Little Soft Paw 4j711

Little Soft Paw

James Gary Carter

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2017 James Gary Carter. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/14/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0039-0 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-5462-0038-3 (e) ISBN: 978-1-5462-0040-6 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017911154

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER ONE

Old Long Tooth turned to his pack leader; “We’d better get going Blue Pelt; they’ve almost caught up with us. I can’t smell them yet; but I can hear them”. “Yeah”, said Blue Pelt, “we need to get a move on”. Just then a bullet kicked up dirt right next to Blue Pelt’s front, left paw. “Run”! He yelled out, “They’re closer than we thought”. Everyone took off at the same time. Little Soft Paw tried to stay next to his mother, but a bullet pinged off of a rock between them; causing them to swerve away from each other. He tried to head back in her direction but bullets were hitting the ground all around him. He knew he was drawing farther away from the pack but there was nothing he could do about it. He consoled himself with the fact that he could still hear the other’s thoughts; although they were growing weaker as the distance increased. Little Soft Paw heard the sound of a motorcycle growing closer. It was coming from his left. He swerved to his right and tried to run harder; but the two-wheeler was still coming closer. He felt fear grip him as he realized he could no longer hear his Mother calling to him. He tried thinking to the others of the pack; but his heart sank as he realized they were gone. He had never felt so alone in his young life. Little Soft Paw was so overcome with despair he didn’t notice the forest end at the edge of a high cliff. He yelled out in terror to his Mother as he went off the cliff. He could see the water far below; it was coming at him with great speed. He prepared himself for the plunge into the icy mountain water. For the first time in his short life Little Soft Paw felt horror; as he went down under the surface of the water. He held his breath and tried desperately to paddle his way back to the surface. Just as he thought he could no longer hold out, his head broke out of the water. He breathed in great gulps of air; as he listened to the report of a high-powered rifle. Little Soft Paw knew he was the target. He was grateful the swift flowing water was putting a lot of distance between him and the hunter. The river rounded a bend; and he breathed a sigh-of-relief as he realized the hunter could no longer see him.

Loneliness and despair filled him once again. How could he find his pack? Which direction should he go? While escaping from the hunter he became completely lost; he had no idea where his family was. Little Soft Paw felt something telling him to go west and north. He had no idea where the instinctive feeling was coming from; he just knew he had to go that direction. He ed his father telling him to always follow his instincts if he ever became lost. He was determined to do what his father told him. He was wet and cold by the time he found a place to get out of the water; but the rocks around him were warm from the sun. He warmed himself on them for a while; but he knew he had to move on. The sun was low on the horizon when he reentered the forest. He was immediately accosted by an irate squirrel that told him to move on or else; and then tried to hit him. Little Soft Paw had him for dinner; he was very tasty for such a mean little critter. Afterwards he realized he was sleepy. He found a tiny cave behind some bushes; it was filled with leaves. He felt warm and comfortable inside. After he enjoyed a good nights’ sleep he felt the need to move on again. He realized something was still pulling him in the same direction as the day before. He set out toward the northwest. By noon he was in open country and felt vulnerable because he had no natural cover. Sprinting from one outcropping of rocks to another eased his mind somewhat; but it was not the same as having a nice forest to hide in. By the next afternoon he could see a huge forest looming in front of him. When Little Soft Paw was only a hundred yards from the forest, he heard a tremendous roar behind him and to his left. He turned his head to look in that direction and his heart raced with fear; he almost froze in his tracks. To do so, however, would have meant certain death. It was a huge mountain lion that was bearing down on him at full speed. He took off as fast as his legs would carry him in an effort to escape the hungry lion. He could hear the beast gaining on him; his little legs were moving as fast

