Characters

Jasmine- Brown belgian sheperd with white chest and paws, Light blue eyes.

Storm- Typical grey and whit hunky with black smudge around eye and dark blue eyes.

Mud- Dark brown female with black legs and streak down her back, Brown eyes

Thisle- Brown male with long fur, Blue eyes

Honey- Identical to her mother

Jenna- a kindly human

Roy- a human that hates dogs

Micheal- Jenna's brother, loves dogs

Daniel- Roy's best friend, hates dogs

Jessie- Jenna's border collie, Feamale

Minky- Jenna's german sheperd, Feamlae

Sorrel- Jenna's kelpie, Female

Sashana- JUenna's burmease mountain dog, Female

Snarl- Jenna's cattledog, Male

                             Escape

I licked my four new pups and curled my body around them in the cramped space that was my home. I looked for food in my bowl but there was none, the human had left no food for me last night and only a few pieces of dry food remained. I lick up the few pieces and lay my head on the floor of the small cage.

Suddenly I hear a noise that sends a shiver of horror down my spine FOOTPRINTS HUMAN FOOTPRINTS and they are coming my way. The cruel man appears and opens my cage door then without warning he grabs one of my pups, a dusky brown female and shoves it into a brown sack he reaches his hand out for the next one and I instinctively snap at him. The man glared at me and hit me hard on the head”stupid mongrel” he snarled, he then reached his hand down and stole the rest of my pups right from under my nose. I watched in horror as the man locked my cage and took my pups away, I knew what he would do to them they were weak and not fit for sale. He would do as he had done to my friends pups and to my sister when she had been born, He would take them by their legs and smash their tiny skulls into the ground, one by one he would kill my precious pups.. I buried my face between my paws miserably “it’s not fair” I whimpered “it’s just not fair”.

*                                 *                                       *                                  *

The next morning I awoke to the terrible screech of another dog. My eyes snapped open and I shot up. Just outside my cage a young husky dog was on the ground, the evil man stood over him holding a steel pipe covered in blood. I watched in horror as the man hit the husky again, the huskies pelt was covered in blood and he panted in exhaustion. The man hit the dog again and again and finally I could stand it no longer I let out a loud angry snarl. The man instantly looked up and glared at me. He let go of the husky and stalked over to my cage “shut up you stupid mongrel” he yelled opening my cage door “shut up”. He hit me hard in the leg, I whimpered and cringed into the back of my cage, I looked at the husky, and he was lying on the ground gasping for breath, his beautiful coat matted with blood”. The man grabbed my forepaw and yanked it towards him violently before locking the cage door again. He stalked over to the husky and grasped him violently by the scruff of the neck and hauled him into the air, for a terrifying moment I thought he was going to kill him, but instead the man threw the husky into the cage next to mine and locked the door. There was a wall separating the husky and I so I could not see him, though I could hear him whimpering softly and smell the blood that was thick in the air. For the first time I recognised the huskies smell. His name was storm. “Are you okay” I asked him.

Storm let out a painful whimper “I…I…I don’t know” he stammered

“What happened” I asked “why did the man beat you like that”

I heard storm sink to the floor “I bit him” he growled “he was hurting my sister, trying to kill her, I bit him and he….” Storm stopped and……. stopped breathing

For one terrible moment I thought he was dead “STORM” I yelped “STORM” I whimpered more urgently when there was no answer

There was a gasp of breath and storm let out a painful whimper “I’m okay” he gasped “just trying to stop this darned bleeding”

I closed my eyes sadly; if only I could help him “please stay with me” I whimpered “live for your sister’s sake”

For an answer storm just whimpered. I lifted my head and sent out a silent plea please let him survive.

