Big but Shy.

Screaming in fear, Fluttershy squirmed from under the dog. Its yellow teeth were inches from her neck when two red legs kicked the dog off of her. She heard a growl and loud thumps then a yell. Fluttershy lay shocked before getting up and shrinking to the ground in fear. Her eyes darted across the landscape, scanning every bush and tree. She saw a golden-brown tail peak out from behind a tree and her ears flattened in terror. She squealed softly in surprise when she was tapped on the shoulder.

"Something botherin' you sugercube?" A thick western accent spoke behind her. Fluttershy sighed in relief and turned around. Applejack stood there, her head tipping to one side. Fluttershy only shook her head and looked over her shoulder at the tail again. Applejack trotted over to the tree, "Big Mac! What are you doing behind there?" The tail quivered and Applejack, looking behind the tree screamed in horror. Terrified from the scream, Fluttershy ran into a bush and shivered in fear. Applejack ran forwards and spoke too softly for Fluttershy to hear. After a little bit, Fluttershy, still crouched, made her way to Applejack. Her eyes widened in horror and surprise has she saw the dog sitting there next to Big Mac, looking proud of himself. Blood dripped from his mouth. Blood. Fluttershy, with all the bravery she had left, peeked over Applejack's shoulder. Big Mac had a large wound on his shoulder, and several bite on his legs. He was on the ground, but Fluttershy could see his chest rising. She moved on the other side of him, leaning over to look at him.

"B-Bigmac….?" She whimpered has Applejack stood in shock. He opened his eyes and looked up at Fluttershy, smiling weakly.

"You're ok….." He said softly. Fluttershy nodded, blushing again.

"T-thank you, for saving me…" She replied. Applejack let out an awkward cough to interrupt them.

"Even though I'm glad it's all fine and dandy, what the hay happened?" She said. Fluttershy looked up at her, and Bigmac coughed. Fluttershy sighed and spoke in her usual soft voice.

"Well, I came to the farm…and I was going to look for the rabbit holes when Bigmac talked to me, then your dog… he jumped on me and tried to bite me. Bigmac kicked him off, but I guess he got hurt, and I think your dog has rabies." Fluttershy replied. Applejack gasped and glanced at her dog, only to see foam once again dripping from his mouth. He was calmer now, but would soon want to kill more things. "I think you should let me put him down Applejack, there really is no cure for this…" She replied faintly. Applejack glanced back at Fluttershy, tears dripping down her face. Fluttershy knew her choice. She patted her back with a hoof, and hugged her. "I'm sorry it turned out this way." She sadly quietly, "You should say goodbye to him while he's calm, then please take Bigmac to the hospital…" Her assertiveness was slowly coming back, but she was still speaking softly. Applejack nodded and walked over to her dog, blood still dripped from his muzzle, staining the foam red, but it was his blood now. She hugged him, obviously not scared of him snapping on her. She hugged him closely, tears falling on his fur, and he looked at her in confusion. Then she backed up, moving over to Bigmac, blood on her shoulder now, and she didn't glance up at her dog. Fluttershy silently hooked a leash onto the dog and lead him out of the farm, wincing at Applejack's sad cries.


When Fluttershy made it home, she was crying too. The dog would snap any second now, she was all alone, and she had to put this dog down. She never liked death, it scared her beyond anything, but sometimes the pets just wouldn't get better or they simply needed to be put down. She sometimes asked Angel to do it, because whenever she did the needle shook a lot and it was more pain getting the overdose in there then letting them live. However, when she stepped into her shop, Angel was sleeping, the late morning sun casting beams on his white fur. She leaned over and kissed his forehead, then made her way to the examination room. Setting the dog in a cage, she began to get the shot ready, and tears where streaming down her soft yellow face when she made her way back over to the dog. She crouched and he looked at her sadly, blood and foam still dripping from his mouth. She winced, looking away and letting out a little whimper. Then she put the needle in his paw, and injected the overdose. She looked back at him has he sat down, suddenly looking drowsy. She opened the cage and pet him until he lay down and set his head on his paws. He licked her hoof, staining it accidently with blood before closing his eyes. His breathing slowed, and then he let out a shuddering sigh and…died. She looked away and trotted back to the front desk to write a letter to a couple of stallions who buried all the pets she put down.

Dear Minier and Dirtyhoofs,

I had to put down another dog down, and I would like if you could bury him at Sweet Apple Acres, wherever Applejack wants. I hope you can do this today, and sorry for the short notice.

Thank you again,
Fluttershy

She couldn't write anymore. Her hoof was shaking too badly. She called one of her birds over and gave her the letter. She nodded then flew off to deliver the message. Fluttershy trotted back out of her shop, and over to a small pond she had for her ducks. Staring into the water, she sighed in pure grief. But just then something else came across her mind. Bigmac, is… he ok?