Paws in the Forest

He sniffed the morning air, the scent he was following seemed stronger as he moved in to the forest, head down, all his senses alert he padded slowly his snout hardly clearing the soft leaf covered ground. His ears pricked up at a sound, something stirred and a rabbit dashed across his path, his first instinct was to give chase but not this morning,the scent he had to follow the scent.

Deeper and deeper in to the forest he went, the ground was softer and wetter here, less sunlight could force its way through the canopy of trees overhead, the bushes were thicker he felt them brush against him, occasionally snagging his sleek black fur, the scent was stronger as head down he moved in to a clearing, suddenlly he was aware of being watched he looked up and there a few yards ahead in the clearing stood a German shepherd dog looking at him.

He stopped, the animal made no move towards him it just stood watching him. He was unsure what to do for a moment, he stared back. Neither of them moved seemingly frozen in time then slowly the German Shepherd approached him head slightly on one side curious not threatening, he stood still feeling like he was being inspected, strangely he felt a need to gain the other animal's approval.

He stood upright, paws in line, head raised, tail hanging straight down. the other padded round him sniffing getting his scent, he moved his head slightly to watch the other causing his metal name tag to jangle agaisnt his choke collar, he heard a soft growl and knew it meant 'stay', his head instantly moved back and he stared straight ahead.

The authority of the other was clear, his mind started to wander, what was happening, why did he feel he had to make a good impression, suddenly his reverie was shattered by a loud bark; startled he leapt up in bed, heart pounding, pulse racing, he had kicked the bed clothes off and he was covered in sweat, he sank back, a dream it was all a dream, his heart rate slolwy returned to normal, feeling very foolish he reached for the bed clothes, then in horror noticed the mud and leaves stuck to his hands.