Blaze

Blaze sat down on the doorstep of Kate's Kritters. He knew that people went in here alone, and usually came back out with animals. Blaze wanted a human more than anything. He remembered having one once when he was a puppy. But then his boy told him that they would have to get rid of him because his mom and dad were getting a "divorse" whatever that meant. What it meant to him was lots of yelling, crying, and being abandoned on the streets.

So here he was, hoping that someone would be his human.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn opened the door of her black compact car. She stepped out an looked around. There was little vegetation, and the store had a couple of paintless patches. At first, she didn't notice the stray on the doorstep, but as she turned her head again to the door, she saw him. The dog's head was low, and sad. Kaitlyn couldn't help from wanting to comfort him. She had come for a pet, and also a job. Perhaps she wouldn't have to pay for a dog. Maybe she could earn the shepherd's trust.

She walked up to him, bending down and lifting her hand out. She hoped the dog would trust her, for she needed a friend in her lonely life.

Blaze

Blaze looked up at the sound of the approaching car. A girl got out, and then looked at him. As the border collie watched her, she came closer and held out her hand for him to sniff. His tail thumped the pavement, and his mouth opened in a panting grin. Thenhe gave her hand a friendly lick. 'Nice lady. Nice.' He thought happily. He stood and began to wag his tail so hard that his whole hind in shook.

Kaitlyn

The young lady smiled at the border collie. Sher kneeled down and stoked the dog's fur. It wasn't soft, it was corse and dirty. He needed some grooming. I'll fix that She thought. Kaitlyn continued to stroke.
Would you like to come home with me?
She asked sweetly.
There's lots of room to run and play. I'm getting livestock soon. Maybe you could herd? I also have some horses. Would you like that?
The lady grinned. She remembered having a dog so much like this a while ago. He got lost, and she never saw him again.

Blaze

Blaze's ears perked up at the words "home" and "play". He knew those words. They were important words. He wagged even harder at the scratching. It felt nice. He had forgotten how good it felt to be rubbed and scratched and petted. He put his paws on the lady's shoulders and pant/grinned again. He liked this girl.

Kaitlyn

The young lady smiled.
"Is that a yes? Okay, I'm going to get some supplies and we'll go home, k?"
She reluctantly stood and walked up the creaky stairs and into the shop. She browsed and pick out some shampoo, a collar, livestock and dog feed, bowls, a bed, and other pet supplies. She plopped them on the counter and the cashier rang them up.
"$112.34"
The cashier said brusquely.
Kaitlyn reached into her pokced and pulled out her wallet. She paid the necessary amount and hurried outside. She wasn't finished yet.
"What is your name?"
She asked the border collie.

Blaze

The border collie bounced up from his spot by the door when the girl came back out. He wgged himself again, and raced over to his girl. Funny, how he thought of her as his girl already. But it didn't matter. She asked him his name. He new the word name and your, but didn't now how to tell her what it was. He perked up his ears, and tilted his head to the side, ceasing his panting. His chocolate ears were alert and standing pricked, and his white tipped tail waved a bit. He had a big broad white blaze down his forehead, and a white underbelly and white legs with chocolate sprinkles. His boy had called him Blaze... But how to tell her that?

Kaitlyn

The young woman laid a pat on his head, and then a kiss. She noted all the features and remembered them. Kaitlyn pointed at his broad blaze on his face.

"Blaze? Spot?"

She had to get the name right. The border collie had a past, a difficult one, and he would have a future with her. Why not keep the same calling named at birth?

Blaze

The dog suddenly jumped at attention when the girl said "Blaze". He did his panting grin again, and then shook his whole hind end he wagged his tail so hard. She knew his name! He looked up at her, eaiting for a command, or something.

Kaitlyn

The young woman smiled at the response to "Blaze". It was a random chance that Kaitlyn had chosen it, but the dog seemed to know that name as his own. She rubbed is thick fur and stood up.

"I'll be right back, one more thing."

Kaitlyn hurried up the stairs. Her black hair bounced with life. She was gone from sight for a few minutes, but soon pushed open the shop's door with an object in her hand.

She climbed down the stairs and opened her hands for Blaze to see.

In her palms was a beautiful collar with shades of red, orange, black, and yellow . It had very intricate decorative stitching and was made of high-quality material. Dangling from a thick metallic ring was a shining gold-plated tag. It was so clean and sleek, you could see your reflection in it. That wont last She thought. Holding the collar gingerly in her hands she placed it around his neck.

"How do you like it, boy?"

She asked. Her chocolate eyes flashed with excitement.

" C'mon. Let's go home. "

Kaitlyn climbed into the car, and waited for the border collie to jump in.

Howler

Blaze wagged all over when she put on the collar. He knew that collars ment that you had a real home, and a real person as your own. When Kaitlyn climbed into the car and held the door open for him, he raced over and leapt into the seat. Blaze loved car rides! He stuck his head out the window, panting joyfully.