The large, well-muscled alphess trotted to the ranch, keeping her body lower than the bushes surrounding her. Her scents was almost as clear as day, but that's exactly what she wanted. She wanted a dog to come. Or a human. Halting next to a bush on the opposite side of it from the house, she dropped a peice of horse meat. It fell gracelessly from her now open jaws. Blood trikled down her chin and and her saliva was still tinted a deep crimson color. She breathed deeply but gently as she oberved her surroundings. Then, she tilted her maw to the sky and let out a loud, deep howl, wanting to see if any humans would come, or dog. She wanted a higher bounty. Then, lowering her bod to the ground and resting on her side, she began to munch on the small feast of meat. It tasted good, and she greatly savored it, even though she disliked equine's flesh alot. She waited for someone or someting to show up, and she stayed hidden. She slowly knawed on the meat to speed up the seemingly slow time that passed by.

The two brothers came trotting in unison after hearing the howl. Timber was highly experienced in fighting, since his very survival was entwined around it. He and Stallis were the only survivors of their once large family, all thanks to wolves and ferals. Timber took up the lead as he neared the area where Kaze was hiding. Scent was strong, telling him where the wolfess must be hiding. "She's in there." He announced after a moment, staring coldly towards the bush, but yet unable to see Kaze.

Stallis fanned off to the side, staring hard at the bush, but not with quite the deadly intent that his brother held. "Come out, and we may not kill you." The collie barked out, his voice rumbling with authority.

Timber flashed a silent snarl, his eyes hardening. Might not... ha He thought grimly to himself. He was determined to make them all pay for murdering his family.

Kaze's dial lifted and she then stuffed the rest of the horse meat into her mouth. She chewed it, swallowed it, and then slowly stood. Growls came from deep within her throat as she then lowered, getting ready to propel herself out of the bush. "You come in here and make me." she said slyly, having a nice little plan in mind. Her large size would be an advantage against a small border collie, of course, so she knew that she would have no problem. She now had her belly touching the ground, as she got herself ready for whatever would come her way.

Stallis snorted, "Your funeral!" And he began to advance towards the bush, hackles up and head low.

Timber perked his tulip ears up and gave a sharp bark, "Stallis, you fool! Stop!" He demanded, knowing full well that Kaze would have a distinct advantage with a surprise attack and limited room for Stallis to manuever. The collie knew that space was vital for him to be able to take on a wolf or any larger creature than himself.

Kaze grinned, snorting herself. Her funeral? Blah. It would be his funeral, if anyones'. Hearing him advance toward the bush, she snarled loudly and leapt out, her large form being launched at his by her strong hindlegs. Her jaws were wide open as she aimed for his throat or nape, and once she reached him, started snapping viciously at the desired areas, trying to grab onto something. Demanding growls emitted from her throat as she continued, not slowing nor stopping. She hoped to have a kill, or at least give this canine alot of damage.

The strange duo had been lounging about when Elder Brother heard Timber's warning bark. Leaping up silently, the wolf barrelled toward the fight. He had never seen Stallis before, but it was quite clear to him that Stallis was with Timber, and that settled the matter for Brother. Silent peds carried him swiftly to the fae, dentals gleaming as he leapt for a hold on the back of her neck. She did have an agility advantage, it was true, but at waist-height with his master and grossing at 120 lbs, Brother could crush her if he ever caught up.

Tahmores leapt up as Brother did. He had heard the bark too, and knew something was wrong, though he didn't know what. Drawing his dagger with a flash of steel as he went, the boy ran after his wolfen companion.

Kaze had the best advantage. SHe was one of the largest wolves, and that included heaviness. No way could another wolf crush her. It wasn't possible. She was as large as a wild cat. She immedietly leapt away from Stallis, sensing the other wolf's presence. Then, with a snarl, she jumped right at Brother, her sharp fangs showing, as she aimed to collide with him right in the air. Nobody stopped her attacks and got away with it.

Stallis tucked and tried to veer away with his brother's warning, but came out with a gash along the nape of his neck. Snarling bitterly at the stinging pain, Stalllis threw himself at Kaze. Curved canines aimed to take a hold of her shoulder.

Timber had not dallied with his response either. As soon as Kaze had propelled herself from the brush, Timber was moving like lightning. He may not be that big, but the speed and agility of collies was closer to a wolf's than any other canine. With years of pain and fighting experience driving his burning heart, the outraged collie went stright for Kaze's stomach, ready to tear into the soft flesh and do what damage he could.

