The Pups are Born

Rain pours down heavily as Fawnstep gives birth to her four pups. Lighting flashes like salmon in a clear rushing stream.

"Water..." croaked Fawnstep her voice tiered from labor.

"Get her water, please, Luke," barked Nanack as she sniffed Fawnstep's swollen belly, "She's exhausted."

Luke nods as he scoops up a clump of moss. He sticks his muzzle out of the den soaking the moss with fresh water. It renters his mouth full of soaking moss and his muzzle peppered with rain drops.

"Good, thank you Luke, here comes the first pup..." Nanack turns back to Fawnstep as a tiny pup slides from her body.

"A boy!" Nanack cries.

"Wonderful!" Luke yelps nuzzling his mate as she licks the suckling pup.

Three more pups arrive in the next hour and Fawnstep's heavy labor is over.

"I'm so happy!" Fawnstep murmurs licking her tiny pups.

"So am I," Luke answers, "What will we name them?"

"I think the tiny female is Poppyfur and the larger is Alue."

"I like them! The males should be Kodaik and Shasta."

"Kodaik, Shasta, Alue, and Poppyfur..." Fawnstep murmurs, "Our little family."