It was a late summer morning at Sapphire Hills. A faint mist crept over the already browning fields. Birds sang and horses whinnied as they awoke from their night's rest. The smell of oats and hay filled the air as the stable hands went through their morning rounds of feeding and mucking out stalls. Everyone was starting their day on the farm. June sat on the porch of the old farmhouse, warming herself in the rising sun. Her owner, Abigail, was making breakfast for her and her husband, Sam.  The day seemed like it would be just like any other.  Content, June scanned the horizon, that's when she saw and unfamiliar vehicle making it's way down the long, dirt path to the house.  Alarmed, June let out a few thunderous barks to warn everyone of the quickly approaching strangers.   A loud bang of dishes in the sink, was heard from inside the kitchen and Abigail shot out the door. "Oh it's them Sam! Come out and say hello!”

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Everything was quiet. Katherine picked up slumbering Matthew with gentleness that only a mother can manage and dressed the half asleep child. Cash on the other hand staid in his boys bed, peering over the covers to watch them with big eyes, reluctant to start the day. Something was going on. Of course the humans words sounded mostly like static to the canine, but he understood what the packing of bags, and uneasiness in the house meant. “Cash,” his voice was whispered from his female humans lips as she left her sons room, and quickly the farm dog followed. Soon everyone was loaded into the truck, with Cash residing in his spot in the bed of the truck.
Peering out at the misty morning, it wasn’t long before they began bouncing down a dirt road, horses in pastures all around. Stormy, and the pony Old Blue were the only horses Cash had ever known. There were so many more here! A dog’s bark grabbing his attention the cattle dog put his paws up on the side of the truck, trying to see ahead. Another dog? The little nub on his end wiggled with curiosity and excitement.
Abigail had come over a number of times to watch little Matthew so upon seeing the older woman Cash smiled and gave a full body wiggle of excitement, leaning over the edge of the truck seeking pets. Awake and full of energy Matthew slid from the truck, going straight to a fence to watch the horses. “Matthew,” his fathers stern tone brought the boy back while his mother grabbed her sons How to Train Your Dragon backpack from the back seat. “Thanks again for watching Matthew and Cash, Abigail. I hope they aren’t too much trouble for a few days,” Mike said to the older woman as he picked up an impatient little boy.
“Cash,” Katherine called patting her thigh. Released from his post, the cow dog happily bounded over the edge of the truck landing on the dirt with ease. Trotting over to his owners side he leaned against her leg looking around.
Spotting June, Cashes ears perked and he stared.  “Howdy!” He barked to her. “Shh,” Katherine’s sharp tone brought back his attention as he peered up at her. With a sigh the young dog laid at her feet waiting for the humans to finish talking.

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June pulled her ears back, scrutinizing the people climbing out of the car from the porch.  It was her job as the Ranch’s guardian to be weary of any possible threats.  She noted they brought a dog as well.  He was a dark canid with thick fur and a faint scent of livestock.  An other farm dog perhaps? She had never seen him around before, but then again June doesn’t really see much of anyone.  She practically avoided social situations when she could.  In contrast to June,  Abigail all but ran down the steps to happily meet the newcomers in the driveway.  Sam followed her out sporting a big friendly grin that showed through his thick beard.  These people and dog were welcome here, there’d be no avoiding this time.  The warm and comfortable way the humans conversed calmed her initial anxiety enough for her to descend from her spot on the porch and make her way to her masters’ side.  

June locked eyes with the dog across from her and to her surprise he quickly barked out a cordial greeting.  She opened her mouth to return a hello but was silenced when the woman next to him hushed the dark dog.  She watched him slump down to the dirt, a tired look on his face.  June politely smiled and they both waited for the humans to finish with their conversation.