Tahmores longed to join the fight, but knew that with four canines tramping about, he would very likely get wounded, even unintentionally. Still keeping his dagger out, he began to call out, hoping to attract some attention.

Brother dodged, twisting about a little as he kept himself out of the way as the brothers leapt in. Taking his own aim, the large brute aimed for a back of the neck hold. Between the three of them, they could take her, he was sure. Big she may be, and fast, but outnumbered. Letting hinds push off the earth, he charged toward the offending female, hoping to get his mark.

Kaze snarled out as she felt a set of jaws close around her shoulder as she landed safely apon the ground. She at frist tried to wiggle away with all the force she had, but then an idea came to mind quickly as she somehow caught sight of Timber going for her belly. Making vicious snarls and growls, she flipped herself over and struck out with all four legs, oping to have hit the collie's nose or head... She ducked lower, still trying to break free of Stallis' hold, making the other wolf's attack miss by only seconds.

Stallis refused to let go at first, shaking his dail with great vigor while trying to do all the damage he could to the shoulder. But soon, her struggles and a few good kicks from flying paws made the collie relinquish his hold.

Timber wasn't quite expecting the movement of Kaze, and found his face assualted by a few good whacks of her large paws. Snorting and shaking his head, Timber lashed his fangs at the digits before backing up a bit. Slipping swiftly to the side, he tried to get a grip on her haunch, while doing his best to avoid her kicking.

Stallis began to snap feverishly at her paws, stilling getting dealt blows in the head for his efforts, but hoping he could get some damage on Kaze.

Tahmores continued to watch intently, waiting for a chance to do something, though he doubted it would ever come. Continuing to call for anyone within the sound of his voice, he kept orbs on the pile of canines.

Brother landed solidly as he sailed over the femme, and turned in on himself to make a quick turnabout. Letting out a low yip as he was met with flailing limbs across the maw, he backed reflexively, upper jaw streaming blood. With a growl of vengeance, Brother lunged forward again, attempting to get a grip on the other's maw.

Kaze snarled as she felt her shoulder being torn open, and she sent out one last jolt with her hindlegs. She then struggled to stand again, using all the power she had left in her limbs. She managed to get up, but had a limp. Nothing serious though, she would live. She had no reason not to. She sent another paw at Stallis' maw, hoping to hit and hit hard. But soon she felt a set of jaws get a grip on her haunch, she she leaped forward, using her hindlegs to propel her off the ground. Whether or not she slipped from Timber's hold, she sent a few good snaps at his face before backing away a bit, away from Stallis' own snapping to her paws. She was about to wheel around when she then realized that Brother had succeeded in getting a hold on her maw. She growled and pulled back with great force, hoping this would release her.

Timber held tight to her flesh, taking the punishment of her jaws, which led many blood furrows along his face and muzzle. He felt all the rage sear through his body and the images of his brutalliy murdered family flash before his conscious mind. He didn't let this passionate rage blind him though, for that had been the downfall of his parents. Instead, he kept a deadly level mind and squeezed his jaws together with all his strength, thrashing his mightiest to rip and tear what muscles and tendons he could, if he managed to get any between his craving teeth.

Stallis didn't have all that pent up rage, however. He didn't grow up with the others and only witnessed two of their deaths; and one was not caused by a wolf, but rather a surprised grizzly bear. Not acting quick enough, Stallis got thumped against his nose by the paw and yelped at the shrill pain it left throbbing in his senstive snout. The collie pawed pitifully at his nose until he realized how foolish it must work. Once again, he jumped for Kaze. His jaws went for her shoulder again, trying to add more damage to the area.

Kaze snarled and grinned at her light success. Then, feeling the pain surge through her body from where Timber still held on, she lunged straight forward again and then whipped around, ignoring the hurt it caused. Blood gushed from the wound, and she aimed a well-placed snap at Timber's muzzle, but it was meant for his nose more. She gave him another quick snap before lowering her body again, hoping this would release her. She heard Stallis coming, and she tried to roll, making him only get a hold of her foreleg. She snarled out again and then batted for his eyes, hoping to blind him or whatever. Then, without wasting another second, she recovered her footing and launched herself away from the group, with such great force, she felt her shoulder wound and haunch rip. She growled out angrily, and then aimed a bite at whichever dog that came at her next, or was still attached.

