I froze, then slowly asked, "Um... you planning on eating that?" and wagged my tail slightly. The cat growled from deep in its throat and that was all I needed... I took off running and yelping like I was just whipped. I didn't look behind me, I just kept running; not sure where I was going or whether the cat was following me or not. Finally, I came to a clearing and I quickly ducked down low in the grass for a perfect hiding place. I waited, and no cat came. Relieved, I got up and walked tiredly to a small creek and slurped the water noisely. Suddenly a bush moved... the cat? A wolf? A hunter? I ducked down low and prepared to run, quivering with nervousness. "Tucker, its okay! Its me, Rio!" clucked the bush. "Rio!!" I yapped and ran and literally fell into the bush, landing on top of the black rooster! He let out a angry growl as I eased my way off his body, then he shook himself. "Gees, boy, I come half across the county, chasing your flea bitten tail, and thats the thanks I get?" He said, trying to sound irritated, but I knew from the look in his eyes he was happy to see me. I pranced around him, licking him all over with my puppy slobber, asking him how he got here. "I noticed you were gone, and I told everybody and they went searching in groups, but I went out on my own. Figured, you, being a small pup who doesn't have any common sense, would go the opposite way we would expect ya to go. Sure enough, here you are, about 10 miles south of your parents and friends." He replied. Now understanding, I licked him once more and said, "Thank you! Thank you Rio!" "Anytime kid... no wait, NOT anytime! Never again, you hear?" He clucked, irritated. Suddenly a deer bounded out from the trees and ran past us, saying, "Run or be killed dogs! The mountain lion is coming!!!"
"Take cover!" Rio clucked as he lay close to the ground. I lied down next to him, peeking through the grass looking for the big cat. As the huge, brown cat emerged from the forest, it sniffed the air and looked at the field. He knew we were here. He stalked through the grass, his nose to the ground, his muscles rippling in the sun. "Tucker, i'm gonna go and distract him... you run." Rio clucked softly. "Rio, no!" I whimpered. Before I could do anything, Rio stalked through the grass towards the cat. Immediately the cat ran towards the moving grass, but once the cat was 2 feet away, Rio flew right over his head. I ran across the field, afraid to look back. I heard a scream from Rio, then silence. I cried as I dodged around trees and bushes when suddenly i came to a steep hill.... I tripped and tumbled down, yelping as I landed in a thorn bush. I jumped out and started to run again, when I yelped and fell to the ground. Thorns stuck in my paws, deep in the pads. Thorns trailed up my legs, making blood drip down to my paws. I lay there, trying to pull the thorns out, but they were too deep. I slowly closed my eyes, hoping the pain would soon be gone. I was lifted up by 2 powerful arms... I heard a soft, mans voice. It was my owner.
It was...master! It was! As he ran through the trees, I saw the sky fly by and the tree tops became a blur. He put me gently in his car and drove fast down the road. A long time later, we arrived at a place called "The vets"... my dad said it was a good place. He brought me in and immediately I was rushed into a bright room and someone stuck a needle in me... making me numb... and sleepy..... soon I passed out. I awoke hours later and saw I was home... with my master... in front of the fir, my feet all bandaged up. I limped to him and licked his hands and face, wagging my tail. "Where's the other animals, Tucker?" Master asked to me, but I couldn't reply. Humans are weird... they can't speak dog, yet they speak so many different words in their own language. Suddenly I remembered Rio... and my family. They were still out there, in danger... hungry, cold and probably worried very much about me. I couldn't stay. Slowly I got up and gave my owner one last lick, then I started started barking at the door, tricking my master into thinking someone was there. He opened it... and zoom! I flew between his feet and ran across the thin layer of snow. I looked back and saw my master standing at the door, yelling for me to come back. I sighed, then limped onward.... onward to return to my family.