as they could. He prayed he would make it to the forest; he knew he would have a better chance of getting away in the cover of the undergrowth. He could hear the lion right behind him; he could almost feel his breath on the fur of his back. Instinct made him suddenly swerve to his right. Just as he did, he saw the lion’s paw sweep past his flank. If he hadn’t ducked he would have been knocked off his feet. His little legs gained strength from the scare. Missing his target temporarily broke the lion’s stride. Little Soft Paw made it into the forest; but the lion regained his balance and was right behind him. Now that he was in the forest, Little Soft Paw felt more at home. He spotted some underbrush that would be hard for the lion to get through. He sped under the brush and out of the way of the lion’s gaping jaws. He changed directions in the middle of the undergrowth, hoping to throw the lion off his trail; but it didn’t work. The hungry beast must have heard him. When he came back out into the open the beast was only a short distance away. Little Soft Paw ran behind a huge rock jutting up from the forest floor; then changed directions. Again, it did not fool the lion; it came around the other side of the rock and now it was almost as close as before. The lion was rapidly gaining ground on him. Little Soft Paw suddenly sensed something in his mind. It was a fleeting thought from somewhere; just a vague feeling of something familiar, then it was gone. He tried to zigzag back and forth to throw the lion off his stride; but the lion was very agile. Again his instinct told him to swerve. Just as he did, the lion struck. If he hadn’t made the sudden move he would have been knocked to the ground; and that would have been fatal. Little Soft Paw felt the fleeting thought again; and this time it was a little stronger. Then he recognized Old Long Tooth. He cried out to him in desperation; the lion was almost on him. … … Not far away, Old Long Tooth stopped in his tracks; arrested by the anguished cry of a familiar voice. “Blue Pelt”, he yelled to his leader, “I just heard Little Soft Paw cry out for help. Something is after him; it’s this way”. The whole pack took off after Old Long Tooth; as fast as they could move. After about twenty

yards Blue Pelt heard his son calling out to him. He took over the lead, “Hold on, Son; we’re coming. What’s after you”? “It’s a big lion Daddy; and I can’t run much longer”. Fear gripped Blue Pelt, “Just hold on Son; we’re coming”! Little Soft Paw ran on in desperation; but he knew he was getting weak from exhaustion. As he rounded a tree he felt a sharp blow to his left hind quarters. He felt himself tumble across the forest floor; and onto his back. He looked up in terror at the lions gaping mouth; all he could see was huge, carnivorous teeth. His heart sank, he cried out in terror to his father. Just as the lions jaws closed on his neck, Little Soft Paw heard a deep throated growl. The lion looked up just as Blue Pelt’s teeth sank into his shoulder. The lion drew back sharply just as Old Long Tooth came snarling into the fray; followed by White Chest (Little Soft Paw’s Mother); who was not going to be deprived of a shot at her son’s attacker. Within seconds the whole pack was on the lion. He knew he was out numbered; he turned and ran from the scene in great haste. White Chest came to stand over her son. Little Soft Paw was taking in great gulps of air; trying to catch his breath. After a few minutes of hard breathing, Little Soft Paw began to feel normal again. It was wonderful to be back with his family. He went around the whole pack, rubbing and sniffing everyone in turn. “I’m very thirsty, Mom”. He said. “Don’t worry, Honey”; his Mother said; “there’s a small stream right over this way”. He followed his Mother to the small, mountain stream and the whole pack enjoyed a nice drink. Afterward, they had a nice nap; then Old Long Tooth said, “We’d better be on our way, Blue Pelt; we’re burning daylight”. “You’re so right”, said Blue Pelt; “alright everyone, let’s travel”. As they made their way through the forest, Little Soft Paw was curious; “Where are we going, Daddy”? He asked. “We’re going to a mystical place where wolves are not hunted and there is plenty of game for us, Son”. “What’s this place called, Daddy”? He asked. “It’s called Yellowstone, Son; and we can live

there in peace; without being shot or trapped”. “Mom”, said Little Soft Paw, as they fell in behind the Pack Leader, “where are my brothers and sisters”? “The hunters got them, Son; they’re in canine heaven now”. “What’s canine heaven, Mom”? Little Soft Paw asked. “That’s a place where all good canines, that are loyal to their pack and are kind and helpful, go when they die”. “What’s this place like, Mom”? “Well, you can nap all you want; there’s always plenty of food; you never have to hunt and you can play all day long”. His Mother replied. “So that’s where my brothers and sisters are”; said Little Soft Paw, “well, good for them; at least I know they’re all happy now”.

CHAPTER TWO

Little Soft Paw turned to his Mother, “Mom, what are the sounds coming from the mouths of these humans”? “They’re words”; said White Chest; “That’s the way people communicate; they don’t know how to think to each other, so they say their words out loud”. ‘But their words are strange, Mom; I don’t understand anything they say”. “I know, Son; they don’t use the same words wolves do”. Little Soft Paw went to lope along with his Father. “Dad, when are we going to get to Yellowstone”? “We’re there, Son; this is Yellowstone”. … …The pack found life very gratifying at Yellowstone; the people at the park seemed to appreciate them. They were left alone to hunt as they pleased; and there was plenty of game to go around. One day Little Soft paw was playing with a Frisbee he found in the grass. He turned around when he felt a gentle touch along his back. It was a small human girl who was stroking his pelt. Little Soft Paw knew instantly she was just being friendly and there was no threat from her. They played for a while and it was fun to run and tumble with her. He could feel the love she had for him. Little Soft Paw heard the girl’s Mother call out to her. She went to the camper vehicle where her family was; and came back with a very good smelling thing that looked vaguely like a bone. She held the thing under his nose and he followed her into the RV. The next thing Little Soft Paw knew was a feeling that the earth was moving. It was the RV starting down the road that led out of the park. Little Soft Paw figured out they were moving when he jumped up onto a seat and peered out a window. He cocked his head to one side and sent a thought to the little girl; “I like you but I can’t go with you; my family lives here at Yellowstone”. The girl smiled at him; “You’re going to like your new home; my name is Christi”. He didn’t understand the strange human words she used; but he knew he was getting farther away from the pack. Little Soft Paw knew there was nothing he could do; so he took a nice long nap.