                                  *   *       *       *       *        *   *    *
The next morning I opened my eyes and instantly I knew something was wrong there was the scent of death in the air. Instantly I leapt to my paws “storm” I barked “storm”…….. But there was no answer and at once I knew that storm had lost his fight for life. I lifted my muzzle to the sky and let out an angry howl

 3 Months later

My belly swelled once again with pups. Although I barley had enough energy or spirit to feed them. My ribs protruded through my skin and I had barley enough food to provide the energy I needed, let alone my pups. I looked in my bowl but there was no food in it. I lay my head on the floor of my cramped cage. Ever since storm died my spirit slowly started to break. The man had taken his body and just dumped it in the trash like some unclean thing you can just throw away. His sister was dead too and I felt an incredible grief grip my heart, Was it for this I was born? To be beaten, starved and hated?. All I knew was this terrible cruel life, there was no heaven, just hell, blood cruelty and hate. I heard footsteps again but I didn’t try to hide, who was I to care if the man killed me, at least I would be out of this terrible life forever. The man opened my cage door, I cringed away from him but he just put some food in my bowl and left. Instantly I shoot up gulping down the few dry pellets that there were. The food did little to warm me and gave me little energy, I let out a whimper, would my pups ever live to be dogs?. I wondered sadly, or would I be doomed to their deaths. My pups never to know life, why would they if this was life. I heard a wine and knew the dog next to me was hungry too, she was only 6 months old and already she was beginning to lose her spirit, she had been separated from her family at a young age and put in a cage half the size as she was. I buried my face in my paws; I didn’t want to listen anymore to the howls of pain and anguish that came from every cage. The weather had turned bitterly cold and I shivered in my ghastly matted pelt. The only warmth I had were the walls of my cage, but the wind still penetrated my thin fur and my paws were so cold I could no longer feel them. I closed my eyes to shut out the horrible sights and sounds of my prison. I dreamed of heaven, running in fields of green soft stuff, and my full pelt rustling in the wing and beside me ran my pups full of energy and life. My body was full of food and my milk was plentiful. I jolted awake to the terror of reality and the dream vanished, instead of fields there was a dark cramped cage and the hunger pangs that griped my pitiful body. I lifted my head again and looked out at the strange freezing white that covered the ground “snow” the man had called it. I remember last year when my brother has perished in the cold, the man had let him die, just watched as his life melted away. In that moment I hated the man for everything he’d done, for every life he’d taken, for every beat I’d received. But I knew if I growled or bit him he would hurt me again. I lay down my head again and closed my eyes.

2 Weeks later

A twinge of pain griped my belly as my last pup pushed it’s way into the world. I panted in exhaustion as the effort took the last of my strength. I lay my head on the floor and tried desperately to gain strength, but with no food I had little chance. I shot up as I heard a blood curdling noise, the sound of the cruel mans footsteps. I let out a whimper it was over, the cruel man would take my pups away and kill them. I looked down at them, surprisingly all but one had survived and I had 5 beautiful pups, but they were a pitiful sight, they looked like a small bag of bones, they tried to suckle for some milk but I knew there was none. Suddenly I had an overwhelming desire for my pups to live, to be free like my wonderful dreams, I wanted to run in the soft green and eat till I burst, I wanted life. But I knew the only way for that to happen was if I got away from here. But what would I find, cruelty and pain or heaven, if there was one. To my surprise the man walked right past my cage and then suddenly I saw it, the latch on my cage door was broken. A new wave of hope came over me and I pushed open the cage door. I stuck my head out into the freezing air and looked around; the man was nowhere to be seen. I staggered onto the cold ground outside, my cage was above another and I landed painfully. I struggled to my paws and lifted my first pup in my mouth and onto the ground. I quickly did the same with the others. It was then that I realised that I couldn’t escape with my pups, I’d have to take each one a small distance before coming back for the others. I knew that if I was caught the man would beat me and kill my pups, but I had no other choice. I picked up my first pup and stumbled forwards, my legs were so weak I could hardly stand let alone walk, but I had to keep going for my pups sake. Ahead of me I saw a dense bush that I could hide my pup in. I stumbled over to it and placed my pup on the ground. Instantly I went back for the next

It was a slow exercise. I hadn’t seen the man at all, but just as I was about to pick up my last pup I heard a yell and my blood froze. I snatched up my pup and spun around ready to run to my hiding place. But the man was running towards me angrily blocking my escape route. I dropped my head, this was it, I was foolish to think there was heave. The man was almost on top of me, suddenly just as the man was about to reach me there was a kind of roar and a grey blur pushed him violently to the ground. I looked up in astonishment as a huge grey dog pinned the man to the ground. I felt something brush my fur and turned my head, a second almost identical grey dog was standing beside me “you must follow me” growled the dog in a deep accent.