Elder Brother bared down as Kaze tossed her head, but she did succeed in releasing her maw. His jaws slid down the end of her nose, hoping to do as much damage as possible before relinquishing his grip. Leaping back and waiting for a new opening, he went for the limb opposite of the one Timber held, meaning to tear at it. Kaze's bite tore a large, keening gash in his shoulder as he dove, but he continued toward his aim, driving toward that other leg.

Timber held his grip as long as he could, suffering the fury of her fangs, which cut deeply into his muzzle and left a terribly gash across his tender nose. Still he held tight, through all her motions while his face paid the price for the hold. The once black and white fur was now tri-colored, with crimson staining it deeply. When the collie saw Elder Brother make his next move, Timber held on just a moment longer, hoping to give the other a better chance at hitting his target. Then Timber backed off, his face and snout aching something terrible. Holding grips wasn't his normal method of fighting anyways, unless there was a tender throat between his teeth. Now he bounded in circles about Kaze; or as good of circles he could do without colliding with Elder Brother and Stallis. Whenever the opportunity might arrive, Timber struck of for Kaze's flesh, hoping to leave gashes here and there.

Stallis wasn't so keenly adept at this fighting business. He first savored his hold on Kaze's lower limb, grinding his teeth down in apparent success. But then one of those blasted paws came his way, striking him sharply in the left eye. One of the claws, blunt but solid as they were, grazed the delicate and highly sensative top layer of his eye. The most sensative part of the body, in fact. With a terrible yelp, Stallis scrambled back, pawing once again at his face, trying to get rid of the agonizing feeling.

Kaze leapt forward once more, leaving Brother with only a small mouthful of her fur. She snarled and twisted her neck back around to lash out at his face. Then, without thinking, she started running forward, dragging the other wolf along if he still had his hold. Then, she whipped around and sent a hard snap at Timber, trying to avoid all of his little attacks. She only recieved a few scrapes, nothing serious or too deep. But as she seen her oppertunity, she twirled around and then rushed at Stallis, jaws open wide, aiming to close on his throat or shoulder area...

Elder Brother spat out fur and leapt back a bit, narrowly avoiding the fae's new attack. Hearing Stallis' terrible yelp and seeing the female head for the injured brute, Brother leapt between them with a howl of fury, taking the blow meant for Stallis across one side. Streaming with crimson, he threw his weight into his attack, aiming to grasp her maw again and push her back away from the pain-ridden male.

Kaze immedietly began backing away, using her forelegs mostly to push her backwards. She tried to avoid the attack at first, but felt the wolf's jaws close around her own maw. SHe snarled out with her mouth closed, and then threw her head upward, ignoring the pain that shot through her face. She felt his teeth slip down her muzzle, and so she continued to pull back, out of his grasp. Once she had a good position, she rushed forward at him again and aimed to have her jaws clamp shut around one of Brother's forelegs. She kept alert about the other two dogs, though she knew that the one would most likely be blind, giving her an advantage. And a good one, at that. She already had a plan going.

Timber was about to rush to his bother's defense of well, but saw Brother take charge of it. Timber shot the other a look of deep gratidute, but couldn't say much of thanks at the moment. Brimming with fighting vigor, Timber rejoined the fight as he charged upon Kaze again. While she made her move for Brother's limb, Timber made his move for her throat.

Stallis was still very distraught, pawing at his wounded eye the stung with blinding pain. His other orb was fine, but it couldn't function quite as well with the other one being damaged, which left the collie at a great disadvantage. His cries subsided to a whimper now as he did his best to focus back on the battle. Blinking quite a bit and rather distracted by the pain, Stallis ran forward, going for Kaze's opposite side. This time, he went for her stomach.

Brother saw Timber's look, but hadn't the time to acknowledge it as he deftly stepped back out of Kaze's way.

He sighed inwardly though, as Stallis ran in for the attack again. Bolting after the smaller male, Brother did his best to keep himself between the semi-blinded Stallis and the punishment of Kaze's fangs. Swinging around to the opposite side of Timber, he went for eyes with claws and teeth, anything to get her either blinded, or move her into Timber's way so he would have a better shot.

