The sound of splashing echoes through the thick copse of trees where Hickory is stretched out in the shade, and the noise eventually rouses the blue eyed wolf from his half-waking dreams. His black and red fur is warm in spots, where the sun broke through the leafy canopy overhead, and the male wolf is feeling more than content. He heads toward the sound of the splashing at a bouncing trot, his dark tail swishing behind him. There is a clearing ahead, a clearing where several wolves have gathered. Hickory had seen a gathering like this before, in a meadow full of tasty hairs, and he wonders what has drawn them all together this time.

He moves closer to the water, peering down into the depths. The fish aren’t particularly large of plentiful, but Hickory is always game for a meal. Plunging his head into the chilly water, Hickory emerges with a silvery minnow clamped between his teeth. He crushes the bones with a few quick champs of his strong teeth, and then glances over at the wolf that has asked – for whatever reason – what fun is. Hickory, feeling playful, paws at the water with his front feet, sending up a tiny cascade of water. “Yes, fun.” he repeats, and then turns his blue gaze back to the water in search of a larger fish.