clearly, but I would’ve done it anyway. I reached up my paw and slapped him across the face with all the force I could muster, knocking him off of his paws. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I glared at the pup I had called my best friend “I hate you Lucky, and I wish we had never met!” I shouted at him, and again I found myself fleeing from the stares, my second time ditching Bark Brigade because of my emotions, stupid Lucky.

          I ran up to the hill that was the halfway point to the Slop Area, I lied down by the large oak tree and cried for all I was worth. Why did he do that, say that did he really think those things about me? I don’t know how long I lie there before I felt someone gently nuzzle me, I weakly opened my eyes and looked up, It was Pongo. “Daddy?” I asked, he sat beside me “I heard about what happened today” he said, was he mad, was I in trouble? “I-I’m s-s-sorry, I didn’t w-want to be m-mean, I-I-I…”

“I know, sometimes we just let our emotions get the best of us” I hated that I had done it though, I got mad and lashed out, I was just like The Grump, and I hated it. “Thanks Daddy” I said softly. He nuzzled me one last time “It’ll be ok sweetie, I promise” I nodded wearily and he went back to the house. I stayed there the rest of the day, hating myself; I couldn’t believe I had acted so much like him, was I going to be like him? I wanted to talk to someone about this, but I hadn’t told anyone anything about my past, it was too painful.

I looked up from my paws when I felt another’s presence, I found myself staring my Brigade Captain straight in the eyes. I expected he’d be angry. I ditched Brigade again, and I promised I wouldn’t but he didn’t seem angry. He looked…I don’t know how he looked I had never seen that expression before. “Chancey-” he started, but I cut him off “I know, I ditched Bark Brigade, and I wasn’t supposed to. I promised I wouldn’t, b-but I couldn’t….I-I c-c-couldn’t stay I-” I was cut off guard when he hugged me, pulling me close into a warm comforting embrace. My whole body trembled and I buried my face into his chest “I-I’m sorry” I whispered pitifully. “I don’t blame you, I would’ve done the same thing.”

“But I’m turning into him”

Tripod released me and gave me a confused look “him?” I looked down at my paws.  “There’s a lot no one knows about me Tripod” I told him softly. “Tell me” he said sitting next to me, so I did, I told him everything. I told him what I remembered of my family, I told him about The Grump, I told him about Charles, and when I finally came here to the farm. I cried, I cried hard and tripped over several words, but he sat there and listened, he could feel my pain, I could tell, I saw it in his eyes. “You’re not turning into him” he assured me “You were doing you best to keep yourself in check and you slip, it happens to the rest of us, but The Grump was always angry, he never once felt regret I can assure you” I sniffed, my head down, eyes on the ground. I felt his muzzle slip under mine in a soft nuzzle, forcing my head up, so that I had to meet his gaze. I had gone a little tense, Tripod would sometimes speak with affection, but he never, nuzzled me or anything, not even close, the most affection I got was an occasional hug, I’ve had two counting just a minute ago, or a slug the shoulder with a “Man up cadet” or “no pain no gain” tossed at the end.  I smiled at him and he returned it, before I knew it we were both leaning closer, but sweet moments never seem to last.

“Well, well, well, look what we have here boys, a couple of love sick pups.” I sighed and turned on the mutt “what do you want Mooch?” I growled, leave it to him to ruin a perfectly perfect moment. “I’m here to see if you’ve ch-“

“I haven’t, I’m going with Tripod, now leave!” I growled, stupid males, they were driving me crazy. “You heard the lady, beat it!” Tripod growled stepping up beside me. Aw, he was so sweet. Mooch left grumbling and Tripod and I decided that there would be no Evening Training and headed to the barn, it was getting late anyway, so I didn’t object. We went to the barn and lay down side by side and fell into a peaceful sleep.

This was it, today was the day! The Fall Ball was tonight, Tripod declared no training today and Bark Brigade was canceled for the day, so I decided to help Cadpig and the others with decorating. I got Rolly to help me out with getting a Pumpkin into a wagon, and we were on our way back when Tripod strolled up to me “hey. Tripod” I said wagging my tail. “Hey” he greeted “What are you up to?”

“Nothin’ much, just getting’ some more decorations”

His head tilted slightly and he smiled ‘then I think you’re goin’ to have to make a return trip” he said, now my head tilted. “Why?” I asked and turned my head to see Rolly had eaten most of the pumpkin. “Rolly” I said and almost whiney tone, Tripod laughed as I redirected the wagon to go back to the pumpkin patch to get another pumpkin “I’ll go with you” Tripod offered running up beside me “so nothing will happen to it this time” I tried not to laugh, it was a pretty lame excuse to come with me, but it was sweet nonetheless.

We got the pumpkin back to the barn no problem , we split up and started to help with the finishing touches. Stringing lights, hanging the banner, you know fun stuff like that. Let me tell you after we were done, the place looked great, totally amazing!

Night fell and we all started to file into the barn, I sat outside and waited for Tripod, when he walked up, freshly groomed, a flower in his mouth, I couldn’t help but smile. “Hey Tripod”

“Hello, Chancey, here, this is for you” he said and leaned up to tuck the yellow flower in my ear. I blushed, hoping he wouldn’t see it “thank you” I said shyly and we went inside. The barn looked amazing, all strung up with lights, music playing and everyone was dancing. Dancing, how did they do that? I’d never danced a day in my life, some of them were on four legs, others on two, and moving to the music. I suddenly panicked, I had no idea what to do, I looked over to Tripod. “Tripod” I said quietly, he turned to look at me “I can’t dance” he chuckled. “I have to teach you everything don’t I?” I blushed a little harder “I guess so.” He led me over to a corner of the room where he tried to teach me. It was funny, we (mainly me) bumped heads, stomped paws, tripped, stumbled, and most importantly laughed, and we had a great time. Everything went well we talked with friends (I apologized to Lucky and we mended our friendship) and went on a moonlit walk, it was the most fun I ever had.