It had been a year since the pups had come into the world and it had been a year since adoption day. Even though it was a long time ago, the day still burnt inside Soul and Rex’s memory. Only three pups had been taken to new homes and no one had adopted Nita or Lisa yet, but they were still hoping.

‘ How long will it take for us to get adopted Dad?’ Nita asked as she and Lisa played outside a forest.

‘ I don’t know…most humans already have dogs and we’ll just have to wait until a new human comes to town. I waited and I’ve got a human.’ Rex explained as he watched them tumble and roll over.

‘ And how did you get a human? Were you put in box with your brothers and sisters?’ Lisa asked as she stopped playing.

‘ Yes, I was put in a box, but a human didn’t pick me up, I didn’t really know until I saw my reflection with your mother. Then I put myself on a racing team and…I won the race and I’ve also been known as a miracle to most dogs, like Cloud and Diamond.’ Rex explained, but he knew that he wasn’t telling the entire story.

‘ Who’s Cloud and Diamond?’ Nita asked as she stared at Rex with her bright blue eyes. Her coat didn’t shine when the sun hit it, but it still glittered. She had her fathers colours, but Aleu's markings. On her front left leg was a birthmark, but not a normal one. It was shaped like a wolf howling and it wrapped around her leg.

‘ Cloud and Diamond are a father and daughter. After a cougar attack when Diamond was a pup, she was thought to be dead, but she wasn’t and I got them back together.’ Rex explained.

‘ How did you do it?’ Lisa asked as she scratched her white ear. Her amber eyes were stuck on Rex though.

‘ I’ll tell you some other time.’ Rex said. Lisa and Nita then went back to playing, but Nita then stopped and concentrated on the forest next to her. The pine trees towered over her as she walked towards them.

‘Nita! You know that we can’t go in there, Dad said that there are wolves, bears and lots of other wild animals that we aren’t allowed to encounter. We have to go anyway. Come on!’ Lisa explained as she pulled Nita away.

****

In town, Nita walked home slowly. Her sister and father were already home, but Nita didn’t want to go yet.

  ‘ Hey! Nita, aren’t you late for brain surgery? Oh, wait! There’s no brain to do it on!’

‘ Vince. Shouldn’t you be at the circus doing a freak show? ‘Cause, you are the main attraction.’ Nita said as she turned to see a Pointer about her age. He had no colour in his eyes and he had been in many fights as you could see from his scars.

‘ Don’t try and be funny or you’re asking for a fight.’ Vince said.

‘ OK. Then I’ll go.’ Nita said as she started walking towards her house. Vince then turned away and went to his house.

In Rex’s house, he and Lisa were eating from their bowls.

‘Nita, you know that you’re meant to come inside before dusk. The moon’s already out.’ Rex said as he ate the last bits of food.

‘ I know Dad, but it was Vince again. He keeps bullying me about me being part German Shepard and my birthmark. I hate the guy.’ Nita said as she walked over to her bowl.

 ‘ You’ve got to ignore him.’ Lisa said as she finished her food.

‘ Your sister’s right.’ Rex said as he sat by a fire.

‘ I know, but I feel like killing him.’ Nita said as she sat next to her father. Lisa did the same, but lay down beside him.

‘ It’s getting late now and your mother can’t visit tonight. Try get some sleep girls.’ Rex said as his human went upstairs to his bed.

‘ Since Mom isn’t coming, can you sing something for us?’ Lisa asked.

‘ OK. I’ll try, but only a short one,’ Rex said. He then cleared his throat and hummed a few bars.

‘ Somebody wants you,
 Somebody needs you,
Someone is searching for your heart alone,
Someone is dreaming, waiting and watching,
Someone is coming to take you home.

Time it will fly like the sun in the sky,
And once was hello will turn to goodbye.

 Tomorrow is here now,
Child of my heart,
Sings in your ear now,
Your life is your own,

 Never you fear now,

 Your path is clear now,

 Someone who loves you,

 Someone who loves you is taking you home.’

Nita and Lisa were soon asleep. Rex just managed to shut his eyes before sleeping.

 The next morning, Rex and his daughters went to the forest border, but not to close.

 ‘ Dad, can we go in the forest?’ Nita asked.

 ‘ No. It’s forbidden, you know that.’ Rex answered as he lay on the ground.

 ‘ But why is it? There’s nothing wrong with the forest, it’s never hurt you.’ Nita protested.

 ‘ It has. Deeply, it nearly changed history. If your mother hadn’t rescued me, you wouldn’t be born.’ Rex said as he lifted his head, but looked away from his daughter. Lisa then pulled Nita away from