Pet Pair: Wiley and Khala (Posting Welcome)

[tigerwish~]

Hello all Well, I have two lovely pets who I like very much here on CS. If you hadn't guessed already, their names are Wiley and Khala. Their pet pair story can also be seen in My Pets thread but I decided to make a whole topic for them here as well. I have had a few people now who enjoyed their first post so I decided to write more. Please post to comment, criticize and critique, as that's the main reason why I created this post. I will also be accepting any ideas at any time for new posts! The first six posts are all my ideas, but I would like to continue with some other people's ideas entwined in the adventures to follow.
For now though, I want to thank you for visiting this thread, and I hope you enjoy the story.

"Hiya. I'm Khala, and I just wanted to remind you readers two things...
One: please post!
Two: grab your blanket and make some popcorn; our story is starting!"

[tigerwish~]

Preface:
Khala was, is and always will be a farm dog. She was born into the life of a farm dog, and she doesn't plan to leave. She is a pure bred Australian Shepherd and just about as good as they come. Sweet, well-mannered, and well-trained too. She has lots of space to roam around, big meals, children who play with her, and a family who loves her very much. What more could a dog want?
Wiley on the other hand, has no place to call home. He's a mutt, a stray, eating what ever he can and befriending whoever will welcome him. He used to have a family, but he was much too hyper for what they wanted and much too destructive as well. But that wasn't really Wiley's fault, was it? It was the people who left him at home all day; so bored even chewing on the address book was no longer fun. Wiley yearned for adventure, excitement, and that he found when he came across Luckett Farm, and that's where he met Khala. That's where the story really begins.

[tigerwish~]

Part One:
The rising sun rose up in the blue sky, high above Luckett Farm. Khala stood up and stretched, yawning a big yawn, showing her white teeth and her long pink tongue. She padded up to the front door of the small house and scratched twice.
"Oh good morning Khala!" A lady appeared from inside as the door opened. SHe reached down and patted Khala on the head. "I hope my good girl slept well. Do you want your breakfast?"
Khala let out a large bark.
The lady giggled. "I think that's a yes! Well, come on in then sweet heart." The lady stepped aside and Khala trotted into the kitchen and over to her food bowl, which was full once again. She bent her head down and gulped away, her tail wagging all the while.
"Yes you eat well girl, remember, we're herding the sheep into their summer pasture today."

Warm, sunny, and the fresh fragrant of flowers. Wiley laid down and rolled over in the daisies. Then he stood up and sniffed the air. He hadn't coem across any people or dogs either since a few days ago. Just open land with lots of plants and grass and weeds. Now though, he caught a whiff of both people and dogs, as well as more animals too. He decided to pad on towards it. Maybe he could stop in for a quick snack.

Khala dashed out into the grassy fields and up the hill towards the herd of grazing sheep. At the top she paused and barked a few loud barks, causing the sheep to look up. Then she charged towards them, startling them and causing them to run down the hill.

An open gate stood in front of Wiley, just below a large sign which read in big letters: Luckett Farm. Wiley shook some of the dirt and plants off of his long coat, then walked through. In the distance he heard barking and the sound of hooves. A stampede? He wagged his tail at the thought of excitement and broke into a run.

The sheep were almost in, just a little farther and Khala would be done with work for the day. The open gate to the next pasture was just to the right, and the sheep were cooperating well today. Wrong. Suddenly something from the right caused the sheep to panic. They abruptly turned and fled to the left. What were they doing? Khala tried to run to the left as well, trying to get in front of the sheep once again. She started barking, trying to chase the sheep back over to the right. Then Khala stopped. What was that? Her ears perked and she looked to the right, meanwhile the sheep kept hurtling on in the opposite direction. There was barking. But that couldn't be; Khala was the only dog on the farm. Khala squinted her eyes, trying to see through the bright sunlight coming down. Sure enough, there was another dog. ABout her size, long fur and brownish, from what it looked like. It was running towards her. Khala growled. So that's what scared the sheep. She started sprinting towards the intruder, her teeth bared.

