After about twenty minutes she heard a rustle in the berry bush.

After about twenty minutes she heard a rustle in the berry bush.

“Smith!” Mocha rushed over to the bush. But what she saw was most certainly not Smith. It was a scruffy white dog. He was beat up and had scars all over him. He had obviously been in many battles. Mocha didn’t back down as the dog glared into her eyes. “Who are you?” Mocha demanded.

“I am Cludge. Leader of The Small Dogs.” The scruffy dog said.

“Why are you here?” Mocha demanded.

The scruffy dog smiled. “Ha! I am here to take your territory! And if you reject, I’ll kill you right here!”

Mocha bared her teeth in a snarl. Just then she heard another rustle in the bushes.

“What’s going on here?”

Mocha turned toward the other dog. It was Smith!

“Thank goodness you’re here!” Mocha ran to Smith’s side.

“What does this guy want?”

Mocha walked over to face the dog again. “He wants our territory.” Mocha declared.

“Well! He’s not gonna-”

Mocha silenced Smith. She walked back over to Cludge. “This calls for war!” Mocha declared.

“Oh, no, no, no, I told you already. There is no war. You either except and live, or decline and die!”

“Shut up! I said war! You want to kill me? Bring it on!”

Cludge’s crude mouth formed a crooked smile. “Do you really want me to?”
“Go ahead!” Mocha growled, waiting for Cludge’s attack.

Cludge hesitated. “Oh fine! The fight can wait for the war! But remember, my pack is much larger than yours.”

“Ha! But your dogs are much smaller than mine! My dogs are brave, fearless fighters! They will tear you and your pack apart! And you remember this: I trust my dogs. I am willing to put my life in their paws. And they are my friends, unlike your dogs. They do what you tell them through fear, not loyalty.” Mocha growled.

“Yes, that may be true, but I need no friends. All I need is my pride and my power.”

“Whatever you say Cludge. The battle begins tomorrow at sun down.”

 

Smith looked at Mocha with satisfaction. “You told him! You spoke with such bravery! You are a good leader Mocha, that I know for sure.”

Mocha only hoped he was right, but she had a feeling that there was no way that to win this battle if her dogs didn’t know about it. She sighed and lead Smith back to the cave.

When the two dogs reached the cave, Mocha turned to Smith. “Now how is one supposed to make an announcement around here?”

Smith laughed. “Well, just follow me and I’ll show you.”

Mocha followed Smith to a big room. The walls was made of black polished stone, and had large quilts with The Pack’s history sewn onto it. Mocha hadn’t seen this room in her tour that her room maid had taken her on, and then again the room maid said she hadn’t the time to show her everything.

Smith lead her up some stairs and into another room. It was small with blue polished stone walls. There were many controls and buttons all over the wall. He lead her over to a little desk that had a phone and computer on it. There was also a chair to sit in.

Mocha stared in amazement. “Heh, heh, we’re very organized.” Smith barked, seeing the look on Mocha’s face.

“But where did you get all this stuff?” Mocha asked, still amazed.

“We made it ourselves. It took a long time, but we managed.” Smith explained. “Well, anyway, you just press the ALL button on the phone. It’ll give you access to the whole cave. If you need to make an announcement or if you need someone, just come up here and press the button. Then you can make your announcement or call for someone.”

Mocha nodded. “Thanks, Smith.”

“Anytime, leader.” Smith gave a little bow. “Now I must be going. I promised I’d help Mimi with her pups.”

Mocha picked up the phone. “Attention all dogs!” She began. “This morning, I ran into Cludge, the leader of The Small Dogs. He says he wants our territory! But we will not let him take it!” Mocha paused as she heard barks and yelps of agreement. “This means war! Now I want all of you to be ready for this battle! And if you are a mother of pups, come to see me in my room.”

Mocha put down the phone and rushed down the stairs and out of the room. She ran down the hallway and flung open the door to her room. She sat on her bed and waited for a while. Before long a group of females came into her room.

“Hello.” Mocha greeted them, nodding for the to sit on her couch. “I’m guessing you all have pups.”

They all nodded.

“We wish to fight in this war alongside the males!” One spoke out, shying away from Mocha’s gaze.

Mocha smiled. “I understand. You may, if you have a babysitter for those puppies!”

The five females nodded. “We have that.”

Mocha was glad. She knew she couldn’t simply say that they couldn’t fight in the war, after all she was a female herself and was also eager to fight, but if they hadn’t had babysitters, she would’ve had to baby-sit!

