Chapter Two
Morning light entered through the window of the barn. In the beams you could see pieces of dust and hay floating in the air. Three stalls were along one side of the barn. A dark brown horse stood in one stall, and white horse in another, and in the last was a black mare with a newborn white filly.
Hay was stacked up to the roof in the far corner, set so it looked like steps. A pitchfork leaned against the wall nearby. All around the barn were barrels full of food to feed the various animals that lived on the farm; the four horses, the twenty chickens and the rooster that looked over them. And, of course, the German Shepherds.
This farm's main purpose was to be a German Shepherd breeding place. The owners were licensed, and had three male Germans and three females that would be parents to the various puppies. The owners only allowed the females to have one litter a year, so they would have time to rest up between the litters. Outside, between the barn and the house, was a row of kennels. There were five kennels, all of which were occupied. Surrounding the kennels and a good one-hundred feet ahead of them was a chain-link fence.
The youngest and newest female, Avalanche, had given birth to her first litter about ten weeks ago. The owners had rescued her from an abusive home two years ago, letting her rest until this recent year. She was a beautiful white female. The father to her pups was one of the younger, fitter males, Texas. He was a police dog who lived on the farm with his owner and partner, Officer James. Texas had the typical brown pelt that is most common on German Shepherds, but his fur was longer than most.
Avalanche and Texas were the parents to five beautiful pups. Three boys and two girls. They all had their father's long coat, but only one had their mother's coloring. The owners were slightly disappointed, hoping more pups would be the pretty white color. But, they were excited to have at least one.
The other two female dogs were Lily and Taylor. They were both the common brown, short-furred Germans. Taylor's pups had just left, and she was done breeding for the year. Lily was plump, just about ready to give birth.
The two males, other than Texas, were Domino and Samuel. Samuel was the oldest dog, who was father to Taylor's pups. Both of those dogs would most likely be fixed, due to their age, and allowed to live on the farm without the worry of Taylor having more pups that her body cannot handle. Domino was the second oldest dog, who was the oldest pup from Samuel and Taylor's first litter six years ago. This was his and Lily's third litter.
James walked up the path, whistling as he went. Samuel trotted along at his side, tail wagging. James smiled and patted his head. Samuel was his old police dog, but had to be retired due to a bullet that crippled his front left leg. Samuel still limped slightly on that leg, but only when he was moving it too much.
A wave of barking met James' ears as he walked closer to the kennels. "Hello, doggies!" He yelled. The dogs howled back in response. James laughed, opening the gate of the fence surrounding the kennels. He walked over to the first kennel. Inside, Taylor was laying on her back, tongue lolled out as she waited. She rolled to her feet and trotted over as James opened the door. She walked about, licking Samuel's nose.
James went to the next kennel. Opening it, Texas and Domino raced out full speed. They wrestled each other, growling playfully. Samuel hurried after them, barking loudly to show dominance. Then, he began to play along with them.
James laughed. Opening the next kennel let Avalanche go out and play with the other dogs. In the kennel next to hers was the five puppies. They jumped on each other and against the fence, barking loudly.
"Calm, pups, calm!" James said. He examined the pups, counting them and saying their names as he did. "OK, girls first. Callie and Emma are here. Now the boys. OK...Poppy, Bradley, and..." He stopped, trying to see past the other puppies. "Where's Blaine? He shouldn't be hard to find! He's the only white one." James scratched his head in confusion, opening the door. The puppies raced out, hurrying after the adult dogs. James went into the kennel, searching along the walls for any holes that Blaine could have escaped through. He whistled loudly, catching the attention of Lily. He looked over at the heavily pregnant dog. "Rest, girl." He cooed, reaching through the fence mesh and stroking her face with two fingers. "Have you seen Blaine?" He asked, knowing she couldn't actually answer him, if she could even understand.
Lily pointed her nose towards the far corner. James turned around and saw a lump of hay and bedding. He crawled over, still being on his knees from stroking Lily. He brushed away some of the hay, revealing white fur. He smiled broadly. "Blaine, wake up, you silly pup!" He reached into the pile of bedding and pulled the puppy out. Blaine yipped in surprise, then gave a huge yawn.
"You woke me up!" Blaine squealed, not knowing the human couldn't understand him at all.
James set Blaine on his paws and patted his back. Blaine stumbled sleepily out of the kennel, then settled on the grass outside. He huffed annoyingly, wanting to be sleeping still. He had been having a good dream.
"Come on, Blaine!" Callie barked. She and the others were bouncing around the adults, who were still wrestling.
"No!" Blaine barked back.
"That's it! I'm gonna wrestle you like Daddy is wrestling Uncle Domino!" Bradley growled, crouching low. His fur puffed out, his tail sticking straight up. He wriggled his haunches, growling. Then, he shot forward in a fury of barks. Blaine jumped, bowling into his brother. The two rolled around in the grass, growling playfully and batting each other with their paws. Their siblings ran around them, cheering them on.
As the two pups were still fighting, a small silver car pulled up the farm's long drive-way. Blaine stopped, staring at the car while Bradley nibbled as his leg.
"Stop it!" Blaine whined, pushing his brother away and racing down the small hill towards the fence closest to the drive-way. The only cars that ever came to the farm was James or his wife. This car was new, different, interesting.
