After almost a day of walking I found the boarding kennel where I worked. I kept the things that I needed for school and daily needs in the back where the food and supplies were kept and not many people went. I opened up the large sack of things that I had: worn down pens and pencils, tattered notebooks and several pairs of clothes.<br />The kennel was the closest thing I had to a home. I could sleep there at night when I wasn't out in about and the dog's were simple minded and typically liked me. The people that hired me seemed to like me too. They said I had a way with the dogs. They didn't ask many questions either, they just paid me at the end of the week with money from out of the register or bank.<br />As I went over my stuff, I looked in the corner for my saxophone, lock and chained to extra fence wire in the back corner for safety. It brought back memories of school time and band class, and of performing on the sidewalk for public entertainment. I didn't need the change they threw at me, I was well off, I just wanted to perform and show it off to the world.<br />The day was slow with not many customers. I had fed, watered and walked the few dogs that were there so I decided to unlatch my saxophone and get playing. It carried some dust collected over time from when I was gone on my wanderings but it played great none the less. I lost track of time playing away. The dogs occasionally howled a tune at me while I played but I didn't mind.<br />The bell at the front counter woke me from my self inflicted trance and i rushed to put my saxophone away and greet the customer.

I skipped breakfast and lunch.Bad idea on my part.Gina took me shopping that afternoon.We went through store after store after store getting school supplies and now time to find clothes.<i>Yipee</i> I thought.She took me into one of her favorite stores.Bad idea all the racks held was high priced pink shirts with lace.Lace!I drove her out and directed her to my favorite store which took forever to find since Gina wasn't very good with following directions.We walked in the racks were piled high with ripped jean black dresses and cute hats.I swerved away from Gina to look.<br /><br />After an hour I had four more pairs of pants a black dress and eight tee shirts all in hefty shopping bags.The sun was setting when we got back to the house.I went to my room dropped my bags of clothes on the floor and plopped onto my bed.The moment I closed my eyes I was asleep.

I saw the car drive off and started to leave. I knew I was probably passing up a good place for food and shelter but my conscience got in the way, telling me to be polite and don't take advantage of the young girl.<br />I left the barn and headed to the forest: my paws, nose and ears as guilds for a new temporary home.

I fought for any words that could make him stay but found none. I nodded and looked outside an open window.<br />"If you do ever need a place to stay then your welcome at the barn."I said staring at his retreating back.I knew that Gina was gonna wake up at any minute.So I left the barn with Olive.I climbed into Gina's car and pulled away watching Olive.<br /><br />I got back to the house in the nick of time.Gina was getting dressed and showered I silently crept back to my room and slumped back into bed.

I look back at her "I'm grateful that you think of me as company but I don't want to be eating all your food... And I don't think that your horse likes me very much..." I look over at Chloe's horse as he snorts and glares at me.<br />"I really should be going..." I push the door open a little more.

:No it's alright I don't mind I haven't talked with many people so I a bit grateful for the chance.If you would like I could help with anything."I said to him.I hadn't talked to anyone my own age since my parents died so it was kinda nice.

I took one of the energy bars and started eating it. I tried not to scarf it down and look too terribly starving but I ate it quickly out of habit.<br />I saw Chloe feeding a small fox an energy bar. I stood up and started heading to the door.<br />"Thank you for the food and shelter." I look back at her as a slowly push the door open, "I should go, I don't want to be a burden."

The fox came out of a nearby stall and looked up at me well probably my food.I knet down and held out the engery bar torwards him.He nibbed it then took the whole bar and ran off.

I had slept at the barn all night.I was wary of being close to the dog in the loft so I stuck to sleeping in one of the empty stalls.Morning came and the dog was about to leave when the other girl that smelled like a cat came.She walked in and took out some food from the refridgarator.I hid in the stall until she came close.My stomach was growling at me so I decided to go and see if she'd give me food.Not the way I would want to get treated but hey I was starving.I padded up behind the girl.

I sat at the table with him and laid a couple energy bars and a bottle of oj in front of him.I got up and moved closer to Cacciatore.I opened my energy bar and broke off half to give to him.He ate it loudly which made me laugh.He bumped me for more.I shook my head and walked back towards Olive.