Kaze snarled out angrily and leapt to the side as she noticed Brother's attack. She went right into Timber, but shot forward at first signs of him getting his fangs into her flesh. She pulled away and then thrashed wildly, avoiding anything serious. She broke away, growling in slight frustration. She was done with these three... For now. With a howl, she bolted off and ran straight into the underbrush.

Elder Brother continued growling as Kaze retreated, still keeping himself between the wounded Stallis and her path of flight, just in case she changed her mind. Finally deciding that she had gone, he lay down, blood streaming from maw, shoulder and side.

At this, Tahmores put away his knife and moved forward, speaking softly to Stallis, not knowing how the other would react. He had no idea if the male would let him look at the eye, but he needed to ascertain the kind of damage. Let out a low whine and speaking softly, he said, There now, pack-brother. Let me have a look at that eye? Can't be having a one-eyed brother, now can we? You'd do better with both eyes working. Will you let me look? This was accompanied a twitch of the head to one side, his version of the questioning pose of wolves, and a few, slow hand movements of the kind he had seen Martha use to get canines to come to her. It was an odd mix of human world and wolven, but then the boy was an odd mix as well. Still speaking quietly, cajoling, he waited.

Timber only followed Kaze a short ways before turning back to the others. He padded towards Elder Brother, "Thanks, for saving my brother." The collie said. HIs voice didn't sound all that enthusiastic, but his eyes showed he was truely grateful. His muzzle was mauled enough so that blood dripped steadily from it, but Timber knew that this wasn't one of the worst fights he had been in.

Stallis was once again bothering with his eye, once Kaze has disengaged. His tulip ears perked up, however, at Tahmore's voice. With the afflicted eye squeezed shut, he looked to the human. At first, Stallis shied back, for he hadn't really been in much human contact since he was a pup. But Tahmore's body language eased the wary Stallis, and soon his head went down and his ears laid flat. Flicking his brushy tail from side to side, he approached Tahmores, blinking up at the human with uncertainty.

Timber glanced towards his brother, "Watch your teeth, Stallis. He's a friend." The collie didn't know how Stallis would react to a human, but felt it was necessary to at least warn him to watch his manners.

Brother only nodded, having heard of some of the hardships Timber's family had suffered. In an odd way, the wolf had become a guardian of the ranch, and that duty, to him, included protecting the other canines, if need be.

Tahmores took a little bow as to a brother wolf and slowly held out a hand to be inspected, still speaking softly, calmly. There now, see, I'm no threat. Just like to have a look at that eye, make sure it's ok. Always moving slowly, the boy lifted his other hand and turned both over to show the nervous Stallis that he held nothing to harm him, still talking quietly. A mate of Timber's, are you? Relative, perhaps, I think, the way he looks after you. Well, Timber'll tell you that I do well by canines, usually. Let me have a look at that?

Seeing Stallis' hesitation, Brother spoke up. It's all right. Tahmores is a good boy. My pack raised him. He just wants to see about your eye. That daemoness grazed it pretty well. He won't hurt you.

Timber watched for a moment before taking his leave and heading towards the porch. With a gaping yawn, the collie curled himself up against the house, but didn't close his eyes. Instead, he gazed out across the yard.

Stallis seemed to hesitate, finding himself very unwilling to let anyone take a look at his smarting eye. But with the encouragement of Brother and Timber, Stallis held still after sniffing at Tahmore's hand. His ears were laid back most of the time in submission, but flicked forward now and then to catch the words of the human. His tail even waved a bit, for he liked this boy very much, despite his apprehension about letting his eye be looked at.

Brother saw what Tahmores intended, and spoke quietly. Alright now, if you'll turn your head toward him and open that eye as wide as you can manage, he won't have to touch you, if you don't want. If you don't like what he's doing, just tell him. He understands the idea of most things you say.

Tahmores waited, figuring that Brother was telling Stallis what needed to be done. Keeping an eye on Stallis, he murmured quietly, a little of the whine still in his voice. That's it. Just so I can see. Won't touch it if I don't have to, I promise. I know that's got to sting. Come on, then. Turn your head for me so I can see? He stayed completely still, waiting for Brother to finish and for Stallis to make up his mind.

Stallis slowly turned his head to Tahmores, getting some confidence from Brother's words. The collie couldn't help but whimper a bit, anticipating some sort of pain, "Oh, please don't make it hurt any worse!" He opened his watering eyes as best as he could.

