smirk that could’ve meant anything.  And I mean anything.

    I utterly froze as my brain took a trip back to “memory lane.”  That night, I remembered she and I had a date for rescuing her. (To this very day I wonder even if I did actually rescue her)  I deafly watched the dog as she pranced up to me.  Gosh, what was to I do?  Talk to her?  Make an excuse?  Pretend I’m invisible?  WHAT!

    With that major brain fart moment, I didn’t notice her stick her paw out.  Suddenly my senses came back when she said, “ You’re supposed to shake it, silly!”  Eh?  I’m nervously sweating bullets, and your acting like you just met me!  Sam sighed, calm down kiddo.  Sam let his paw slide into hers as he moved it up, and down, in a very quick manner. “Hi, Emma.”  

    This little action see to please, Emma, though that smirk held its place, maybe even grew wider?  “Emma?  Wha- what are you doing here?” I asked as I led her to a comfortable spot on the sand.  This was so unexpected, but I was so happy.   Out of nowhere I heard an shhhh…her warm breath tingled around my ear as she drew close to me.

    She shifted her weight on my shoulder and rested her head on me.  I nervously twitched my eyebrow, this girl was so weird.  “Sam, I hate when you act so serious.  You make me feel so weak, and I’m usually not like that.”  I gazed in her eyes, and she gazed back.  Her eyes revealing her very own true self.  

    “ Emma, what do you mean I’m strong?  I’m no hero; I couldn’t even help anyone if they needed me.  I’m just not as strong as you think dear.  When it came down to saving lives, I could never be that person.  Sure if you think about it I have the right genes, I’m strong and smart, but to what it comes down to I’m just a coward.”  Sam’s emotions were pouring out, and Emma was just the bowl collecting them.  Emma shrugged “ Hmph…”  

    I glared at her.  HMPH!!  I give you my heart, and you say hmph!  You heartless and uncaring witch! No wonder no one likes you?  You’re just a jerk.  Her dull eyes then retuned to me, she probably notice I was biting my lip.  “What I mean dear, is that you put yourself down too much.  You could be the greatest shepherd I know, but you need to have a little more faith!”

    She did have a point, but still she should’ve been a bit nicer with that answer.  My body drew back, so what if I did think hard of myself, that was what put me where I am now!  Emma winced in reaction, “Something wrong.”  Her voice sounding as delicate as ever.  

  I laughed.  I wanted to change this weird topic already.  “ Emma dearest, you still need to answer my question.  What…Are…You…Doing…Here?”  Emma blushed, “ Well, I just wanted to be with you Sam.  I need you, and I know you need me.”  

    “Right.  How about the real answer why you’re here?”  Emma sighed.  “Fine you got me, Sam my owner’s daughter is here on vacation.  She lives on the house next to that one.”  She pointed to the house next to where Pete’s family was.  

     “ A coincidence I presume?” Before we could start arguing again, I heard a familiar voice, it was Roxie calling me in. “I’m sorry I have to go Emma.  See you around I guess?”  Sam got up and hugged Emma.  Her reaction was a surprised one.  “Sam meet me at the barnyard tonight at 8:00.  I bet your owners might not come…so find a way.”  She whispered into my ear as she nuzzled me.  “By the way look handsome when you come.”

    She said goodbye and walked off.   I walked back as well, but had a strange question in my head, “This was a weird encounter…wait…did I just make a date?”

                                                            ~ooOoo~

CHAPTER 4: Barnyard date…


    I kept gazing over at the clock.  Dang, it was a quarter to eight!  By now the family was just washing the dishes, Roxie’s mom washed, Pete dried, and Roxie put them on the rack.  It looked so robotic, how they did that at the same time.  Without hesitation I scratched at Pete’s leg.  “What cha’ want Sam?  Want to take a walk now boy!”  I yipped joyously and held still as Pete put on my fancy collar. It was Italian, with a flowery design embroided in its own fancy leather.  

    He simply put on his winter coat and led me outside.  It was a beautiful night today, the stars were out and the moon was gleaming; only 3 quarters full at most.  Pete stroked me and knelt at my side.  “Sammy, did you know that tomorrow night there will be an eclipse.  Roxie said it’s very beautiful to see from the lake.”

    Oh, so an ecli-eclipi-whatever that word was, was going to happen on the lake.  It must be important if Pete had to tell me.  As he knelt I noticed he was wearing a wristwatch.  Oh no!  It was almost 8!  I quickly ran off into a bush, as Pete wasn’t looking.  He looked furiously for me until he stumbled upon a woman walking by.

    With my own eyes I watched as he talked to the girl.  Whatever they were talking about seemed to displease her.  As he whispered something in her ear, he was counter attacked by a prada bag. He fell to the floor, stunned and ordazed.  “Gosh, that dimwit!  He’s out cold, at least I hope so.”

    Pleased with the opportunity I ran out of the bush and into what seemed to look like a barnyard.  This must be the place I thought to myself.  As I entered I straightened out my fur.  The running had made it stick up rather noticeably.  While I fixed my hair I felt someone approach me.  “ Sam? Is that you?”

    I spun back, both frightened and shocked.  Before my unworthy eyes stood the most beautiful version of Emma I have ever seen.  I only say that, because she never wears a collar.  Though this time, she wore a perky light blue collar with a dazzling golden pendent on her chest.  “Emma, 1457 Maple Avenue, 93088.”  I said as I held her pendant in my paw.

    She rolled her eyes at me, “Great reading Sam!  You want a cookie?” She scratched my straightened hair, which obviously stood back up to the friction.  I merely chuckled as I led her into the barnyard.  The crowd was a mix of humans and animals.  Now, I know what you’re thinking, why are they in the barnyard together.  Well it turns out this barnyard was not really for farming or animals.  

    No, this was more of like a part location.  It had a wooden floor, a D.J, and a buffet table.  But, I guess its kind of cool to have a party inside a barn eh?  Then as we got in I got separated from Emma.  I resorted to staying in the corner…alone.  Uhhh, this felt like prom!  Sam stood erect and played with his fancy collar.

    Minutes passed, and the D.J was now playing slow songs. I finally spotted Emma as she was standing by one of the barn’s pillars.  I approached her and yelled in her ear because the music was too loud. “Trouble in paradise?”  As I said this I spotted something come from Emma’s mouth.  Was it drool?  Was it venom?  As usual, I never knew.

    She slowly turned to me and, I think, analyzed me.  “Something wrong?” I asked trying my best to get here attention.  Her tranquil eyes rested on mine, “You’re the cutest one here Sam.  Let’s go dance?”  My eyes widened.  What? Wait, what do you mean cute? I said nothing, like I could actually say anything at the moment.

    “Ohhh…I see!  You’ll only dance with someone you like huh?”  She gripped my collar and pulled me in.  “ Here let me put a spell on you.  You will like me…You will like me…You…will like…me…” I gave her a look at that can be only described as a ‘deer in the headlights’ look.  “Did it work Sam?”

    I nodded my head.  “I don’t dance Emma.”  She simply just took me by the paw and smiled, “Nonsense Sam!  You’ll do fine!”  With that burst of persuasion she led me through the crowd, nearly bumping me into everyone along the way.  We found a good spot and I stood there as she moved her body in an erythematic pattern.  I tried to copy her but stepped on her paws instead.  

    Sam stepped back and tried to walk away, only to be stopped by Emma as she pulled him back in.  This time she stood by his side and kept pace