If you missed Part 1 read HERE

(Where the story left off, Dottie ended up at the girl's house) 

It was some time later that Dottie awoke to the sound of raised voices, they were coming from the house and it seemed that Dottie was the topic of conversation. “You know we don’t allow dogs on our property,’ someone was yelling, “They are dirty and full of fleas, you were stupid to go anywhere near it, you could have been bitten!”  Dottie didn’t wait to hear any more, the time had come to move on, but to where she wasn’t quite sure. She walked out of the gate without a backward glance and began walking down the short street. At the end of the street she looked to left and right, nowhere looked familiar and even when she sniffed at the air she could sense nothing of her whereabouts. She took a deep breath, turned to her right and began trotting down the road.

By now it was beginning to get dark and Dottie knew she would have to pick up the scent of her home and make her way back, her Owner would be getting concerned and she must find a way to return to her. At the end of the road was a large area of bush and as Dottie ran past it she could hear a lot of rustling and several noises like grunts and growls, she felt just a little nervous and quickened her step accordingly. 

Suddenly a whole pack of dogs burst from the bush and went racing off in the opposite direction. Dottie’s curiosity was aroused, where could they be going and where had they come from? She decided to investigate, after all she was well and truly lost and so if she could have some adventure while finding her way home, all the better. She took off in the direction that the dogs had gone. Very soon she spied them up ahead and put on a burst of speed to catch up with them. They barely acknowledged her as she drew level with them. One big, brown Potcake seemed to be in charge, he ran in the front with the others a short distance behind him, Dottie brought up the rear. By now it was totally dark and only the moonbeams lighted their path. A tremor of excitement ran through Dottie, it had been a long time since she had felt this way, her life was very humdrum these days and she had forgotten how exhilarating adventures could be. She surged ahead casting her fate to the wind and relishing every tingle of anticipation.

The pack of dogs surged ahead with Dottie in tow, keeping close to the bush that lined the road. Soon they came out into a clearing that was obviously some kind of park, with a basketball hoop and bleachers for spectators. The point of interest seemed to be the line of garbage cans that huddled in one corner. The chief Potcake leapt into the side of the cans causing them to tip over in a domino effect. As the cans rolled and lids flew off, the pack surged forward pulling and tearing at the contents and eating noisily. Dottie felt a tiny frisson of disgust as she watched the ritual and just stood immobile watching. Just then one of the dogs walked over to her and dropped a well chewed piece of chicken at her feet, for a brief second Dottie didn’t know what to do and then as she looked into the yellow eyes in front of her, she set about eating the offering. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she tasted the greasy chicken and wolfed it down gratefully.

The rest of the night went by in a blur, Dottie running happily alongside her new friend and learned the secrets of the night. The pack obviously had its set pattern for their nightly sortie as they covered a large area seeking for and finding food. When they were satiated they played mock fighting and rough and tumble games. Dottie soon overcame her nervousness and joined in with gusto. This was fun!

As the sun began to rise and shards of daylight peppered the horizon, the dogs began to dissipate, nodding farewells as they took off in different directions. Dottie stood still wondering what to do next, she had no idea where she was and she had never felt so far from home. The dog that had befriended her nudged at her side and took off signaling for her to follow, as no other option was available, Dottie set off after him. He led her to a small footpath that ran along the back of several houses and about half way along he suddenly dived under a fence and Dottie hurried to follow him. She found that they were in a small copse completely cut off from everywhere and it was cool and green and soft. They both sank down gratefully and were soon fast asleep.

Dottie awoke to the cruel heat of the midday sun; she could feel the humidity as she struggled to breathe. Despite the shady area the sun had managed to stab its way through the undergrowth. Dottie pulled herself to her feet and stretched, her new friend did likewise and with a mutual assent, they began to make their way in search of a cooler spot. That day they traveled widely trying to beat the sun on its fiery path. It was with a feeling of relief that they greeted the welcome setting of their nemesis. 

The next three days and nights passed in almost identical fashion, resting from the cruel glare during the day and feasting on the many pleasures of the nights. The memory of her home and her Owner had dimmed in the light of new adventures and friendships. Dottie had adapted quickly to her new life. It wasn’t until she suddenly found herself in an area where the smells were all too familiar and pictures of her former life began flashing through her head that she began to have second thoughts. As she ran along, her new friend in tow, she spotted her home; the gate was open and the outside light shining a welcome. Dottie stopped and looked, maybe she could just keep on going and not look back. She gazed wistfully at the back of her departing friend and then back at her home, she thought of her Owner and all the adventures they had shared, she thought of her Boy who loved her unconditionally. Dottie bid her new friend a silent goodbye and trotted up to her front door barking wildly.

The End