The puppies barked playfully as they played inside the wooden box. Their mother, a flashy coat Dalmation sat behind the box with a lonely expression on her face as she watched her four pups. "Momma why so sad?" Caleb, the well mannered one propped his paws on the side of the box. Before the mother could answer, their father a purebred husky as well as lead dog had come closer without the mother realizing it. The run for the day was over. 

"I'm not sad sweety." The Dalmation spoke softly trying to not show her saddness.

"Gin..." The husky said warmly. She looked at her mate, her gold hazel eyes full of sorrow. The husky came closer and nuzzled her comforting her.

"I'm not ready for them to go Mitch." She chocked back her sobs. Mitch sighed.

"It's best for them to find homes now darling." Mitch said with his ice blue eyes closed.

Gind took a deep breath. "I know..."

***

Jazz was the only one left. She was the one that had the most flashest coat as well as the tornado personality. Jazz was laying on her stomach, her ears dropped to the side. Gin sighed as she looked at her daughter. "Don't give up Gin. Someone will take our little Jazz home." Mitch spoke.

A young woman in her early twenties was walking by. Jazz sensed this human and rose to her feet. Jazz let out a bark and put on the most friendliest face she could come up with. The human looked at the pup's odd markings being lured in by them. She knelt down and the pup allowed her to stroke her. Jazz wagged her tail and blinked her multi colored eyes. Gin held her breath and Mitch waited. What would the lady do? The ladie's gray eyes read the free puppies sign. She picked up Jazz and looked at her thoughtfuly. Jazz nipped the scarf end and started tugging it causing a chuckle to escape the woman. She held her close and Jazz licked her nose. "Hopefully you can make a miracle." Gin and Mitch looked at each other. What miracle was this lady hoping their rebellious daughter would perform? As the lady walked away, Jazz gave her parents a good bye look, forever remebering how they looked.

***

"Pearl I have something for you!" The mother's voice was soft and excited. Jazz was excited to. She had been stuck on a plane for hours and now was waiting in the kitchen area with the mother holding her. Jazz wanted to be let go and explore. She had to check out everything before meeting this Pearl. The mother put the husky/dalmation pup down and Jazz darted to the door, nudged it open and suddenly her eyes focused on a girl sitting by the fire place. She was pale skinned with black hair and looked as if looking to a far off place. Jazz was suddenly concerned. The pup walked closer and nudged the girl's side. The girl's dark blue eyes latched onto Jazz. Her eyes brightened and her hands lowered to pick the puppy up. Jazz yipped, wagged her tail, and gave the child kisses. The girl giggle but did not utter a word.

2 years later...

Pearl was know 14 years old and still did not speak. But Jazz was no longer known as Jazz. Her owner named her Arabella after the victorious female pirate, Arabella Drummond. Both dog and pirate enjoyed the water, were very clever and enjoyed thrills. Her mother, Carol was still running the cafe she and her husband started before his death. His death caused Pearl to take a vow of silence.

Pearl was in school and of course Carol at work, leaving Arabella home alone. Arabella sighed as she rested on the porch her nose still sore. The other day Arabella had an encounter with none other than a porcupine. Arabella rubbed her nose lightly.

"Hey Bella girl!" Arabella looked up with a growl. One of her friends who was like a brother, Banner...how could he not know the rule.

"Banner...my name's Arabella not Bella." She snapped.

The collie/malamute cross looked a little hurt. Arabella sighed. "Sorry Banner that I snapped."

Banner just smiled. "That's okay." Arabella sighed before Banner spoke again, "The gang's down at the beach waiting for you to come join." Before the collie could say anything else, Arabella had jumped to her feet, leaped over him and landed on the snow behind him.

"Well come on! What are we standing around here for? Race you there!" Before Banner could object to the race because of his injury, the crossbreed was already down the street.

"Wait Arabella!" He yelled. Arabella faced him as she ran, giving a madman laugh. She whipped her head around, seeing one of her least favorite people. She  stopped  but slid across the ice, colliding  into the black husky known as Cully. The two stumbled into the little bit of spring snow with yelps and growls. "Can't you keep our eyes forward?!" Cully snapped. Arabella growled as she stood.

"I was trying to avoid being blinded by your trashness." Arabella spoke coldly. Cully growled at that remark. "Now if you don't mind, I'm late." Arabella tried to step around him but the large husky moved in her way. She gave him a warning growl. "Move Cully." Cully smirked at her annoynance.

"Arabella come on." Arabella did ot realize Banner was standing behind her not too far off.

