Tall Shadows
Author's Note: This story is only my idea of what could happened between the scene in Homeward Bound where Shadow seemingly gives up and then reappears at the end to his master, Peter. I only own my original characters Gunner, Spear (the black wolf), Max, Fiona, and Grace. Italics are character thoughts. If you think Chance is a different breed such as a Pit Bull I checked the information on Wikipedia.
Shadow sank into the muck that surrounded him. Rotten planks of wood had catapulted the elder Golden Retriever into a hole of thick, stinking mud. His golden coat had been dipped a murky brown and the ache in his leg screamed at him. Shadow stared up balefully at the determined young American Bulldog in front of him. Chance, the headstrong, naïve, but loyal white American Bulldog with black spots pleaded with the older dog. Ah, the foolish pup, Shadow though. It was the pup pushing him onward instead of vice versa.
"You're not giving up! You said it yourself, we have a duty to our humans," Chance huffed and growled.
"Shadow, Peter needs you. We need you." Sassy pleaded as she mewed into the hole and her fluffy tails swished back and forth in agitation.
Shadow tiled his head and spoke slowly, "No, Pup, you and Sassy have learned all I can give you. Peter…Peter deserves a whole dog and not the shell of an old broken one," Shadow groaned as the pain in his leg gnawed more deeply at him.
"NO! Peter needs you and we're going together!" Chance stated and grabbed Shadow by his scruff and attempted to drag the old dog towards the embankment. The mellow, gentle Golden Retriever grew annoyed and for the first time in his life lunged and sank his teeth into Chance's shoulder. He didn't break the skin; the bite was only a warning for Chance to desist. Chance yelped and jumped back in surprise. Sassy hissed to demonstrate her disapproval.
"Why don't you two understand? I'm done. I'm too old. I can't." Shadow sniffed. Chance glanced at Sassy as if to ask what to do next. The usually sharp-witted cat was silent. For another hour Chance whined and Sassy mewled trying to cajole the Golden Retriever into resuming their journey. He steadfastly refused and closed his eyes falling into a doze. Chance glanced sadly at Sassy and by unspoken agreement decided to continue their journey without the wise old dog who'd initiated it. Silently, Chance climbed up the muddy slippery slope and reached Sassy whose eyes were downcast. Chance's ears were pinned back and his tail tucked firmly between his legs as he and Sassy padded away from their friend. Shadow's nose sank slowly into the thick mud as he began to dream.