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From a distance Meredith could see a narrow shoreline of sand, bordered by dark brown mud. A pack of nearly twenty dog creatures were moving about on the sand. Some half-grown pups were tussling with each other, while their elders rested near dens of earth and stones with dark openings near the water's edge.
As they drew near, she saw a mature brown she dog emerge from the water and drop a good-sized fish on the sand. Four young pups appeared instantly and pounced on the fish, tearing at it with their small white teeth.
Coelacanth
Meredith was close enough now to see that the fish was dark blue with white flecks. It had a pair of fins on its back and belly, and a trilobated tail. A coelacanth!
In modern times, it was a near-extinct species of ancient fish that fishermen caught off the coast of Madagascar. The coelacanths must be plentiful here, if the Dog People eat them for food.
Protective Circle
The friendly young she dog scrambled onto the muddy edge of the water and shook herself. Meredith and Shaman Far Heart approached cautiously, but as soon as they set foot on the beach, the animals were instantly alert, having seen or heard them or caught their scent. They seemed to feel a sense of violated territory.
An alpha male with glossy reddish brown fur, faced them and let out a low pitched growl. The alpha female with the fish suddenly snarled ominously, sending her pups scurrying into their underground den, while she joined her mate in front of their lair.
Instantly the Dog People formed a protective circle around the mounds, facing the human intruders with teeth bared, hackles up and tails raised menacingly. Meredith began to question the wisdom of this encounter.
Appeased, the stern pack leader lowered his tail and cocked his head toward the young dog creature. Seeing that she had the stage, she yipped and pranced, and greeted Meredith excitedly. This charmed Meredith, who reached down and picked her up.
Due Respect
Perceiving the situation, the brave young she dog advanced purposefully toward the alpha male, tail between her legs and head down, not out of fear, but showing due respect for his position. As she drew close, she groveled on her belly to attract attention. The alpha female whined too, interceding for the youngster.
The happy youngster, however, just licked Meredith's face joyfully, and for her part, Meredith stroked her fondly and whispered in her ear, then finally set her down.
Seeing that the youngster was safe, the pack leader relaxed his vigilance and the other Dog People followed. One by one they came over to sniff the legs of the humans and, finding them harmless, soon permitted Meredith and the shaman to move freely among them.
Meredith decided she was glad she had come here after all.
Harmless
The other Dog People, seeing their den sister held in the arms of this strange two-legged creature, resumed their defensive postures. The alpha male once more lowered his powerful head bared his long sharp teeth in a terrifying manner, while the dog mother growled threateningly.
Puppies' Den
Meredith approached the puppies' den, hoping to examine the the earth and stone dwelling. She bent over to peer in, but the mother blocked her way. But soon the puppies came out to play, and Meredith slipped by them and crawled into the den.
The walls were of smoothly packed mud. A long tunnel led from the entrance to a small chamber in the rear.
The family huddles together here for warmth, companionship, even love, Meredith thought. Another tunnel branched off from the first.
That tunnel must lead to the water. I can smell the algae. They can enter from the water like beavers. Or from land.
A Good Dog
When Meredith emerged from the den, the shaman was waiting. "It
is time to go now," he said.
Saying goodbye was the hardest part. Meredith bent over and clung to
her new friend's neck, and the young dog licked her face.
"You're such a good dog," she
said. Finally she freed herself and turned to go.