, but having someone to talk to really helps keep me a little more sane.> I think as Shiners repeats it. I think, <You know the route better than me, Dad, where are some good places to meet? I assume that the ferry and ferries are a good place to meet.>
"That sounds about right. We can plan each stop along the way as we go. If you decide to come along. You've helped my son, so you're practically family at this point. We will make sure you make it to Vancouver with us somehow," my dad says.
Shiners thinks about it, "Well, I don't see any reason not to try, if something goes wrong and I can't make it, I can at least backtrack home and wait for you," he says while leaning down to preen his feathers. I finally relax as I let out the tension that I didn't realize I had now that I know he will at least try to come, which is a huge moment.
Shiners shakes his head, "Who would have thought that I be so invested in helping a smelly wolf that occasionally turns into an awesome eagle." he says and hmmms, "If you want I can meet you at the ferry dock tomorrow. I assume you're talking about the one over there." he says pointing to the south and not the one we took the other day.
My dad nods his head, "Yeah, though more east along the highway, once you get south, it's called Saltrey bay, and you will know when you hit it," he says. "Should be signs leading that way," he says.
I look up to Shiners. <Thanks for this, it should take about thirty minutes I believe, least how long it feels by car. It might be a bit slower for you, but not too long. I'm really glad you're coming.> I say. Before I think and look to my dad, <Ohh, can we give Shiners some meat before he goes, give him something for the trip?> I ask, remembering our earlier conversation.
My dad nods and chuckles a little bit, "Sure, if nothing else, we should get back, and I can get him some meat while we wait for your sister to be ready to play some with you. I hope you don't mind it, but it's good for her," he says.
<Ehhh, I'm used to it, and kinda fun, challenging myself to see what I can do. And thanks, Dad.> I think. Would I have said I enjoyed catching a ball mid air or on the ground...maybe, though I was never a sports kid. But now, it gives me something to do and learn.
Shiners shakes his head at all of this before looking to my dad and fluffing his feathers out, "Thanks for the meat, I appreciate it. Still a few hours till dark, but I should probably start heading there after I get the meat to be ready," he says.
My dad gives him a wave, "Seeya tomorrow," he says before we head back to the house, and Shiners lands in a tree, bouncing up and down a little hungrily as I just shake my head, I love his silly little antics.
I wait outside, dutifully sitting waiting for my dad to come back, and sure enough he comes out with a bit of a steak and tosses it towards the trees as Shiners gives a, <YAY!!!.> before he drops down and begins to eat.
I just shake my head as he quickly finishes up and looks back at me without a shred of embarrassment about the fact he has a bit of meat dangling from his beak as he says, <Thanks, I should get going.> he says as he gives his wings a few flaps and is soon off in the distance.
My dad smiles as he looks down, "Stay here, I will see if Sarah is ready," he says as he walks in, and I can hear him calling to her, and soon she comes running back downstairs holding a ball excitedly.
I give a happy bark as I bounce up and down, getting in a playful mood as I just allow myself to accept that it's time to play. My sister grins, "Oh, does the big doggy want to fetch?" she asks as she turns and tosses it down the yard, and I give chase, barking the whole way. The ball flying overhead as I keep an eye on it and where I think it will land.
My gaze follows it down the yard, and this time, when it gets close enough to me, I jump up and grab it. I mean, actually grab it with my mouth, as I feel it give a small squeak as it is squished between my teeth. Oh man, I am excited, I actually manage to catch it that time YAY!.
My sister claps and looks rather excited, and I feel it. The stress and trouble from earlier with the reindeer are already mostly forgotten as I finally have a moment to just relax. Maybe being a wolf pretending to be a dog isn't TOO bad a thing. Hopefully, I can get through this Christmas holiday.
I grin as she tosses the ball a few more times. I am getting better at catching it, and weirdly, I am enjoying the way the rubber ball squeaks when I bite into it. Though somewhere in the back of my head, I remember Shiners' words the other day and am more than a little concerned that I am being domesticated.
I am not concerned about enjoying being a wolf, but would I eventually forget who I am? Would being a dog be so enjoyable that I wouldn't want to return human again, or even be able to think of such an idea? I am not sure, I am still me, just enjoying the forms, just as flying and hunting are great. But would it grow into more over time?
I am no closer to any solution or even knowing if the fears are real or not by the time we stop playing. Though I don't let my thoughts ruin the moment as we head back inside. Well, whatever happens, happens. So far I have been fine, was one incident, but it is stress, and I come back.
My dad says, "Okay, Sarah, go upstairs and finish packing, make sure you bring anything that you want to take," he says as I look a little sad, as it isn't like I can take anything. And even if I can, how would I use it, already shows that books don't work as a wolf, and games would be equally hard to use.
Walking upstairs to my bedroom, I look around, sniffing at things, trying to think of anything that I can take with me that might be of interest. I look around, and hmmm, I see a couple of plushies, but I haven't really been that interested in them in ages.
Looking around, I frown, sniffing every object, they have familiar smells, but nothing exciting, or something I can use. I do look back over to the plushie, it is a cute seal plushie, nothing special, but it does smell a bit like home and me. After a few more sniffs, and putting it in my mouth to see how it feels, I shrug, well better than nothing I think as I walk downstairs.
Making my way downstairs, I walk over to my parents, who are in the bedroom packing, as I give a small woof and drop the plushie, trying to make it clear that I want to take it with us. I am not fully sure if it is the right thing, but it at least seems right.
My mom and dad turn around and stare at it and give me a rather odd look as I tilt my head and woof before nudging towards it, and then towards the suitcases, trying to make an indication that I want to take it with us. My dad gives a small laugh, "Are you wanting to take that with you? I know you loved it as a kid. Does it remind you of home?" he asks.
I give a small nod of my head as I make a whine of embarrassment as he nods, "Sure, you can take it. I will call Charlie to let him know we're leaving if he wants to say goodbye. Plus, need to check with your grandparents to let them know we're bringing a dog."
My dad heads into the kitchen to make the phone calls as I lay down in the hallway to relax and rest a bit. I only hear the snippets of the conversations, but my ears perk up as my dad comes back, "Well, that will be interesting. Apparently, your cousins are bringing their dog too, so you will have a companion while there. I hope you two get along."
Ughhh...great, another dog, could be fun, or a complete disaster, at least there would be someone to play with hopefully. I give a nod to my dad and rub against him before I curl up to just nap right there, too tired to think about going upstairs as he pets me, "Sleep well, we will leave in the morning."