The constant rhythm of the moving vehicle lulled him into a deep sleep; with his head resting in the lap of the little girl, who had claimed him as her own. She too, was soon fast asleep.Little Soft Paw had a new family; and his pack was rapidly receding from his thoughts.

CHAPTER 3

As time ed, Little Soft Paw became part of his new pack. They all loved him and accepted him as one of the family. They loved to play and romp with him. They used a strange word for his name; ‘Wolfy’ they called him. He had no idea what it meant, but it didn’t take him long to get used to it. As time ed, Wolfy grew to full adulthood. He realized he was a big, powerful wolf. He longed to be back with his pack; but he loved his new family. He was torn between his need to be back with the pack, and the easy, care-free life he lived with his human family. One night, as he lay sleeping on his doggie mattress, he was startled awake by the sound of breaking glass. Wolfy was on his feet instantly. Every one of his keen senses told him there was grave danger. He heard Dad coming down the stairs. When he reached the bottom and stepped into the living room a strange man put a gun at his head and pulled him over to the big couch; then pushed him down onto it; while taking the baseball bat away from him. Mom was right behind dad; and another man grabbed her and pushed her down onto the couch beside Dad. The first man brought his gun up and pointed it at Dad’s head. Wolfy didn’t know what he was saying but he knew it was bad and mean. He didn’t have to think about what to do; he made a run at the arm that held the gun to Dad’s head. The only warning the man had was a deep growl some fraction of a second before Soft Paw’s teeth sank into his arm.

The gun fell to the floor; just as Christi’s big brother, Timmy, quietly stepped off the stairs behind the other man, who was lining his gun up on Wolfy, and knocked him out with a blow from another baseball bat. They all crowded around Wolfy; hugging him and telling him what a good boy he was. Soft Paw had learned to understand a lot of the human words; but there were still a lot he didn’t know. Some policemen came but Soft Paw felt no threat from them; some of them even patted him on the head, telling him what a good boy he was. He didn’t like the smell of their guns, though; and was glad when they left. After the policemen took the bad men away they all sat around and discussed what had happened. Wolfy, sensing no more danger; got sleepy again and went back to bed. The rest of the family soon settled down and followed his example. One week later Christi and Timmy took Wolfy to the dog park. He loved the dog park; he could run and play with the other dogs. Soft Paw heard a strange noise. He looked around to see a huge machine moving along the fence that surrounded the dog park. He had never seen an earthmoving machine before; and was frightened by the sheer size of the thing. Wolfy watched as the huge machine rolled by. The driver saw him sitting there watching and gave him a friendly wave. Wolfy saw the wave and barked a greeting in return. He immediately lost his fear of the thing. As Soft Paw sat watching, the machine hit a large rock that was covered by grass. It caused the machine to veer into the fence; and lifted it up into the air. There was a huge opening now and Soft Paw instantly realized this was his chance. In a flash he was through the opening and gone. He was free at last; no more harnesses and leashes. He ran with the abandon of a long imprisoned canine. His senses took him to the north; and a little to the east. He ed the words of his father once again; “If you’re ever lost, Son, follow your instincts”. Soft Paw did just that. After several days of traveling in the direction his instincts told him, Soft paw thought he saw something familiar. It was a Park Ranger. Soft Paw realized he

