I hide so well within the darkness of the underground den as eyes of black and emerald peer toward the fate that soon awaits me. Mother is on one of her bathing sprees again and Rhett has already succumbed to it. My rump is pressed tightly against the furthest wall as I try to blend with the shadows and yet it is an impossibility with my brightened tones of fur.

The largest of us all is finally given freedom and it is then that my attention turns to Sogne as he realizes he is the one who attracts mother’s attention next. A sharp giggle fills the air as he stumbles hastily out of the den only for me to realize that it was a grave mistake to be so loud. The chuckling face of mother turns to seek me out and it is entirely too late to slip by her watchful gaze. In truth, I really loved being groomed by her, but I would never let my brothers know or see that. Once I was certain that the boys would not see me, I pranced happily toward her and rolled upon my back between her two large paws. My own legs flailed within the air as I attempted to remain balanced and waited for her to begin the process.

Two-toned eyes looked hesitantly up to the open mouth of the den every now and then to ensure that I would not be found out but worry soon turned to relaxation as her warm tongue swept across my belly. I can’t believe they didn’t enjoy this. We weren’t going to be this tiny forever and who knows… mother may stop giving us grooming sessions all together soon! The thought brought a wave of dismay that was quickly brushed away as she hit a ticklish spot on my chest. Tiny fits of laughter ensued and within a moment I was flopping over to right myself as I caught my breath.

One paw reached up to smack gently at her muzzle as my own teeny tongue flicked out to kiss at her nose. I, rather ungracefully, returned back to all four paws and immediately turned to bound up and out of the den to dry in the sunlight. The startling brightness of the day caused my eyes to squint nearly shut before they adjusted to the change. My tail rises to stand alert at my back as I search the small area for my brothers and it is soon that I spot them sitting around upon the hill. A puppyish huff is given before my ungainly paws begin to carry me toward them at a rushed pace.

The ending words to Sogne’s sentence was all I managed to hear and with exuberance I let my voice rise up. ”Found out about what!??” I asked rather loudly with my tail spinning wildly at my rear.