I took a step back, Unsure. “It’s ok” growled the dog “my pack and I are here to help you.

I looked at her “who,, who are you” I stammered

The dog smiled “my name is Shep and Im am Deputy of the riverside wolf pack

I pricked my ears in confusion “what are wolves” I asked

Shep looked at me as if I was mad “you don’t know….” She shook her head to clear it “never mind, come on we must get out of here”. Shep let me lean on her as we staggered into the bush. As soon as I got there I realized my pups were gone. My pups” I screamed “where are my pups”

Shep nuzzled me “it’s Okay” she growled gently “my pack has got them they’re safe I promise”

I looked around wildly “were”

“Outside” replied Shep. She pointed to a large hidden hole in the fence I hadn’t noticed before “quickly”. Shep pushed me gently towards the hole.

Without hesitation I slid through the hole and waited for Shep. As soon she reached me she began walking towards some thick bushes “this way” she urged.

I followed her into the bushes. As soon as I slid into the hiding place I smelt my pups then saw them. They were feeding from a light grey and black female> I walked up to her and nuzzled her “thankyou”.

The wolf nodded and smiled warmly at me “of course my dear”

Suddenly there was a loud bang and a smell of blood filled the air. Shep spun around “Brother” she yowled. She turned to me “run my dear” she yowled “run for your life”.

Instantly the other wolves got to their paws and each picked up one of my pups. Together with the pack I pelted out cover and towards a big hill in the distance, I knew that sound it was the black stick that stopped a dog cold. Suddenly there was a horrible bang and the dog next to me fell to the ground with a yelp, dropping my pup. There was another bang and then another and wolves all around me were falling to the ground. My pups were now scattered around the place and where lying in a pool of blood. Shep came running towards me “Run” she screamed R….” she was cut off as something hit her. She let out a yelp and fell to the ground

“No” I yowled bounding towards her. Blood stained the grass under her and her eyes were closed, but when I reached her they opened

“You must get away from here save your pups” gasped Shep “or all will be lost”

“But I can’t” I stammered “I don’t know where to go”

“You must go into the town” growled Shep “there is food and humans there”. Shep let out a shuttering breath and lay still.

‘“Wait” I cried “I don’t know anything about the town” but it was too late the breath had left her body, she was dead.   

I dropped my head and tears streamed down my face “will I ever find piece I thought or was I doomed to hate and cruelty forever. I heard a yell and spun around fearing the man would kill me too. But the man was gone now. I walked over to my first pup and picked it up, then I ran over the hill. Almost at once I spotted a large hole on the side of the hill. At last I had somewhere to protect my pups. I raced into the hole and placed my first pup on the ground and went back for the others. Each time I went back I would see the horrible death of the wolves as their blood stained the ground. When all my pups were finally safe I started looking for food. Then I saw it, in the distance was a strange bulk of structures and a thick grey haze hung over them, It must be the town Shep was talking about I realize. She had said it had food and….Humans. I cringed into the back of the hole, Humans were mean, all they did was beat me and take my pups. If one man could do that too me what could a group of them do. But I had no choice I had to find food or my pups wouldn’t make it. I pushed my pups to the back of the hole then placed a branch over the entrance to hide them, then with a shutter I began the slow journey towards the daunting town.