was home; he sent thoughts out to the Pack, and was greeted with the combined thoughts of all of them. They were overjoyed to have him back. It took Soft Paw a full hour to catch up to them (he couldn’t travel in a straight line and had to go over a rocky hill). When he did, the questions were endless; he spent the rest of the day telling them all about what life was like, living with a human family. Soft paw noticed a very pretty female standing by his Mother. He strolled over to them and licked his Mother’s face. Then he turned to the comely female, “You have the prettiest gray eyes I’ve ever seen”. He said. She chuckled, “That’s my name, Soft Paw, ‘Gray Eyes’. I have been trying to get your Mother to introduce me to you”. Soft Paw licked her face; and she licked his face back. He felt something he had never felt before; but couldn’t exactly explain it. He decided he would talk to his Father about it later on. The pack had just made a kill; so there was plenty of food. The Pack lounged around and napped and played for a couple of days; giving Soft Paw a chance to catch up on current events. Although there was plenty of food, it didn’t seem to last as long as Soft Paw thought it should. He approached his Father, “Dad,” said Soft Paw, “that was a lot of food but it only lasted a few days. Is that normal? It seems to me that a kill used to last longer”. “I’m glad you said something, Son”. Blue Pelt said; “Look around; there are way too many of us; now that we are protected.’ ‘We need to split into two packs, Son. Now, normally when a pack does that, one of its male has a fight with the leader and then the two split up the pack. In that scenario, some of the pack will go with each Alfa male; and form two separate packs.’ ‘I think, though, considering the circumstances, that we will break with tradition and just inform the pack about what we are doing. Then they can choose with whom they want to go; and we won’t have to have a big squabble”. “I love you, Dad”. Soft Paw said. He rubbed noses with his Father. Blue Pelt

licked his face, affectionately, “I love you, too, son”. He replied. “There is just one thing you have to do before we do that, Son; come with me”. Blue Pelt led his Son to stand side by side in front of the pack. “Everyone, listen up. It is time for Soft Paw to take a mate. The Pack is way too big; we need to split up but my Son and I have decided to make it a peaceful split.’ ‘Those of you who want to go with Soft Paw can go; the others will stay with me; but first, Soft Paw has to take a mate. Blue Pelt turned to his son, “Choose your mate, Son; and choose well. She will be with you the rest of your life. Soft Paw started to drift through the Pack. He came upon a pretty female and sniffed her; but she tucked her tail down and between her hind legs, so he moved on. He saw another cute female; but again she tucked her tail between her legs. Soft Paw moved on to the next female; and found himself face to face with Gray Eyes. He smiled to himself as he sniffed her. Her tail lifted into the air; then curled around into a circle. Soft Paw knew he had found his Life-Mate. He licked her face and she licked him back; “I knew you would choose me”. She said. Soft Paw chuckled; “I had a feeling, too; I just didn’t recognize it for what it was; at first.’ ‘I’m a guy; you have to explain these things to me”. “In the future”, replied Gray Eyes, “I will keep you informed, about how much you love me, at all times; just don’t be sniffing any more females”. Soft Paw chuckled; “I don’t need to, now”.

CHAPTER 4

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, Soft Paw, what is that thing around your neck”? Gray Eyes asked; her head tilted to the side in curiosity. Soft Paw was watching one of his sons playing with a bone, “It’s called a collar”; he said; “humans use it to identify their pets. If you could read the writing on it, you would know what my human name is”. “You have a human name”! Gray Eyes blurted out in amazement; “What is it; what is it; what is it”? Soft Paw chuckled; “Alright, alright! I’ll tell you; it’s Wolfy”. “Wolfy”! Exclaimed Gray Eyes; “What does it mean”? “I have no idea”; said Soft Paw; “it’s just a name”. “Humans are strange creatures”; said Gray Eyes; “they are big and strong; and they have powerful machines and weapons; but they can be as cruel as they can be gentle and kind”. “I agree”; said Soft Paw; “they are a strange bunch, for sure”. Just then Old Long Tooth broke into Soft Paws’ thoughts; “It’s time to go hunting Soft Paw; we’re out of meat. I spotted some buffalo not far away”. “Good”; said Soft Paw; “let’s go check it out; then we’ll set a trap”. The entire pack trotted off after Old Long Tooth. They didn’t have to go far before they caught up with the slow-moving buffalo herd. “Listen up all you young wolves; school is now in session. Help if you can; but mostly just watch and learn. Someday you’ll have to hunt for the pack; so, learn all you can; without getting yourself killed.” Soft Paw went around the outskirts of the buffalo herd and positioned his runners where he wanted them. Then he positioned the hunters, the ones who would make the kill, down-wind from the herd. When everyone was in place Soft Paw gave the signal. The pack started the herd toward the point where the trap would be sprung. The buffalo panicked and started to run; which was normal. The ground vibrated as hundreds of hooves went to a full run across the park. The pack could hear, and feel, the thunder of the stampeding herd. The thrill of the chase filled them with excitement. Long Tooth spotted the one they would bring down and told everyone which one it was. They waited for the runners to bring the herd close enough to spring the

