{PRIVATE}+ Under.The.Tree ||Rocky||

[D.esire]

I live my life[/color]



The night was young, and along the shimmering stars pressed up to the blackend roof, was a cloudless sky. The breeze was soft against the tree, making a gentle brushing sound. All the animals had gone to sleep, nestled in their homes. There was peace, and silence. This is what he would call the perfect night. A fair distance away from Skyline Ranch was a tall weeping williow tree. Although the entire land was dirt, the shade of this tree alowed cool grass to grow right under it. It's vines hung down to lay across the ground at every angle. To anyone who lived here, this would provide protection, shade, and seclusion. The moon hung halfway up the sky, it was just a little ways from becoming a full moon. Inside of the trees covering you could see glimpses of the moon, created by small openings throughout the vines.

Inside was a somewhat well decorated home, for a stray dog. Pressed against the tree truck was an old tatterd dog bed, with the words SKYLINE RANCH imprinted on it. It was blue, with a few rips and scratches. There was an empty dog bowl, and a a little sheet of paper on one of the tree's roots. Placed on it were scraps of meat, and dog treats that the cattle dog had collected from any humans that were willing to give him food. As afraid of humans as he was, Rocky tried to obtain control of his fear when he was collecting food. That was why he tried not to go out into the public city often. That was about it inside, the large dog bed, the bowl, and the small amount of food. There weren't any bugs becasue of the lack of water in this place. This was home, this was where the dog would live until he found a better place.

Rocky is a medium sized, short haired, australian cattle dog. He is primarily the color of tans, gray, black, and white. He is only slightly muscular for a male, but that allowed a quality of great agility. His coat was clean and handsom, and his eyes were brown and in a lemon-shape. At this moment he was cleansing himself, it was his fourth or so day here at Skyline, and he had made himself into a dirtball. A few minutes later, his coat was cleaner than before. Rocky laid back onto his bed, thinking of his words to Dixie, and his invintation. So far, she had not came. Perhaps this was her way of telling him no? Rocky rolled over on his back, allowing himself to sink into the comfertable bed. His paws were upright, and he pawed boringly away at a few dust flakes. The moon reached up just below his point of view, soon it would be directly overhead, and the light could be seen in his shatoe (meaning home) clearly. That was the best part of every night, and usually at that time he would howl. Uncertain why, it would just be a nagging urge inside of him to do so.

On the other side.

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[Dixie]

Dixie had stopped herself earlier that day from chasing after Rocky. She knew it was risky. Many savage creatures lived beyond the confines of the Skyline border. She lay awake in the barn thinking about this. She heard a mouse scurry across the floor. The great barn owl swooped down and caught it with her enormous claws and flew back into the rafters. Dixie sighed and looked around. Everyone else seemed to be sleeping soundly. She quietly began to rise from her lying position. She managed to get to her feet and tip toe through the other sleeping dogs around her. She may have stepped on a few as she made her way to the door but they did not wake. Dixie reached the door and slowly opened it more so her body could effortlessly slide through.

The air was crisp. The moon was high in to star filled sky. Dixie had never really ventured out in the night like this before. It was so beautiful. After looking around to make sure nothing was stirring she picked up a lengthy trot that carried her to the water trough. She again rose on her back feet and quickly lapped up water with her pink tongue. When she had her fill she turned towards the closest exit out of Skyline. She looked around once more and began trotting across the dark landscape. Dixie was alert, wolves were known for sneaking around Skyline at night and she did not really want to face one. Everything looked to be still, however. A sigh of relief escaped her as she reached the final fencepost.

the large willow tree was barely visible in the distance. It would take her a good five minutes to reach it. Dixie looked back over her shoulder back at the cozy barn where she had been attempting to sleep not to long before. She turned back to the open land and started toward the tree. The moon was her light and it did help her to navigate over the land. The willow was now coming into view. It looked beautiful standing there in the moonlight, all alone in the middle of nowhere. Dixie smiled at herself and picked up some speed.

Dixie reached the tree and began to pant. That had been a long journey, or at least in the middle of the night it seemed that way. She looked over and easily found the cattle dog she had been talking to earlier that day. He was lying against the tree. She hoped he was awake just so she would not be a bother to him. She saw him move slightly and then said, Hey there stranger. She smiled and waited to see him look up at her.

