1. One Pup in Nine Years

2. There Is No Hero

3. Not for Me

4. Nine Years Wasted

5. Advise of a Meerkat

6. Female in the War

1. They Must Join Together…

2. And a Hero Must Rise

3. Fear is How We Fall

4. We Stand and Fight

5. Victory Isn’t the End

6. The Battle Ends Here

1. We’re Headstrong

2. We’ll Take on Anyone

3. Last Resort

4. With the Heart of a Soldier

5. Retired

6. Life Doesn’t End at Death

7. All Dogs go to Heaven

8. End

One

It all started one year after my mother’s death. Her name was Star. She died in September, on a Thursday. She said every Yorkie has his or her turn. She said that Death is part of Life. But I only wish I could believe her, from what I’ve heard, (and seen) Death is the end of Life. But the story I’m here to tell you is one of great value. Of Life, of Death, of friendships, of love, of hardships, and of bravery. The story of how I learned that Death is far from the end of Life. Oh, and maybe I should tell you, my name is Mocha.

Star peeked outside of the laundry room. Nine years old ye are, Star! She told herself. And yet you only have one pup. Only One! Out of nine years! How is that doin’ ye duty as a fellow female?

Star stretched, flinching as her single pup kicked from inside her. “Aye, Lucky! She still be alive.” Star told her mate. Lucky is a large Yorkie with a silver tinge to his coat, rather than gray or black. “What will we be callin’ ’er?”

“Her?” Lucky jumped back. “ A girl?”

“Why, Lucky, of course it be a girl. I told you last week. The vet told me when I paid ’im a visit.” Star raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Oh, it must have slipped my mind.” Lucky barked hesitantly. “We can’t name her, now! The owners name her, remember?”

“Aye, I remember now.” Star barked in disappointment. “But I still wanna give ‘em a good idea on what I want to name me pup! And ye must remember, Lucky, she not be a’stayin ‘ere.”

“I-” Lucky glared at his paws with narrow eyes.

“You know she’s going to become a legend. Like me father, she won’t be livin’ with ye Humans. She will go to live with The Pack. She’ll grow up there, too. We won’t be a’seein’ ‘er all the time.” Star remarked.

“I know.” Lucky muttered, not looking up. “I just can’t believe our daughter is going to be a wild freak like all those other dogs in that pack!”

“Wild freak he says! She’ll become more than we ‘ould be able to make ‘er!” Star growled, and stomped off.

Wild freak. I don’t believe it! Me hole life I been awaitin for the moment to send me pup to The Pack. And what do I get? A pup claimed to be a wild freak! Star mumbled to herself. And if that’s how he want’s to be, I’ll name her me self!

Star settled herself down on the couch and fell quickly asleep.

Star admired her pup with growing pride. The two months of waiting had paid off, even if the pup was born early. She was un-naturally small, but the future leader of The Pack. “Eye, ye are perfect! I knew ye would be the un! I knew it!”

Lucky swerved around the doorway that lead to the living room. “Oh my lord! It’s here!”

Star looked up. She nodded slowly for him to come and examine the pup.

“She’s beautiful. Small, but beautiful.”

Star looked him straight in the eye. “She be not our’s to keep. She is for The Pack. Remember.”

“I know.” Lucky murmured.

“Her name is Mocha. She looks like a Mocha, she’s got all ye dark browns and gray-blacks, she ‘as ye look.” Star said.

“Yes…” Lucky agreed, looking at the tiny pup.

Mocha rose from her playful stance. Her eyes didn’t leave her mother’s tail. She pounced, landing perfectly on the tail.

“AAAAHHH! Oh, Mocha, what on earth are ye doin’?” Star screeched.

“Playin’.” Mocha muttered.

“Aw, it’s alright. Ye know ye gotta practice yer huntin’ skills!” Star nudged Mocha.

“Yeah, mum, but…why? Why do I need to practice hunting all the time?” Mocha pleaded.

“Cause, Mocha, that’s the way wild dogs catch their food.” Star explained.

“Well what use does a wild dog’s way of getting food come to me?”

Star hesitated. “Mocha, you aren’t going to live in this house for much longer…”

Mocha was taken aback. Not only was she scared about where she would go, but she also knew this must be very important if her mother was speaking proper language. “Wha-what do you mean Mother?”

“You will leave soon. You will head out into the woods and find The Pack. You will be the leader of The Pack one day, Mocha. It be your responsibility to take on that spot in The Pack. You will tell them you are a descendent of Odge the Silver Yorkie, who is your great grandfather. They will then know why you are there.”

Mocha felt a tear stream down her cheek. “I don’t wanna go, mommy!” She ran up to her mother and snuggled in her long silky fur. “I don’t wanna…”

Star looked at her with gentle eyes. “You will still see me and your father every day. You will do this, I know that you will. You are very brave. And all those other dogs will look at you as a leader, not a kid.”