trap. It didn’t take long. Long Tooth sprang from his crouching position when the chosen target was just a few yards away from him; with Knee Bumper and Long Ears close behind him. They all hit the target at the same time; Old Long Tooth went for the throat; Long Ears jumped up onto the back of the creature; hoping his weight would throw the thing off balance. Knee Bumper dug his claws into the left hind quarter; while wrapping his legs around the left hind leg of the animal. The buffalo tripped and went down in a heap; tumbling over the ground. Long Ears was thrown from the back of the buffalo by the sudden fall. He let out a screech of pain when he landed on his right front leg; and did not have time to brace himself. He went tumbling through the grass; howling in pain. The rest of the pack caught up to the kill. Soft Paw finished the kill; then went to check on Long Ears. Long Tooth was already there. “How badly is he hurt”? Soft Paw asked. “His right front leg is broken”. Old Long Tooth said. “Is there anything we can do”? Soft Paw asked. “I once saw White Paw, you wouldn’t him; he died before you were born, put both of his paws on a broken leg and straighten it out; but it caused a lot of pain”. “Can you do the same thing for Long Ears”? Soft Paw asked. “I can try”. Long Tooth replied. He then turned his attention to Long Ears; “this is going to hurt like crazy, Long Ears; so, brace yourself”. “Do what you have to do, Long Tooth; I don’t want to go around like this for the rest of my life”. Long Ears let out a cry of pain when Long Tooth put the leg back in place; then he ed out. “Good”; said Long Tooth; “let him sleep. He’ll feel better when he wakes up”. He turned to Soft Paw, “We’ll have to bring him food until he can get up and around again”. The days went by slowly; with Long Ears healing from his injury. After three weeks, Long Ears was finally able to stand. He limped around for a while; but healed quickly once he could walk again. He rejoiced the day he, again, ran with the pack for another kill. He never let himself get caught by surprise again.

CHAPTER 5

The winter was ending. The chill in the air was turning into a pleasantly warm breeze. Soft Paw ed that it was about this time of the year when he went to live with his human family. Thoughts of them came to his mind; he could picture them quite clearly. The next day found him somehow drawn to the place where he met Christi. Something was inexplicably pulling him there. When he arrived with the pack he found a place under a tree and sat down facing the camping area. The others of the pack were curious about what he was doing. They didn’t have to wait long to find out. An RV pulled into a camping spot near where Soft Paw sat watching. He thought it looked familiar so he sniffed the air. The instant the smell of the vehicle filled his nostrils he knew it was his human family. When he saw Christi he ran to greet her. Christi saw him coming; and went down on her knees to greet him. “Wolfy”! She cried out. Soft Paw ran to her and licked her face. Christi hugged him and scratched him in all the places he liked. They spent some time renewing their friendship; along with the rest of the family. Christi got up and got a hold of Soft Paws’ collar; “Come on”; she said; “we’re going home”. Soft Paw drew back sharply enough to break her hold on him; he let out a growl. It was not a menacing growl; it was just to let her know that he had his own family now; and couldn’t go with her. Soft Paw went over to stand by his pack. He walked up to Gray Eyes and licked her face. Gray Eyes curled her tail up and looked at Christi defiantly; “You can’t have him; he belongs to me, the pack, now”. Soft Paw walked slowly back over to Christi. “You see how it is now”. He thought to her. Christi looked at him; “You have your own family now; don’t you. I’ll just bet that you’re their leader, aren’t you”? Christi went back to her knees; “I love you, Wolfy”. She said, as she hugged him goodbye. “I love you all”; Soft Paw thought to them; “but I have to stay with my own kind”. He was slowly backing away from them; back to his pack.

Christi said, “Wait a minute”; as she walked up to him with something shiny in her hand. “This is a good luck charm”. She said, as she fastened it to his collar. Soft Paw turned and headed away from the camping area at a run; with his pack following him. When he was some distance away he stopped; and took a last look back at his human family. He knew he would never see them again; but he also knew that he had done the right thing. Later on that evening Soft Paw stood with his Father, on a hill over-looking their latest kill. Both packs were enjoying a good meal together. Soft Paw turned to his Father, “Dad, my pack is getting too big. I had a talk with my Son, Big Paw. We are going to make a peaceful split and form two packs”. “That’s a good idea, Son”. “Yeah”; said Soft Paw; “I got it from a very insightful Pack Leader”. “That would be me”. Blue Pelt said, with great pride. “Life is good, Son”. Blue Pelt said to his Son. “Yes it is; Dad”. Soft Paw replied.

Short Story By Tsgt James Gary Carter, USAir Force, Retired:

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