And now for something a little more light weight and full of friendship. . .
The mix-breed turned to his mate and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "See you tomorrow Zuma."
Suddenly the chocolate lab turned and pressed his lips to Rocky's, making his dark brown eyes roll back in his head. After a moment Zuma gave the mix-breed some air. "Goodnight love." He spoke softly.
"Goodnight," The mix-breed's voice was soft as well. He watched the lab walk to his pup house and close the door. Then as he closed his own door, and gave a small sigh. Normally they would have spent the night together, but it had been a long day for the lab. And thought Rocky didn't like spending the night alone; he was also sympathetic to his mate's needs.
He cast his brown eyes around his house for a moment, then smiled and walked to an old orange blanket that Zuma had gotten rid of almost a year ago. And Rocky being the recycling pup he was couldn't let it go to waste. He told everyone that he kept it because it was good fabric, but the real reason was because it held the chocolate lab's scent. And since Zuma got rid of the blanket before he and Rocky became mates, it was a very special object to the mix-breed.
Rocky smiled as he curled up on the orange fabric and inhaled deeply. Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, there was a knock at his door. He stood up and gave a small stretch, and then walked to the door. "Who is it?"
"Rocky, it's Marshall." He could hear the Dalmatian sniff, "Can I come in. . . please?"
The mix-breed opened the door and was met with Marshall's sparkling blue eyes, and a red bow tied around the his neck.
"Come in. . ." As he closed the door, he couldn't help but ask. "Marshall, are you okay."
The Dalmatian sighed and bit his lip, and then tears sprung to his eyes. "I think Chase and I might be through."
Rocky figured this was what Marshall came to talk about. It was painfully obvious that Chase wasn't talking to the Dalmatian for some reason. He leaned in and softly nuzzled Marshall. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I thought I would go out tonight. . . So I put on my favorite bow." He let a tear run down his muzzle. "But I couldn't do it . . . Every time I would start to walk out the door, I thought of Chase. . . And I just couldn't do it. . . No matter how much he's hurt me. . . I don't think I have it in me to hurt him." After a moment, Marshall shook his head. "That's not why I'm here Rocky. . . I don't want to burden you with my problems." The Dalmatian sniffed, then spoke again. "Ryder let me stay with him last night, but he's already gone to bed and I don't want to disturb him." Marshall sniffed again. "But I don't want to be alone tonight."
Rocky gave him a warm smile; put a finger to the Dalmatians lips, and began to sing in a soft voice. . .
Take the ribbon from around your neck.
Shake it loose and let it fall.
Just lay soft against my fur.
Like the shadows on the wall.
Marshall smiled as the mix-breed walked over and lay down on the orange blanket, then motioned for the Dalmatian to do the same.
Come and lay down by my side.
Until the early morning light.
As Marshall lay down next to the mix-breed, he sang. . .
All I'm taking is your time.
Help me make it through the night.
I don't care what's right or wrong.
And I won't try to understand.
Let the devil take tomorrow.
Because tonight I need a friend.
The two pups locked eyes and both could feel sparks flying as Marshall began to sing again. . .
Yesterday is dead and gone. . .
And, tomorrow's out of sight.
It's so sad to be alone. . .
Help me make it through the night. . .
Marshall's muzzle was now only inch or so away from the mix-breeds. . .
I don't want to be alone.
Help me make it through the night. . .
As he finished, Marshall pressed his lips against the mix-breeds. After a moment however, the mix-bred pulled away. "Sorry Marshall, I can't."
The Dalmatian nodded as his cheeks turned a bright red. "Right. . ." He looked away, "Sorry. . . I just haven't felt loved in a while."
Nuzzling him again, Rocky sighed. "Oh Marshall, you're always loved because you're surrounded by family. . . We all love you. . . I know it's not quite the love you need, but it's still love." He could tell the Dalmatian was unconvinced, so he looked the pup straight in the eye, and tried a different angle. "Maybe Chase is hiding something from you, something he's ashamed of."
The Dalmatian tilted his head to one side, considering the mix-breeds words. Marshall gave a small smile, and nodded, "Maybe you're right." He leaned in and gently placed his head on Rocky's chest. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Marshall." Rocky said as he closed his eyes, and finally drifted off to sleep.
Stay tuned. . . Up next. . . A request from a fan!
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