They sat on the trunk porch as morning breathed a frosty zephyr across the weathered planking. The cold air stung the man's work and time-worn hands, but he didn't notice. He reached out and placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder. Danni turned a smiling face to the man.
They shared their breakfast here, watching the stars blink out as sunlight spread its amber mantle over the meadows and hills. In the fields, sheep shuffled closer together. When hungry lambs called out to their mothers their breaths puffed out in misty plumes.
Danni had been something special from Aaron's son, Frank. She was a beautiful chestnut, white, and smoky-gray coated Australian Shepherd and so smart Aaron felt a good pride for her. And he had grown to deeply love his ever-happy companion.
After he brought Danni to the ranchers pride, Frank purchased a handsome male Australian Shepherd and bred him to Danni. She was due to supply soon.
In the glow of dawn, he saw the wolf, low on the trail, watching them. It was exactly the same every morning. Several lambs had gone missing and Aaron suspected wolves were to blame. Aaron began carrying a rifle whenever he was out with the sheep. He was too old to react fast enough to ward off a wolf attack and Danni wasn't as quick to transfer as a result of her pregnancy.
Her cumbersome weight notwithstanding, Danni was always eager to create her daily rounds in the fields. She was protective of all in her charge, but with the lambs she was especially vigilant.
After her work was done, Danni would leave to the river on the trunk end of the property, nearby the woods. Aaron wondered what she did there. Once, curious to find out, he had followed her. When Danni spotted him she turned around and ran back once again to the
ranchers pride. He found her on the porch smiling. Aaron chuckled, figured he wasn't supposed to know.