[D.esire]

I live my life[/color]


The moon's rays parted through the thick damp vines from the willows, it's light letting shine in parts of the cozy home. Laying back on the dog bed, Rocky let his head rest on the hard dark bark of the tree. His eyes fell shut, but the cattle dog wasn't sleeping. He was dreaming, but still awake. He pictured that day, just a few hours before. Everything was moving backwards, and quickly. It wasn't long before he began to think of what happend befor he made it to Skyling. Rocky was wandering, weak and in pain. Now he is better, but being abused. It was like someone was watching his life and put it in reverse. The next scene was the first, he was a pup- trying to follow his mother. In need of milk. But she just kept running away.

His eyes opend quickly once again, and he found his head now resting on the bed. Perhaps he had fallen asleep for a few minutes. Why did this always happen, whenever he shut his eyes- his life would go through his head backwards. Shaking off the thoughts, Rocky leaned over and swalloed a small piece of bacon hungerly. He rested back on his bed, only slightly sore from all the running he had done today.

The world seemed quite, the breeze had stopped and the moon remained through a crack. He peeked up and watched as it stood there. Just letting light shine on his bed and a few other places. When it reached his face he squinted a little. But too soon he ajusted to the light. A small crack made a noise outside, then the sound of brush. He rose his head looked over- seeing Dixie. For a moment he just layed there quite, but she soon spoke. To him, her voice was amazing, he loved the sound.

"Thought you'd never come." he said, in the same tone as her. The cattle dog moved to the side a little, makin room so she could come in and relax. It was a good mile or less from Skyline to his tree, but for dogs it only took a few minutes to get to.

On the other side.

[/right]

[Dixie]

Dixie smiled as she watched the cattle dog shift and talk to her. Apparently he was hopeing she would stop by, Thought you would never come.Dixie nodded at his words. Sorry I did not come earlier but, she paused, I wasn't completely sure if I wanted to venture this far. She looked away from his gaze for a moment, back towards Skyline. no one seemed to notice she left. A sigh of relief excaped her. This really was a nice spot. The tree stood gleaming in the moonlight. Its branches making shadows around them. Stars peaking through the top. It was beautiful.

Dixie walked closer to the dog lying apon his old bed which she founf to be from Skyline. She sat down nearly a foot awy from him and looked around. There was a piece of old newspaper behind one of the roots. Dixie sniffed the air. The paper seemed to be holding some scraps and dog treats. She shook her head and laughed. You really got it made here, she said laughing. Suddenly a distant howl took over the air. Oh great I knew there was a reason I did not want to come out here, Dixie thought to herself. The howl erupted again. It was deep and sounded close. Dixie scooted herself a little closer to the tree as if it would protect her from a wolf, she quickly realized it would'nt but still sat very close to it.

She turned towards Rocky and looked more around his home. It was a great spot, but Dixie didn't think she would manage living out here. It's really different out here, she said looking towards the wilderness.

[D.esire]

I live my life[/color]

Rocky watched as she smiled, then replied to him. He wondered if the reason she didn't want to come out this far was becasue it was dangerous- or just because she it was so different than her life at Skyline. His tail moved across the dog-bed back and forth, swaying with ease. Rocky decided not to reply to that, coming up with no words that he could say. The wind came a little faster now, sending the slightest of a breeze in the tree's enclosment. The cattle dog ruffled up for a moment, warming himself from cool breeze. It could get pretty cold at night when breezes came, but with no breeze the tempature was fine. His attention was brought back to Dixie as she was looking off, probably thinking of her home back at skyline.

When she made her way to rest on the large bed, he smiled. It was good to know she wasn't uncomfertable around him like most others were. You really got it made here. The cattle dog looked around, he had a bed and a few treats. "Well, it's no mansion." he said with small shrug, "but I survive." When the silence was broken by the distant howl, Rocky looked up calmly. Every so often you would here a howl by wolves- but they'd yet to accompany him. Rocky new he was not much of a match for wolves, true he could probably outrun them, or even take a few attacks. But his breed was just not built for fighting. The dog looked as Dixie became a little more nervous, "Don't worry. They won't come." he said in a comferting voice,

It's really different out here. Rocky agreed with that by a nod, it really was. He new the so called 'good life'. But his was much different. Frankly, he would've rather grown up here than at his ranch. "So what about you?" he inquired, "what's your home like."

On the other side.

