The lean black and white boarder collie sauntered around the house cautiously. You could see her ribs and she was searching for something to eat. She hadn't eaten in a long time and just about anything would be good right now. She sniffed at the porch and sighed, nothing. Laying down on one of the stepps she closed her eyes, her body was so weak and she could move anymore. She was only 2, and if she at and gained some weight she would be beautiful. You could tell she was pretty, but right now she needed food and someone to love her, and she needed some friends.

After a while, the human wife came out from the house, heading for the horses to feed them. But hardly had she set foot outside when she spotted Kara. "Oh, you poor little thing!" she crooned, seeing how thin the dog was. Martha had a soft spot for collies, and she desperately missed Elsa and Masenas, as well as Nak, Crouns, and Stallis. Martha knelt down and called to Kara, seeing if she would come nearer.

Kara lifted her head when Martha came outside, and she wagged her tail weakly. When Martha called her she stood up slowly and walked over, pushing her head into the lady's hands.

She spoke again, stroking the collie's head and thinking longingly of Elsa. Her voice sounded soft and sympathetic, and very kind. Standing up, Martha went inside. Soon, she was back out and pouring dog food into a bowl. She smiled down at Kara and waited to see if she would eat it.

Abigale never strayed too far from the house, and so it didn't take long for her to pick up the scent of the stranger. The mother collie quickly saw that all was well, so she approached Kara in a friendly manner, "Who are you? I'm Abigale." she looked at the other collie quizically, but there was a look of sadness in her searching eyes. From a distance, she had thought for a fleeting moment that Kara was Elsa.

Kara ate the food hungrily, and licked Martha's hand in thanks. When Abigale approached she put her tail between her legs in a submissive stance. But when Abigale introduced herself she smiled, "I'm Kara." She said. She layed down at Martha's feet, glad to have found a nice human. In the past she had had a lot of different owners, they all abused her and never gave her food, that was why she was so thin. Now she hoped she could stay, she liked it here already.

Martha opened the door and called to the two collies. Abigale looked up and wagged her tail, then turned to Kara, "Come in, Kara. We can talk by the fireplace." Abigale strood proudly inside, curious to learn more about this dog. She was very eager to have new company at the house, for it was desperately lonely without any other she-collies. There was Becca, of course, but she was such a grand fighter and had spent much of her time out in the pastures guarding the flock. And Ivy... Abigale could only fear the worse.

Kara fallowed and layed down next to the warm fire with a sigh. It had been a long time sense she had been inside a house. She looked over at Abigale and smiled, "Are their any other dogs around here?" She asked.

As the she-collie lay down by the fire as well, the saddened look came back to her face, although she tried to hide it with a kind smile, "Yes, there are a few. My mate Rollin, and our son Timber. Becca also lives here; she's a mix of different breeds, and part wolf." The collie looked into the fire, "There has been a lot of heartache lately... I know my masters will be estatic to have you here." again she looked to Kara, "Tomorrow perhaps, I can introduce you to some of the other animals that live here."

Martha had sat down in a chair and was busy knitting away to make a blanket. A baby would be due in a few months. Every now and then, she looked happily down at Kara and Abigale.

Kara listened to Abigail and smiled, "That would be wonderful, thank you for being so nice to me." She said with another smile. She then layed her head on Martha's foot and dozed, excited about meeting the other animals and dogs the next day.

The hybrid had spent most of his time away from the house, but near the pastures. The scent of new dogs lured him back to the house. Aidan circled around the house and reared up against one of the livingroom windows. By now he had grown into a fairly large adult and was almost all black, save a few patches of deep brown, and a ruddish hue to his ruff and back. Aidan gave a deep 'woof' when he spotted Abigale and Kara lying near the fire. His tail waved in a friendly manner.

Kara shot her head up quickly, startled by the sound of the unfamiliar hybrid. Looking to the window she saw him and smiled faintly, "Who is that?" She said to Abigail.

The collie turned her dail swiftly towards the window before giving a smile, "Oh, I almost forgot! That's Aidan. He doesn't hang around the house much, but he does live here." Abigale looked to Martha, who was standing and shouting now at the hybrid. Grinning, she spoke again the Kara, "Martha doesn't let him inside much. He's just too big and wily."

The hybrid scrambled away from the window with ears back but tail wagging. He carried sheepish sort of look on his muzzle, a sort of 'sorry, I forgot I wasn't suppost to do that' Then he ran around to the other side of the house.

A moment later, a deep and resounding howl rent the air. Bored and frustrated he couldn't meet the new arrival, Aidan set up to howling to the world about it.

Kara giggled at what Abigale said and started to laugh when she heard Aidan's howling, "Can we go and meet everyone else now?" She asked, eager to see more of the Ranch. Though she was still very thin, it would take her a couple of weeks to get back to a healthy weight, she felt good already. It felt nice to been in a warm house with a caring human and a new friend.

With the grinning smile still tugging at her features, she responded, "Now's a good time. I'd be best to get that rascal quite before he really upsets Martha!" The collie laughed and stood, stretching her legs. She strode out of the living room and into the kitchen where the front door was located. Then she scratched at it.

Martha set down her things and hurried across the rooms then opened the door for Abigale. She held it open for Kara as well, incase she wanted to go out.

Abigale steps outside, "Aidan, hush up before you get into more trouble!" Her words were jesting though, and held no real demanding tone in them. Then, looking back to Kara, she spoke once more, "I'll show you the Barn first. We have many friends there. Follow Aidan, if you wish." The collie soon made for the Barn.

Kara fallowed Abigale, and before she went outside she gave Martha's hand a frined lick. Stepping outside she smiled at Aidan, "Hello, I'm Kara." She said in a friendly tone. Listening to Abigale she nodded, "Alright, let's go!" She said, eager to meet the others, though she was nervouse as well. She then fallowed Abigale to the Barn.

"Hiya, I'm Aidan!" he barked enthusiastically, prancing his front feet like a puppy. His mischeivous eyes gave Martha a quick glance before he bounded after the other two.