Timber listened to the conversation between Brother and Stallis. "It's amazing how well your master understands us." He pointed out, using the term 'master', for that's what he was use to calling humans.

Tahmores looked at Stallis' eye, letting out a low whine to assure the injured fellow that he would not touch it. Speaking softly, he murmured, Aye, there you go, pack-brother. Nice peice of work you got there. He continued to peer at the eye, trying to ascertain the damage. Finally giving a slow nod, he said, You'll do. It'll be sore for a while, but you'll be able to see out of it okay once it stops watering so badly. He flicked a hand signal at Brother, and waited for the coming translation.

Brother smiled at Timber's comment. It is a bit amazing that he understands so well, but then my mother taught him herself. She was a good teacher and he was a fast learner. Our pack raised him, you know, before the big plague killed them all off. He's had a long time to learn. He is my brother, in a way. He was just a pup when my mother found him, and raised him for several years before I came along. I was the runt, and he protected me. He smiled a little, lost in his own memory and not really noticing if Timber was even interested. I know it's hard to beleive I was the runt. I'm kind of large now. And he let out a low laugh. But I'm actually still quite small for my pack. But anyway, he protected me from the rest of the pack's bullying, and from then on, we were raised as brothers. He finally trailed off, catching Tahmores' hand signal.

Turning to Stallis, he said, Your eye is going to be ok in a few days. You'll be able to see, but it'll sting for a while. He could give you a salve that would make the pain stop, but he'd have to touch it just for a moment. It won't hurt too bad, just a little sting, and then it'll feel better. But then, it's up to you. If you don't want the salve, just go over and sit by Timber and Tahmores will leave it there. He never insists on it. And in any case, you eye will be better in a few days, with or without the salve. Either way, it's your choice. A smile and a tail wave let Stallis know that the words were really true, but he was too tired just yet to get up and go about. He wasn't badly injured, but the blood loss made him tired. Tahmores would tend to him when he was finished with Stallis.

Stallis listened to the human's words, understanding all the tones, but not anything else. Still, the tones were enough to ease the collie's mind and let him trust in Tahmores.

Timber listened quietly to the story that Brother told, and was very much amazed at it. His eyes got a bit wider when he spoke of Tahmores actually living with wolves. It was a totally new concept to the collie. But he waited until Brother was finished explaining things to Stallis before speaking to him again, "That's quite a tale, Brother. I've never heard of a human being taken in by wolves.

But as he said that, Stallis glanced his way, "I've heard the stories. In fact, Quake told me that this is still going on. Wolves raising humans." Stallis had calmed down quite a bit now, though his eye was still watering badly, and he couldn't help but keep blinking it. Still, he was determined to gain trust in this human, as well as help ease the nagging pain in his wounded orb. So he sat still, wagging his tail a bit to let Tahmores know that he would take the treatment.

Timber turned from Stallis to Brother once again, "Ah, well, I guess Stallis would know. He lived in the wild most of his life, and I suppose the stories would travel there more than they would here at the Ranch." The collie pointed out, "I must admit, that is very fascinating." Timber was quite for a moment, "You and I have something in common though. We both have lost our families, and are left with only a brother."

Tahmores smiled as he saw that Stallis trusted him at least enough to let him treat the eye. Giving Brother another, different signal, he dug into the neck of his tunic and pulled out a bottle on a string that hung round his neck, waiting for Brother to translate.

Brother smiled and nodded in all the right places, saying, Yes, my pack had a sort of an alliance with the pack of Tahmores' mother, much as you have with your masters. We protected their hide houses from the more vicious animals that wandered about, and they provided us with warm places to come when the winter became bitter, and safe places to birth our pups. And he once agin trailed off, seeing his boy's signal. Turning to Stallis, he said, Oky he's going to wipe a bit of that stuff on the corner of your eye. It'll hurt for just a second, and then feel much better. Just hold still.

Tahmores globbed some of the salve onto his finger, and waited for Brother's translation to finish. He gave Stallis a moment to brace himself, and then gently swiped the stuff onto his eye, pulling his fingers back quickly, for he knew from treating Brother that Stallis might snap, just from the pain, and not really intending to hurt him at all. There you are, pack-brother. All set now.