"Not until Cully moves."

Cully grinned. "Make me move then."

"I will." Arabella flattened her ears and growled deeper.

Cully turned his attention to Banner. "Why don't you raise your white flag and retreat?" He spoke without taking Arabella's loyalty in consideration. Arabella flew at the larger dog. Cully tried to sidestep but she was too fast for him. Loud barks and snarls took to the sky. Being a pacifest, Banner sighed and sat.

"Hey!" A human yelled as he had heard them. He quickly got a hold on Cully's collar as another human grabbed Arabella. Arabella growled. "Enough!" Cully breathed deeply as he glared at the female dog. "Cully looks more beat up than Pearl's dog. Let's take him to the vet's to get checked."

Arabella was released and watched Cully being led away. She smirked as she examined his shoulder. She only had a torn ear and a scratch on the snout. "That was not needed Arabella." Banner said darkly.

"He was making fun of you!" Arabella snapped.

"And I took it. Soon he would have gotten tired of it." Banner explained. Arabella growled causing Banner to roll his eyes.

"To the beach comrade!" Arabella said aloud before charging onward. Banner trotted after her.

***

"Where could they be at?" A blue heeler/husky male asked.

"Just take it easy Raggs." Rue a wolfdog female spoke before being tackled by her sister Lou. Suddenly, Arabella lept upon Lou causing her to yelp. Rue giggled.

"What took you so long?" Raggs asked. Banner came closer.

"We had a run in with Cully." Banner answered.

"Oh what'd you do to Cully Bully!" Rue asked eagerly.

"All I did was scrape up his shoulder." Arabella replied trying to look innocent.

Rue and Lou broke into laughing. Raggs looked at her muzzle and ear. "Looks as if he didn't do much damage to you." Arabella just smiled.

Before she asked about the other two, Rue barked, "Who's up for a race?" Banner quickly sat down as he had enough racing today. "Going to take it easy with your injury Ban?' Lou asked. Banner nodded.

"To the one mile post and back to Banner!" Raggs yelled.

Banner raised his noble head. "Ready..." The four racers readied themselves to spring forward. "Set..." Arabella narrowed her eyes. "Go!" They dashed forward. Rue was in the lead only by her head with Arabella right next to her. Raggs had his head next to Arabella's shoulder trying to get ahead. But she bumped into him causing him to stumble a little and growl at her. Arabella laughed. Lou was stuck behind Rue. Arabella lengthened her stride, getting past Rue and broke from the pack.

A whistle rung through the air. Arabella slid to a stop before looking toward Nome. The other three racers slowed and looked at her. Arabella glanced back toward her friends. "Sorry guys. Pearl calls."

"Hey Bella why doesn't Pearl speak?" Lou asked.

Arabella sighed. "You can figure it out. In the meantime learn my name is Arabella not Bella." Arabella left her friends behind as she headed toward Nome. As she came into Nome, she was at a slow run hoping to not run into anyone this time. Coming around a corner and then WHAM! She was on the ground, trying to get her eyes to focus. Before her, a large red/white dog was getting to his feet. He shook and then Arabella realized who it was. Saimar. She really didn't know him as they didn't talk much, then again he always looked so busy and with his siblings that she couldn't start talking to him. As she looked at him for some reason she could feel her throat tightening and she could feel herself becoming shy. Maybe that's why she didn't talk to him as she felt like she wouldn't be able to get her words out right. This was the first time someone else made her feel...numb in a strange but good way.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She blinked before realizing he asked her something. "On yes I'm fine. Are you okay?" He nodded. "I'm sorry that I ran into you." She got to her feet.

"That's okay." He studied her. "You new here?"

She blushed. "Ah no. I've been here for a while actually. But we never talked with each other." He nodded.

"Hello I'm Saimar." He smiled.

"I'm Arabella." His smile was warming. "But you can call me Bella." What did I just do?!?! She thought to herself. "I wish I could chat longer but I have to go. My human was calling me." Arabella explained.

"Oh." Saimar gave a nod. "Well if you have to go then go ahead."

"Well maybe we could hang out sometime?" Arabella asked.

"Uh...sure."

Arabella smiled. "Well talk with you later." She started off at her run again.

Saimar watched her and then yelled out. "Hopefully no more run ins!" He wasn't sure if she heard him but he heard her laugh. He chuckled.

***

Pearl was waiting by the small barn next to the house. Arabella came trotting up. Pearl knelt down and ruffled the fur on her neck some before she drew something out of