 *                                             *                                                                                                     *

It took me a good 10 minutes to reach the town. As soon as I stepped into it I head a terrible roaring and screeching, my nose filled with unfamiliar and dark scents and Humans were everywhere. I cringed away from the town fearing that the Humans would see me and hurt me just like the man had all my life. Huge things that could crush a dog flat whizzed past me at terrifying speeds. Terrified I darted into a dark, deserted area. Instantly I smelled the unmistakable scent of food and saw a strange metal can full of food. I bounded over to it feeling a new wave of energy wash over me. I placed my paws on top of the strange object and looked inside. The inside was full off delicious smelling scents; the smell hit the roof of my mouth like a physical blow and sent a sliver of hope through me. I stuck my nose into the food and searched for a good morsel. To my surprise there were hardly any good food morsels available. I found and old bone with some meat on it and a packet of strange great tasting soft sticks (chips). The little bit of food was enough to give me a little bit of strength and warmth. I found a few more food scraps and carried them back to my pups.

 A few days later

I sat licking my pups in the dark. cold and lonely alleyway. I had decided to move into the town for shelter and food. But I had found that the going here was just as bad as in my cage. There was little food to be found and when I did find some it was taken by other, more aggressive dogs. Humans were everywhere and I tried to stay away from then, when I did see them they would just yell and throw things at me. My pups were still pitifully thin and 2 had already died of starvation. Why was I doomed to this horrible and miserable life of starvation and grief? I got to my paws careful not to disturb my remaining pups and once again went in search of some food. The dogs here just looked through me and never tried to help me of my pups and the humans were worse they just yelled and chased me away. I followed the familiar track of alleyways I walked through everyday, a few other dogs walked past me looking for their own food. I knew that no food was on my daily track so I passed the first few alleyways quickly, trying to avoid being seen by the humans. Eventually I came to and unfamiliar alley way. I recognized the big shinny tins of food and heard the roar of the monsters that crushed a dog flat in the distance. I spotted a shiny can overflowing with food scraps, my heart leapt and I bounded towards it. But just as I was about to get to it, there was a snarl and a huge black and brown dog appeared “get lost scrap” he snarled at me “or Ill break your neck”.

I cringed into the cold pavement “please” I pleaded “I have pups they are dying”

“I don’t care” spat the dog “every dog takes care of it’s self, now get out” he rushed forward and I ran back into the familiar alleyways of my home.

When I had put the dog far behind me I slowed and began a fast trot. I continued down the alleyway before turning off to another unfamiliar one. This time I found food scattered along the ground as if it had been chucked from about. I looked up and saw the windows of the human dwelling above me and the strange cloth they wore about their bodies hanging in thin air. I shivered and darted over to some food before I was seen. I found a large piece of old rotten meat and picked it up, finally a decent meal. I quickly ran the rest of the way back to my pups. My pups were still huddling together when I reached them. Their eyes were open now but they still couldn’t feed on solids yet. I lay down beside them and began tearing into the meat, the delicious flavour hit my mouth. My pups started suckling for the little milk I had I had named the surviving three, two females and one male, the female that was identical to me was named Honey, a darker female with black legs and streak on her back was named Mud, for she looked as if she had been wading in mud and the male was Thistle, his pelt was long and he bit like thorns in my side. I gulped down the rest of the meat and began to groom the pups; Thistle had stopped feeding and was fast asleep, his tiny sides moving up and down rapidly. I nuzzled his long fur and lay my head on the cold hard ground; I had no shelter in this cold alleyway, only the warmth of my body. I shivered and curled my body in a tight ball, with a belly fuller than it had ever been I fell asleep.

My eyes snap open as something prods me in the side. I look up to see a young human looking down at me and prodding me with a stick “ewww it’s alive” yowled the human. Four others were standing behind it , the humans were all male. I cringed against the wall of the alley, terrified. The human laughed and poked me harder “look how scared it is” sneered the human. Suddenly one picked up mud and lifted her into the air, she squealed in protest and squirmed in his grip. I snarled, drawing my lips back in a snarl to reveal my sharp teeth. The human just ignored me “look what I’ve got” yowled the human holding mud, the other humans laughed and poked her “ hey catch Roy” sneered the human holding Mud He threw her at the human called Roy who caught her “ewww it’s so gross” yowled the human, he began to shake her violently “Wake up you stupid mutt” yelled the human “ I could only watch helplessly as the human shook her over and over. Suddenly a dark shape slammed into the human and sent him stumbling, I looked up to see another, female human. She was glaring at the human with all the disgust and hatred the cruel man had ever showed toward me “shake that pup again” roared the human “and Ill kill you”. She reached forward and tried to take the pup but the male human had recovered and deliberately pulled Mud away from her “what’s it to you, it’s just a stupid animal”