"Wahoo!" Wiley barked and lept as he ran, enjoying every moment of the chase. The sheep were freaked. "Ha ha ha! Wahoo! This is the life!" Wiley's heart skipped a few beats. There was a dog hurtling towards him, and it did not look happy. "Uh oh." Wiley turned and started running as fast as he could away from the coming dog.

"What does he think he's doing?" Khala ran even faster, closing in on the stray in front. She was faster than him, probably from all the herding, and swerved around him. She lept in front of his path, and turned to face him, causing the stray to almost crash into her, but he managed to halt in time.
Wiley couldn't believe his eyes. Wow. He thought to himself. This dog must've been the prettiest he'd ever seen, as he was standing so close now he could tell she was a female. He blinked a couple of times, believing for an instant he'd wake up and it would've been a dream, but she was still standing there. Her crystal blue eyes gazing into his. He could've fainted on the spot.
"What, do you think you are doing here?" The dog snarled. Although it was a question, Wiley could tell no answer would please this dog. "I was almost done herding the sheep, when you had to come along and act like a total doofus and chase them in the other direction."
"Sorry, I'm Wiley. I didn't realize there was a chaser on the other end as well. I thought it would be a bit of fun. I don't know..."
"Fun? You call this fun? Oh, so is it just a game to you? To go around wrecking other dogs daily business? Listen up, Wiley, leave now, or I'll herd you out."
Whoa, this dog had an attitude. "Listen...what's your name?"
Khala eyed Wiley suspiciously. "Khala."
"Okay, well, Khala, listen. I'm a stray, i haven't eaten a proper meal for weeks, can I please just have a small snack, then I'll be on my way."
"After what you just did, psh, I don't think so!" Khala surprised herself by her hostility. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh...
Wiley was a little disappointed, but not surprised. Gosh, why'd I have to be so stupid. I ruined my chance of a lovely mate. "Okay, fine. I guess It is my fault. Sorry about your sheep. I'll be on my way now."
Khala had to be honest with herself. She did feel a little bad. "Well, hold on. Maybe you can stay for a small snack." Then Khala straightened up. "But after that, you go."
Wiley smiled. "Thank you. Deal."

[tigerwish~]

Part Two:
"Aww Khala did you find a little friend? Hmm?" The lady smiled at Khala and scruffed up the fur on her forehead. "He's a wild mutt isn't he girl? Scrawny; you can see his ribs!" The lady made a clicking noise with her lips and wagged her finger in fron tof Wiley. "C'mon now, you really need to feed yourself more often. Good thing you found us, let's get you some egg and turkey shall we?"
Wiley wagged his tail and let out a loud woof. His tongue hang out of his mouth from all the running and he couldn't stop panting. He kept glancing over at Khala, but every tiem her eyes were staring at the floor.
Khala could feel Wiley's eyes burning into her fur. He keeps looking at me. She thought. Oh I hate attention... Khala couldn't bare the feeling of being stared at. She decided to walk up to her lady. Khala whined and nudged her leg, and the lady turned around to giggle at Khala.
"Oh I know sweet heart, you're hungry too. You did a great attempt with the sheep you know. We will finish that work tomorrow. But for now, let's just worry about lunch. After all, we have a guest, and that is unusual for us isn't it girl?" The lady turned back to making sure there was an equal amount of food in each dish. Then she placed both on the floor.
Wiley, resisting the urge to dash to the bowl and gobble the food down in seconds, sat where he was and waited for Khala to allow him.
What's he doing? Khala thought. He's sitting like he's ready to pounce on something but is too scared. Typical mutt I assume. Khala shook her head and shaking off the dust and dirt from her long fur, then bent her head down to eat.
Come on. Wiley was sitting as still as he could, but he could feel his body trembling. Nothing but licking out candy wrappers and eating stale popcorn will make you real hungry, specially when something warm and with such a beautiful smell danced around your nose.
Khala glanced back at Wiley in the middle of her meal. He was trembling. Then it occurred to Khala he was probably waiting for an invitation to eat. She nodded her head to approve, then continued gobbling down her food in big gulps.
Wiley wagged his tail and walked up to his bowl. Happily he gobbled down his own food and licked the bowl clean. Then he sat back and belched. Oops. Wiley smiled trying to make up for his rude behavior.
Khala smiled in return, passing by his interruption. She sat back and licked her lips, and stared at her paws. Never before had she had another dog in her house and she wasn't quite sure what to do.
Wiley walked up to Khala and sat down in front of her. He wanted to lick her ear into its natural position, for it was flipped over backwards, but he kept himself from doing so. "Umm, well, I guess I'll be on my way again. Thanks for the meal." He stood up and sighed, then began to pad out of the house. In the doorway he glanced back over his shoulder, but Khala was still watching the floor. Wiley turned again and started across the wide field, and back towards the open gate.
After she was sure he had left the house, Khala looked up. Yep. She thought, he's gone...
"Khala, my honey." A soft, familiar voice startled Khala from her daze and she looked up at her lady. She was smiling, but in her eyes Khala saw there were puddles of water forming. "Khala come here my darling." The lady bent down and opened her arms, ready to give Khala a hug.
Khala stood up and nestled into her lady's arms. She rubbed her head against her shoulder and the lady giggled, then held her back and looked her in the eyes. "Khala, what are you doing here? Why aren't you out there with him? He's walking away and we're both here sobbing. Go get him Khala. We have room for two."
Khala wagged her tail gently. Could she be right? Khala thought back to that morning, when WIley had chased her sheep. Khala what if he does that all the time? She started to argue with herself. But he really didn't know... Khala shook her head, causing her ear to fall naturally again.
Khala stepped back one foot, still looking at her lady. She wagged her tail and barked. Then she nudged the lady's hand with a passionate lick of her tongue, then she turned around and started running through the field.