Mocha looked up at her mother. “What if something happened to you? I won’t be there to morn you. And what if they don’t except me? Then I will have no place to live!”

“No, if they do not except ye, then ye will come back to me, and I will teach them a good ol’ lesson.” Star reassured her daughter.

“Okay, mom. I will go. As long as you promise to bring me a treat-treat every visit.”

Star laughed. “Ye have me word. I’ll give ye the treat that the humans give to me after I go Outside.”

“Thanks, momma. I don’t think I’m the right person for this job, but I’ll do it.” Mocha said, and walked out of the kitchen.

What if she’s wrong? What if they don’t except me…or let me go back? What if they kill me? Mocha thought with a shutter. Then what will momma do?

Mocha tried to forget the horrible thought, but it was very hard after her brief conversation with her mother. Besides her growing fear and anticipation, Mocha found herself quite sleepy, and fell asleep right where she stood, under the bed of the youngest human in the house.

Mocha slept restlessly that night, dreaming of herself getting thrown out of The Pack the second they saw her.

Mocha woke with a disturbing screech of horror. She realized where she was and calmed herself slowly, trying to forget the horrid dream. She ran towards the place her mother always slept.

“Momma! Wake up, it’s morning!” Mocha barked, tugging at her mother’s ear. “Come on! We get to go Outside now!”

“Eh? Wha? Oh, Mocha, it’s you.” Star blinked sleepily.

“Yeah, now come on! It’s time to go Outside!” Mocha tugged at the ear again.

“Oy, I’m comin’, I’m comin’!” Star got to her paws slowly. “Alright, let’s go.”

“Yay!” Mocha dashed out the dog door and into the backyard.

Lucky was Outside, too, Mocha noticed. She ran over to her father. “Hi, Dad! Wanna go into the forest with me?”

Lucky hesitated. “Um…you should ask your mother first.”

“Okay.” Mocha barked and ran off to find her mother in the large backyard.

“Mamma?” Mocha peered into a bush that separated the yard from the forest. She heard a rustle from inside it. “Mamma that you?”

“No.”

Mocha jumped back. “Wh-who are you?”

“I was sent to retrieve you.”

Mocha inched closer. She realized the dog was not a Yorkie. He was much bigger, and stronger. He looks like a Husky… Mocha implied to herself. but he’s way to big! What were dogs descendents of again? Mocha thought about it for a brief moment, and then it hit her. Wolves! He’s a Wolf Dog! He’s so big! He has to be one! Oh, gosh, he’s gonna be one of my pack. He will look up to me!

“Now? Why now? I’m not ready!” Mocha pleaded.

“Mocha…your mother is…I’m sorry. I loved her much. I can’t believe…” As Mocha watched her father stare down at his paws, sadness showing all over him, she felt tears run down her cheeks. Her mother was dead. How could this be? Why now? Why when she was going to break the good news about The Pack? Why?

“What is taking you so long to simply say goodbye?”

Mocha whipped around. It was the Wolf Dog. “It’s my mommy. My hero. She’s gone!”

The Wolf Dog’s harsh eyes began to soften. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything more. I understand. You don’t have to come if you don’t want.”

Mocha looked up at him. “No. I am coming.”

“Mocha, I hope you found what you were looking for. I hope you end up being the greatest leader that ever ruled The Pack. This is what your mother wanted. I hope she is finding my loyalty to her satisfying. I find now that I was never good enough for her.”

“That’s not true, Dad. She loved you very much. I know that. And she still loves you.” Mocha told her father, and after a moment’s hesitation, lead the way into the forest.

“Good-bye!” Lucky barked behind her. “I love you! Come and visit some time, okay?”

“I will!” Mocha barked over her shoulder before disappearing into the bushes.

Mocha entered a large cave. A big English Setter was inside. He wasn’t sleeping, but he wasn’t awake.

“You must be the son of Star.” The English Setter said in a deep voice.

“No.” Mocha barked.

“Then who are you?”

“I am Mocha. Daughter of Star.”

“Daughter? Ha! You must not be the one then. Send her back, Nidge.”

“Yes, Smith.” Nidge dipped his head and began to nudge Mocha away.

“Stop this! My mother died today and I came here because that’s what she wanted! She was looking forward to me becoming the leader of The Pack! She was so happy for me! And now she’s dead! And I will not fail her!”

Smith signaled Nidge to stop. “Well said, Mocha.”

Mocha shook herself. “I will not fail her.”

Smith nodded. “You will not. You will rule this pack. I will train you.”

Mocha gave a bow to Smith. “I am honored.”

Smith smiled affectionately. “No, leader, I am honored.”

Mocha found herself speechless.

Smith giggled. “Come now.”

The hours of the night ticked away. Mocha couldn’t sleep. Her training was hard, but she was eager for more, in which she knew would come in the morning. Her head was whirling with thoughts of her leading the dogs of The Pack into battle.

