Scatter Them

Entry for All Breed Hunting Season. 

Solo or Pack: Pack
Prey chosen: Reindeer
Kennel(s): Planet Zar Kennels - Elfenbeinhaus
Dogs name: Butch, Balin, and Nacht
Ref: fav.me/d7zp9nn fav.me/d60xn1d fav.me/d7zkd6u
Does the dog(s) have hunting titles? Balin – Big Game Legendary Hunter, Nacht – Bear Hunt Master
Gender(s): Female, Male, Male
Age: 2 years, 3 years, 2 years
Entry: fav.me/d7zr28u fav.me/d7zr2m2

 
100 Themes Challenge: #21. Vacation 

_________________________________________

Butch held her chin low, ornery, as she was fitted with a tracking collar. It flattened her mowhawk and ruff against her skin, irritating and uncomfortable. She snorted as Armin pulled his hands away and gave her a quick pat on the muzzle. Butch took a few steps back and shook her mane out. The collar didn’t budge. Awful!

She cast a quick glance at her pack mates to see if they were in a similar state. Nacht was already fitted, sitting politely and panting softly. He didn’t seem in the least bit bothered by the odd bit of leather and plastic against his skin. Even the quiet hum of electricity was driving Butch nuts. Their other handler, Dussander, was cinching Balin’s collar into place. He held his head high and proud, eyes direct and chest puffed out.

Load of bollocks, those boys.

Butch yawned and stretched her massive body out, giving her mane one last shake before trotting up to Nacht’s side. She gave the young fellow a nuzzle under his chin, and nipped his collar.

“None of that, Butch. You leave them alone,” said Dussander, who hadn’t even taken his eyes away from Balin’s collar. How did he know? Humans!

Dussander stood, scruffing Balin’s handsome mowhawk. Armin strode to his side and slung an arm around his shoulders. They exchanged a look, Armin’s smile soft and reassuring, and Dussander’s lips wry, his brow furrowed. Finally his expression relaxed and he called the dogs to follow him. Butch trotted out in front of them while Nacht and Balin followed politely at their handlers’ sides.

They walked for some time, quiet expect for their soft foot falls and the occasional bark as Butch saw something interesting rustle the grass. Finally they came across a vehicle sitting in a flattened patch of grass. Dussander gave all three krieges a last pat on the neck before both men filed into the car.

Butch stood stock still as the engine roared and the car tumbled down the path. Her ears pricked and tail upright. She lifted a foot in uncertainty and cocked her head.

Why were they being left alone? Where were they?

Nacht looked even more confused than her, his ears back against his head and brow wrinkled in concern. Butch pushed her worry away to trot to his side and lick his cheek. Nothing to worry about – (although there might be ) – she’d handle this.

Balin was the first to turn away from the departing vehicle. He rumbled a low, friendly growl and started off in the opposite direction. The smell of water was crisp on the air, and Butch suddenly felt a fierce thirst. She peeled away from Nacht’s side and galloped after Balin, butting his flank and she passed. She glanced quickly over her shoulder to make sure Nacht was following. Once she saw he’d caught up with Balin and was trotting placidly at his side, Butch let out a happy bark and shot off toward the smell of water.

But there was more than water that caught her nose. Something else. A musky, ripe scent. Hair and velvet and dung. Something she’d only smelled when accompanying Dussander on a hunt.

There were deer out her.

And she was going to hunt them. 


^{Word Count: 522}