When all was done the two grown people, who seemed to be called Katherine and Mike, were the only ones to get back in the truck.  After waving goodbye and watching them recede down the dirt path, Abigail turned her attention to the small boy the couple left behind.  She crouched down to his level and gently combed the boy’s hair behind his ear.  “The five of us are going to have lots of fun together.  I’d love for you to meet some of my horses and Sam here’s got something special planned for later today, but for now how about we all get inside and have some breakfast?”  Sam came up behind her, his fists comically placed at his hips and shouted excitedly, “Bout time!  Come on inside lad, quickly! This woman won’t let me eat til you’re at the table and my tummy’s been grumbling since four this mornin’!”  June turned to watch the three of them disappear into the old house then spun her head to the dog in front of her.  He seemed anxious to follow his boy inside. “We should go too.  If you’re staying here there will be food for you as well.” She was half way up the porch steps when she paused.  Had she forgotten something?  Oh right, quickly she turned back to the dog behind her trying her best to look welcoming.  “My name is June, Welcome to Sapphire Hills.”

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Watching his humans leave was difficult, but Matthew was here and that’s what mattered to the Aussie mix. The toddler was all laughs and smiled going off with the older couple, his dog all but forgotten, though ever faithful Cash was happy to follow, though he wanted to meet this stranger. Holding still he smiled over at the big dame. Before he could say a word she spoke first. “Alrighty,” the cow dog said politely. This was her house, and if she invited him in for grub he wasn’t about to question it.
“Nice to meet you miss, I’m Cash,” he said with a big smile. “I’d love to see all of it. I’ve never seen so many horses,” talking as he walked across the porch, he looked up at June. Peering around the house he picked up the scents. It was so different from his own home, but still very pleasant. “Nice place you got here,” he said as he glanced around.
Matthew was up at the table, happily munching on deliciously smelling food with the elder humans. Though his mouth watered in desire for the food, he knew better. Many times as a pup being snapped at and chased off by humans let him know he was definitely not welcome near the dining table. Not patient enough to just sit around Cash walked around sniffing at chairs, couches, and the carpet picking up every little scent to occupy his time. “Do you folks have cats?” He asked curiously. All he could smell were cleaners and odd floral things humans seem to like.

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June smiled in response to Cash’s compliment.  She was proud of her home.  A sense of security always managed to seep into her bones from being inside these walls.    June’s eyes followed Cash as he went up to sniff the couch, but then wound up landing on the oil painting behind the large piece of furniture.  It pictured pack of deerhounds on a golden field, each one a relative to June.  Her family was everywhere in this house, silently watching over her.  It was comforting to June yet…  Junes eyes settled on two older looking dogs on the far left side of the frame.   June instantly recognized them as her late parents and she was hit with a tinge of sorrow.   The house could quickly become depressing if she lingered inside for too long.  Cash brought her out of her thoughts with an inquisitive question.  Did she live with any cats?  “There’s one that lives in the stable.  He doesn’t come to the house though.  I mistook him for a rabbit once and I don’t think he ever forgave me.”  June smiled at the memory.  “It’s just me and my humans who live here.”  June leisurely made her way over to her bowl that was placed on a stand next to the fridge.  She took her fill off kibble and offered the rest to Cash.  

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Cash shook his head with a laugh. “No one wants to be chased like a rabbit,” he mused. “We’ve got farm cats. Matt sneaks em in now and again, but they always get put back out,” The cattle dog said.
Glancing up he noticed all the pictures. They all sure did look like June… Weird. Maybe they were family? He didn’t know. Cash had never known his mom or dad for long, or even his litter mates. Most of his memories were with Matthew. Looking back over at the boy he was still giggling and eating, content at his table with the other humans.
Following June he waited for her to finish before taking a few mouthfuls of kibble himself. By the time he was done little feet tapped on the floor. Spinning around the black dog licked the face of his little one who only laughed. “Can we go outside!?” Matthew asked.

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June wagged her tail as she watched the affectionate exchange between Cash and his boy.  She briefly thought about how nice it would be to have a human pup to care for but quickly shook it out of her head.  They’re far too loud and grabby for her taste, and besides, what would she do without Abby and Sam?  June looked up at her owner’s lovingly as they started to clear the table.  She noticed Sam had to take a few tries to get the strength to stand up and Abby’s hand shook when she reached for a spoon.  June frowned and the question came back in her mind, what would she do without Abby and Sam?  It was no secret that her owner’s were no longer in their prime, and it seemed to be only more obvious now as they stood next to Mathew.  June’s ears perked up at the mention of the outdoors.  Yes, let’s go outside.  She needed to get out.  She needed to run and clear her head.  June bolted out the already open door, she didn’t wait for permission or company.  Sam chuckled, “Well she sure thought was a good idea!  Abby and I are goin’ to take care o’ these dishes but you can go on ahead, son.  Just don’t stray too far an mind them horses.”  Abby peaked over her shoulder from the sink, “Oh and Matthew, If you find a stick June might play fetch with you.”

