"Bama! Bama!" came shouts from the door. "Come on girl, we have to go!" Bama got into her travel crate panting and out of breath. "Where have you been? We're going home to see Baja! Aren't you excited?"

Bama's tail wagged enthusiastically. She was excited. She missed Baja terribly and didn't understand why they left in the first place. Her person slid in the seat beside her. She was awkward, as her belly had become quite large. She kept telling Bama that there would be a new addition soon. Bama hoped it was a new doghouse.

"Mum? Could you please drop us in front of the Oceanic terminal? I want to get one of the sky captains to help me with Bama."

Bama barked at the men as they unloaded her from the car. "It's all right girl, you've done this before. I'll see you when we land"

That was the last time Bama seen her person. She lay in the sand staring off into the night when Vincent suddenly started barking. The people were yelling at him to shut up. Bama got up and crept as close as she could without being seen. There were a few people gathered around some debris on the beach. One scruffy looking guy turned on a flashlight and they shined it in the wreckage. A loud squeal filled the night air and something went flying out of the debris and into the jungle.

Okay this wasn't funny to Bama. She was scared now. She needed Vincent to protect her. Where was he? Bama crept in closer and scanned the beach. A tingle of excitement filled her very being. She jumped up on all fours and cocked her head straining to see. Could it be? Could it? Oh, oh, oh, Bama did a doggie dance and tore off toward the beach. She barked again and again. She couldn't believe it! She ran and had to skid to a stop before she nailed the person sleeping there. Not just any person. Her person!! Bama licked her face again and again.

"BAMA!!" Her person slowly sat up to wrap her arms around her neck. "I didn't think you made it? I can't believe it's really you!! Easy girl. I'm right here and I'm fine! Settle down now." Bama was so excited but she sat next to her person as close as she could. Her person stroked her back and talked to her soothingly. She slowly started to get tired and lay down next to her. Her belly was against her back and she was startled when something kicked her.

She woke to the roar of the waves crashing on the shore. Her person's arm was still wrapped around her, but she was beginning to stir. Bama licked her hand to say good morning and she moaned a soft "good morning". Bama felt her nuzzle into her neck so she rolled on her back for a belly scratch. Nothing beats a good belly scratch in the morning she thought. Her person was happy to oblige. Bama wiggled on her back scratching it in the sand then rolled over, stood up, and shook like crazy. Fur and sand flew everywhere.

"Bama! Stop!" Her person was brushing sand off the front of her and spitting a dog hair out of her mouth. "Some day we must do something about your shedding."

Bama sat panting, taking in the scenery. Her eye caught sight of a little man making his way across the beach toward them. She got up on all fours and let out a little warning growl. She wanted him to know that he was invading her territory and that was not a wise thing to do. Her person stroked her back.

"Bama, its just Charlie. Put out the back of your hand and let her sniff it. She can get a little protective."

"She your dog then? I thought there was only one dog on the flight?" The little man offered his hand to Bama and she sniffed it, and then slid under it so he would scratch her head. He obliged. "Nice doggie, that's the way. I won't hurt you." He looked up. "What's her name?"

"Bama. I thought she died in the crash; she just turned up last night. Did you need something?

The little man held out a bottle of water. "I brought you some water as I thought you might be thirsty."

Bama thought, "where's mine?"

"Thank you, that was very sweet of you?" An uncomfortable silence fell between the little man and her person. "You know it might be more comfortable for you at the caves. There is plenty of shade, running water, and a doctor for when your baby comes." Bama kept a protective watch on this guy. He looked a little shifty.

"Aw, Charlie thanks, but I want to stay here on the beach for when we are rescued." Bama's person looked out at the water then back at the little man. She held out her hand and asked him if he could help her up. She dusted off the sand from her backside and put the airline blanket she was laying on over a makeshift line she had set up. The little man reached over and tried to help her even though the task was easy.

Bama watched the little man toe the dirt as if at a loss of how to talk to her person. He asks, "Are you doing all right, you know, with the baby and all?"

"Yeah, it's going well. I felt it move this morning when Bama woke me up. I wish I could get over some of the cravings. Do you miss anything? I mean now, that we are here, what do you miss most?"

"Food." The little man talked about his guitar, but food seemed to be most prominent on his mind. It was prominent on Bama's mind too. She licked her chops.

"Oh, I know what you mean! I miss food too, especially peanut butter." Bama sneezed in disgust. She thought a steak sounded much better.

Bama saw the wheels turning in the little man's head. He said a few more words that made her person laugh and then he was off.

Later he came back and knelt down before her person. Bama licked her chops. She hoped he had brought her something to eat too. She licked her chops again as the little man brought out a jar and showed it to her person. He opened it and dipped his finger into something yum… HEY! The jar was empty! Bama cocked her head at him as he savored the nothingness on his finger. This guy's been in the sun to long, she thought. She kept cocking her head side to side trying to figure out what was happening. Her person then dipped her finger in the jar and licked it. Bama bullied her way in and sniffed the jar. She looked at the little man. If she could have rolled her eyes she would have. No steak, no kibble, no dog treats, the jar was empty! What was this guy trying to pull? Her person took a helping hand up and grabbed all of her stuff, putting it back in her bag. She started walking with the little man toward the jungle