As Mocha waited eagerly for morning to come, her hunger grew. She soon couldn’t stand it. She got out of her antelope-skin bed and darted through the cave. She soon found a large pile of meat. She didn’t know where to start. There was so much of it! She decided just to take a steak. She gobbled it down in a blink of an eye.

Licking her snout, Mocha headed down to the place where she slept. She noticed that The Pack’s quarters was quite active at night. Many of the dogs there were working or nursing pups. She also noticed how many pups there were. The dominate male must not be the only one with mating rights… Mocha muttered. or there wouldn’t be this many pups and pregnant females…that’s not normal…

Mocha also noticed that many of the females were hard at work. Fixing things and patching holes in the tapestries along the hallway walls. She knew this was normal female work, but she couldn’t help but think they deserved to be put at a higher rank. The females were the ones who created all the males on earth! How could anyone deny them?

Mocha continued on her journey to her sleeping quarters. When she reached her bed, she collapsed onto it. She fell asleep immediately, now that she didn’t really have anything to do.

Mocha stalked around Smith. The two dogs’ eyes were locked in combat as they circled each other for a few brief moment, and then leapt into the air.

Although Mocha was very tiny, she was an amazing fighter. She dodged every move Smith made, except for one, in which she seemed to never be able to ovoid. It was a blow with his hind leg. It always hit Mocha in the neck, sending her flying backwards. She could never ovoid it, it was always a random blow, and was always well-thought-out.

“You are doing very well, Mocha.” Smith told her after their training. “I think you are ready for you ceremony.”

“Ceremony?” Mocha was puzzled.

“The one where I pronounce you leader.”

“Oh.” Mocha was still puzzled. “So soon? I don’t know if I’m ready…”

“Oh, trust me, Mocha, you are ready. And I’m surprised. You went through training and mastered everything except for one skill-that only I use-all in one month.” Smith barked. “I am very proud of you. And judging by the color of your coat, and by your skill, I have come to a conclusion:

You are a very special dog, Mocha, a Golden Yorkie. We only get a Golden Yorkie every thousand years. You were special the second you were born. You were small, am I right?”

Mocha nodded.

“Then it is official. You are a Golden Yorkie. And my leader.” Smith bowed in respect.

Mocha smiled. “Thank you, but I’m not leader yet. And what if the others don’t except me? What if I’m not good enough for them?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re good enough for me.” Smith said, and nudged her affectionately.

“Thank you, Smith.” Mocha said. She knew that it would seem as though Smith were her brother from this day forward.

But she still had doubts. She didn’t know if she would be able to live through her first battle. She wondered if she would even live to lead The Pack into her first battle. A shutter ripped through her at the thought of “her pack” killing her before her first battle.

“Is something wrong?” Smith asked, as if to read Mocha’s mind.

“No.” Mocha said. “Nothing.”

“Okay.”

Mocha walked into the dark hut made of sticks and banana leaves. It was a well organized place, a feast table, a large podium, and a large group of dogs huddled beneath the podium.

“We all gather here today for a festival known as The Golden Yorkie’s Praise. We will be attending to this festival today in honor of Mocha, in whom is our new leader, and a Golden Yorkie.”

Mocha looked up, surprised to here her name come from the speaker’s mouth. But she kept her eyes on a young male Yorkie next to the speaker on the podium. He looked about her age, although he was a bit bigger.

“Mocha, will you please step up to the podium.”

Mocha was roused from her daydreaming when she heard her name. She quickly ran through the crowd and up the steps to the podium.

“Please, dip your paw in the ink.” The speaker gestured toward a little bowl filled with navy blue ink. Mocha dipped her paw into it. “Please press your paw onto the parchment in the space it says: Signature.”

Mocha pressed her paw firmly on the line. She lifted her paw and gave it a lick. The ink tasted horrible! She shook her head.

“The Golden Yorkie has signed the contract! She is now the leader of The Pack! Mocha, will you willingly give your life for any endangered pack member?”

“Yes.” Mocha barked.

“Will you feed them your share of food when there is not enough food to go round?”

“Yes.”

“Will you guide them in times of trouble, give them wisdom when they need it, and fight to the death for them?”

“Yes!”

“Then it is official. You are now the leader of The Pack!”

To Mocha’s surprise, the crowd cheered. She was relieved when the cheering died down and the dogs began to return to their quarters.

A little tired herself, Mocha began to retreat to her quarters, where she knew a little dish of food would be waiting for her. She trekked down the hallway and opened the door to her room. She saw that her bed had been made and her sheets changed. She saw something else in the room. On a little desk near her bed, was a note. She rushed over and unfolded it.

She read it aloud to herself:

Mocha sighed. What would she do without Smith? She had no clue what to do as leader, she had told Smith she wasn’t ready. She decided just to eat her food and go to bed.

“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:

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.