Howdy

Dear Lethargic Labradoodles,

I have a new story today. I'm not really sure what to do with it, so I might as well post it here. Enjoy!


"The Cold Embrace" By Matt Mok


Peter headed in the direction of Stella's excited cries, the only other sound being his skis sliding through the soft snow. He found the Black Labrador barking, bounding in a circle, kicking up the white powder that blanketed the mountain. She came to Peter, tail wagging furiously.

"What'd you find?"

She ran back to the spot and barked twice, pawing at the ground.

"Good girl," Peter exclaimed and offered her a treat. He planted an orange flag, a stark contrast to an expanse of white. He looked back at the advancing figures just coming over the hill and pointed at the flag, only moving on when they acknowledged his signal. "You think you can do it again?" he asked Stella.

Stella put her nose to the ground, found another intriguing scent, and bolted off. He caught up with her again, planted another flag, and hurried after once more. This happened several more times. Each time, Peter gave her another treat and praised her, though with less exuberance as the day dragged on.

When they were done, he sat with her near one of the snowmobiles. Stella laid down next to him with her tongue hanging out, panting a cloud of steam from her mouth. Peter watched the avalanche rescue crew in their red parkas as they secured another lifeless body onto the sleds. Stella had found seven that day, one of them still clutching a ski pole.

The dog yawned and looked up at her master. Peter stroked Stella's head, which was damp with perspiration from a hard day's work.

"Good girl," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.