“Just and animal” spat the human “it’s better than you dirtbag” as she said it she took a step forward and clenched her hands into fists.

The male human holding mud snarled and pushed Mud’s rescuer violently. To my shock, In retaliation to the push the female humans fist hit the male in the face so hard I heard the thump and smelt the blood. The male fell to the ground still clutching Mud; the female leant down and snatched her from him, glaring hatred. The male got slowly you his feet then ran like a frightened dog, his friends followed him, fear and shock coming off them in waves. The female watched them go before turning back to me. I cringed away from her but she just smiled at me “it’s alright girl” she growled in a soft Tvoice “ I won’t hurt you” she lent down and placed Mud carefully at my side again. I pulled her into my side instantly “my name is Jenna” said the girl softly, she reached out her hand towards me, I cringed back expecting a hit, but Jenna just pulled away “are you hungry girl” she asked. She stood up and walked over to a white bag; she stuck her hand inside and pulled out a delicious smelling object wrapped in more white crinkly stuff. She unwrapped the object and I saw that it was some type of food, she walked back over to me and crouched down again “here you are sweetie” she growled kindly pushing the food towards me “mum won’t mind me sharing” she sat back on her haunches and watched me. I leant forward and sniffed the food, it smelled delicious, I pulled back and looked at Jenna was this a trick “go on” urged Jenna “it’s alright”. I cringed away and into my pups protectively, Jenna sighed “I’ll leave it here” Jenna growled and got to her feet, then without a word she disappeared down the alleyway. I stared after her for a few heartbeats then looked down at the food, it was hot and smelled of cooked meat, I leant down and licked the food experimentally, the flavour hit me instantly it was delicious, I pulled back, hesitating, Jenna had saved Mud and even given me this food and for the first time in my life I felt that mot all humans were as mean and cruel as the man at my old home. I carefully reached forward and gulped down the food, it was warm and delicious.

 The next day

The next day Jenna came to see me again. She brought food and a strange white soft thing. I cringed away again still scared she might turn on me and beat me. But she just smiled warmly and knelt beside me again, she put the white thing over my scrawny body and placed some more warm food at my paws “it’s okay girl” she growled kindly “I won’t hurt you”. She reached forward and touched my head, I pulled away expecting a beat but she just ran her hand gently over my head and smiled warmly again. Her touch felt nice and I leant my head into her hand, she laughed softly and rubbed a bit harder although still very gently “you’re so cute” she growled she rubbed me under the chin then stood up “eat the food” she advised softly, she knelt down again and took the white soft thing from my back, she shook it and it became bigger. I pulled back, frightened, “its okay girl” growled Jenna softly "it’s only a blanket", she knelt down again and put the ‘blanket’ over me. Instantly I felt the warmth from my body fill the space under the blanket “this will keep you warm” growled Jenna. She gently pulled my pups closer to me so that they we pressed against my  belly and under  the blanket " there you are sweetheart" she growled softly. She stood up and walked quietky away. I Once she was gone I dipped my head and gulped down the food she had brought, It was so delisious. I could feel the warmth thrill through my body and already my milk was begining to come and my pups were ninily feeding under the warmth of the blanket. I gulped down the lst bites of the food and lsy my head on the cold cround, for once in my life I felt as if Humans could be loving and kind. Jenna had never shown anything but kindness and protectivness toward me, but what if that was just a show what if she came back tommorow and tried to take my pups away and kill them. All though, he skin had smell sweet and kind not bad and bloody like the cruel man of my old home, and she had defended me againsrt the group who was trying to hurt my pups . I closed my eyes and thought about it.