[/right]

[Dixie]

Dixie really did like Rocky's home, and h seemed to really enjoy it as well. A place doesn't have to be glamorous to be comfortable. Dixie said examining her surrounding once more. The howling in the distance took over the night once more. Dixie, still slightly frightened by the sound sat quite still. They won't come he says. the howling seemed to get closer, but she trusted him. After all he would know, h lives here. She looked around just for the heck of it to make sure everything was still. It seemed to be. Aren't you ever worried a wolf might just walk up and attack you or something? She said looking him in the eyes.

He nodded to her statement about his lifestyle being different. He seemed to be a great listener, those were hard to find anymore. Everyone seems to only care about themselves, but not him. He asked about her life. My life, Dixie said rolling her eyes and laughing, nothing special really. Its like every other farm dog's, work, eat, sleep, thats about all I get to do. It gets very boring after a while, the same old routine. I think thats why I really wanted to do something different, you know come out here walk on the wild side. She said this words very dramatically and enthusiastically. Dixie loved to just have fun, with anything she did. The moon still shown brightly through the tree top. Its light being just bright enough for Dixie to see Rocky in the darkness. I didn't always live at Skyline you know, Dixie said this in a very small voice, and I know its hard to believe now but I didn't start herding till I was almost two and a half. Dixie smiled and layed back on the old bed that read Skyline.

[D.esire]

Rocky agreed what she had said, although it wasn't perfect- Rocky did love his home. The howl echoed again, and his auds perked. They wouldn't come, wolves would never come too close to Skyline Ranch. Aren't you ever worried a wolf might just walk up and attack you or something? The cattle dog chuckled, not in a haha way- but in a different way. "There's no place I can go where they can't get me. So I'll just have to risk it." He looked at her and smiled, finally- he had met someone who accepted him, a who he liked.

As she spoke about how her lifestyle wasn't all that great, it reminded him of when he was a herding dog. But her way of putting it was totally different that he lived back then. As she spoke with so much ethusiasm, he laughed a little. I didn't always live at Skyline you know, she had began to talk about her past now. "So, where did you live?" He asked, thingying his head a little bit.

There was another cool breeze, and the moon's light shifted upwards. Soon it would be totally dark until the light would shine on the other side.

((Sorry, had very little muse here))

[Dixie]

The chuckle that emerged from the cattle dog before her did not make her feel any more comfortable about the howls in the distance. However, she laughed a bit just to make it sound as if she thought it was funny as well. But then he spoke saying there was no place they couldn't get him. She laughed a little again and turned her head in the opposite direction to hide her distressed look. She then quickly turned her head back towards him. She considered the fact for a moment and then concluded that it was probably true. They are everywhere and there is avoiding them. With a sigh of relief she looked over the land back towards Skyline.

The moon was nearly directly overhead at this time. So where did you live? he asked continuing there conversation. Well I was born out east, she said looking back at him. I don't really remember that well, my owners moved out here when I was only a few months old. She smiled as a breeze blew making her hair fly. Still looking at Rocky she tried to remember more details, but none really came to her. She shrugged so to tell him that was it and looked away.

The breeze blew once more. It was getting chilly and Dixie shivered a bit under her thin summer coat. Trying to think of something to say next was difficult. Dixie never really talked to other dogs one on one like this very often, this caused her to be a bit shy. The dogs at Skyline seemed to be jealous of her late blooming talent for herding and did not act friendly towards her that often. Finally coming up with something to say she turned back to Rocky. So what about you? Always a street dog?

[D.esire]

I live my life[/color]


The breese ran through the tree, letting the leaves and vine-looking things shake. A portion of the wind entered the tree, and having little fur was not much of a help. Rocky shivers slightly, but soon stopped as the breeze lightained, he listend as she spoke of her past. Being vauge as she said that she lived in the east, then moved here. He was right, being a herding dog was not the perfect life. It was a life on a leash. She was soon to ask him about his past, however the male was hesitant to tell her. He watched her, just thinkind of how beautiful she was, and different than the rest. An ease struck upon him, and he became more comfertable.

"I actually just arrived here a week ago, I came from another town nearby." He began becoming more comfertable with the femme, "I used to be a herding dog too- for cattle." That may have came at a shock, it wasn't often that a dog would give up his nice life for a life on the streets. "We were mistreated, and one day I cracked...so I ran away." When he said cracked, he ment bit the owner. Though the dog was afraid to tell the collie what he ment, becasue she probably had a close bond with her owner.

On the other side.

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