“Now, may I please have your names? I want to get to know as many dogs in the pack as I can.”

“I’m Lilly.” It was the dark brown husky that had spoken out earlier.

“I’m Rose.” She was a small tan Chihuahua.

“I’m Cinnamon.” She was a tan and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

“I’m Stella.” She was a pretty orange-brown husky.

“And I’m Missy.” She was a pretty silver colored mix breed.

“It’s nice to meet you all.” Mocha barked.

“The problem is,” Missy muttered. “We don’t know how to fight.”

Mocha smiled, thinking of when Smith was training her. “Smith can train you all.”

The females nodded and exited the room.

 

 

“Smith! Smith! Come see, please.” Mocha called out. She knew it would be hard for Smith to hear her, since he was out gathering berries along with a bunch of other males. It was quite loud, all the males chatting with each other, and the rustling of the bushes.

Smith looked up. “Coming, leader.”

Mocha waited for him to come over.

“Yes?”

“Smith, you know how you trained me so good?”

Smith smiled. “I wouldn’t exactly say is was ‘so good’, but, yes I remember.”

“Well I was wondering if you would like to train five females to fight in the war.”

Smith’s eyes widened. “Females fighting in the war? What? Are you crazy?”

Mocha wrinkled her nose. “Smith! How could you say that? I’m a female! And I’m fighting in the war! You trained me didn’t you?”

Smith took a step back. “Yes. I’ll train them. But if they don’t fight as good as you, I’m done!”

Mocha watched Smith walk into the cave with his basket of berries I his mouth. I don’t believe he said that. And he and a bunch of males are out here doing female work, and they say that a female it to weak and soft hearted for fighting in a war. Puh! Mocha thought as she walked to her room. When she got there, a note was on her desk.

Mocha sighed and picked up the note. It read:

Dear Mocha,

It’s Smith again. Sorry about the female thing, I don’t know what came over me. I will gladly train them. I also have some good news! There is a male in the pack. He’s single, and you and him would make a perfect match! I’ll introduce you to him this afternoon in your room.

---Smith

Mocha’s curiosity grew. Who was this male? Was he really the perfect match for her?

Mocha’s curiosity grew. Who this male? Was he the perfect match for her?

So many things Mocha wanted to know, and so many questions left unanswered. She leapt into her bed, grabbing the covers with her jaws and whipped them over her, quickly falling asleep.

That night she dreamt of the war, the females and Smith, and Cludge. She woke in the morning with a startled jerk. She raised her head quickly, and walked over to her couch. She was still drowsy, and drank some water from a little bowl the House Maid had set on her table, along with a small bowl of puppy chow. She licked her lips and took a bite of the puppy chow. She knew she wasn’t a full-grown dog, she no longer ate puppy chow. But to taste it for the first time in a long time felt good. She savored it’s delicious flavor, and drank some water after every mouth-watering bite.

 

“Mocha! I’m back! Open the door, it’s Smith.”

Mocha, slightly disappointed that she was interrupted from her heavenly meal, opened the door for Smith.

Right beside Smith was a young Yorkie. Same age and size as her, with a friendly smile. He was darker than her, and more broad, but he had slightly chubby legs and a pretty long tail for a Yorkie.

“Mocha, this is the guy I’ve been telling you about! His name is Mark. He said he wanted to meet you today, so here he is!”

Mocha stared questioningly. This was definitely not her dream male. “Hello, Mark”

“Hi!” Mark said excitedly, and rushed over to her. “What’s your favorite food?”

Mocha hesitated. “Puppy chow.”

Mark laughed. “Really? A dog that likes puppy chow! That’s funny, Mocha! Now, tell me the truth.”

Mocha was taken aback. She looked at Smith and signaled for him to come over.

Smith dipped his head and went over.

“Smith, may I have a word with you?”

Mark sat down, wondering if he should join them, but Mocha signaled for him not to with a quick swat on his nose with her paw.

Smith and Mocha walked into the hallway right outside the room.

“Smith, are you kidding?”

Smith looked at her puzzled. “About what?”

Mocha made a face. “Him! He’s so rude!”

“I’m sorry leader, I just wanted to help you.”

Mocha wanted to bite herself when she heard the sorrow in Smith’s voice. “It’s okay. I know that’s all you wanted, but he’s just not the one.”

Smith looked up. “Okay then. Shall I go and train those five females more? They seem to be getting everything very well.”

Mocha smiled. “Thanks Smith. I’m so glad you helped out.”

Smith smiled, gave a little bow, and walked away.

 

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