16 (Recovery)

Both dogs have been rescued by the humans who witnessed this. The dog Whisper attacked had unfortunately died due to his injuries. Both Rose and Whisper had to undergo surgery for their injuries.

About the fifth day, Rose had finally awoken in their big recovery room at the vets office. She felt very sore, her body ached.

"Huh? Where… Where am I?" She asked herself, noticing she was laying in a soft bed, her wounds covered with bandages. She struggled to push herself up onto her paws, her age really getting to her.

"You shouldn't be standing yet, youngster," someone said, getting Rose to look over to her right. Rose saw an older collie sitting at the doorway.

"Who're you?" She asked, too weak to growl at him. The rough coated collie walked over to her. "Name's Scout. I've been tasked to watch over you and the other pup that came in here," he said as he walked.

"Other pup?" Rose asked, remembering that Whisper was hurt too. "Whisper! Where is she? I gotta know if she's okay," Rose said in a panic, walking to the glass door, scratching at it.

"Calm down, would ya? She's gonna be alright. I can take you to see her," Scout said. Rose nodded instantly, following the other dog's lead.

"Scout, how long have I been out?" She asked, walking a few steps behind him. "For about five days. My humans were the ones who found you two and brought you back here," he answered.

Rose's ears fall back, head dropping. 'Five days?' She thought sadly. The two dogs make it to Whisper's room, which was about two rooms over.

Whisper was in a bed, covered in bandages. She even had an iv attached to her right foreleg since she laid on her left side.

"Whisper… no…" Rose whimpered, limping over to her. Scout walked over and watched as Rose crawled into the bed with Whisper, laying down next to her. She rested her chin on Whisper's shoulder.

"She's special to you. I can

see just how much you care for her," Scout said, smiling at this. "I see her as my daughter. My other pups are in New York, where I'm from. I'm desperately trying to get back home. I was asked to take care of her after her father had been hit by a car. She sees me as her mother," Rose sighed, dropping her ears.

Scout raised his ears, listening to what she said. He felt sympathy for this pup, hating that she had to suffer like that.

"I understand. It must've been hard doing what you had to do to stop her," he answered, his voice grim. Rose squeezed her eyes shut and relaxed. "You have no idea. I didn't want to see her like that, much less do that to stop it. Now I'm worried she'll wake up and remember what I did. Or if she'll turn back to her sweet, caring self," she said, heaving a heart broken sigh.

"She'll be alright. I guarantee you she won't change," Scout assured her.

(In Whisper's mind)

"Wake up, Whisper…" a voice said. Whisper's flopped ears moved at the familiar voice. She opened her blue eyes and saw she was no longer in that alleyway. It turned out to be a beautiful field that had a lake with a waterfall.

'Whoa… where am I? Am I dead?' She asked herself, looking arounnd curiously. "No, you're not, young one," the voice said again. Whisper looked behind her and saw a German Shepherd that was missing his right ear.

At first Whisper was scared but was soon relaxed when he assured her that he wouldn't hurt her. "Who are you, sir?"She asked, her ears pulled back.

"My name's Jerald," he answered. Whisper tried standing up, but felt as though she was glued to the ground. "Wait, why can't I move?" She exclaimed in panic.

Jerald walked over to her. "Easy, kid. There's a reason for that. Your body is back on earth. You were brought here after my daughter put you down after you attacked that dog," Jerald explained.

"I did? Who's your daughter?" Whisper asked. "Rose is her name. I also have a son called Kaiden," the German Shepherd smiled.

Whisper was in shock to hear this. She had no idea that this dog was Rose's late father. "You're body is calling you. Go to New York City with Rose. I know in my heart she'll take care of you," Jerald said, seeing Whisper starting to vanish.

"Will we see you again?" Whisper asked, now half gone. "Yes, but not for a long time. You're still just a pup with many great years ahead of you. Goodbye for now," he finished. The pup disappeared completely.

(In Reality)

Whisper stirred and her ears twitched back. She lifted her head and moaned in pain. Her head pounded and it hurt to move.

"You're awake," Scout said. Whisper looked over at the collie dog. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't wake up," he said in a friendly voice.

"Who're you? Where am I?" She asked. "You're in the vet. Been out for two weeks. Had your mama scared," Scout assured.

Whisper tried to get up but her legs ached so she couldn't stand. "Take it easy now, young one. I'll get your mama," Scout said, leaving the room. Whisper waited in excitement to see Rose.

When she returned, Whisper lit up, seeing that she was fully healed, but had scars where she was bitten. "Mama!" Whisper barked happily.

Rose ran to her and licked her feverishly. "Oh, thank god you're okay and haven't changed…" Rose said, resting her head on Whisper's neck.

Whisper nuzzled her mother figure, burying her face in Rose's neck.

Afterwards, Rose sat down beside Whisper's bed, ears raising her mix-matched ears. "Once you're recovered, we'll leave," she said with a smile.

"I can't wait, mama," Whisper said with a smile. After a while, the two dogs went to sleep, awaiting the day when they finally get to leave. Whisper would have to tell Rose what she saw in her dream soon.