[tigerwish~]

Part Three:
Wiley slunk through the daisies and the wildflowers, until he came to the sign he had passed earlier that morning. Well, here's my exit. For one last look of the farm, Wiley turned around. He wanted to remember this place. There was land without streets and cars and smog. He stood for a moment, taking in as much nature as he could. He then looked the other direction and just as he was about to take another step, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and his head jerked around. He looked up the field where the soft sloping hill rolled towards him. On the peek of the hill Wiley could barely make out the shape of a dog. It was running towards him, he was pretty sure. Wiley stopped. His heart almost skipped a beat. It couldn't be... Wiley wanted to wag his tail but he couldn't. He could just stand there looking like an idiot with his tongue hanging out.
Khala wasn't positive why she was running up to a city dog who she'd just met this morning. She wasn't even sure why she couldn't stop and turn around, and just let the stranger walk out and carry on with is normal everyday city dog life. Khala didn't necessarily even want another dog in her home. She had all she needed, just her and her lady. But sometimes maybe, sometimes, life could be a little lonely can't it? Even when you have everything?...
Wiley finally got his tail to wag when Khala was only feet away from him. He wagged his tail very hard actually, and when Khala stopped running and stood in front of him, Wiley touched his nose to hers and whispered softly. "You came back." He felt stupid saying it, but the words tumbled out of his mouth, and once they were out he wasn't able to take them back.
Why did I come back? Khala let herself wag her tail too. Something was changing, she knew, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what. Some new feeling washed over her in those few moments that seemed like forever, but a good kind of forever. The kind like when you're in heaven, and you can run and run and run and you're still going to be in heaven. The feeling was a good kind too, it brought warmth, and promise and calm. Maybe Wiley isn't quite as bad as the typical mutt.
Wiley softly licked Khala's forehead. Her eyes blinked at him with sparkles and diamonds of crystal dancing among their light blue hue. Wiley inched a little closer and rested his head on hers and closed his eyes.
Khala pushed her nose through Wiley's fur, taking in the smell of him. It wasn't the most pleasant, as he smelt of garbage and no doubt needed a good bath, but Khala didn't pull away. She let her nose rest there as she let herself sit down and lean against him. Everything else vanished from Khala's mind as she sat there, holding onto forever.