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Watching the large dame bolt out the door Cash jumped to follow her. “C’MON!” He barked excitedly to his human. Sprinting out the door he took the porch steps in a single bound. Running at June the excited young cattle dog gave her tail a playful and careful nip. “TAG!” He yipped before taking off like a mad man across the lawn.
Matthew ran out of the house and down the stairs. Watching his riled up companion the little boy laughed a high pitched shrill sound. “Cash!” He called. Running over he jumped up to give his boys cheek a drive by lick before taking off again. The child was nearly on the ground with laughter.

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The rush of fresh air and wind in her face instantly lifted June's spirits.  June loved to run.  When she ran it was as if the world moved faster, and there was no time to worry about what was behind you.  All that mattered was taking your next stride forward.  June was just about to take off at full speed when she felt a gentle nip at her tail.  She yelped involuntary in surprise, and spun around only to see Cash running away smiling.  She had left him behind in the house because she was upset but he didn’t seem to notice.  June was happy for this, she didn’t want to explain herself.  So, the nip had been an initiation for a game of tag?  It had been a while since June had someone to play with.  “This could be fun.” she thought.  June waited until Cash was a ways from Mathew and then took off after him.  She snickered as she came up to the cattle dog , nipped his side, and gracefully jumped over him.  “TAG!” She barked as she ran through tall grass.  She looked back tongue out and smiling.  “I’m afraid you’ve chosen the wrong game Cash!  I was bred for this sort of thing!”

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Cash felt the nip, but he was more taken aback by being leapt over! Talk about a big dame! She could have stepped over him if she really wanted too and without much trouble! Loping after her Cash saw her disappear into the long grass. Peering over the tips of the long stalks he could see her grey tail up ahead.
He may not be built for the endurance hunts she had been made to preform, but he was a sprinter. Short sprints and long trots were what he could do. Tucking his butt under to give his back legs a little more power the black dog shot towards her. Stretching out he gently grabbed the fur at the end of her tail and held on, striding alongside her with the tuff of hair spilling from his maw like a prize while he grinned up at her.
Cash wasn’t much for hints, especially with other dogs, and especially when he was excited. If she wanted a message across he was going to need a neon sign the size of a bill board attached to his nose!

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June was already put off by the cattle dog’s choice of where to grab her, but now that he wasn’t letting go, she was more than irritated.  She tried running faster in an attempt to shake him off, but he had a firm grip on her rear and the added wait kept her slow.  June felt her exasperation increasing every moment Cash didn’t release her.  Suddenly, she spun around and grabbed the dark dog by his furry neck with equal force to his own.  The moment he let go, she pinned him to the ground. Towering over him, she barked her order, “Enough!”

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Being grabbed scared the crap out of Cash. Letting go instantly, he let out a screaming yelp. ”SORRY!" He squealed as he was pushed into the dirt. "Hey.. Hey... Im sorry... Im sorry... no more games then,” he whimpered peering up at her with back ears, and an exposed belly.

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As soon as June’s rage had appeared it had dissipated.  Her face softened back into her default somber expression.  She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.  “Yeah, no more.  I’m done for today.”  Slowly she stepped away from Cash and looked back to the house, Abigail and Sam had run out on the front porch and little Mathew wasn’t laughing anymore.  Everyone seemed distressed over what she had done, and frankly she wasn’t that proud of herself either.  Hanging her head low she trotted off to the stable where she could be alone for a while.  

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Slowly rolling up to his feet he watched her go with a hesitance. ”Sorry," he whimpered. Turning he trotted back to the humans with his head down. First dog he had gotten to spend time with since he was a pup and she was ticked at him. Matthew hugged him and nuzzled into his fur, glad his friend was ok.


To be continued...