A/N: I would really love to know if you are reading this fanfic. It is my first attempt and I am not sure if it is any good, or if you like the pacing. It is kind of going slow, but I didn't want to rush either. So let me know if you like how it's going.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing...like seriously...:)

I allowed myself to sleep in a little longer than I planned. After picking at the lovely free breakfast again, I decided groceries were in order. Just a few things to take out to the house, with no electricity though, I didn't have a lot of options. As I pulled out of the grocery store parking lot I saw the local animal shelter. I prepared to drive past when the thought hit me. I should get a dog! I wouldn't have to worry so much about being alone. There would be someone well, something there with me. My heart started beating faster as I pulled into the lot. Just to not be so lonely would really be great.

I pulled open the door to the animal shelter. Cowbells clanged against the door to announce my presence. I bit my lip as I looked around for help.

"Hello?" I asked. "Is there anyone here?"

Just then a young woman came out of one of the back rooms. "Oh, hi there. What can I help you with?"

"Hi," I started. "I'm um, Bella. I was hoping that I could adopt a dog."

"Well, okay Bella. I haven't seen you around before. Have you been here long?" She asked as she shuffled through some paperwork.

"Well, no I just um" I paused not sure of what to say. Trying to explain that I may be illegally fixing up a house on the Quileute Reservation and need a dog because I am actually in my nineties and still a bit scared to be on my own is a bit hard. "I just moved here, and I'd like a companion" I supplied.

"Oh, well, alright then. I bet I know just the pup for you."

My answer seemed to be enough for her. She went back into the rooms and brought out a black and tan dog named Wally. He was a bit bigger than I had planned, and he looked a little clumsy as he pranced out on his leash.

"This is Wally, oh and I am Clara by the way" she said. "He is some sort of a mix, about 60 pounds or so." Wally came right up to me and sat at my feet. His head reached the middle of my thigh. He then looked up at me with his large brown eyes and knew he was the dog for me. I stroked his fur and learned all about his past. While at the shelter I also learned that Clara is also the local veterinarian. She grew up here in Forks, went to college out of state, and then came home to be near her family. She was friendly enough and I tried to be polite in my listening to her, but all I could think about was how excited I was to get Wally home and get back to work on my new life.

It seemed to take almost the whole morning to finish adopting my new dog. We were finally on our way to our new home. Wally sat in the front seat of the car with his head hanging out the window. He didn't seem to care that he had no idea where we were going. I couldn't help but feel like he knew that wherever I was, he'd be happy.

Pulling into the driveway of the small red house, I grabbed Wally's leash. "Ok, boy. Are you ready?" I asked him. Wally walked over the middle console of my car tripping as he went. He and I really were a great couple! I looked down at him and as he surveyed the home, his faced seemed to indicate that he was not as thrilled with our little home as I was.

"Oh, come on." I said to him. "You need to capture the vision. Besides it won't always look this bad. We have lots of work to do." If dogs could shrug, that is what Wally would have done. Then before long he was off sniffing everything and peeing until he surely had no more left in him.

I spent the rest of the afternoon continuing to clean up the front living area and kitchen as Wally laid about in the sunlight. After doing my best to scrub the couches clean and let them air dry, I brought out the new couch covers I had bought at the store earlier. I slid them over the couch and sat down with a sigh of satisfaction. Wally noticed my moment of relaxation and immediately took the opportunity to bound his way up onto the couch and on my lap.

"Wally, you think you're a lap dog!" I said as I pushed him over to the side. "Well, what do you think?" I asked him as I looked around the room. The couches were cleaned with new covers on them. The entire room smelled nice and it did look homey. Wally didn't seem all that impressed, but he slept all day. He hardly realized all the work it took to get a home clean after it had been abandoned for so long. The sun was beginning to set as I made myself a small dinner and set out food for Wally. I lit a fire in the fireplace and sat back down on the couch. I had just taken a bite of my sandwich when Wally perked up, jumped off the couch and started bellowing. It startled me! I hadn't heard him bark yet. It was much lower of a bark than I'd expected. My stomach jumped into my throat and I felt my heart skip a beat. I listened for a moment to hear whatever it was the had Wally so upset. I looked down at him, the fur on his back ruffled up.

"What is it, boy?" I asked as I followed him to the front door. Fear crept up within me. I had lived in a world of vampires and werewolves for so long, it was no telling what else existed beyond the walls I had put up. Wally continued acting strangely. Whining and barking all while clawing at the door wanting to get out. I opened the door just a crack to get a look outside and Wally squeezed his way out. "Wally!" I scolded as he continued with his loud bark. Chills ran down my spine as His bark continued, piercing the still twilight. I looked in the direction of his glance. I saw leaves moving as a large animal ran for cover. My stomach jumped again and my heart beat faster and faster. I couldn't be certain. But I think I've seen russet fur like that before.