[tigerwish~]

Part Four:
A large yellow sun rose above Luckett Farm and down on Wiley's fur. He blinked his eyes and looked at Khala. She was still sleeping, as she should be, since she had been up late last night on the watch for coyotes. The night before a lamb had been taken and they'd been too late to help it.
Khala's white belly slowly raised and fell as she breathed lightly. Wiley smiled at the sight of her-so calm, so beautiful. Then he stretched, yawned, and walked up to her. He carefully licked her forehead as not to wake her, then he broke into a run towards the house.
Wiley sat outside the door and stroke it twice with his paw and let out a whine.
"Good morning my boy! I thought you might be here before Khala. I'm surprised even you made it this early." The lady smiled down at Wiley, standing aside so he could come in.
Wiley wagged his tail and padded in. On the kitchen floor there was already a ceramic dish containing breakfast. Wiley looked up at the lady with appreciation in his eyes, then he turned back to eat.

Khala opened her eyes to see green hills and sunshine. She couldn't help but smile to herself. The farm portrayed such a beautiful place, even when life sometimes brought clouds of grey. Her eyes flicked to where the grass underneath the cart had been flattened. Wiley had already awakened. The sound of barking caused Khala to look up at the house. There she saw Wiley jumping and chasing his tail in front of the lady. She was smiling and laughing and Wiley started rolling over and over again, causing her to laugh even louder. She had a smile as big as the one she had when Khala finally learned how to heard the sheep. Khala let out a loud bark then started tearing across the meadow. Her tongue hung out of her wide smile as she ran. She leapt over Wiley, turned around and began to run around her lady barking happily.
Wiley ran up to Khala and licked her again. "'Morning."
Khala smiled. "Good morning. No coyotes, just howling in the distance."
"Alright kids, let's go herd those sheep! Winter will be coming soon you know. The forecast predicts it to start tomorrow." The lady waved her arm towards the sheep, then started to walk in that direction.
Wiley barked and ran ahead with Khala right behind him. "Go to the right; I'll take the left side." Wiley called over his shoulder.
Khala turned off to the right with a bark of agreement. She smiled a little then sped up, running along side the sheep. The fluffy creatures looked up and let out low baaing sounds then started to trot along. They ran into the open gate of the large winter corral, Khala at their heels making sure none escaped. Wiley barked and brought up the rear, and jumped up to grab hold of the rope on the gate. He clenched it in his teeth and pulled it shut, smiling at Khala.
“Nice teamwork you too! And Khala you haven’t even had breakfast yet! Come on in both of you; you both deserve a treat.” The lady clapped her hands in applause and led her dogs back to the house.

[tigerwish~]

Part Five:
Wiley sat like a statue on the top of the hill. His back was facing the old cart and his eyes were on the forest. Tonight was his turn to watch for coyotes. It would most likely be easier to protect the sheep now that they were in their winter pen. It was farther away from the wilderness and the woods. But anyhow, just in case, Wiley would still stay up watching for any danger.
Khala had stayed up last night, but she had felt a little lonely, and figured Wiley would probably like some company. She walked up to the silent statue on the hill.
“I’ll sit with you.” Khala sat herself beside Wiley.
“No really you don’t have to. It has been very quiet.” Wiley whispered.
“Yes, well it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful. Besides, I thought you might be getting lonely.”
“Aww, nah, was alone on the streets all my life. Just sitting up here for the night is nothing.”
“Well I’m staying. I can’t sleep anyways. I keep feeling like something’s watching me…” Khala stiffened. The fur on her hackles raised and she suddenly sat motionless.
“What?” Wiley asked, suddenly alert and all senses open to his surroundings.
A lone howl sounded not too far away.
“That.” Khala whispered, needless to reply though.
A dog-like shape appeared against the brown trunks of the old pines. Like a shadow, it walked upon the grass. Its ears stood up and its stride was long and arrogant.
Khala could feel a low mumble of a snarl coming up her throat.
The shadow approached closer. Possibly it was unaware of the two dogs sitting on the hill. Or did it see them?
Khala’s lips raised to show long sharp teeth that glowed as the moonlight hit them.
Wiley let out a snarl and prepared himself.
The shadow paused. It tilted its ears, wondering if it had heard something. When only silence followed its pause, the shadow continued to walk, turning in the direction of the sheep.

[1020plinky]

It ended as it got exciting like in movies they put the ads in an exciting bit.
Please keep writing!

[tigerwish~]

Thank you! First poster! The nest post will be written soon.

[neonireland]

I love this! Please post!