Stallis wriggled about a bit as he sat, nervous about this stuff that was going to be put in his eye, but he held his head still at least. Straining to keep his eye open, he watched as Tahmores got the paste on his finger, and brought it forward. With a yelp, Stallis jumped back, blinking his eyes anew at the sting of the paste. But he did what he could not to paw at the stinging orb, and as Brother had said, the pain quickly eased until it was less than what it had been before the paste was applied. Giving a big sigh, he looked to Tahmores and wagged his tail, then approached and offered the human a lick on his hand, as a sign of his trust and friendship.

Timber watched the interaction while he listened to Brother speak. "I've always been fascinated by your kind. There are some that are cruel and mean, and then there are, well, ones like you." He laughed lightly, offering Brother a rare smile. "The pack you speak of, the one of Tahmores' mother, is even more intereting. They sound very... close to nature."

Tahmores remained absolutely still as Stallis tossed about for a while, wincing as the yelp hit the air, for it did him almost a physical hurt to know that a pack-brother was in pain. He was touched however, as his hand grew moist, looking down to see a salmon tongue disappearing back inside Stallis maw. Daring for just a minute, he reached up slowly and scratched gently in Stallis' ruff, which was Brother's favorite place to be scratched. He only let the contact remain a moment, though, before he withdrew the hand, not wishing to make Stallis uncomforable. Getting up slowly with a sigh, he moved over to tend Brother.

Brother smiled in response to Timber, and winced only a touch as Tahmores began to bind his wounds, turning a bit to give a mock snap, which Tahmores batted away lightly. Harks perking again at Timber's speech, he replied, Yes, the pack of Tahmore's mother was very close to nature. They lived in it, you know. Not in a wood den like this, not with the furs...clothes, rather... that your masters wear. They wore hide of deer, moose, elk. They had a great respect for the land and the creatures. I had the fortunate occasion to witness one of their hunts, once. It was a large bull elk and it actually killed one member of the pack before they could bring it down. But even as they mourned and buried their brother, they buried the bones of the elk as well, and sent a prayer to their Great Mother, their deity, for the soul of the elk. And his voice and eyes held the awe he had felt, watching.

His eyes turned hard, though, as he came out of his reverie. But then the boy's father came. All noise and color, to uproot the boy from his comfortable home with us and take him to his great human packland. He threw things at Tahmores, and hit him, and forced him to live inside and go to their den of learning, and told him he must never return to the lands of his mother. And his teeth bared as he continued. Then, one day, he went too far. He hurt my boy, almost killed him. I never liked the boy's father, but NO ONE... NO ONE threatens Tahmores without facing to me. I killed him. I killed that no good money-grubbing son of a... and he stopped, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. And that is when we came here, to your mistress. She helped us. She healed my boy. And so I will defend this place, these people, these brethren of yours, and all the livestock that reside here with my life. I do not take debts lightly. And he met Timber's eyes once more, a fierce blaze in his eyes that was part fury, part determination, part loyalty, but the greater part was a great love for Tahmores, all the family he had left.

Stallis almost relented at Tahmores' returned touch, but in the next moment, he felt great joy in the sensation. It reminded him of his days as a pup, when he lived here at the Ranch. When John would pet him, and when Martha would stroke his fur when he laid by the fireplace inside. Ah, the good old days! Then Tahmores left to care for Elder Brother, and Stallis was left with the urge to feel that wonderful sensation again, one which only a human paw could make. Stallis wanted to run to the Ranch and seek out John, and get the teen to pet him again. Yet the collie just stayed where he was. His wild years roaming the woods had put a strange barrier between him and his masters.

Timber was awe-stricken by the story that Brother wove. A deep-seeded desire to be with these people that the wolf spoke of awoke in the collie, but he'd never abandonded his masters here. Something of a burning hate smoldered in Timber's stomach as he heard of the Tahmores' sire, and then a great satisfaction at hearing how Brother dealt with it. And then pride, when Brother spoke of how his own master, Martha, had helped them both. "I am glad you are on our side, then." Timber said at last, giving a joking smile, but there was a hint of seriousness in his words.

A nearby noise caused the collie to jolt, coming swiftly to attention as the fur along his spine rose high. His eyes flashed wide and his head shot in the direction of the porch. Then his jaws gaped open slightly and his tail quivered. "Shimmer....!?!" Timber whispered, spotting a canine at the door of the Ranch. Without another word, Timber shot off towards the porch.