The next morning 

I open my eyes as a cold splash wets my muzzle. I look up to see clouds covering the sky and a cold sleet has begun to fall. I shiver and pull back futher into the warnth of my blanket, there is little shelter here and every drop  soaks into my pitifull body like ice. I can fell my pups sqirming beneath me and I know that they are cold aswell but there is no shelter anywhere. The sleet began to get hevier and soon my blanket was soaked and I shivered as the cold eaisily penertrated my thin pelt. Suddenly a familiar scent wafts over me and I see Jenna comimg towards me, alarm and fear shoots through my body when I see a second human beside her an adult!. I cringed away, so this was a trick, jenna had brought this other human to hurt me. Jenna reached me first telling the other human to stay back "it's alright girl" she growled softly "this is my mum Keyara she won't hurt you shes come to help". I snifed the air still unsure of whether to trust the adult, her scent was sweet like Jennas and filled with concern.

Keyara walked slowly toward me keeping low, she reached me and slowly placed her hand on my head "your so beautifull" she growled softly " how could anyone hurt you" she broke off and I felt a wave of anger thrill through her "people like that discust me" she spat. I cringed away from her anger expecting her to turn on me, but she only lay her hand on me again "Im sorry girl" she wispered kindly.

"mum we have to get her home before this sleet gets heavier"

I pricked my ears 'home'!. were thay taking me back to my old home to be beaten by the creul man again. "go get the box" growled Keyara "Quickly". Jenna nodded and raced off again. while she was gone Keyara lifted off the blanket and put her hands on my pups "so small" she growled, her voice was odd as if she were fighting sadness, I sniffed the air and smelled sadness and anger coming off her in waves, Jenna apeared then carrying a lage object. She placed it beside me. I pulled back unsure. Jenna Gently patted my head "it's okay we're here to help you" she soothed. Jenna

Jenna reached down and gently pick up one of my pups, I began to panic, was Jenna going to kill my pups just as the cruel man had done?. But Jenna only placed the pup into the large object she did the same with my other three, then Keyara leant forward and gently slid her hands underneath me, then gently she picked me up and put me in the object. The thing was lined with soft blankets at the bottom and my pups were huddled into the warmth.

We’re going to take you home, girl” growled Jenna gently. She closed the lid of the thing over me and I was plunged into darkness.

At Jenna’s home

About an hour later Jenna opened the lid and gently lifted me out. I looked around at my new surroundings. I was in a large den; I could see the daylight streaming through a clear material in the side of the den. Jenna gently laid my pups beside me. Its okay girl” she promised you can explore, nothing will hurt you now. I hesitated for several heartbeats, and then I stepped forward and began to investigate my new home.

% months later

I pelted over the grass my fur rustling in the hot summer sun. Honey raced beside me rushing to be the first through the farm gate. Sorrel a black and brown kelpie came up to me and matched my stride “hoe are you today my dear” she asked in a kind voice. I smiled at her, Sorrel had helped me feed and raise my pups when I had first come to live at Jenna’s farm, caring for them whenever I could not. Jenna’s three other dogs Jessie, minky, Sashana and Snarl had also looked after me in those first difficult months on the farm.

I nodded to her “much better than 5 months ago” I replied

Sorrel nodded “you will never be mistreated again” she growled Jenna love animals and she is even working to stop the puppy mills”

I flinched a puppy mill is what I had escaped from and soon after my rescue I had learnt that Puppy mills were everywhere and each was a horrid as the last “I hope she succeeds” I agreed. Then Running faster I pulled ahead of my pups and into the rising sun, I had found my heaven at last.

                                                            THE END

Jasmine and her pups lived a long life on Jenna’s farm. As for Jenna? She became the youngest ambassador for the Prevention of puppy mills and had all the puppy mills in her state shut down, she now runs the Prevention of cruelty to animals association.

LOOK out for Escape book 2-  the dog fights