Redhawk Caldera rather be

As the conversation progressed, Elwood began to see just how immature Eljay's mind remained. Despite his size and physical appearance, he was still very much a puppy. He gnawed briefly on his lower lip, wondering if his son's mental and emotional development would ever catch up.

"We will stay all here together, but Mommy's job is to be an outrider so she has to leave sometimes. She likes it, and she doesn't usually get hurt. She's gone on lots of adventures and come back just fine," Elwood assured him. His statement was half true -- there were other incidents, like Finley's fight with a bear around the time Elwood joined the pack, but for the most part she stayed out of danger.

Elwood suddenly shuffled a few steps away from Eljay, til his paws were technically on the other side of the invisible border. "Look," he said, gesturing in a broad circle with his forepaw. "Nothing scary is going to happen right here. Come on."