He started barking loudly at the car as it drove by. He raced alongside the fence after the car, his fluffy white tail sticking straight behind him. The car pulled to a stop, and Blaine skidded to slow himself. Tumbling, he rolled a few feet. Then, he jumped to his paws and ran back to where the car stopped. He stood on his hind paws, the fore ones resting on the fence. Tail wagging, his tongue lolled out as he waited to see who this new person was.
The door on the far side opened up. Blaine barked again, tail wagging faster. He looked over his shoulder, back at his siblings. His siblings were standing beside Momma. The adults stood at the top of the hill, tails stiff and ears sticking up.
Hearing the car door slam, Blaine turned his attention back towards the car. He saw a sort of tall boy with blonde hair. He was wearing a jacket, shorts, sneakers, and thick black sun glasses. He looked around, hands in his pant pockets. Blaine barked, bouncing around to get the man's attention.
The man looked over and a big grin appeared on his face. He walked to the fence, kneeling down on the other side. He reached some fingers through the bars, running them along Blaine's muzzle. The puppy barked with joy, licking the fingers.
"Hello, Sam!" James called as he walked down the hill.
"Hello, Mr. Hanson." The blonde man stood up, leaning against the fence. Blaine whimpered, jumping up to try and lick his hand again.
"Oh, call me James." He laughed, staring at the puppy. "Blaine sure seems to like you."
"He's a cutie." Sam said. "The only white one out of the five?"
"Just as white as his momma." James patted Blaine on the head. "Hopefully the next litter we'll get some more that look just like 'im."
"Hope so."
"Come on in, Sam." James walked along the fence, and Sam followed. Blaine trotted along behind James. The older man opened the gate just wide enough that Sam could slip in, but none of the puppies could escape. Blaine howled in joy, jumping up so his paws were on Sam's leg.
"He really does like me." Sam laughed.
"You wanted two, right?"
"Right."
"You sure you have enough money for them, knowin' your family's situation?"
Blaine could see unease cross Sam's face. Blaine's tail drooped, and he tilted his head to the side. "What's wrong?" He barked, still unaware that Sam could not understand what he was asking.
"I've been saving for these puppies since well before we even knew Avalanche would have a litter." Sam pointed out. "I have the four-hundred dollars for both."
"I am cutting you a deal here." James said.
"I know. Thank you for that." Sam looked down at his feet. "I'm doing this for Stacy and Stevie. My parents know, but they don't. They've always wanted a pet but...with the economy so bad.."
"I know, Sam. We don't have to talk about it." James set a hand on Sam's shoulder while the blonde covered his eyes with one hand. He stood up straight, nodding at James. "OK, so..take your pick."
Sam looked at the puppies. Blaine wasn't sure what was going on. But, Sam looked happy, so that made Blaine happy. His fluffy tail started wagging again, and he bounced in front of Sam. The boy watched him, laughing. "I think I'll have to take Blaine, of course."
"He's a good pup." James smiled. "And, if I may make a suggestion?"
"Go ahead."
"I'd say you choose Bradley. Blaine and him are the two youngest, and they are closer than any of my other dogs."
"Which one is that?" Sam asked, looking at all the puppies questioningly. James pointed out Bradley, who looked up with confused eyes. "Oh. He seems a little more mellow than Blaine."
"Don't want two crazy pups, do ya?"
"Nope. I'm sure Stacy will love Bradley." Sam replied.
"OK, and you bought leashes and collars?"
"They're in my car." Sam walked out of the gate, heading back to his car.
Blaine tipped his head again. "Where are you going?" He called after Sam. When the boy, obviously, did not reply, Blaine whimpered loudly. "Don't go..." The pup watched as Sam opened the car door and leaned in. Blaine shifted in his spot, whimpering even louder. "Come back, Sam...:" The blonde stepped back, closing the door again. In his hand he held a red and blue striped collar, a white collar with weird black lines on it that reminded him of the large music maker that James' wife had in their house, and two black leashes. He started back for the gate. Blaine opened his mouth in a little puppy grin, his tongue flopping out. He barked happily as he jumped to his paws and raced to the gate to meet Sam.
Sam knelt down beside the two puppies. He took the black and white collar, clipping it around Bradley's neck. He then took the blue and red one and placed it on Blaine's neck. The two brothers looked at each other, puppy grins on their faces.
"We've got an owner!" Blaine yelped excitedly.
"I can't wait to meet Stacy and Stevie!" Bradley barked.
"I bet their as great as Sam." Blaine looked up at the man. Sam clipped the leashes on each puppy's collar.
"Take good care of them, OK?" James said as he opened the gate to let Sam and his two new pets out.
"I promise."
"Good. Maybe you can take them to meet that Glee club of yours."
"I bet their excellent singers." Sam joked.
Blaine and Bradley trotted on either side of Sam. As they approached the car, Blaine looked back. The rest of their siblings, their parents, and the other adult dogs were now standing along the fence. Blaine tried to run over, but the leash and collar tugged him back. He stopped, looking up at Sam. Sam stared at him, then the other dogs. "Oh..." He walked over to the fence.
Blaine and Bradley stuck their noses through the chain-link. "I'll miss you." Bradley whimpered.
"Me too." Blaine yipped lightly.
"I will always love you." Momma licked each on the nose.
"Good-bye." Emma squeaked.
"Good-bye." Blaine and Bradley both replied.
Each dog said it's good-bye to the two puppies. Then, Sam took them to his car, where he opened the back door and helped each climb in. He closed it, going to the driver's seat. When he started the car, he rolled the windows down half-way. The two pups stuck their head out the driver's side window, watching as their family and James shrank as Sam drove them to their new home.